Mus`ab ibn `Umair

Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr also known as Muṣʿab al-Khayr ("the Good") was a sahabi (companion) of Muhammad. From the Banū ʿAbd al-Dār branch of the Quraysh, he embraced Islam in 614 CE and was the first ambassador of Islam. He died in the Battle of Uhud in 625 CE. Early life Mus‘ab ibn Umair was born to the Banū 'Abd al-Dār branch of the Quraysh tribe. His exact birth year is not known; it is believed that he was born sometime between 594 and 598 CE since he was very young when he embraced Islam in 614. Mus‘ab was the son of Umayr ibn Hashim and Khunas bint Malik, and his parents were wealthy. Even as a young man, he was permitted to attend meetings of the Quraysh elders. Conversion to Islam The first Muslims used to meet with Muhammad at the house of Al-Arqam known as the Islamic Learning Center. Mus'ab became interested and went to this house to find out more about Islam. As a result of hearing the reciting of the Qur'an and the preaching of Muhammad, he converted. At first Mus'ab kept his faith a secret, for he was afraid of how his mother would react. However, one day, Uthman ibn Talha, saw him entering Al Arqam's house and joining the Muslim prayers. The news spread and eventually reached his mother, who chained him in their house with the intention of making him recant. Mus'ab was confident in his faith and would not renounce it. Muhammad advised him to join the companions who were emigrating to Abyssinia so that he would not be harassed again.