Hazrat Zayd ibn Haritha

Beloved of the Prophet ﷺ

Zayd ibn Haritha was a boy of Banu Kalb, captured in a raid and sold into slavery, who came into the household of Khadija رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَاHazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylidرَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَاFirst wife of the Prophet ﷺ and the first of all people to believeMothers of the Believers · Ahl al-Bayt · Early Converts and so to the Prophet ﷺ. When his father and uncle found him and came to ransom him, the Prophet ﷺ let him choose freely — and Zayd chose the Prophet ﷺ over his own family, saying he would not leave him for anyone. The Prophet ﷺ took him to the Ka’ba, freed him, and declared him his own; so beloved was he that he was called al-Hibb, “the beloved.” 1 History of Islam · Vol 1 · pp. 103–104 — Najeebabadi — Zayd chooses the Prophet over his father and uncle; the Prophet frees him and declares him his own.

Named in the Qur’an

When revelation ended the custom of reckoning an adopted son a true son, Zayd returned to his father’s name, Zayd ibn Haritha. He holds a distinction no other Companion shares: his name is mentioned in the Qur’an, in Surah al-Ahzab, as the one upon whom Allah and His Messenger ﷺ had bestowed favour. 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 2 · pp. 536 — Kandhlawi — the verse of Surah al-Ahzab (33:37) naming Zayd; the ending of adoption-based lineage.

Commander and First Martyr of Mu’ta

The Prophet ﷺ entrusted Zayd with the command of the army of Mu’ta, ordering that if he fell, Ja’far رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُHazrat Ja'far ibn Abi Talibرَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُCousin of the Prophet ﷺ; spokesman before the Negus and martyr of Mu'taAhl al-Bayt · Muhajirun · Martyrs should take the flag, and then Ibn Rawaha رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُHazrat Abdullah ibn Rawahaرَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُPoet of the Prophet ﷺ; third commander and martyr at Mu'taAnsar · People of Badr · Martyrs. Against an overwhelming Byzantine host, Zayd led the charge and was the first of the three to be martyred, holding the Prophet’s ﷺ banner. 3 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 513–514 — Kandhlawi — Zayd appointed first commander at Mu'ta and martyred holding the flag. The Prophet ﷺ grieved deeply for him.