Story of Asad ibn Zurara: Leader from Tribe of Najjar Who Convert to Islam Before Propeth Moved To Medina

 

Source: Yufid TV.

Today, we will discuss about Asad ibn Zurara, leader from Tribe of Najjar  at Medina, who convert to Islam at Covenant of Aqaba, before Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam moved to Medina. He is one forgotten figure who maybe doesnt has popularity at Islamic History. Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilizations. And, don forget for read this article until end for get complete informations about this topic. Lets start it.

His name is Asad ibn Zurara ibn Udas ibn Ubayd ibn Thalaba in Ghanm ibn Malik ibn Najjar. He is leader from his tribe, Tribe of Najjar, at Medina. He life at 7 TH Century. For know about Tribe of Najjar, you can access this article:
Secret from Tribe of Najjar : How This Tribe Forgotten at Islamic History?

Asad, has nickname Abu Umama al-Anshary al-Khazrajy. He convert to Islam when he still young and his convertion happened when meet Propeth Muhammad before  Covenant of Aqaba.  And, it is  happened at 620 AD. According Imam Dhahabi, Asad came to Aqaba with 5 mens from Tribe of Khazraj, one big Arabian Tribes at Medina. He and 5 mens from Tribe of Khazraj meet Propeth Muhammad at Aqaba and convert to Islam.  Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam send his shahaba, Mushab ibn Umayr, for preach Islam to them.  Asad ibn Zurara, is one an who help Mushab ibn Umayr for preach to Peoples of Medina. Asad help Mushab ibn Umayr for preach Islam to one Medina Tribal Chief who at future became Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s shahaba, Usayd ibn Hudhair. For Usayd s biography, you can access this article:

Story of Usayd ibn Hudhair: Medina Nobleman who Praised Propeth Muhammad as Best Man

According Imam Dhahabi,  from them who meet Propeth Muhammad at this moment are Asad ibn Zurara, Auf ibn Afra, Rafi ibn Malik az-Zuraqiy, Quthba ibn Amr as-Salamiy and Uqba ibn Amr. When they back to Medina, they preach Islam to Peoples of Medina. And, Islam spread at Medina until many peoples at Medina convert to Islam. And, one year after this, at 621 AD, 12 peoples from Medina , that at future became Anshar ( People of Medina who became Propeth Muhammad s followers when Propeth Muhammad moved to Medina ) meet Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam at Aqaba. They also take Oath of Allegiance to Propeth Muhammad. And, it is named by First Covenant of Aqaba. Asad ibn Zurara, also join this covenant.  With Asad ibn Zurara, also join several shahabas  such as Rafi ibn Malik, Ubada ibn Shamit, and Yazid ibn Thalaba al-Balawi. We take oath of allegiance for dont make paganism, dont adultery, dont burried their girls, dont lied, and dont violate their oath.

At 622 AD, Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam moved to Medina.  When achieve Medina, Propeth Muhammad stopped at one villages from Tribe fo Najjar. He stopped at Tribe of Adiy ibn Najjar, one branch tribe from Tribe of Najjar.  At this time, Asad also became caretaker for two childrens from Tribe of Najjar, Suhayl and Sahl. But, at this year, Asad die because disease at his throat. Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam dont appointed leader for Tribe of Najjar He said: “I is leader for you all.” Tribe of Najjar proud because this. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless them.

Refrences:

Imam ad-Dzahabi: Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 1: Pembahasan Sejarah Nabi ( Kelahiran Rasulullah Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam-Perang Khandaq), Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017.

----------------:  Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 4: Pembahasan Generasi 1 As-Sabiqunal Awwalun, Syuhada Perang Uhud-Yarmuk: Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah-Bilal, Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al-Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017 M.

Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Hadi, Nurfitri: As’ad bin Zurarah Pemimpin Anshar - Cerita kisah cinta penggugah jiwa, accesed 18 August 2025, 09: 46 AM.