Last Companion to Pass Away
The Companion Abu al-Tufail, whose full name is Amir ibn Wathila al-Laythi, or alternatively Amir ibn Wathila ibn Abdullah ibn Amir, has also been referred to by names such as Umayr ibn Jahsh and Hamis ibn Jari. He is known to be one of the individuals who encountered the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his lifetime. Scholars have unanimously agreed that he was the last of the honored Companions to pass away, with his death occurring in the 100th year of Hijra. Some reports suggest it could have been in the 102nd or as late as the 110th year, with his death taking place in Mecca. It is noted that he may be classified as al-Kinani rather than al-Laythi. Ibn Asakir mentioned in his historical text that he died in the year 101, and there are accounts indicating he reached the caliphate of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him). Another narrative suggests he died during the Battle of Ibn al-Ash’ath in the year 82 of Hijra.
Information about the Companion Amir ibn Wathila
Abu al-Tufail spent approximately eight years in the company of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He was born during the year of the Battle of Uhud and witnessed the Prophet during the Hajj pilgrimage. Following this, he traveled to Kufa and later resided in Mecca until his passing. He is reported to have observed the Prophet (peace be upon him) performing Tawaf around the Kaaba and was among those who narrated hadiths from Umar and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them). He settled in Kufa and Madain during the caliphate of the Companion Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) before ultimately returning to Mecca, where he passed away. He is distinguished as the last Companion to have seen the Prophet (peace be upon him) in person and was a companion of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), participating in all the major battles alongside him. After Ali’s passing, he returned to Mecca. Abu al-Tufail was known for his eloquence, virtue, and poetry, as well as his intellectual acumen and readiness to engage in discussions. He was born after the Hijra and witnessed the Prophet (peace be upon him) during the Farewell Pilgrimage, in which he observed him accepting the Black Stone with a staff, kissing it, and carrying the flag of Al-Mukhtar during its uprising in Iraq. He was recognized as a trustworthy source of narration, known for his honesty, knowledge, and courage.
Amir ibn Tufail’s Encounter with the Prophet
Abu al-Tufail, Amir ibn al-Bakri, is considered one of the younger and last Companions to pass away. His encounter with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is documented in Sahih Muslim, where he describes seeing the Prophet performing Tawaf around the Kaaba and accepting the Black Stone with his staff, saying, “I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) circling the house and accepting the Black Stone with a staff, and he kissed the staff.” When asked about his encounter with the Prophet (peace be upon him), he affirmed, stating: “Yes, and I do not know of any man alive on the surface of the earth who has seen the Prophet besides me; he had a fair complexion and a handsome face.” He recounted seeing the Prophet mounting his camel and leaving for Al-Abtah, as well as witnessing him distributing meat in a place called Al-Ji’ranah. Additionally, he observed the Prophet during Tawaf and during the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah.