- First Mu'azzin
- Adopted son of the Prophet (PBUH)
- First governor
- First Hafiz
Hazrat Zaid bin Harithah (RA) was known as the adopted son of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Before Islam, Zaid (RA) was captured as a slave and came into the possession of Khadijah (RA), who gifted him to the Prophet (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) treated him with such kindness that when Zaid’s (RA) father and uncle came to ransom him, Zaid (RA) chose to remain with the Prophet (ﷺ), saying, “I have seen something from this man that I would not prefer anyone over him.” The Prophet (ﷺ) then freed him and publicly declared him his adopted son, calling him Zaid bin Muhammad. This adoption was a pre-Islamic Arab custom that was later abrogated by the Qur’an (Surah Al-Ahzab), which commanded that adopted children be called by their biological fathers’ names. The Prophet (ﷺ) accordingly renamed him Zaid bin Harithah. Despite the change, Zaid (RA) remained deeply loved and respected. He was one of the earliest converts to Islam and a trusted companion. The Prophet (ﷺ) referred to him affectionately as “Habib” (beloved) and appointed him as a military commander on several occasions, including the Battle of Mu’tah where he was martyred. His relationship with the Prophet (ﷺ) illustrates the depth of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) character and his commitment to dignity and justice for all, regardless of background. Zaid (RA) was not only an adopted son in custom but became a devoted follower who earned the highest honor—martyrdom in the path of Allah. His story is a powerful testament to how Islam transformed social hierarchies, elevating individuals based on faith and character rather than lineage.
