Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

could you tell me about ABDULLAH IBNA MAKTOOM  was he sahabi RA. what was happened when he apprached to Mohammed SW during the meeting Mohammed SW was having with the Quraish and others.

Could you narrated the whole incident?

azhar ansari

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Answer:

Abdullah ibn Maktoum the blind sahabi

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Hadrat Abdullah ibn Umm-Maktoum (r.a.) was indeed a ‘sahabee’ and one of the earliest reverts to the Truth of Islam in Makkah. Hadrat Abdullah (r.a.) also happened to be the first cousin of the Prophet’s (saws) wife Khadijah binte Khuwailid (r.a.).

It so happened that one day, during the early Makkan period, some big chiefs of the pagan Quraish were sitting in the assembly of the Messenger of Allah (saws), who was earnestly engaged in trying to persuade them to accept Islam. At some point during the meeting, a blind man named Abdullah ibn Umm-Maktoum approached the Prophet (saws) abruptly, to seek some clarification on Islam.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) disliked this abrupt interruption of Hadrat Abdullah (r.a.), and in his dislike the Prophet (saws) spontaneously frowned and turned his face away from Hadrat Abdullah (r.a.) in an effort to ignore him.

It was in relation to this incident that Allah Subhanah revealed the Surah 80 Abasa rebuking the Prophet (saws) and commanding him (saws) to give priority to and attend to the concerns of the true believers of the likes of Hadrat Abdullah ibn Umm Maktoum (r.a.).

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 80 Surah Abasa verses 1-12:

1 The (Prophet (saws)) frowned and turned away.

2 Because there came to him the blind man (interrupting).

3 But what could tell thee but that perchance he might grow (in spiritual understanding)?

4 Or that he might receive admonition and the teaching might profit him?

5 As to one who regards himself as self-sufficient (the pagan chiefs of Makkah)

6 To him dost thou attend;

7 Though it is no blame to thee if he grow not (in spiritual understanding).

8 But as to him who came to thee striving earnestly

9 And with fear (in his heart)

10 Of him was thou unmindful.

11 By no means (should it be so)! For it is indeed a Message of instruction:

12 Therefore let who wills, keep it in remembrance.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan