Assistant and Confidant to the Holy Prophet (sa)
The Holy Prophet (sa) kept Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud with him after he had accepted Islam and he would serve the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) had instructed him that if he heard the voice of the Holy Prophet (sa) and the entrance of his home was uncovered (i.e. it was open) then he could enter therein without permission. Meaning that he should not enter without permission when the entrance was covered. If, however, the entrance was not covered, the door was open and he could hear the Holy Prophet’s voice, then he had his permission to enter therein because it meant that there were no ladies present inside at that time. He would do everything for the Holy Prophet (sa). He would assist in putting his shoes on, he would travel with the Holy Prophet (sa) when needed, he would hold the purdah (cover) when the Holy Prophet (sa) took a bath. He was known amongst the companions as Sahib-ul-Swaaq.
(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 383, Dar-ul-Kutub al-ilmiyyah, Beirut)
According to another narration he was known as Sahib-ul-Swaaq, Sahib-ul-Wasaad and Sahib-ul-Na‘layn as well.
(Al-Tabqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 113, Dar-ul-Kutb al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 1990)
Abdullah bin Mas‘ud was a confidant of the Holy Prophet (sa); he would prepare the bedding of the Prophet (sa) and would carry the Holy Prophet’s Miswaaq (short dry twig used to clean teeth) and also carry his shoes. The meaning of these Arabic words just mentioned in fact refer to the services he rendered and translate as: preparing his bedding, providing the Miswaaq for his teeth, help in arranging the water for ablution and bathing. One who prepares the bedding is known as Sahib-ul-Suwaad and he would render this service for the Holy Prophet (sa) and he would also repair and carry the Holy Prophet’s shoes and therefore was known as Sahib-ul-Na‘layn. He would carry water for the Holy Prophet (sa) to perform ablution. He would also take care of these chores when the Holy Prophet would travel.
Abu Maleeh narrates, “Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud would provide a purdah (covering) for the Holy Prophet (sa) when he would bathe, he would wake the Holy Prophet (sa) when he would sleep and he would also travel fully armed alongside the Holy Prophet (sa).”
(Al-Tabqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 113, Dar-ul-Kutb al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 1990)
Hazrat Abu Musa narrates, “When I initially arrived in Medina from Yemen, I thought that Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud was amongst the Ahl-e-Bait [the family of the Holy Prophet (sa) peace be upon him] as he and his mother would often visit the Holy Prophet (sa).”
(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 384, Dar-ul-Kutub al-ilmiyyah, Beirut)
Since they would often visit the Holy Prophet (sa) and do a lot of his work, therefore he states that those who newly came to Medina would think that they too were from among the family members of the Holy Prophet (sa).