Ubayy ibn Ka'b

Ubayy ibn Ka'b ibn Qays al-Ansari was from the Khazraj tribe of Madinah. He was among those who pledged allegiance to the Prophet at the Second Pledge of Aqabah before the Hijrah and was thus one of the earliest Ansar to accept Islam. After the Prophet's arrival in Madinah, Ubayy became one of his principal scribes, recording the Qur'anic revelation as it was disclosed. The Prophet explicitly identified Ubayy as the most accomplished reciter among the Companions. In a well-known hadith recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Prophet said: 'The best reciter among my Ummah is Ubayy ibn Ka'b.' On another occasion, the Prophet told him: 'Allah has commanded me to recite to you Surah al-Bayyinah.' Ubayy asked: 'Did Allah mention me by name?' The Prophet replied: 'Yes.' At this, Ubayy wept with joy. This honour of being named by Allah to receive a direct recitation from the Prophet is unique among the Companions. Ubayy was also deeply knowledgeable in Islamic jurisprudence and Qur'anic exegesis. Umar ibn al-Khattab referred to him as 'the master of the Muslims' and would consult him on matters related to the Qur'an. He participated in the major battles alongside the Prophet, including Badr, Uhud, and al-Khandaq. After the Prophet's death, he continued to serve as a leading authority on Qur'anic recitation and was consulted during the compilation of the Qur'an under both Abu Bakr and Uthman. Ubayy was known for his forthright character and would speak his mind respectfully even before the caliphs. He led the congregation in the Tarawih prayers when Umar ibn al-Khattab organised them into a unified gathering during Ramadan. He died in Madinah, with most scholars placing his death around 30 AH during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan.