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Sahabah

The Companions

The sahabah are the men and women who believed in the Prophet ﷺ and kept his teaching safe for us. Each lesson here has the hadith that tells us why they were special — nothing added, nothing invented. Out of respect we never draw them: the pictures are places and objects only.

A clay desert cave at night with a spider web across the opening
A clay desert cave at night with a spider web across the opening and a small tree beside it

Lesson 1 · The truthful one · ages 8-11

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq

Abu Bakr was the closest friend of the Prophet ﷺ. He believed the message straight away, spent his wealth to help the Muslims, and travelled with the Prophet ﷺ when he left Makkah for Madinah.

  1. He believed at once

    When the Prophet ﷺ told him about revelation he accepted it immediately, which is why he is called as-Siddiq — the one who confirms the truth.

  2. He spent his wealth

    The Prophet ﷺ said nobody had favoured him more with company and wealth than Abu Bakr.

  3. The companion of the cave

    On the journey to Madinah the two of them hid in a cave, and the Qur'an itself mentions the second of the two.

  4. He freed slaves

    He used his money to buy and free Muslims who were being tortured for their faith.

  5. Gentle and firm

    He was known for weeping easily out of love for Allah, yet standing firm when the community needed a leader.

Surah At-Tawba · 9:40

إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ثَانِىَ ٱثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِى ٱلْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَٰحِبِهِۦ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُۥ بِجُنُودٍۢ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلسُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ ٱللَّهِ هِىَ ٱلْعُلْيَا ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

Illaa tansuroohu faqad nasarahul laahu iz akhrajahul lazeena kafaroo saaniyasnaini iz humaa filghaari iz yaqoolu lisaahibihee la tahzan innnal laaha ma'anaa fa anzalallaahu sakeenatahoo 'alaihi wa aiyadahoo bijunoodil lam tarawhaa wa ja'ala kalimatal lazeena kafarus suflaa; wa Kalimatul laahi hiyal 'ulyaa; wallaahu 'Azeezun Hakeem;

“If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, "Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us." And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah - that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.”

“The person who has favoured me most of all both with his company and his wealth is Abu Bakr. If I were to take a khalil other than my Lord, I would have taken Abu Bakr.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3654

Do this before next time

Name one friend who helps you do good, and thank them today the way Abu Bakr helped the Prophet ﷺ.

A clay balance scale beside a small lantern and a rolled letter with a wax seal

Lesson 2 · Justice · ages 8-11

Umar ibn al-Khattab

Umar was strong, straight-talking and famous for fairness. Before Islam he opposed the Muslims; after he accepted Islam he became one of its bravest defenders.

  1. From opponent to defender

    Umar first fought against the Muslims, then accepted Islam and prayed openly at the Kabah.

  2. Justice for everyone

    As leader of the Muslims he judged between people fairly — rich or poor, Muslim or not.

  3. He checked on people himself

    He was known for walking the streets of Madinah at night to see who needed food or help.

  4. He feared being unfair

    He often said he would answer to Allah for anyone in his care who went hungry.

  5. A special praise

    The Prophet ﷺ said that if anyone in this ummah were inspired, it would be Umar.

Surah An-Nisaa · 4:135

۞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُونُوا۟ قَوَّٰمِينَ بِٱلْقِسْطِ شُهَدَآءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ ٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ وَٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِن يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًۭا فَٱللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْهَوَىٰٓ أَن تَعْدِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا

Yaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo koonoo qawwa ameena bilqisti shuhadaaa'a lillaahi wa law 'alaa anfusikum awil waalidaini wal aqrabeen iny yakun ghaniyyan aw faqeeran fallaahu awlaa bihimaa falaaa tattabi'ul hawaaa an ta'diloo; wa in talwooo aw tu'ridoo fa innal laaha kaana bimaa ta'maloona Khabeera

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.”

“Among the nations before you there used to be people who were inspired, though they were not prophets; and if there is any such person amongst my followers, it is Umar.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3689

Do this before next time

Think of a time being fair was hard — for example sharing or admitting a mistake — and write what you will do next time.

A clay open Qur'an on a wooden stand beside a small well and a sack of grain

Lesson 3 · Generosity and the Qur'an · ages 8-11

Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman was a rich merchant who gave enormously in the way of Allah, and he was the khalifah who had the Qur'an copied into one standard written form and sent to the Muslim cities.

  1. He gave a great deal

    He was well known among the Muslims for paying for supplies, wells and expeditions out of his own wealth.

  2. Shy and gentle

    He was known for his modesty and quietness, and the Companions loved him for it.

  3. One written Qur'an

    As leader of the Muslims he ordered copies of the Qur'an to be written in one agreed script and sent to the main cities, so no one would recite it differently.

  4. Why that matters to you

    The mushaf a child opens today traces back to that careful copying — the text has not changed.

  5. Third of the four

    The Companions ranked Abu Bakr first, then Umar, then Uthman in virtue.

Surah Faatir · 35:29

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَٰبَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ سِرًّۭا وَعَلَانِيَةًۭ يَرْجُونَ تِجَٰرَةًۭ لَّن تَبُورَ

Innal lazeena yatloona Kitabbal laahi wa aqaamus Salaata wa anfaqoo mimmaa razaqnaahum sirranw wa 'alaa niyatany yarjoona tijaaratal lan taboor

“Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish -”

“During the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ we considered Abu Bakr as peerless, then Umar, then Uthman.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3697

“Uthman sent to every Muslim province one copy of what they had copied, and ordered that all other Qur'anic materials be burnt.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 4987

Do this before next time

Give something of your own away this week — money, food or time — without telling anyone you did it.

A clay inkwell with a reed pen resting on manuscript pages beside a small shield

Lesson 4 · Knowledge and courage · ages 8-11

Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali grew up in the household of the Prophet ﷺ, was one of the first to believe as a young person, and became known for both bravery and deep knowledge.

  1. A young believer

    He accepted Islam as a boy, which shows that being young is no barrier to strong faith.

  2. Brave in danger

    He stayed behind in Makkah the night the Prophet ﷺ left for Madinah, and fought in the major battles alongside him.

  3. A teacher

    People came to him with questions, and many of his sayings about knowledge and justice are still quoted.

  4. Family of the Prophet ﷺ

    He married the Prophet's daughter, and they had children together.

  5. A high rank

    The Prophet ﷺ told him he was to him as Harun was to Musa — except that there is no prophet after him ﷺ.

Surah Az-Zumar · 39:9

أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَٰنِتٌ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيْلِ سَاجِدًۭا وَقَآئِمًۭا يَحْذَرُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا۟ رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِۦ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ

Amman huwa qaanitun aanaaa'al laili saajidanw wa qaaa'imai yahzarul Aakhirata wa yarjoo rahmata Rabbih; qul hal yastawil lazeena ya'lamoona wallazeena laa ya'lamoon; innamaa yatazakkaru ulul albaab

“Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”

“You are in the same position with relation to me as Harun was in relation to Musa, except that there is no prophet after me.”

Sahih Muslim 2404a

Do this before next time

Learn one new thing about Islam today and teach it to someone younger than you.

A clay merchant's chest with folded cloth, a tray of dates and a woollen blanket

Lesson 5 · The first to believe · ages 8-11

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Khadijah was a respected businesswoman of Makkah and the wife of the Prophet ﷺ. She was the first person to believe in him, and she comforted and supported him when Makkah turned against him.

  1. She believed first

    When he came home frightened after the first revelation, she believed him before anyone else did.

  2. She used her wealth for good

    Her trade supported the family and the early Muslims.

  3. She calmed him

    She reminded him of his honesty and kindness when he was afraid of what had happened.

  4. Greeted from above

    Jibril told the Prophet ﷺ to greet her with salam from her Lord and from him, and to give her glad tidings of a house in Paradise.

  5. Loyal to the end

    She stayed with him through the hardest years in Makkah and passed away before he left for Madinah.

Surah An-Nahl · 16:97

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

Man 'amila saaliham min zakarin aw unsaa wa huwa mu'minun falanuhyiyannahoo hayaatan taiiyibatanw wa lanajzi yannnahum ajrahum bi ahsani maa kaanoo ya'maloon

“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”

“Jibril came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: This is Khadijah coming to you; when she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of a house in Paradise in which there will be no noise and no fatigue.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3820

Do this before next time

Say something encouraging to someone in your family who is having a hard day.

A clay hand-mill, a water jug and a folded prayer mat in a modest home corner

Lesson 6 · Part of him · ages 8-11

Fatimah bint Muhammad ﷺ

Fatimah was the youngest daughter of the Prophet ﷺ. She lived very simply, worked hard at home, and was extremely close to her father.

  1. Very close to her father

    The Prophet ﷺ said his daughter was part of him, and that whoever hurt her hurt him.

  2. A simple life

    She ground grain and carried water herself; her home had very little in it.

  3. Married to Ali

    She married Ali ibn Abi Talib, and they had children together.

  4. Patient with little

    She did not complain about poverty; she asked her father for dhikr rather than servants.

  5. A model for children

    Respect for parents and contentment with little are lessons the sahabah remembered about her.

Surah Al-Ahzaab · 33:35

إِنَّ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَٱلْمُسْلِمَٰتِ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ وَٱلْقَٰنِتِينَ وَٱلْقَٰنِتَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ وَٱلصَّٰدِقَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ وَٱلصَّٰبِرَٰتِ وَٱلْخَٰشِعِينَ وَٱلْخَٰشِعَٰتِ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُتَصَدِّقَٰتِ وَٱلصَّٰٓئِمِينَ وَٱلصَّٰٓئِمَٰتِ وَٱلْحَٰفِظِينَ فُرُوجَهُمْ وَٱلْحَٰفِظَٰتِ وَٱلذَّٰكِرِينَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا وَٱلذَّٰكِرَٰتِ أَعَدَّ ٱللَّهُ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةًۭ وَأَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

Innal muslimeena wal muslimaati wal mu'mineena wal mu'minaati walqaaniteena walqaanitaati wassaadiqeena wassaadiqaati wassaabireena wassaabiraati walkhaashi'eena walkhaashi'aati walmutasaddiqeena walmutasaddiqaati wassaaa'imeena wassaaa'imaati walhaafizeena furoojahum walhaafizaati waz zaakireenal laaha kaseeranw waz zaakiraati a'addal laahu lahum maghfiratanw wa ajran 'azeemaa

“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”

“My daughter is part of me. He who disturbs her in fact disturbs me, and he who offends her offends me.”

Sahih Muslim 2449a

Do this before next time

Do one household job today without being asked, and without complaining.

A clay minaret at dawn with golden sound arcs rising from it and a pair of simple sandals below

Lesson 7 · The first mu'adhdhin · ages 8-11

Bilal ibn Rabah

Bilal was an enslaved man in Makkah who was tortured for saying that Allah is One. Abu Bakr freed him, and he became known for his devoted worship.

  1. He would not give in

    Even when he was hurt for it, he refused to worship idols and held firmly to belief in the One Allah.

  2. Freed by Abu Bakr

    Abu Bakr freed him from slavery.

  3. The voice of Madinah

    The Prophet ﷺ chose him to call people to prayer, an honour above wealth or tribe.

  4. Colour and status mean nothing

    In Islam the most honoured are those most conscious of Allah — not the richest or the highest-born.

  5. Wudhu and prayer

    Asked about his best deed, Bilal said that whenever he made wudhu he prayed with it — and the Prophet ﷺ said he had heard his footsteps ahead of him in Paradise.

Surah Al-Hujuraat · 49:13

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍۢ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ شُعُوبًۭا وَقَبَآئِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتْقَىٰكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌۭ

Yaaa ayyuhan naasu innaa khalaqnaakum min zakarinw wa unsaa wa ja'alnaakum shu'oobanw wa qabaaa'ila lita'aarafoo inna akramakum 'indal laahi atqaakum innal laaha 'Aleemun khabeer

“O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.”

“The Prophet ﷺ asked Bilal: Tell me of the best deed you did after embracing Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise. Bilal replied: I did not do anything worth mentioning except that whenever I performed ablution during the day or night, I prayed after that ablution as much as was written for me.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 1149

“Umar used to say: Abu Bakr is our chief, and he freed our chief, meaning Bilal.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3754

Do this before next time

Pray two rak'ah after your next wudhu, the way Bilal did.

A clay study nook with a small bookshelf of manuscripts, a lamp and a curtain doorway

Lesson 8 · A teacher of the ummah · ages 8-11

Aishah bint Abi Bakr

Aishah, the daughter of Abu Bakr and wife of the Prophet ﷺ, narrated a huge number of hadith. Much of what we know about how the Prophet ﷺ lived at home comes through her.

  1. She narrated many hadith

    Companions and later scholars came to her with questions about prayer and family life.

  2. She asked questions

    She was not shy about asking the Prophet ﷺ to explain — a good habit for any student.

  3. Home life recorded

    How he prayed at night, how he treated his family, what he ate — she told us.

  4. Greeted by Jibril

    The Prophet ﷺ told her that Jibril was greeting her with salam.

  5. Knowledge is worship

    Her life shows that learning and teaching Islam is one of the greatest acts a Muslim can do.

Surah Taa-Haa · 20:114

فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ ۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا

Fata'aalal laahul Malikul Haqq; wa laa ta'jal bil Quraani min qabli ai yuqdaaa ilaika wahyuhoo wa qur Rabbi zidnee 'ilmaa

“So high [above all] is Allah, the Sovereign, the Truth. And, [O Muhammad], do not hasten with [recitation of] the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."”

“The Prophet ﷺ said: O Aish, this is Jibril greeting you. She said: Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon him.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3768

Do this before next time

Write down one question about Islam you want answered, and ask a parent or teacher this week.

Every ayah on this page comes from the Tanzil Uthmani text of the Qur'an with the Sahih International translation, and every hadith carries its collection and number so you can check it yourself. Back to the learning path

Next on this shelf: The life of the Prophet ﷺ — 10 lessons.

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