Anas ibn Malik

Anas ibn Malik ibn al-Nadr al-Ansari al-Khazraji, Abu Hamza, "the Messenger of God's servant and one of the most copious transmitters from him" ¹.

It is sound from him that he said: "the Prophet came to Medina when I was ten", that his mother Umm Sulaym brought him to the Prophet on his arrival saying "this is Anas, a boy to serve you", and he accepted him; the Prophet gave him the kunya "Abu Hamza" after a herb he used to shun, and jested with him saying "O you of the two ears" ¹. Al-Tirmidhi relates from Abu al-Aliya, when Abu Khalda asked him did Anas hear from the Prophet: "he served him ten years, and the Prophet prayed for him" ¹.

Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Ansari relates that Anas went out with the Prophet to Badr as a boy serving him, and said to one who asked: "and where would I miss Badr, may you have no mother?" Ibn Hajar remarks that they did not list him among the men of Badr because he was not of fighting age ¹.

The accounts tell that Umm Sulaym said: "Messenger of God, pray God for Anas" — he said: "O God, multiply his wealth and children and bless him in them." Anas said: "I buried of my own loins, besides my grandchildren, one hundred twenty-five; and my land bears fruit twice a year" ². In Ja'far ibn Sulayman's account from Thabit: "and admit him to Paradise" — Anas said: "two I have seen, and the third I hope for" ².

He stayed in Medina after the Prophet, witnessed the conquests, then settled in Basra and died there ². Ali ibn al-Madini said he was the last Companion to die in Basra ². Bukhari said from Musa ibn Anas that he campaigned with the Prophet on eight expeditions ².

Ibn al-Sakan relates from Thabit that Anas said: "this is a hair of the Messenger of God's — lay it beneath my tongue", and was buried with it under his tongue ².

His year of death is disputed: Shu'ayb ibn al-Habhab said year 90; Sa'id ibn Ufayr, al-Haytham ibn Adi and Mu'tamar said year 91; Abdullah ibn Zayd al-Hudhali attended him in year 92 in Ibn Sa'd's account from al-Waqidi; Abu Nu'aym al-Kufi, al-Mada'ini and Khalifa said year 93, al-Mada'ini and Khalifa adding that he was one hundred three — and other views exist ².