Top Companions Noted for Their Quran Recitation
The esteemed companion recognized for his exceptional recitation of the Holy Quran is the noble Sahaabi Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him). His distinction in this regard is a divine favor bestowed upon him by Allah (Exalted be He). According to an authentic narration in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said to Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him): “Indeed, Allah has commanded me to recite to you: {those who disbelieved}.” Ubayy asked, “Did He mention my name?” The Prophet replied, “Yes,” and Ubayy wept upon hearing this. Without a doubt, all the companions were distinguished for their support of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him), yet Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) was among the few whom Allah specifically mentioned, an honorable recognition that is not easily attained. Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) earned this prestigious status due to his dedication to learning the علوم (sciences) of the Holy Quran and his unwavering effort to convey its message to others, thus presenting an outstanding model of distinction and commitment that was acknowledged by all who knew him.
Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) excelled in Quran recitation and was among the earliest and most renowned scribes of revelation in Medina. He was recognized for his memorization, comprehension, and recitation of the Quran, which earned him high esteem among the companions and a notable closeness to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) praised him and preferred him over others when it came to Quran recitation. In another narration found in Sunan al-Tirmidhi, the Prophet stated: “The best of you in reciting the Book of Allah is Ubayy ibn Ka’b.” His repute spread throughout Medina, where his proficiency was acknowledged; even Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the second caliph, remarked: “The best reciter among us is Ubayy.”
Given Ubayy ibn Ka’b’s (may Allah be pleased with him) significant expertise in the Quran, his constant companionship with the Prophet (peace be upon him), and his comprehensive understanding of the reasons for revelation and other Quranic matters, he was regarded as one of the most knowledgeable companions concerning Tafsir (interpretation of the Quran). Numerous reliable narratives about his interpretations exist, among which the most noted are:
- First narration: The narration of Abu Ja’far al-Razi from al-Rabi’ ibn Anas from Abu al-Ala, from Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him).
- Second narration: The narration of Waki’ from Sufyan from Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Aqil from al-Fudail ibn Ubayy ibn Ka’b from his father (may Allah be pleased with both of them).
Introduction to Ubayy ibn Ka’b (May Allah be Pleased with Him)
Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) was a distinguished companion of the Prophet. The following is a brief introduction:
- Name: Ubayy ibn Ka’b ibn Qais ibn Ubaid ibn Zayd ibn Mu’awiya ibn Amr ibn Malik ibn al-Najjar.
- Nickname and Title: He was known as Abu al-Mundhir and Abu al-Tufail, and he was titled the “Master of Reciters.”
- Lineage: Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) belonged to the Khazraj tribe from Medina.
- Physical Attributes: He was described as having a white head and beard, and he was of medium stature, neither too tall nor too short.
- Embrace of Islam: Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted Islam prior to the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) migration to Medina and was among the Ansar who witnessed the Second Pledge of Aqabah, where he pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the twelfth year of the Prophethood. After the migration, the Prophet established a brotherhood between him and Sa’id ibn Zaid ibn Amr ibn Nufail (may Allah be pleased with him).
- Military Campaigns: Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) participated in the Battle of Badr and subsequent battles until the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
- Distinctive Traits: Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) is considered the best among the companions in reciting the Quran. He was a hafiz (memorizer) of the Quran, knowledgeable of its meanings, closely companioned the Prophet (peace be upon him), and received extensive knowledge from him, becoming a point of reference for subsequent companions seeking knowledge. He was also among the few who compiled the Quran during the lifetime of the Prophet (peace be upon him), a feat achieved by only four other companions, all of whom were Ansar.
- Death: There are differing views regarding the date of his death: the first states he passed away in 22 AH during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), while the second suggests his death occurred in 30 AH during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him). The prevailing view leans towards his passing in Uthman’s caliphate. Allah knows best.
Virtue of Ubayy ibn Ka’b (May Allah be Pleased with Him)
Ubayy ibn Ka’b’s Distinction as a Companion and Muslim
The Prophet (peace be upon him) attested to the virtue and excellence of his companions, who each possessed unique qualities and merits. Among them was Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him), who devoted himself to pleasing Allah (Exalted be He) and loving His Messenger, adhering to the Quran, and deriving guidance from it. He received immense goodness through his efforts in writing, compiling, and mastering the Quran, transmitting it to future generations. Ubayy (may Allah be pleased with him) dedicated both day and night to studying the sciences of the Quran, thus his life became imbued with its teachings. He was known for his piety, asceticism, and deep understanding of his responsibilities, with no record of him prioritizing his own voluntary acts over the needs of the community.
There is also a notable incident reported by Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), stating that he and Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with both of them) were traveling with Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and fell behind the group. When rain fell, Ubayy prayed to Allah (Exalted be He), saying: “O Allah, divert its harm from us.” Allah then turned the rain away from them, allowing them to catch up to the others untouched. Even Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) expressed amazement at their situation, reproaching them by asking, “Why didn’t you pray for us as well?” This incident exemplifies Ubayy’s deep piety and closeness to Allah (Exalted be He).
Achievements of Ubayy ibn Ka’b in Islam
Given Ubayy ibn Ka’b’s (may Allah be pleased with him) previously noted proficiency and capabilities, he was honored with the responsibility of receiving the Quran directly from the Prophet (peace be upon him). He was the first to record revelations in Medina, noting the verses that were revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him). Ubayy reported a total of 164 Hadiths from the Prophet, which are included in the six canonical collections.
Among the companions who narrated from him were Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the second caliph and the Commander of the Faithful, who would summon Ubayy for counsel and arbitration, stating in gatherings, “Ubayy is the master of Muslims.” This reflects his extensive knowledge and the confidence that Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) had in him. Other notable companions who narrated from him include Abu Ayyub, Ubadah ibn al-Samit, Sahl ibn Sa’d, Abu Huraira, Anas, and others.