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Indeed, when lbn Mas'uud was fascinated by the sheep's udder which was filled with milk before its
time, he did not realize that he and his humble friends would be one of the greater miracles of the
Prophet (PBUH) on the day they carried the banner of Allah, with which they outshone the sun. He did
not realize that such a day was very near. Soon that day came, and the poor, hired boy became a miracle!
He was hardly seen in the crowd of life and not even seen away from that crowd because he was too
humble when compared with those who possessed wealth, power, and social status. Financially, he was
poor. Physically, he was feeble, and socially, he was a nobody. But Islam compensated him for his
poverty with a large share of the treasures of Khosrau and Caesar. Islam also compensated him for his
physical weakness with a strong will that conquered the oppressors and helped to change the whole
historical course of events. Again, Islam compensated his humble social status through immortality,
knowledge, and honor that gave him an eminent place among the most prominent of historical figures.
The Prophet's prophecy about him which said, "You are a learned boy" was true. Indeed, Allah
endowed him with knowledge till he became the most learned of this Ummah and the best one to know
Qur'aan by heart. Ibn Mas'uud described himself saying, "I in fact took from the mouth of Allah's
Messenger more than seventy surahs of the Qur'aan. I have a better understanding of the Book of Allah
than any one of you."
It could be that Allah wanted to reward him for risking his life when he used to recite Qur'aan
everywhere during the years of torture. So, He the Almighty endowed him with a wonderful talent for
reciting and understanding Qur'aan to the extent that made the Prophet (PBUH) direct his Companions to
follow his example. The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Stick to the method of Ibn Umm `Abd." He
recommended that they imitate his way of reciting and learn it from him. The Prophet (PBUH) said,
"Whoever wants to hear Qur'aan as fresh as it was revealed, let him hear it from lbn Umm `Abd," and
said, "Whoever wants to read Qur'aan as fresh as it was revealed, let him read it in the way Ibn Umm
Abd does."
It was a pleasure for the Prophet (PBUH) to hear Qur'aan being recited from the mouth of lbn
Mas'uud. The Prophet (PBUH) once called on him and said, "Recite to me, Abd Allah," and `Abd Allah
said, "How can I recite to you when it was revealed to you?" The Prophet (PBUH) said, "I like to hear it
from others." Thereupon lbn Mas'uud started reading part of Surat An-Nisaa' till he reached the verse:
"How (will it be) then, when We bring from each nation a witness and We bring you as a witness against
those people. On that day those who disbelieved and disobeyed the Messenger will wish that they were
buried in the earth, but they will never be able to hide a single fact from Allah " (4: 41-42). Upon hearing
this, the Prophet's eyes flooded with tears and he waved to lbn Mas'uud saying, "Enough, enough, lbn
Mas'uud."
Ibn Mas'uud himself talked proudly about Allah's bounty upon him. "By Allah, there is no surah in
the Book of Allah about which I do not know where and in what context it was revealed. I have a better
understanding of the Book of Allah than you do, and if I were to know that someone had a better
understanding than I and I could reach him on the back of a mule, I would definitely go to him on a
camel's back, but I am not better than you are."
The Prophet's Companions witnessed this for him. The Commander of the Faithful `Umar lbn Al-
Kattaab said about him," He was filled with knowledge." Also Abu Muusaa Al- Ash'ariy said about him,
"Don't ask me about any matter as long as you have this scholar among you." He was not only praised for
his knowledge of Qur'aan and jurisprudence, but also for his piety and God consciousness. Hudhaifah
said about him, "I have never seen anyone more like the Prophet (PBUH) in his way of life and
characteristics than Ibn Mas'uud." He also said, "The lucky Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) realized
that Ibn Umm `Abd is the nearest one of them to Allah."
One day a number of Companions were gathered at the house of `Aliy lbn Abi Taalib and said to
him, "O Commander of the Faithful, we have never seen a man who is more virtuous, more learned,
more companionable, friendly, and God-fearing than `Abd Allah Ibn Mas'uud." `Aliy said, "I beg you by
Allah, is this true from your hearts?" They said, "Yes." `Aliy said, "O Allah, I testify in front of You that