Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf

Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf, of the Banu Zuhra of Quraysh, was one of the very first Muslims and one of the ten promised Paradise. A prosperous merchant of immense generosity, he was among the six Companions Umar charged with choosing his successor (the shura). A rare honour: during the expedition of Tabuk, the Prophet ﷺ one day prayed behind him. He died in Medina in year 32 of the Hijra.

Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf belonged to the Banu Zuhra of Quraysh and was one of the very first to embrace Islam. A shrewd merchant, he built through trade a great fortune, which he placed at the service of the community with a generosity that has remained legendary.

A rare honour fell to him. During the expedition of Tabuk, the Prophet ﷺ had stepped away; on his return, he found the believers in prayer, led by Abd ar-Rahman — and the Prophet ﷺ joined them, praying one unit behind him. That the Messenger of God ﷺ prayed behind one of his Companions is a remarkable sign of his standing (reported by Muslim).

Umar, on his deathbed, counted him among the six Companions tasked with choosing his successor — the shura. And the Prophet ﷺ had named him among the ten promised Paradise. Unlike several of the ten, he did not fall in battle: he died in Medina, in year 32 of the Hijra.

Abd ar-Rahman is not named in the Quran; he is part of the Forerunners praised in general terms (9:100). He is one of the ten promised Paradise (Tirmidhi no. 3747). The episode of the Prophet ﷺ praying behind him at Tabuk is reported by Muslim (from al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba). His natural death in year 32 of the Hijra distinguishes him from several of the ten who fell in battle or were swept away by discord.

Abd ar-Rahman shows that wealth is no obstacle to faith when it is placed at the service of others. And the honour the Prophet ﷺ did him — praying behind him — recalls the humility of the greatest of men.

Les tout premiers croyants parmi ceux qui ont émigré[38] et ceux qui leur ont apporté leur soutien[39], ainsi que ceux qui ont fidèlement suivi leur voie, sont entièrement satisfaits d’Allah qui Lui-même est satisfait d’eux. Il leur a préparé des jardins traversés de rivières où ils demeureront à jamais. Voilà le bonheur suprême.

9:100