History

Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf was one of the companions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He is known for being one of the Ten Promised Paradise.

His parents were both from the Zuhra clan of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. His father was 'Awf ibn 'Abd-'Awf and his mother was al-Shifaa bint 'Awf.

His original name was Abdu Amru ("servant of Amru"). It was Muhammad who renamed him 'Abd al-Rahman ("servant of the Most Merciful"). It is also said that his original name was Abdul Kaaba. His name has also been transliterated as Abdel Rahman Ibn Auf. Abu Bakr spoke to 'Abd al-Rahman about Islam, then invited him to meet Muhammad, who heard his declaration of faith and taught him the Islamic prayers. This was before the Muslims had entered the house of Al-Arqam; 'Abd al-Rahman was one of the first eight men to accept Islam. Abd al-Rahman was one of a pioneering party of fifteen Muslims who emigrated to Abyssinia in 615. Other Muslims joined them later, forming a group of over a hundred. "They were safely ensconced there and grateful for the protection of the Negus; could serve Allah without fear, and the Negus had shown them every hospitality. In late 619 or early 620 "they heard that the Meccans had accepted Islam." This probably refers to the Gharaniq episode. 'Abd al-Rahman was one of forty who "set out for the homeland. But when they got near Mecca they learned that the report was false, so that they entered the town under the protection of a citizen or by stealth. In 615 he migrated to Abyssinia and In 622 'Abd al-Rahman joined the general emigration of Muslims to Medina, where he lodged with Saad ibn Al-Rabi until he could re-establish his business. Abd al-Rahman was one of those who stood firmly beside Muhammad at the Battle of Uhud when most of the warriors fled. 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf was tall and bent-backed with a fine, light, rosy complexion and a handsome face. In old age he did not dye his hair. Abd al-Rahman died in the Levant in 33 AH (653-654 CE) at the age of 75 (lunar) years. He was buried on a hill to the north-east of present-day Amman, Jordan.

Many stories are told of 'Abd al-Rahman's personal generosity. He once furnished Muhammad's army with 1,500 camels. He bequeathed 400 dinars to the survivors of Badr and a large legacy to the widows of Muhammad. One day he brought a caravan of 700 merchant-camels into Medina. Aisha remarked, "I have heard the Allah's Messenger say: 'I have seen 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf entering Paradise crawling.'" This was repeated to 'Abd al-Rahman, who replied: "If I could, I would certainly like to enter Paradise standing. I swear to you, yaa Ammah, that this entire caravan with all its merchandise, I will give in charity." And so he did.

He took part in all major battles and campaigns of Islam; including Badr, Uhud (in Medina), Al-Khandaq (the Trench), the Conquest of Mecca, and Hunayn. He was the signatory on behalf of the Muslims at the Treaty of Hudaybiyah (west of Mecca), a compromise that was reached between Prophet Mohammad and Meccan leaders, in which Mecca gave political and religious recognition to the growing community of Muslims.

At the end of his life, even though he had been given the good news of Paradise, Abdur-Rahman wept worried that he had been given his reward in this life rather than in the next. He was a generous and selfless man dedicated to God, Prophet Muhammad and Islam, and was constantly aware that wealth, not properly utilized, could easily lead to corruption and an eternal downfall.

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