Hazrat Abdullah Dhu al-Bijadain (ra)

Hazrat Abdullah Dhu al-Bijadain (ra) was from the tribe of Banu Muzainah. It is recorded that he was still young when his father passed away. He did not receive any inheritance. His paternal uncle was very wealthy. That same uncle took him under his care until he himself became wealthy. When he accepted Islam at the time of the Conquest of Mecca, his uncle took everything away from him to the extent that his lower garment was also taken away. Then, his mother came and ripped her cloak into two pieces, and Hazrat Abdullah (ra) used one piece as a lower garment and wrapped himself with the other piece. He then came to Madinah and lay down in the mosque. He also offered the morning prayer with the Holy Prophet (sa).

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) said that it was the practice of the Holy Prophet (sa), that after offering the morning prayer, he would look carefully at everyone present to see if there was someone new amongst them. The Holy Prophet (sa) saw Hazrat Abdullah (ra) and did not recognise him, so he asked him, “Who are you?” Hazrat Abdullah (ra) mentioned his lineage. In one narration, it is reported that Hazrat Abdullah (ra) submitted, “My name is Abdul Uzza.” Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “Your name is Abdullah Dhu al-Bijadain (the possessor of two cloaks).” The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, “Stay close to me.” He was included amongst the guests of the Holy Prophet (sa) and he would teach him the Holy Quran until he had memorised a large portion. He had a very loud voice.

(Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 5, Fi Ghazwat Tabuk [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], pp. 259-260), (‘Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma’rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2003], p. 229)