Knowledge & Devotion · The Noble Companions

Companions' Challenges and Contributions

Explore key events and actions of the Prophet's companions.

6 questions · Hard · about 3 minutes

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1. What first drew Salmaan al-Faarisi رضي الله عنه away from his Magian religion?

  • He heard Christians praying in a church and was impressed by their worship. (correct answer)
  • His father forced him to leave the Magian religion.
  • He immediately saw the Seal of Prophethood in Makkah.
  • He became Muslim without first searching for the truth.

Why

Salmaan al-Faarisi رضي الله عنه was originally a Magian and had become the keeper of the fire. One day, while going on an errand for his father, he passed by a Christian church and heard people praying. He entered to see what they were doing, was impressed by their prayer, and felt attracted to their way. This began his long search for the truth, which eventually led him to Madinah and to the Prophet ﷺ.

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2. What did the Prophet ﷺ say when someone cursed the Companion nicknamed Himaar for repeatedly drinking alcohol?

  • Do not curse him, for he loves Allah and His Messenger. (correct answer)
  • Curse him because he has no faith.
  • Do not apply any punishment to him.
  • He can no longer be counted among the Muslims.

Why

The Companion whose nickname was Himaar used to make the Prophet ﷺ laugh and showed love for him. He was brought for drinking alcohol, and the Prophet ﷺ commanded the prescribed punishment. But when someone cursed him because he had been brought repeatedly for that sin, the Prophet ﷺ forbade cursing him and testified that he loved Allah and His Messenger. This shows that a Muslim may commit a serious sin while still having faith and love for Allah and His Messenger, and that people should not curse a specific sinner.

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3. What did Abu Mihjan رضي الله عنه do after he was secretly released during the battle of al-Qaadisiyyah?

  • He fought bravely, then returned and put his feet back in the chains. (correct answer)
  • He ran away and never came back.
  • He refused to fight because he had sinned.
  • He blamed others and rejected the punishment.

Why

Abu Mihjan رضي الله عنه had been detained because of drinking wine. When he heard the sounds of battle, he longed to join the jihad and asked to be released, promising that if he returned safely, he would put his own feet back in the chains. He fought bravely on Sa‘d’s horse, then returned after the battle and placed his feet back in the chains. When Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas رضي الله عنه learned what had happened, he released him, and Abu Mihjan vowed not to drink again.

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4. What did the Ansar do for the Muhajirin when they arrived in Madinah?

  • They gave them refuge and shared their wealth with them. (correct answer)
  • They refused to welcome them.
  • They demanded payment before helping them.
  • They sent them back to Makkah.

Why

The Ansar were the people of Madinah who welcomed the Messenger ﷺ and the Muhajirin. They gave the Muhajirin refuge, shared their wealth with them, and supported them without stinginess, even though they themselves sometimes had need. Allah praised the Ansar for loving those who migrated to them and giving preference to them over themselves.

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5. What reason do most earlier historians give for the killing of Maalik ibn Nuwayrah?

  • He refused to pay zakah and prevented his people from paying it. (correct answer)
  • He was killed only because of a personal insult.
  • He was killed because he stole Khaalid’s property.
  • He was killed because he refused to fight in a single battle.

Why

Reports about Maalik ibn Nuwayrah vary, but most earlier historians mention that he refused to pay zakah, withheld the zakah camels, and prevented his people from paying it. Some Companions criticized Khaalid ibn al-Waleed رضي الله عنه because Maalik’s case was ambiguous and they thought Khaalid should have investigated further. The source concludes that either Khaalid was correct because Maalik had withheld zakah and apostatized, or he made a mistaken judgment by acting too quickly. In either case, unsupported accusations that he killed Maalik merely to marry his wife should not be accepted.

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6. Why was the allocation of Bayt Habroon to Tameem al-Daari رضي الله عنه significant?

  • It became the first Islamic waqf in Palestine. (correct answer)
  • It gave him immediate control over Palestine before its conquest.
  • It cancelled all later Muslim rule in the area.
  • It was only a private trade agreement.

Why

Reports mention that the Prophet ﷺ allocated Bayt Habroon, also known as al-Khaleel, to Tameem al-Daari رضي الله عنه. At that time Palestine was not yet under Muslim control, so this allocation also foretold that it would be conquered. When Palestine was conquered during the rule of ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, he fulfilled the Prophet’s ﷺ promise, and Tameem رضي الله عنه made it a waqf for his descendants. The source states that this was the first Islamic waqf in Palestine.

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A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

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