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A Humble Shepherd in Mecca

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (RA) was a young man from a modest background.

He belonged to a Yemeni tribe and was just above the slave class in terms of society since he lacked the protection of a clan in Meccan society.

Uqba ibn Abi Mu'ayt employed him as a shepherd, one of the lowest-paid forms of employment available.

He spent his days tending sheep in the mountains, away from the city's affairs.

People called him "Ibn Umm Abd," meaning "son of the mother of a slave," reflecting his social status.

While tending his flock one day, Abdullah saw two noble-looking men approaching.

They seemed like they had traveled a long distance, and their faces bore the marks of fatigue and thirst.

They asked Abdullah:

"Young man, could you provide us some milk from your sheep?"

Abdullah replied honestly:

"I am sorry, but these sheep are not mine. I cannot give you their milk as it is not my right."

Surprisingly, these men did not get upset with him but looked at each other, impressed and smiling.

The man then told him:

"Show us a she-goat that has never given milk."

Abdullah pointed to an old goat that was meant to be slaughtered soon.

The man gently rubbed its udder and recited Bismillah.

To Abdullah's astonishment, milk began to flow.

Both men drank to their fill.

Witnessing this miracle, he asked:

"Who are you?"

The man replied:

"I am Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah."

Abdullah (RA) embraced Islam on the spot, becoming one of its earliest followers.

Serving the Prophet ﷺ and Learning the Quran

Abdullah (RA) offered his service to the Prophet ﷺ, who accepted.

From that day, he devoted himself to attending to the Prophet's ﷺ needs at home and on journeys.

Living closely with the Prophet ﷺ, Abdullah (RA) absorbed his teachings and manners.

He became a dedicated student of the Quran, memorizing over seventy surahs directly from the Prophet ﷺ.

He once said:

"By Allah, there is no verse in the Book of Allah about which I do not know where and why it was revealed."

The Prophet ﷺ praised him, saying:

"Whoever wants to recite the Quran as fresh as when it was revealed, let him recite it as Ibn Umm Abd does."

Courage in the Face of Persecution

As Islam began to spread, the Quraysh intensified their persecution of Muslims. Public recitation of the Quran was forbidden, and only the Prophet ﷺ himself had dared to proclaim it openly.

Recognizing the need to share the divine message, the companions gathered in Dar al-Arqam to discuss who could take on this risky task.

"No one has recited the Quran in public except the Prophet ﷺ," they said. "Who among us will step forward?"

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (RA) immediately volunteered:

"I will do it."

Concerned for his safety, they advised:

"We prefer someone who has a clan to protect him. You have no tribal protection."

"I put my trust in Allah," he declared. "He will protect me."

The next day, Abdullah (RA) went to the Ka'bah at the hour when Meccans gathered after their daily activities.

The Ka'bah was a sacred site and also the social hub where people met to converse and relax.

Standing at the center, he began to recite Surah Ar-Rahman in a loud and melodious voice:

"The Most Merciful. He taught the Quran.

He created man. He taught him eloquence..."

His recitation captivated the listeners.

The Arabs, masters of language and poetry, were mesmerized by the Quran's unique rhythm and cadence.

"What is this that he is reciting?" they whispered among themselves.

As realization dawned that he was reciting the words of the Prophet ﷺ, their curiosity turned to outrage.

Without tribal protection, Abdullah (RA) was vulnerable.

A mob rushed at him, beating him mercilessly.

Blows rained down until he could no longer stand.

Bloodied and bruised, he returned to his companions.

"This is exactly what we feared for you," they said, tending to his wounds.

But Abdullah (RA) simply smiled.

"By Allah," he declared, "nothing has increased except my contempt for the Quraysh. If you wish, I will do the same again tomorrow."

They admired his courage but gently advised:

"You have done enough. You have made them hear what they dislike."

A Legacy of Trust in Allah

You may have heard of the practice of reciting Surah Al-Waqi'ah after Maghrib to increase rizq (sustenance) and be free from need.

This tradition originates from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud's (RA) narration.

As the years passed, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (RA) continued to serve Islam with unwavering devotion.

He lived to witness the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (RA).

When illness overcame him, Uthman (RA) visited and offered financial assistance, concerned for his well-being and his family.

Abdullah (RA) humbly declined, saying, "I have no need of it."

Uthman (RA) persisted, "Let it be for your daughters after you."

Abdullah (RA) replied:

"Do you fear poverty for my children?

I have instructed them to recite Surah Al-Waqi'ah every night, for I heard the Prophet ﷺ say:

'Whoever recites Al-Waqi'ah every night will never experience poverty.'”

Reflection: The Truth Embraced by the Humble

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud's (RA) story reflects a pattern observed in the early days of Islam. Many of the first converts were from the lower classes, like Ammar ibn Yasir (RA) and Bilal (RA).

When Heraclius, the Emperor of Rome, questioned Abu Sufyan about the Prophet ﷺ, he asked:

"Are his followers the noble or the poor?"

Abu Sufyan replied:

"They are the weak and downtrodden."

Heraclius noted:

"Such are the followers of true prophets."

The wealthy and powerful often resist change that threatens their status.

The Quran mentions this resistance in Surah Hud [11:27], where the people said:

"We see that none have followed you except the lowliest among us."

Abdullah ibn Mas'ud's (RA) journey from a marginalized shepherd to a revered scholar encapsulates the essence of Islam's transformative power.

His life teaches us that honor and elevation come not from wealth or lineage but from sincere devotion, the pursuit of knowledge, and unwavering commitment to the truth.