In the Name of Allāh.

He was a blind man known with stalwart devotion and sacrifice towards the Cause of Allāh, and this made him survive all persecutions he was tormented with at a period.  He is a cousin of the Prophet’s first wife and mother of the believers, Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid (RadiyaLlahu ‘Anha). He was one of the first people to accept Islam and also made Hijrah to Madinah. He plus Mus’ab Ibn Umayr (RadiyaLlahu ‘Anhu) were first sent to Madinah, teaching Islam to people and calling them to salvation. More so, without his two beloveds (i.e. eyes), he was delegated with a serious task of calling Muslims to prayer at the Prophet’s Masjid in Madinah. In fact, despite his exemption from the military expedition (as contained in Surah An-Nisa verse 95), his soul was not pleased with staying back at home. He thus showed great valor and partook in battles. Who is this man, having all these excellent virtues?

He is ‘AbduLlah Ibn Umm Maktum (RadiyaLlahu ‘Anhu). His mother (Aatikah Bint ‘AbduLlah) was called Umm Maktum (Mother of the Concealed One) because she gave birth to him as a blind child. ‘AbduLlah was regarding whom Allāh reprimanded His Messenger (ﷺ) when he frowned and turned away from him (as contained in the first sixteen verses of Surah Abasa). The Prophet (ﷺ) was avid about the chiefs of Makkah accepting Islam as this will make those under them also accept Islam. And importantly, that they stop their persecutions of his companions. At that very point, ‘Abdullah, moved towards him to seek clarification of some points concerning Islam. The Prophet (ﷺ) disliked his interruption and disregarded him. Thus, Allāh revealed those verses to correct His Messenger.

I beseech Allāh to be Especially Merciful to ‘AbduLlah Ibn Umm Maktum. (Aameen)