بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَلْحَمْدُ للّٰهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِيْنَ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلىَ اَشْرَفِ اْللأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِيْنَ سَيِّدِناَ وَمَوْلٰنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى اٰلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ اَجْمَعِيْنَ، اَمَّا بَعْدُ.
 |
| [Photo Illustration Only] |
Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) (Arabic: قدامة بن مظعون; c. 588 – 656), also known as Abū ʿAmr al-Jumaḥī Al Quraīshī, was a companion of Muhammad, who participated in several battles and one of the early converts to Islam. He served as the governor of Bahrain during Umar's caliphate.
Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) (also spelled Madzun or Mazoon) was a prominent early companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet Muhammad. He belonged to the Banu Jumah clan of the noble Quraysh tribe in Makkah.
👤 Family Lineage & Background
• Full Name: Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) bin Habib bin Wahb bin Hudhafah bin Jumah al-Qurashi al-Jumahi.
• Chew (Honorific): Abu Amr or Abu Umar.
• Siblings: Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was the brother of the famous ascetic companion Uthman bin Maz'un, Abdullah bin Maz'un, and Zainab binti Maz'un.
• Ties to Caliph Umar: Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) sister Zainab was married to Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab, making Qudamah the maternal uncle of the Mother of the Believers Hafsah bint Umar and the renowned scholar Abdullah bin Umar. Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) also married Umar's sister, Safiyyah binti al-Khattab.
Deeds and Contributions to Islam
Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was one of the Sabiqun al-Awwalun (the earliest converts to Islam), embracing the faith alongside his brothers before the Prophet Muhammad began preaching from Dar al-Arqam.
The Double Migration (Hijratayn): To escape persecution from the Quraysh, he participated in the early migration to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and later made the historic migration to Medina.
Military Action: He was a Badri companion, fighting alongside the Prophet in the pivotal Battle of Badr, as well as the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq).
Governorship: During the Caliphate of his brother-in-law Umar bin al-Khattab, Qudamah was appointed as the Governor of Bahrain.
Character Qualities and A Notable Incident
Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was highly respected for his early commitment to Islam, his bravery in battle, and his dedication to congregational worship. However, historical texts remember him for a landmark legal incident during his governorship in Bahrain:
Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was accused of drinking alcohol by a local chief named al-Jarud. When Caliph Umar recalled him to Medina for trial, Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) defended himself by misinterpreting Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 93, arguing that good deeds protect believers from sin regarding what they consume. Umar firmly corrected his theological misunderstanding, ruling that piety requires absolute adherence to Allah's prohibitions. Showing complete legal equality, Umar ordered the prescribed penalty (flogging) to be carried out despite Qudamah's high status, a decision Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) submissively accepted. Umar later reconciled warmly with him after having a dream indicating Qudamah's forgiveness.
Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) passed away peacefully at the age of 68 in the year 36 AH (656 CE).
Abū ʿAmr Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn ibn Ḥabīb ibn Wahb ibn Ḥudhāfah ibn Jumāḥ al-Qurashī was among the early converts to Islam. He was described as tall and dark-skinned. He was the brother of the Companions ʿUthmān and ʿAbdullāh, the sons of Maẓʿūn, and of Zaynab bint Maẓʿūn, the wife of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb. He was also the maternal uncle of ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar and Hafṣah bint ʿUmar. His mother was Ghaziyyah bint al-Ḥuwayrith ibn al-ʿAnbas ibn Wahbān ibn Wahb ibn Ḥudhāfah ibn Jumāḥ.
During the time of Caliph Umar bin Khattab, the spread of Islam had reached North Africa in the western region and to Gujarat, India, in the east. Bahrain, located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula, was one of the regions that was already under Islamic rule. Its territory was not very large. However, its position was strategic, namely on the coast and had a busy trading port. Therefore, Caliph Umar bin Khattab felt the need to appoint his own governor to lead Bahrain.
Caliph Umar bin Khattab appointed Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) as governor of Bahrain. The appointment of Qudamah as governor of Bahrain was widely discussed by his friends and tabi'in. The reason was, Qudamah had bad morals, namely liking alcohol. In fact, he did not stop drinking alcohol until he was drunk.
In a sahih hadith, found in Al Musannaf, it was recorded that Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn, while serving as the governor of Bahrain under Caliph ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, was accused of drinking alcohol by al-Jārūd, the chief of ʿAbd al-Qays. Al-Jārūd and Abū Hurayrah testified that they saw Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) intoxicated, although they did not directly witness him consuming alcohol. Hind bint al-Walīd, the wife of Qudāmah, was also called to testify and confirmed the accusation.[3]
Apparently, Umar bin Khattab had not heard of this bad habit so that Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was given the mandate as governor of Bahrain. In terms of worship, Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was quite good. He always prayed in congregation. His recitation was also good and he actively attended recitations at the Grand Mosque. In fact, Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) took part in the Battle of Badr with Rasulullah SAW. Qudamah is the uncle of Abdullah bin Umar ra and Hafsah ra.
The story about Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was finally heard by the caliph Umar bin Kattab, and he wanted to prove it for himself. Until one day the caliph Umar bin Khattab discovered that Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was drinking alcohol until he was drunk. When he regained consciousness, Qudamah was tried by the caliph.
Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was summoned and defended his actions by citing a verse from the Qur'an (Surah Al Ma'idah, Verse 93), arguing that believers are not held accountable for what they consume. However, ʿUmar rejected this interpretation, stating that he has misunderstood the verse and that true piety involves avoiding what Allah has forbidden and informed him that he will be punished.[3]
In the hearing, Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) said that drinking alcohol was permissible, as explained in Surah Al-Maidah (5) verse 93;
“There is no sin on those who believe and do righteous deeds because they eat food that they have eaten (before), if they fear Allah and believe and do good deeds, then they fear Allah and believe, then they (continue to) fear Allah and do good deeds. And Allah loves those who do good.”
Hearing that answer, Caliph Umar bin Khattab then asked the friend Ibn Abbas to explain the verse because he understood verse 93 of Surah Al-Maidah. Not many of the other friends and scholars present at the hearing understood the verse.
After Ibn Abbas explained that the verse was for actions before converting to Islam and after converting to Islam it became forbidden. Everyone present understood and Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) stopped the habit of drinking alcohol and promised not to do it again.
At the time Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) was sick and Umar sought the opinion of the public about punishing Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) and they replied that he should not punish him while being sick. He waited a few days and asked his companions and they said "We think you should not flog him while he is weak." however Umar disagreed and decided to flog him saying "It is better for me that he meets Allah having been flogged than for him to meet Allah while this responsibility remains on my neck. Bring me a proper whip."[3]
ʿUmar later ordered his flogging, upholding the punishment for intoxication, and relieved him from his position as governor of Bahrain. Following the punishment, Qudāmah and ʿUmar became estranged. Umar and Qudāmah ibn Maẓʿūn (رضي الله عنه) went to Hajj while still not on speaking terms, after returning from Hajj, they stopped at the watering place of al-Suqyā, Umar slept and received a vision in a dream and woke up saying "Bring Qudāmah to me quickly. I swear by Allah, I saw someone in a dream who came to me and said, 'Reconcile with Qudāmah, for he is your brother" ʿUmar sought reconciliation and forgave Qudāmah, restoring their relationship.[3]
There is wisdom behind this story. One should not choose a leader if one does not know his character. If one does not understand the verse of the Quran, one should ask an expert. Caliph Umar bin Khattab has shown his wisdom.
Narration of Hadiths
Qudamah bin Maz'un is considered a reliable narrator of the primary tier of companions, but he was not a prolific narrator. He transmitted only a few direct records from the Prophet Muhammad due to his administrative duties and early death.
Instead of a vast textual catalog, his narrations primarily survived through family transmissions, notably by his nephew Abdullah bin Umar and his daughter Aisyah binti Qudamah.
Notable Narrations and Legal Precedents Associated with Him:
1. The Hadith on Women's Marital Consent: In an incident recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 1878) and Musnad Ahmad, after the death of Uthman bin Maz'un, Qudamah arranged a marriage for Uthman's orphan daughter without her consent. The young woman disliked the arrangement, and the Prophet Muhammad overruled Qudamah's decision, firmly establishing an orphan woman's right to choose her own spouse.
2. The Kissing of Uthman bin Maz'un: Narrated via his daughter Aisyah binti Qudamah (and recorded in Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani), describing how the Prophet Muhammad affectionately kissed the cheek of Qudamah's brother, Uthman bin Maz'un, immediately after Uthman passed away in Medina.
3. The Precedent of Legal Punishments: His own trial under Caliph Umar became a structural cornerstone in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), widely cited in books of Islamic law to define the limits of scriptural interpretation and the universal application of legal punishments (Hudud).
alfakir albakr allatifi
