Talking about black companions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon him), the first name that comes to our minds is Bilal ibn Rabah, the first one to give adhan, the chief of all of the Mua’dhins.
However, this article is not about Bilal).This article highlights some of the early figures in Islamic history who were black.
The usage of the word black will not be restricted to Nubians and Abyssinians but also for Arabs who had black and brown colored skin, which in contemporary times would be perceived as black such as Sudanese who are both Arabs and blacks.
1-Umm Ayman
The first luminous figure in this series that was a companion is Barakah also known as Umm Ayman. Umm Ayman was Abyssinian and a servant of Abdullah bin Abdil Muttalib, the father of the Prophet.
When Aminah, the mother of the Prophet died, Umm Ayman took over as primary care-giver of the Prophet. She was later emancipated at the time of the marriage of the Prophet to Sayyidah Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.
Umm Ayman was one of the early adherents of Islam in Mecca and was one of those who faced persecution from Quraysh. She was among those who migrated from Mecca to Al-Madinah.
2-Usamah bin Zayd
Usamah bin Zayd was one of the beloved companions of the Prophet (Peace be Upon him).
Both of Usamah’s parents, Zayd bin Harithah, who was Arab and Umm Ayman, who was Ethiopian, were freed from slavery by the Prophet (Peace be Upon him). He was born in Mecca seven years prior to hijrah and is described as having black skin.
Much of Usamah’s upbringing was done in the house of the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) in the same time-frame as the rearing of the Prophet’s grandson Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali.
While a teenager, Usamah was elected by the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) to lead the Muslim army in an expedition against the Romans in Syria.
Some of the companions became extremely angry at Usamah being appointed as general over older companions from Quraysh.
3-Sa’ad Al-Aswad
One of the black companions of the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) was Sa’ad Al-Aswad As-Sulami.
Sa’ad was from the Ansar and suffered discrimination in Al-Madinah.
He once asked the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) if he could enter Jannah because of his low position among the Muslims.
Sa’ad was later martyred in a battle. It was narrated that the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) wept over him while holding him in his lap.
4-‘Ammar bin Yasir
One of the famous companions, known for his strong faith is ‘Ammar bin Yasir.
‘Ammar was one of the earliest Muslims to accept Islam and was regularly tortured along with his family.
Once while being severely tortured, he unwillingly recanted Islam. He later came to the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) in a state of tears saying that he verbally recanted Islam but he was forced and threatened by death to do it, in which the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) wiped away his tears and recited: “Whoever disbelieves in Allah after belief except who is forced and whose heart is still content with faith…” (Quran 16:16)
After much persecution, ‘Ammar with other companions migrated to Abyssinia. They found protection under it’s just Christian king .
He later migrated with other companions to Al-Madinah, making him one of the group of companions that made two migrations for the sake of Allah .
‘Ammar later participated in the major campaigns to protect the Muslim community, including Badr and Uhud. He also witnessed the Farewell Pilgrimage.
‘Ammar later achieved martyrdom during the Battle of Siffin.
5-Mihja’
One of the famed companions of the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) is Mihja’ bin Salih.
Mihja’ was one of the early adherents of Islam in Mecca, and one of those who migrated to Al-Madinah.
After migration, according to At-Tabari and others, Mihja’ was the first to be martyred during Ghazwah Badr (battle of Badr).
6-Abu Dharr
One of the honorable companions, known for his faithfulness and concern for the poor, was Abu Dharr.
Abu Dharr’s full name is Jundab bin Junadah from the Tribe of Ghifar.
During the Era of Ignorance (Asr Al-Jahiliyah, a term used to refer to the pre-Islam era) the Ghifari tribe was known for banditry and alcohol consumption besides worshiping idols. Abu Dharr, however, turned away from these tribal norms even before embracing Islam.
After meeting the Prophet (Peace be Upon him), Abu Dharr swiftly accepted Islam. He went to the Ka’bah to publicly declare his faith in which Quraysh proceeded to beat him.
He went the following day to proclaim his faith again in which he was beaten again. After days of doing this and facing beatings, the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) told him to go back to his tribe, so he could declare his message to them.
He later migrated to Al-Madinah and participated in Ghazwah Badr and other expeditions with the companions.
7-Ayman, the shepherd
One of the faithful companions of the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) was Ayman bin ‘Ubayd.
Ayman’s roots were Abyssinian through his mother. He was born to his mother Barakah, a woman eventually freed from slavery by the Prophet (Peace be Upon him), and his father ‘Ubayd bin Zayd.
Ayman embraced Islam in Mecca and made migration for the sake of Allah to Al-Madinah. He was a shepherd and was entrusted by the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) to look after his goats.
Ayman participated in many campaigns (battles) to defend Islam. At the battle of Hunayn when some of the Muslims got panicked, Ayman was one of eight Muslims who stood by the Prophet (Peace be Upon him) and defended him.
The Muslims ended up winning the battle. In the process, Ayman achieved martyrdom.
