al-Bara' ibn Malik

Al-Bara' ibn Malik ibn al-Nadr al-Ansari, brother of Anas by his father per Abu Hatim, and his brother by father and mother Umm Sulaym per Ibn Sa'd; Ibn Hajar objects on grounds coming in Sharik ibn Sahma's biography — that he is al-Bara's brother by his mother — but affirms that Anas's mother is Umm Sulaym without dispute ¹.

In al-Mustadrak from Anas: "al-Bara' ibn Malik had a fine voice and would recite rajaz for the Messenger of God on some of his journeys"; the Prophet told him "mind the glass vessels!" and he desisted. In al-Sirraj's account: "al-Bara' was the men's chant-driver" ¹.

He witnessed the campaigns with the Messenger of God except Badr ¹. Al-Baghawi relates with a sound chain from Anas al-Bara's saying: "I killed a hundred in single combat, besides those I shared in" ¹.

Baqi ibn Makhlad relates from Abu Ishaq: the Muslims advanced on the day of al-Yamama until they forced the polytheists into a garden where Musaylima was; al-Bara' said: "Muslims, throw me at them." He was lifted up until, overlooking the wall, he plunged in and fought them at the garden gate until he opened it for the Muslims; they entered and Musaylima was killed. He bore eighty-odd wounds; he was carried to his saddle to be treated, and Khalid stood over him a month ¹.

He was martyred on the day of Tustar's fortress in Umar's caliphate, year 20 AH — it is also said before it, or year 23 AH; Sayf mentions it was al-Hurmuzan who killed him ¹. His brother Anas relates from him ¹.