Imagine the profound honor achieved by serving Prophet Muhammad, and the boundless happiness that fills the heart when the Prophet himself prays for Allah to bless one’s children and wealth. What greater blessing could one ever hope for? The noble companion Anas ibn Malik was uniquely blessed with these two divine bounties. For ten years, he had the immense honor of serving Prophet Muhammad, who warmly prayed for his longevity, wealth, and children. He is Anas ibn Malik ibn Al-Nadr, from the Banu Adi ibn Al-Najjar clan. He was the dedicated servant of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)—a title he affectionately embraced and took great pride in. He was given the Kunya (honorific/nickname) of Abu Hamza, bestowed upon him by the Prophet (ﷺ) after a herb he used to pick. His mother was the venerable Umm Sulaym bint Milhan. He was born ten years prior to the Hijrah.
His mother, Umm Sulaym, brought him to the Prophet (ﷺ) to be his servant when he was just ten years old. She said, ”O Messenger of Allah, this is my little Anas (Unays). He is a bright, intelligent boy who can write, and I have brought him to serve you; so please, pray to Allah for him.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) graciously accepted him and prayed for him, saying: ”O Allah, increase his wealth and children, grant him a long life, and forgive his sins.” Consequently, he lived a remarkably long life and was blessed with a vast lineage of children and grandchildren.
Anas ibn Malik, the servant of the prophet
Anas ibn Malik served the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for ten years—the entire duration of the Prophet’s stay in Madina. During this time, the Prophet (ﷺ) treated him like his own son, sharing private insights with him and occasionally calling him, ‘O my son.’ Anas recalled:
”I served the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) for ten years, and he never once said to me a word of frustration (Uff). He never asked about something I did, “Why did you do it?” nor about something I left, “Why did you leave it?” The Messenger of Allah possessed the most beautiful character of all people. I never touched any silk or brocade softer than the palm of the Messenger of Allah, nor did I ever smell any musk or perfume sweeter than the fragrance of the Prophet’s sweat.”
Despite his young age back then, Anas was never isolated from the political and pivotal events of the newly born Islamic state. He set out with the Prophet (ﷺ) to the Battle of Badr as a young boy to serve, without participating in the actual fighting. Later, he took part in eight expeditions with the Prophet (ﷺ), including Khaybar, Al-Ta’if, and Hunayn. He also witnessed the Conquest of Mecca, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Compensatory Umrah (Umrat Al-Qada’), the Farewell Pilgrimage, and the Pledge of the Tree (Bay’at Al-Shajarah).”
The Golden Chain of Narration
The noble companion Thabit narrated: Anas ibn Malik said to me: “O Thabit, take [this knowledge] from me, for you will never take it from anyone more reliable than me. Indeed, I received it directly from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) received it from Gabriel, and Gabriel received it from Allah, the Most High.” The noble companion Anas ibn Malik was a prime example of emulating the Prophet (ﷺ). He was known for prolonging his standing in prayer until his feet bled from fatigue, and he was considered the closest of all people in resembling the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), whether at home or while traveling. In testimony to this, Abu Hurayrah narrated: ”I have never seen anyone whose prayer more closely resembled that of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) than the son of Umm Sulaym.”
His life after the death of the prophet muhammad
Following the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Abu Bakr As-Siddiq became the caliph of the Muslims. The beginning of his reign witnessed the Ridda Wars (Wars of Apostasy) against those who refused to pay Zakat or abandoned Islam. Anas participated in these wars as a skilled archer, and was among those who witnessed the Battle of Al-Yamama. Afterward, Abu Bakr wished to dispatch Anas ibn Malik to Bahrain to oversee the collection of Zakat funds. He consulted Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who advised him, saying: ‘Send him, for he is a bright, intelligent boy who can write.’ Thus, Abu Bakr sent him.
He passed away—may Allah be pleased with him—in Basra. It was said [that he died] in the ninety-first year, or the ninety-second year, or the ninety-third year after the Prophetic Hijrah, and it was also said in the ninetieth year.
