Eminent Muslim Personalities of African Origin

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   Introduction   All praise exclusively belongs to Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, Who created diversity in our forms, colours, and languages, making this a token of His Magnificence and Brilliance.   وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِلْعَالِمِينَ And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   Male Sahabah of African Origin Sayyidina Bilal ibn Rabah   As the sun of Nubuwwah rose, the rays of light spread across the horizon, and the first individuals to witness and attest to its brilliance will always be remembered. We are all aware that Sayyidah Khadijah radiya Llahu ‘anha was the first woman to embrace Islam, Sayyidina Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu the […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   Sayyidina Usamah ibn Zaid   During his final days, on the 26th of Safar 11 AH, Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam mobilised an army to head in the direction of Syria at Ubna. This was the place where the Battle of Mu’tah had taken place against the Christian Arabs and Byzantines.[1] The army was to confront the greatest superpower on earth at […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   Sayyidina Salim Mawla Abi Hudhayfah   Experience proves that the company a person keeps has a direct impact on his qualities and values. The company of the pious develops devoutness, the company of the scholars increases knowledge, and the company of seniors enhances wisdom. Each of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum became guiding stars owing to their companionship with the guide for both […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   Sayyidina al Najashi   The first three personalities we discussed were either slaves or sons of slaves. In spite of their humble beginnings, they rose to the heights of dignity in Islam. Now we speak about a king, recognised for his justice, who earned a rare distinction in history: the king of Abyssinia, al Najashi. Al Najashi is the title given to the […]