Talking about black companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the first name that comes to our minds is Bilal ibn Rabah, the first one to give adhan and the chief of all of the Mua’dhins.
However, this article is not about Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him). This article highlights some of the early figures in Islamic history who were black.
The usage of the word black will not be restricted to Nubians and Abyssinians but also for Arabs who had black and brown colored skin, which in contemporary times would be perceived as black such as Sudanese who are both Arabs and blacks.
1-Umm Ayman
The first luminous figure in this series who was a companion is Barakah, also known as Umm Ayman.
Umm Ayman was an Abyssinian and a servant of Abdullah bin Abdil Muttalib, the father of the Prophet.
When Aminah, the mother of the Prophet, died, Umm Ayman took over as the primary caretaker of the Prophet.
She was later emancipated at the time of the marriage of the Prophet to Sayyidah Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.
Umm Ayman (may Allah be pleased with her) was one of the early adherents of Islam in Mecca and was one of those who faced persecution from the Quraysh. She was among those who migrated from Mecca to Al-Madinah.
2-Usamah bin Zayd
Usamah bin Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the beloved companions of the Prophet (PBUH).
Both of Usamah’s parents, Zayd bin Harithah, who was Arab, and Umm Ayman, who was Ethiopian, were freed from slavery by the Prophet (PBUH).
He was born in Mecca seven years prior to the Hijrah and is described as having black skin.
Much of Usamah’s upbringing was done in the house of the Prophet (PBUH) in the same timeframe as the rearing of the Prophet’s grandson Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali .
While a teenager, Usamah was elected by the Prophet (PBUH) to lead the Muslim army in an expedition against the Romans in Syria.
Some of the companions became extremely angry at Usamah being appointed as general over older companions from Quraysh.
The Prophet (PBUH) said, after praising and thanking Allah (SWT),
“Oh People! Word has come to me that some of you are mad that I appointed Usamah bin Zayd. I swear by Allah that surely your obeying Usamah is certainly your obeying me just as obeying his father before him.”
Usamah passed away in 61 A.H. in Al-Madinah during the government of Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan.
3-Sa’ad Al-Aswad
One of the black companions of the Prophet (PBUH) was Sa’ad Al-Aswad As-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him).
Sa’ad was from the Ansar and suffered discrimination in Al-Madinah.
He once asked the Prophet (PBUH) if he could enter Jannah because of his low position among the Muslims.
Sa’ad was later martyred in a battle. It was narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) wept over him while holding him in his lap.
4-‘Ammar bin Yasir
One of the famous companions, known for his strong faith, is ‘Ammar bin Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him).
‘Ammar was one of the earliest Muslims to accept Islam and was regularly tortured along with his family.
Once, while being severely tortured, he unwillingly recanted Islam.
He later came to the Prophet (PBUH) in a state of tears, saying that he had verbally recanted Islam but did not mean it; in response, the Prophet (PBUH) wiped away his tears and recited:
“Whoever disbelieves in Allah after belief except who is forced and whose heart is still content with faith…” (Quran 16:16)
After much persecution, ‘Ammar with other companions migrated to Abyssinia. They found protection under it’s just Christian king .
He later migrated with other companions to Al-Madinah, making him one of the group of companions that made two migrations for the sake of Allah .
‘Ammar later participated in the major campaigns to protect the Muslim community, including Badr and Uhud. He also witnessed the Farewell Pilgrimage.
‘Ammar later achieved martyrdom during the Battle of Siffin.
5-Mihja’
One of the famed companions of the Prophet (PBUH) is Mihja’ bin Salih (may Allah be pleased with him).
Mihja’ was one of the early adherents of Islam in Mecca and one of those who migrated to Al-Madinah.
After migration, according to At-Tabari and others, Mihja’ was the first to be martyred during Ghazwah Badr (the battle of Badr).
6-Abu Dharr
One of the honorable companions, known for his faithfulness and concern for the poor, was Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him).
Abu Dharr’s full name is Jundab bin Junadah from the Tribe of Ghifar.
During the Era of Ignorance (Asr Al-Jahiliyah, a term used to refer to the pre-Islam era), the Ghifari tribe was known for banditry and alcohol consumption, in addition to worshiping idols.
Abu Dharr, however, turned away from these tribal norms even before embracing Islam.
After meeting the Prophet (PBUH), Abu Dharr swiftly accepted Islam. He went to the Ka’bah to publicly declare his faith, and Quraysh then proceeded to beat him.
He went the following day to proclaim his faith again, during which he was beaten again.
After days of doing this and facing beatings, the Prophet (PBUH) told him to go back to his tribe so he could declare his message to them.
He later migrated to Al-Madinah and participated in Ghazwah Badr and other expeditions with the companions.
7-Ayman, the shepherd
One of the faithful companions of the Prophet (PBUH) was Ayman bin ‘Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him).
Ayman’s roots were Abyssinian through his mother. He was born to his mother Barakah, a woman eventually freed from slavery by the Prophet (PBUH), and his father, ‘Ubayd bin Zayd.
Ayman embraced Islam in Mecca and made migration for the sake of Allah to Al-Madinah. He was a shepherd and was entrusted by the Prophet (PBUH) to look after his goats.
Ayman participated in many campaigns (battles) to defend Islam. At the battle of Hunayn, when some of the Muslims panicked, Ayman was one of eight Muslims who stood by the Prophet (PBUH) and defended him.
The Muslims ended up winning the battle. In the process, Ayman achieved martyrdom.
***
The article is from our archives and was originally published on Muslimmatters.org.