Since his early childhood, Anas bin Malik (rta) was very close to the Prophet (sa) – he was his servant, close friend and companion. Umm Sulaim (rtaf), Anas’ mother, raised him alone, as her husband died not long after she became Muslim. She devoted all her care and attention to her son: she taught him reading, writing and the memorization of Surahs from the Quran. Anas (rta) was so intelligent that he was able to sit with men in their meetings, while he was still a young boy.
Anas’ mother was a far-sighted woman, who knew that a person attains his true worth only by virtue of religion and character. This is why she placed Anas (rta) in the hands of the best teacher and the most superior role model – the Messenger of Allah (sa). When Anas (rta) was eight, she took him by the hand to the Prophet (sa) and said:
“Oh, Messenger of Allah! There is no man or woman among the Ansar, who has not presented you with some gift, but I am unable to present you with anything except this son of mine, so take him and let him serve you in any way that you see fit.”
The Prophet (sa) used to favour Anas (rta) with advice and guidance in all aspects of his life – in his prayer, speech, eating and drinking – so that he grew up as an example to every person who seeks to worship Allah (swt) in the correct manner. Anas (rta) found in the Messenger (sa) a kind-hearted guardian and an affectionate father, who replaced the father he had lost and made him forget that he was an orphan. His service with the Prophet (sa) lasted for about ten years.
Today, we cannot open a book of authentic Ahadeeth, without finding the name of Anas (rta), for he has narrated thousands of Ahadeeth from the Prophet (sa).
Adapted from Child Companions around the Prophet (sa) published by Darussalam.
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