Throughout his noble life, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had a very special place for the youth in his heart. From the children of his family to the youth of the community, all were able to experience the warmth of his presence and love. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ knew very well the greatness and potential of youth and empowered the young men and women of his time.

With love and empathy, The Prophet ﷺ nurtured the youth; he instructed them, counseled them, empowered them and developed them emotionally and spiritually. Let’s get to know some of the young and devoted companions trained by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ better!

Ja’fâr ibn Abi Talib

Ja’far is the cousin of The Prophet ﷺ, son of his uncle Abu Talib, and older brother of Ali ibn Abi Talib. He converted to Islam shortly after his brother Ali.

He led the group that went to Abyssinia during the first emigration. He pleaded the cause of the Muslims before the Negus, the ruler of Abyssinia, when the Qurayshites sent ‘Amr Ibn-l-‘As, before he adhered to Islam, to persuade the Negus to send the Muslims back.

He returned to the Prophet ﷺ in the year 7 AH, after the battle of Khaybar. On seeing him, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that he did not know what gave him more joy between the conquest of Khaybar and the return of his cousin Ja’far.

In a hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once said to Ja’far, “You resemble me both in character and appearance.”

[Narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari]

Ja’far was martyred at the battle of Mu’tah in the year 8 of the Hegira.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Zaid took over the flag and was martyred. Then it was taken by Ja’far who was martyred as well. Then `Abdullah bin Rawaha took the flag but he too was martyred and at that time the eyes of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ were full of tears. Then Khalid bin Al-Walid took the flag without being nominated as a chief (before hand) and was blessed with victory.”

[Narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari]

Usâma Ibn Zayd

Son of Zayd ibn Haritha who was the adopted son of the Prophet before full adoption was forbidden. Ussâma was born in Islam and was called “The beloved of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ“.

The Prophet ﷺ put him in charge of the army for the Sham when he was only 18 years old. During the conquest of Mecca, he was the one who preceded the Prophet ﷺ when he entered Mecca.

Umar ibn Al Khattab during his caliphate also placed him at the head of an army of 5000 soldiers. He died in Medina in the year 15 of Hegira 1.

Mus’âb bn ‘Umayr

One of the first converts to Islam. He was from a wealthy family, a popular youth in Mecca, always the best dressed, all the young girls of marriageable age hoped to be his wife.

But when he heard the call to Islam from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he was convinced and embraced the new faith with all his being. This was despite the fact that his clan and his mother did everything to prevent him from doing so, even to the point of holding him prisoner. He was part of the first emigration to Abyssinia.

He participated in the battles of Badr and Uhud. It was in the last battle that he fell a martyr. He left so few material possessions that there was no shroud to wrap his body in.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ordered that his head be covered with cloth and his feet with tree leaves. He was one of the richest people in Makkah and sacrificed everything for Islam and Allah honored him with martyrdom.

Asma bint Abi Bakr

The daughter of the best of the Companions Abu Bakr, and older sister of our mother ‘Âisha. She played an important role during The Prophet’s ﷺ emigration to Medina. She was in charge of bringing food during the three days that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his father Abu Bakr were hidden in the cave of Thawr.

She was the wife of Az Zubayr ibn al ‘awwâm, one of the ten companions promised to Paradise. This union produced two great characters among the pious predecessors: Abdullah ibn Az Zubayr and ‘Urwat ibn Az Zubayr. She died in 73 AH at the age of 100 years 4.

With all of the sacrifices and devotions, the young and devoted companions of Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ left behind an extraordinary legacy that continues to inspire the youth to this day.

Vincent Souleymane

Vincent Souleymane, French imam and Shari’a referent at Muslim Pro, has devoted his time to studying and enriching others with the knowledge of Islamic sciences since his conversion to this religion in 1999. During his studies at the Oussoul Eddine Institute in Saint-Denis, he became aware of the importance of devotion to Allah and decided to continue his religious studies at the daroul ouloum achrafiya on Reunion Island and at the IESH in Château Chinon. Since then, Vincent Souleymane has devoted himself to the All-Merciful by teaching Islam at the Oussoul Eddine institute, as well as being an imam at the Mosque of Fontenay sous-Bois.