Hadith
Rifaa ibn Rafi’ al-Zuraki, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Gabriel, peace be upon him, asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, – How do you value the veterans of Badr among your followers? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied: – “We consider them to be the most virtuous of all Muslims,” or something similar. Gabriel, peace be upon him, said: – We, the angels, also consider those who participated in the Battle of Badr to be the most virtuous among the angels.”
Bukhari, Maghazi 11. See also Ibn Maja, Muqaddima 11.
Narrator
Rifaa ibn Rafi’ al-Zuraki was from the tribe of Hazaraj in Medina. His father, Rafi’ ibn Malik al-Ansari, was among the first to embrace Islam within that tribe. He represented his tribe at the Aqaba Pledge and was accompanied by his father during this pledge. His mother, Umm Malik, was the daughter of Abdullah ibn Ubay ibn Salul, the leader of the hypocrites in Medina. Both father and son participated in the Battle of Badr and all subsequent battles with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
What We Learn
- 1The heroes of Badr occupy the highest position among the companions (Sahaba).
- 2The angels who aided them in this battle are also considered the most virtuous among the angels, due to their assistance.