Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum was a cousin of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid RA. His father was Qays ibn Za’id and his mother was Aatikah bint Abdullah. She was called Umm Maktum (Mother of the Concealed One) because she gave birth to a blind child.

Abdullah witnessed the rise of Islam in Makkah. He was amongst the first to accept Islam. He lived through the persecution of the Muslims and suffered what the other companions of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) had experienced. His attitude, like theirs, was one of firmness, staunch resistance and sacrifice. Neither his dedication nor his faith weakened against the violence of the Quraysh onslaught. In fact, all this only increased his determination to hold on to the religion of Allah and his devotion to His messenger.

In this period, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was concentrating on the Quraysh notables and was eager that they should become Muslims. On one particular day, he met with some Quraysh Nobles and had begun talking and negotiating with them and telling them about Islam. He so much wished that they would respond positively to him and accept Islam or at least call off their persecution of his companions. While he was thus engaged, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum came up and asked him to read a verse from the Qur’an.

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) frowned and turned away from him. He turned his attention instead to the prestigious group of Quraysh, hoping that they would become Muslims and that by their acceptance of Islam they would bring greatness to the religion of Allah and strengthen his mission. As soon as he had finished speaking to them and had left their company, he suddenly felt partially blinded and his head began to throb violently.

At this point the following revelation came to him: “He frowned and turned away when the blind man approached him! Yet for all you knew, (O Muhammad), he might perhaps have grown in purity or have been reminded of the Truth, and helped by this reminder. Now as for him who believes himself to be self-sufficient to him you gave your whole attention, although you are not accountable for his failure to attain to purity. But as for him who came unto you full of eagerness and in awe of Allah, him did you disregard.” (Surah Abasa 80: 116).

These are the sixteen verses which were revealed to the noble Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) about Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum RA. Sixteen verses that have continued to be recited from that time till today and shall continue to be recited. From that day the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) did not cease to be generous to Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum RA, to ask him about his affairs, to fulfil his needs and take him into his council whenever he approached. In fact, in later years, he often greeted Ibn Umm Maktum RA with these words of humility: “Welcome unto him on whose account my Sustainer has rebuked me.”

In spite of thus being excused from Jihad, the soul of Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum RA refused to be content with staying among those who remained at home when an expedition was in progress. Great souls are not content with remaining detached from affairs of great moment. He determined that no campaign should by-pass him. He fixed a role for himself on the battlefield. He would say: “Place me between two rows and give me the standard. I will carry it for you and protect it, for I am blind and cannot run away.”

In the fourteenth year after the Hijra, Umar RA resolved to mount a major assault against the Persians to bring down their State and open the way for the Muslim forces. So he wrote to his governors: “Send anyone with a weapon or a horse or who can offer any form of help to me. And make haste.” Crowds of Muslims from every direction responded to Umar’s RA call and converged on Madinah. Among all these was the blind Mujahid, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum RA.

When the army reached Qadisiyyah, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum RA was prominent, wearing a coat of armour and fully prepared. He had vowed to carry and protect the standard of the Muslims or be killed in the process. The forces met and engaged in battle for three days. The fighting was among the most fierce and bitter in the history of the Muslim conquests. On the third day, the Muslims achieved a mighty victory as one of the greatest empires in the world collapsed and one of the most secure thrones fell. The price of this clear victory was hundreds of martyrs. Among them was Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum RA. He was found dead on the battlefield clutching the flag of the Muslims.