زيد بن حارثة الكلبي
Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi
The Beloved of the Prophet
Beziehung zum Propheten ﷺ
Zayd was the Prophet's freed slave, adopted son, and dearest companion. He was the only companion mentioned by name in the Quran. The Prophet ﷺ wept openly at his death and said he was among the most beloved of all people to him.
Wichtige Lebensereignisse
Born into the Banu Kalb tribe; later captured and sold into slavery
Gifted to the Prophet ﷺ by Khadijah; freed and adopted
Among the very first converts to Islam
Appointed first commander of Mutah; martyred in battle
Vollständige Biografie
Zayd ibn Haritha held one of the most unique positions in Islamic history: he was the freed slave of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ who became so beloved that the Prophet ﷺ adopted him, and for a time he was known not as Zayd ibn Haritha but as Zayd ibn Muhammad. He holds the singular distinction of being the only companion of the Prophet ﷺ mentioned by name in the Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:37).
Zayd was originally from the tribe of Banu Kalb in Najd. As a child, he was taken captive during a raid and sold into slavery in Mecca, eventually purchased by Khadijah and gifted to the Prophet ﷺ before prophethood. When Zayd's father and uncle came to Mecca to buy him back, the Prophet ﷺ gave Zayd the choice to return with them or stay. Zayd chose to stay with the Prophet ﷺ — a decision that moved the Prophet to formally free him and adopt him on the spot.
When prophethood came, Zayd was among the very first to embrace Islam — some accounts place him second only to Khadijah herself among converts. He was absolutely devoted to the Prophet ﷺ throughout his life. The Prophet ﷺ frequently called him "the most beloved of all people to me" and appointed him to command several expeditions, even over more senior companions.
The Quranic mention of Zayd relates to the marriage of the Prophet ﷺ to Zayd's divorced wife Zaynab bint Jahsh, which abrogated the pre-Islamic tradition of treating adopted sons as biological sons. This verse was one of the most difficult moments for the Prophet personally — yet he obeyed the divine command.
Zayd was martyred as the first commander at the Battle of Mutah in 629 CE, fighting the Byzantine forces in present-day Jordan. He died holding the Prophet's banner, and the Prophet ﷺ wept upon receiving news of his death, and went to Zayd's house to console his children, weeping again before his orphaned daughter.
Berühmte Zitate
"Zayd was the most beloved of all people to the Prophet ﷺ." — Companions' testimony (Tirmidhi)
Lektionen für dein Leben
Loyalty chosen freely is more powerful than loyalty born from obligation.
The Prophet's love for Zayd teaches that human dignity transcends social status.
Being mentioned in the Quran by name is a testament to how one's life can carry eternal significance.
Wie du ihnen ähnlich wirst
Möchtest du in den Fußstapfen von Zayd ibn Haritha al-Kalbi wandeln? Beginne mit diesen praktischen Schritten aus ihrem Leben.
- 1
Loyalty chosen freely is more powerful than loyalty born from obligation.
- 2
The Prophet's love for Zayd teaches that human dignity transcends social status.
- 3
Being mentioned in the Quran by name is a testament to how one's life can carry eternal significance.