The Firsts

Thawban (ra): The One Called “An-Nabawi”

He was anxious to see the Prophet ﷺ every day, and even more anxious to be with him in Jannah.  And by serving the Prophet ﷺ and keenly learning from him, Thawban (ra) went from being a prisoner-of-war to a freed-slave and then to becoming one of the greatest teachers of hadith — including many hadith about the signs of the Day of Judgment — to the ummah.

Safina (ra): He Spoke To A Lion

If you asked him his name, he would use the nickname the Prophet ﷺ had given him: a ship.  He served the Prophet ﷺ in his expeditions, spoke to a lion, and narrated a hadith about the Khulafa al-Rashidin (Rightly-Guided Caliphs) at a critical moment in the ummah’s history.  Dr. Omar Suleiman also reflects on the importance of Muslims using good names and nicknames.

Julaybib (ra): The Most Beautiful Story

While others mocked Julaybib (ra) for his small stature, the Prophet ﷺ exalted him among society, even facilitating his marriage to a beautiful, wealthy woman. He was among those at Badr. Find out what the Prophet ﷺ said when he discovered his body after battle.

Zahir ibn Haram (ra): Low Self-Esteem Until He Met the Prophet ﷺ

Zahir (ra) was a man who struggled with his appearance and low self-esteem — until the Prophet ﷺ uplifted his heart in a beautiful and unforgettable way. Through gifts, genuine respect, and a lighthearted joke, the Prophet ﷺ made Zahir ibn Haram al-Ashja’i (ra) feel valued when others overlooked him.

Umm Mahjan (ra): The Woman Who Cleaned the Masjid

To some, she was just the masjid’s janitor. But to the Prophet ﷺ, she was more noble than many. Not much is known about the life of Umm Mahjan (ra). But what we do know is enough to emulate. When she died, the Prophet ﷺ immediately noticed her absence and gave her a special funeral. Learn what he ﷺ said at her gravesite.