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Zayd al-Khayr

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Zayd al-Khayr
زيد الخير
Calligraphy of the name of Zayd al-Khayr
Bornc. 6th century CE
Najd, now part of Saudi Arabia
Diedc. 631–632 CE
Between Medina and Najd
Known forBeing one of Muhammad's companions

Zayd al-Khayr (Arabic: زيد الخير), formerly Zayd al-Khayl was a tribal chief of the Tayy tribe who converted to Islam and became one of the Sahaba.

Biography

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Zayd al-Khayr was originally Zayd al-Khayl ibn Muhalhil. He was from the Tayy tribe that lived in Najd at the time.[1][2][3] His former epithet "al-Khayl" referred to the numerous horses he owned, while his new epithet "al-Khayr" referred to the blessings of God upon him for his conversion to Islam.[4] Zayd had two sons, Mikhnaf and Harith, who were Muslims.

Delegation to Medina

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In 631–632 CE (10 AH in the Hijri calendar), Zayd al-Khayl as the chief of the Tayy led a delegation to Medina to meet Muhammad and enquire about Islam, which was rising at the time.[5][6] Muhammad was reportedly impressed by Zayd's qualities and changed his name to Zayd al-Khayr after he and the members of the delegation has converted to Islam.[1][2][3] However, one of the members of said delegation, Zurr ibn Sadous, refused to convert to Islam and then fled to Byzantine Syria where he converted to Christianity.

Death

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As Zayd was returning to Najd from Medina, he fell ill with fever.[1][2] Zayd eventually succumbed to his illness and died while he was stationed at a river outside Najd.[1][2] After his death was known to his tribe, Zayd's wife, still a pagan, retrieved the scriptures that were present with him and then burned them.[1][2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Ibn Kathir (2021). al-Bidāyah wa' al-Nihāyah. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ibn Kathir. ISBN 9789953520841.
  2. ^ a b c d e Ibn Hisham (2010). al-Sīrah al-Nabawiyyah. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Sader. ISBN 9953130728.
  3. ^ a b Ibn al-Athir (2012). Usd al-ghabah fi marifat al-Saḥabah. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ibn Hazm. ISBN 978-9953-81-621-0.
  4. ^ Muir, William (2013). The Life Of Mahomet: From Original Sources. Hardpress Publishing (published 11 December 2013). ISBN 1314678876.
  5. ^ Mubarakpuri, Saifur Rahman (2008). The Sealed Nectar: Biography of the Noble Prophet. Darussalam Publications. ISBN 978-9960899558.
  6. ^ al-Hindi, al-Muttaqi (2010). Kanz al-'Ummal fi Sunan al-Aqwal wa-al-Af'al. Dar Al Kutub Al Ilmiyah. ISBN 9782745128997.