Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf (RA) – The Generous Merchant
Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf ibn ʿAbd ʿAwf al-Zuhri (RA) was one of the earliest and greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — a man known for his unwavering faith, immense generosity, and remarkable role in the spread of Islam. He was among the ten companions promised Jannah (Ashra-Mubashara) during their lifetime and played a vital role in both the spiritual and economic foundation of the Muslim community.
Early Life and Acceptance of Islam
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān (RA) was born in Makkah around ten years after the Year of the Elephant (c. 580 CE). His lineage belonged to the noble Qurayshi tribe of Banu Zuhrah, the same clan as Aminah bint Wahb, the Prophet’s ﷺ mother, making him a distant relative of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Before Islam, his name was ʿAbd ʿAmr (servant of ʿAmr) or ʿAbd al-Kaʿbah, but after embracing Islam, the Prophet ﷺ renamed him ʿAbd al-Raḥmān — “servant of the Most Merciful.”
The story of his acceptance to Islam is interesting.
He was a rich merchant before the time of Islam. Once he travelled to Yemen where he met a monk who asked him where he was coming from. When Abdul Rahman RA told him that he was a merchant who came from Mecca, the monk said:
“Should I tell you about a glad tiding greater than any type of trade you do? There would rise a man from Mecca who would get revelation from the lord of the heavens and earth, in continuation of the way of Isa, Jesus PBUH.”
Upon returning to Mecca, he went to his close friend Abu Bakr RA to tell him about the incident.
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) invited him to meet the Prophet ﷺ. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān (RA) accepted Islam in the earliest Makkan days, before the Muslims gathered openly at the house of al-Arqam ibn Abī al-Arqam. He was among the first eight people to embrace Islam.
Migration and Brotherhood in Madinah
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān endured persecution in Makkah and was forced to migrate twice — first to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), and later to Madinah. Upon arrival in Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ established brotherhood (muʾākhāh) between the Muhājirūn (emigrants) and the Anṣār (helpers). He paired ʿAbd al-Raḥmān with Saʿd ibn al-Rabīʿ al-Anṣārī (RA), who generously offered him half of his property.
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān graciously declined and said:
“May Allah bless your family and your wealth. Just show me where the market is.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 2048)
With honesty, diligence, and Allah’s blessings, he quickly became a successful merchant. Within a short time, he could afford to marry and support others, embodying the Prophet’s ﷺ statement:
“The trustworthy and honest merchant will be with the Prophets, the truthful, and the martyrs.”
(Tirmidhī, 1209)
Participation in Battles
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf fought bravely in every major battle alongside the Prophet ﷺ, including Badr, Uhud, Khandaq, Khaybar, and Tabūk.
At Badr, he killed the famous Qurayshi warrior Umayyah ibn Khalaf, who had tortured Bilāl (RA). His bravery and leadership were praised by the Prophet ﷺ. He also served as a commander of the Muslim army at Dūmat al-Jandal, appointed directly by the Prophet ﷺ, who tied a black turban around his head as a symbol of command (Ibn Hishām, Sīrah, vol. 3).
He sustained severe injuries at Uhud, suffering over twenty wounds, including one that left him permanently lame (Ibn Saʿd, Ṭabaqāt, vol. 3). Yet he continued to serve tirelessly for Islam.
His Immense Generosity
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān was renowned for his unmatched charity. Despite his wealth, he lived simply and gave abundantly for Allah’s sake.
It is recorded that he donated:
- 500 horses and 1,500 camels for jihad during the caliphate of ʿUmar (RA).
- 40,000 dinars in one sitting to the poor and needy. – Ibn Kathīr
When the Muslims prepared for the Battle of Tabūk, he contributed so generously that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whatever ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf does after today, it will not harm him.”
(Musnad Aḥmad, 1675)
Even when he passed away, he left a legacy of giving — distributing large portions of his wealth to the wives of the Prophet ﷺ and the poor of Madinah. A single share given to each of the Prophet’s wives was said to be 40,000 dinars – Ibn Hajar.
Role in the Caliphate and His Death
After the Prophet’s ﷺ passing, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān played a crucial role in Islamic governance. He was one of the six members of the shūrā council appointed by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA) to choose the next Caliph. His integrity was so trusted that the final decision was placed in his hands, and he selected ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (RA) after consulting the community.
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf passed away in 32 AH (circa 652 CE) at around 75 years of age, during the caliphate of ʿUthmān (RA). He was buried in al-Baqīʿ cemetery in Madinah, and his funeral was led by ʿUthmān himself.
Legacy
ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf (RA) remains an exemplar of wealth coupled with humility, faith paired with action, and success anchored in sincerity. He was wealthy, yet ascetic; powerful, yet humble. His life proves that prosperity and piety can coexist when wealth is used for Allah’s cause.
He got the glad tidings of paradise from Prophet ﷺ during his lifetime itself, and yet he would weep with great anguish out of fear of Allah. He used to say: “Mus‘ab(ra) bin Umair was martyred in Uhud and he was better than I. He was buried in his own cloak. The condition of even that cloth was that if they would cover his legs, his head would become uncovered, and if his head would be covered, then his legs would become uncovered.” And, “Hamza(ra) was martyred and he was better than I. We have been bestowed wealth and affluence. I fear lest we have been bestowed the reward for our deeds in this life.”
Indeed, his generosity and steadfastness made him not only one of the pillars of the early Ummah but also one of the shining lights of Jannah.
