The First Pioneers of Islam ─ Khadījah, Zayd, ‘Alī, and Abū Bakr’s Acceptance of Faith
Compiled by: Abu Abdul Aziz Muhammad Yusuf Madani
✦ Introduction
In the earliest history of Islam, those who first accepted faith are known as the Sābiqūn al-Awwalūn (the foremost believers). Among them were Khadījah رضي الله عنها, Zayd ibn Ḥārithah, ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib, and Abū Bakr aṣ-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنهم. Their names are firmly established in the sīrah works, though some detailed stories about them are transmitted through weak chains. This article reviews their early acceptance of Islam and the authenticity of related reports.
✦ Report Mentions
➊ Sources such as Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtūm and Sīrah Ibn Hishām mention these individuals as the first to accept Islam.
(Raḥmat lil-‘Ālamīn 1/50, Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtūm p. 115–116, Sīrah Ibn Hishām 1/318–319)➋ Reports narrate that Zayd ibn Ḥārithah was enslaved, came into Khadījah’s رضي الله عنها possession, then given to the Prophet ﷺ, who later adopted him.
➌ Other reports state that Jibrīl عليه السلام taught the Prophet ﷺ wuḍū’ and ṣalāh, and that the Prophet ﷺ and ‘Alī رضي الله عنه used to pray secretly in mountain passes.
✦ Analysis of Reports
1. Zayd’s Enslavement and Return Attempt
– Narrated by al-Ṭabarānī and Ibn Isḥāq without a proper chain.
– Relies on narrators like Ibn al-Kalbī and Ḥumayd ibn Murthid, who are abandoned or unknown.
– Ibn Ḥajar (Tahdhīb 11/79) and Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (Al-Istī‘āb 2/543) called it severely weak.
Conclusion: Weak report.2. Zayd’s Brother Jablah Attempting to Take Him
– Found in Sunan al-Tirmidhī (3815): Zayd chose to remain with the Prophet ﷺ instead of returning to his brother.
– Imām al-Tirmidhī: “ḥasan gharīb.”
– Al-Albānī and Dr. Akram Ḍiyā’ al-‘Umari: “ḥasan.”
Conclusion: Acceptable report.3. Adoption as Mutabannā
– Qur’an (Al-Aḥzāb: 40) abolished the pre-Islamic practice of adoption.
– Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Muslim, and Tirmidhī narrate that people called him “Zayd ibn Muhammad” until the verse was revealed.
Conclusion: Authentic and firmly established.4. Beginning of Prayer (Wuḍū’ Taught by Jibrīl)
– Report involving Zayd that Jibrīl taught wuḍū’ and sprinkling water on private parts is weak.
– Contains narrators Ibn Luhay‘ah and Rushdīn ibn Sa‘d, both weak.
– Abū Ḥātim al-Rāzī: “Bāṭil.”
Conclusion: Fabricated/false.5. Prophet ﷺ and ‘Alī Praying Secretly
– Reported by Ibn Hishām without chain and by al-Ṭabarī with weak isnād via Ibn Isḥāq.
– Scholars graded it weak.
Conclusion: Weak.✦ Summary & Conclusion
① It is authentic and certain that Khadījah, Zayd ibn Ḥārithah, ‘Alī, and Abū Bakr رضي الله عنهم were the first to accept Islam.
② The story of Zayd’s enslavement and rescue is weak, while the report of his brother Jablah’s attempt is ḥasan.
③ His adoption by the Prophet ﷺ is authentic and supported by Qur’an and sound aḥādīth.
④ Reports on the beginning of prayer and secret worship in valleys are weak.
Thus, the faith of the Sābiqūn al-Awwalūn is unquestionable, though many of the detailed narratives about them rest on weak reports.
