Attab ibn Usayd
عتّاب بن أسيد
c. 610 CE
A young Umayyad Qurashi companion whom the Prophet appointed over Mecca when he marched to Hunayn in Shawwal 8 AH and confirmed as its governor on his return through al-Ji'rana; the Prophet teased his youth, and Attab administered the city and led its pilgrimage in the Prophet's lifetime.
At a glance
- Roles
- emir · Companion
- Era
- The Prophetic Era
- Region
- Arabia
- Review
- Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it
Life in time
Place in the story
- OfficialtowardMecca · 630 CE · 9 AH†Tradition
- Convert to Islam · 630 CE · 9 AH†Tradition
Sunni (transmitted)
Roles are dated and sourced; the museum describes the act and attributes the judgement.
Summary
Attab ibn Usayd ibn Abi al-Is ibn Umayya ibn Abd Shams, a young Umayyad Qurashi Companion; the Prophet made him his deputy over Mecca when he left it for Hunayn in Shawwal, year 8 AH, then confirmed him its governor on his return from al-Ji'rana 1.
His appointment over Mecca
The Prophet left Mecca for Hunayn on the sixth of Shawwal, year 8 AH, appointing Attab ibn Usayd over Mecca though he was a youth of tender age 2. The Prophet said of him: "what are a people doing appointing a youth like this?" — they said: Messenger of God, he recites — so he confirmed him. He led Mecca's people in prayer and led their hajj in the Prophet's lifetime 3.
When the Prophet finished dividing the spoils and performed his umra from al-Ji'rana, he departed for Medina having appointed Attab ibn Usayd over Mecca 3.
For young visitors
The Prophet chose a young man to be responsible for the great city of Mecca because he knew and had memorised the Qur'an — proving knowledge and trustworthiness matter more than age.
Connections
- Member of
- Quraysh
- Ruler of
- Mecca
- Participated in
- The Prophet's Umrah from al-Ji'rana· The Battle of Hunayn
- Converted under
- Muhammad
People and things also explored
Mecca· Khalid ibn al-Walid· The Conquest of Mecca (Fath Makka)· Abu Sufyan ibn Harb· Muhammad· Amr ibn al-As· Mus'ab ibn Umayr· Suhayl ibn Amr
Sources
- al-Raheeq al-Makhtum — Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, pp. 414, 422
- al-Raheeq al-Makhtum — Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, p. 414
- al-Raheeq al-Makhtum — Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, p. 422
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Attab ibn Usayd”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/person/attab-ibn-usayd/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Accessed 2026-10-13.