Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه Biography: The Adopted Son of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Assalamu Alaykum

Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه was from an Arab family. He was born in Najd, Central Arabia, in the Kalb tribe. His father's name was Harithah ibn Sharahil and his mother's name was Su'da ibn Tha'laba. His parents loved him dearly. Today, we will learn about the story of Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه—how he was a slave sold in Makkah and how he became the adopted son of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه was among the very early converts to Islam. It is said that after Ali رضي الله عنه, he was the second child to embrace Islam. Another very special fact about Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه is that his name is in the Quran. He is the only Sahabi whose name is explicitly mentioned in the Quran; no other companion's name appears there.

EARLY LIFE OF ZAYD IBN HARITHAH رضي الله عنه

One day, a tragedy occurred in the life of Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه. When his mother took him to visit relatives, a raid took place. The raiders captured Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه and kidnapped him. They took him to Makkah, where he was sold. His parents were devastated and searched for him everywhere, but he was nowhere to be found. They had no idea that he had been taken to Makkah and sold as a slave.

FROM THE SLAVE MARKET TO THE HOUSE OF KHADIJAH رضي الله عنها

When Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه arrived in Makkah, he was taken to the market where slaves were sold. I am speaking about the time before Islam, when no one knew about the message yet. Hakim ibn Hizam رضي الله عنها, who was the nephew of Khadijah رضي الله عنها, came to the market; at that time, he had not yet become a Muslim. He purchased the slave and gave him to his aunt, Khadijah رضي الله عنها. Khadijah رضي الله عنها brought Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه home. Later, Khadijah رضي الله عنها met Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and they were married. After the marriage, Khadijah رضي الله عنها gave Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه to the Prophet ﷺ as a gift. Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه was treated very well; he grew up with kindness, respect, love, and dignity.

READ ALSO: BIOGRAPHY OF HUDHAYFAH IBN YAMAN رضي الله عنه

READ ALSO: BIOGRAPHY OF MUS'AB IBN UMAYR رضي الله عنه

THE FATHER WHO FOUND HIS SON

After many years passed, the father of Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه finally discovered that his son was in Makkah. He came to Makkah and said to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: 

"O son of Abdul Muttalib, release our son. We will pay any ransom."

Even though Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the son of Abdullah رضي الله عنه, he was addressed as the "son of Abdul Muttalib" because his grandfather was a famous leader of the tribe. The Prophet ﷺ then called Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه and asked him: 

"This is Zayd. Let him choose."

Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه replied: 

"I choose to stay with Muhammad ﷺ. I will never prefer anyone over him."

His father was stunned and could not believe it. He asked Zayd: 

"Are you really choosing slavery over freedom?"

Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه replied: 

"I have seen from this man something that makes me unable to leave him."

PROPHET MUHAMMAD ﷺ ADOPTING ZAYD IBN HARITHAH رضي الله عنه

Seeing the loyalty of Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ took him to the Kaaba and publicly announced: 

"Bear witness that Zayd is my son. I inherit from him, and he inherits from me."

From that day on, he was known as Zayd ibn Muhammad. The people of Makkah accepted this, and he was regarded as the Prophet's ﷺ son.

EMBRACING ISLAM

When the revelations began, Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه embraced Islam. Many scholars say that after Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه, Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه was the second male to accept Islam. He never hesitated; he was loyal to and loved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ even before Islam. As he grew up, he led armies and served as a commander in multiple battles, including the Battle of Mut'ah, the Tabuk campaigns, and expeditions near Syria.

HIS NAME IN THE QURAN

Years later, Allah revealed a new ruling regarding adoption, stating that adoption does not change one's lineage. Allah commanded in the Quran:

"Call them by their fathers’ names; that is more just in the sight of Allah." (Quran 33:5)

From that moment, his name changed from Zayd ibn Muhammad back to his original name, Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه. His name is mentioned in Surah Al-Ahzab: 

"When Zayd had ended his relationship with her..." (Quran 33:37)

No other Sahabi's name is mentioned in the Quran, regardless of their status. Only the name of Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه is mentioned, which shows how high his status is.

BATTLE OF MUTAH: FINAL MOMENTS

In 8 AH, the Prophet ﷺ sent an army to face the Roman army at Mut'ah. He appointed three commanders:

1: Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه

2: Jafar ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه

3: Abdullah ibn Rawahah رضي الله عنه

The Prophet ﷺ said: 

"If Zayd is martyred, Jafar ibn Abi Talib shall take the banner. If he is martyred, then Abdullah ibn Rawahah shall take it."

In this battle, unfortunately, all three commanders were martyred. Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه fought with all his might until his last breath. When the news reached Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, tears came to his eyes. The companions asked why he was weeping, and the Prophet ﷺ said: 

"This is the longing of a beloved for his beloved."

The Prophet ﷺ loved Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه like a son. After his passing, the Prophet ﷺ appointed his son, Usama ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه, as a commander because he was also very dear to him.

CONCLUSION

This was the story of the life of Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه. From being kidnapped and sold in Makkah to becoming the second male to embrace Islam—even before Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه according to some. He was adopted by the Prophet ﷺ and eventually became a great commander. We should take inspiration from how a former slave became so beloved to the Prophet ﷺ.

That is all for today. We will meet with a new topic next. Take care of yourself and your family. May Allah forgive all our sins and accept our supplications. Ameen.

Assalamu Alaykum