Son of a Slave — of Nubian Origin — and the Greatest Jurist of Mecca of His Generation
عَطاء بن أبي رَباح
Son of a slave, of Nubian origin — and the greatest jurist of Mecca of his generation.
Ata was a freed slave whom the sources describe as dark-skinned and of Nubian origin. He became one of the greatest scholars of the Tabi'un (the generation that followed the Companions).
He taught in the Sacred Mosque of Mecca and it is reported that caliphs and governors came to him for legal opinions. It was said: 'People make their Hajj by sitting with Ata.'
His story is one of the most powerful: neither colour nor slave origins prevented him from reaching the highest ranks of religious scholarship. Merit in Islam is acquired.
Excellence through knowledge · Humility · Merit is acquired