Aqdam أقدام

Companion of the Prophet ﷺ

زيد بن حارثة

رضي الله عنه

Zayd ibn Harithah

Zayd ibn Harithah al-Kalbi

Freed slave raised in the Prophet's household, an early Muslim and commander martyred at Mu'tah; the only Companion named in the Quran.

  • Hibb Rasul Allah (the beloved of the Messenger of Allah)
  • Commander at Mu'tah
A day in his footsteps
  • KunyaAbu Usamah
  • Family and tribeBanu Kalb (of Quda'ah); freed by the Prophet
  • Bornc. 581 CE (approx.)
  • Died629 CE / 8 AH (Battle of Mu'tah)
  • Resting placeMu'tah (near al-Karak, modern Jordan)
  • Counted amongMuhajirun

Introduction

Zayd ibn Harithah was a boy of the Arab tribe of Kalb who was taken captive and sold into slavery in Mecca, where he came into the possession of Khadijah and then the Prophet. He was freed and treated as a son. When his father came to take him home, Zayd chose to stay with the Prophet, and the Prophet announced him as his son, which is why he was long called Zayd ibn Muhammad.

He is counted among the very first to believe, after Khadijah, Ali and Abu Bakr. He fought in the early battles of Islam and led several expeditions. When the Quran abolished the practice of adoption, he returned to his father's name. His name is the only Companion's name that appears in the Quran, in the verse (33:37) about his marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh.

In 8 AH the Prophet appointed him commander of the army sent to Mu'tah, naming Ja'far and Abdullah ibn Rawahah to succeed him if he fell. He was killed there, and the Prophet sat grieving when the news reached Medina. His son Usamah later led an army himself.

The story

  1. c. 581-600 CE

    Born into the tribe of Kalb, taken captive as a boy and sold in Mecca; later freed by the Prophet.

  2. c. 610 CE, Mecca

    Among the first to accept Islam.

  3. After 5 AH

    The Quran ended the practice of adoption, and he reverted to his father's name.

    Read the wording
    Sahih al-Bukhari 4782Sahih
    Arabic text

    أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ حَارِثَةَ، مَوْلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا كُنَّا نَدْعُوهُ إِلاَّ زَيْدَ ابْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَتَّى نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ{ادْعُوهُمْ لآبَائِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ}.

    “We used not to call Zaid bin Haritha the freed slave of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) except Zaid bin Muhammad till the Qur'anic Verse was revealed”

    Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari)

  4. 5 AH

    Divorce from Zaynab bint Jahsh and her marriage to the Prophet, which is mentioned in the Quran.

    Read the wording
    Quran 33:37Quran
    Arabic text

    وَإِذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِىٓ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ وَتُخْفِى فِى نَفْسِكَ مَا ٱللَّهُ مُبْدِيهِ وَتَخْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَىٰهُ فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًا زَوَّجْنَٰكَهَا لِكَىْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَرَجٌ فِىٓ أَزْوَٰجِ أَدْعِيَآئِهِمْ إِذَا قَضَوْا۟ مِنْهُنَّ وَطَرًا وَكَانَ أَمْرُ …

    “So when Zayd had no longer any need for her, We married her to you”

    Surah Al-Ahzaab

  5. 8 AH / 629 CE

    Commanded the army at Mu'tah and was martyred; the news saddened the Prophet.

    Read the wording
    Sahih al-Bukhari 4261Sahih
    Arabic text

    قَالَ أَمَّرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ مُوتَةَ زَيْدَ بْنَ حَارِثَةَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنْ قُتِلَ زَيْدٌ فَجَعْفَرٌ، وَإِنْ قُتِلَ جَعْفَرٌ فَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ". قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ كُنْتُ فِيهِمْ فِي تِلْكَ الْغَزْوَةِ فَالْتَمَسْنَا جَعْفَرَ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، فَوَجَدْنَاهُ فِي الْقَتْلَى، وَوَجَدْنَا مَا فِي جَسَدِهِ بِضْعًا …

    “appointed Zaid bin Haritha as the commander of the army during the Ghazwa of Mu'tah”

    Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari)

    Sahih al-Bukhari 1305Sahih
    Arabic text

    … قَالَ أَخْبَرَتْنِي عَمْرَةُ، قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ تَقُولُ لَمَّا جَاءَ قَتْلُ زَيْدِ بْنِ حَارِثَةَ وَجَعْفَرٍ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ رَوَاحَةَ، جَلَسَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُعْرَفُ فِيهِ الْحُزْنُ، وَأَنَا أَطَّلِعُ مِنْ شَقِّ الْبَابِ، فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ نِسَاءَ جَعْفَرٍ وَذَكَرَ بُكَاءَهُنَّ فَأَمَرَهُ بِأَنْ يَنْهَاهُنَّ، …

    “the Prophet sat down looking sad”

    Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari)

A day in their footsteps

4 small, repeatable practices from Zayd ibn Harithah's life. Each comes with the Arabic text and English wording of its source, and links to read the full report.

  1. Bringing a difficulty to the Prophet

    When his marriage was troubled, Zayd came to the Prophet to complain about his wife. The Prophet kept advising him to be mindful of Allah and keep his wife, even though Allah had already told him the outcome.

    Try this today

    Take marital or family difficulties to a trusted, God-fearing adviser and listen to the advice to fear Allah.

    Sit with this

    Whom do you take your family difficulties to, and do you heed their advice?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 7420Sahih

    … فَجَعَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ" اتَّقِ اللَّهَ، وَأَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ". قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ لَوْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَاتِمًا شَيْئًا لَكَتَمَ هَذِهِ. قَالَ فَكَانَتْ زَيْنَبُ تَفْخَرُ عَلَى أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَقُولُ زَوَّجَكُنَّ أَهَالِيكُنَّ، وَزَوَّجَنِي اللَّهُ تَعَالَى مِنْ فَوْقِ سَبْعِ سَمَوَاتٍ. وَعَنْ ثَابِتٍ{وَتُخْفِي …

    “Be afraid of Allah and keep your wife”

    Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari)

  2. Returning to his father's name

    When the Quran told the believers to call adopted children by their fathers' names, Zayd and the Companions accepted it at once. He stopped being called Zayd ibn Muhammad.

    Try this today

    When Allah's command changes a long-held custom, follow it right away.

    Sit with this

    Which long-held custom would you give up at once if Allah asked?

    Sources

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4782Sahih

    أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ حَارِثَةَ، مَوْلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا كُنَّا نَدْعُوهُ إِلاَّ زَيْدَ ابْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَتَّى نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ{ادْعُوهُمْ لآبَائِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ}.

    “Call them (adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers”

    Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari)

    Quran 33:5Quran

    ٱدْعُوهُمْ لِـَٔابَآئِهِمْ هُوَ أَقْسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ فَإِن لَّمْ تَعْلَمُوٓا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَمَوَٰلِيكُمْ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَآ أَخْطَأْتُم بِهِۦ وَلَٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

    “Call them by [the names of] their fathers”

    Surah Al-Ahzaab

  3. Obeying and leading in the cause of Allah

    He accepted the command of the army at Mu'tah, knowing that the Prophet had named replacements if he fell, and led from the front.

    Try this today

    Take responsibility when asked, and prepare others to take your place.

    Sit with this

    Are you preparing others to take your place?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4261Sahih

    … الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ مُوتَةَ زَيْدَ بْنَ حَارِثَةَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنْ قُتِلَ زَيْدٌ فَجَعْفَرٌ، وَإِنْ قُتِلَ جَعْفَرٌ فَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ". قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ كُنْتُ فِيهِمْ فِي تِلْكَ الْغَزْوَةِ فَالْتَمَسْنَا جَعْفَرَ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، فَوَجَدْنَاهُ فِي الْقَتْلَى، وَوَجَدْنَا مَا فِي جَسَدِهِ بِضْعًا وَتِسْعِينَ مِنْ طَعْنَةٍ …

    “If Zaid is martyred, Ja`far should take over his position”

    Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari)

  4. Walking with the Prophet and serving him

    He was among those who accompanied the Prophet when he went out, such as when he visited Hamzah's house with Ali. He was one of the closest people to him.

    Try this today

    Be someone people can count on to walk beside them in good and difficult times.

    Sit with this

    Can people count on you to walk beside them in good times and hard?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 5793Sahih

    أَنَّ حُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَلِيًّا ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ فَدَعَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِرِدَائِهِ، ثُمَّ انْطَلَقَ يَمْشِي، وَاتَّبَعْتُهُ أَنَا وَزَيْدُ بْنُ حَارِثَةَ، حَتَّى جَاءَ الْبَيْتَ الَّذِي فِيهِ حَمْزَةُ، فَاسْتَأْذَنَ فَأَذِنُوا لَهُمْ.

    “Zaid bin Haritha and I followed him till he reached the house”

    Grade: Sahih (al-Bukhari)

Virtues

  • He is the only Companion named in the Quran, in the verse about his marriage to Zaynab.

    “So when Zayd had no longer any need for her”

    Arabic text

    وَإِذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِىٓ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَٱتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ وَتُخْفِى فِى نَفْسِكَ مَا ٱللَّهُ مُبْدِيهِ وَتَخْشَى ٱلنَّاسَ وَٱللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَىٰهُ فَلَمَّا قَضَىٰ زَيْدٌ مِّنْهَا وَطَرًا زَوَّجْنَٰكَهَا لِكَىْ لَا يَكُونَ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَرَجٌ فِىٓ أَزْوَٰجِ أَدْعِيَآئِهِمْ إِذَا قَضَوْا۟ مِنْهُنَّ وَطَرًا وَكَانَ أَمْرُ …

    Quran 33:37Quran

  • The Prophet appointed him as commander of the army, ahead of Ja'far and Abdullah ibn Rawahah.

    “appointed Zaid bin Haritha as the commander of the army during the Ghazwa of Mu'tah”

    Arabic text

    قَالَ أَمَّرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ مُوتَةَ زَيْدَ بْنَ حَارِثَةَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنْ قُتِلَ زَيْدٌ فَجَعْفَرٌ، وَإِنْ قُتِلَ جَعْفَرٌ فَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ رَوَاحَةَ". قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ كُنْتُ فِيهِمْ فِي تِلْكَ الْغَزْوَةِ فَالْتَمَسْنَا جَعْفَرَ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، فَوَجَدْنَاهُ فِي الْقَتْلَى، وَوَجَدْنَا مَا فِي جَسَدِهِ بِضْعًا …

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4261Sahih

  • The Prophet was happy when a physiognomist said that the feet of Zayd and his son Usamah were of the same lineage.

    “The Prophet (ﷺ) was pleased with that saying”

    Arabic text

    قَالَتْ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ قَائِفٌ وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم شَاهِدٌ، وَأُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ وَزَيْدُ بْنُ حَارِثَةَ مُضْطَجِعَانِ، فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذِهِ الأَقْدَامَ بَعْضُهَا مِنْ بَعْضٍ. قَالَ فَسُرَّ بِذَلِكَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَعْجَبَهُ، فَأَخْبَرَ بِهِ عَائِشَةَ.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3731Sahih

Words on this page

Madinahالمدينة
The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.
Makkahمكة
The city of the Ka'bah, where the Prophet ﷺ was born and revelation began.

The full glossary

Sources and review

Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com. Each report links to sunnah.com, and, where the numbering matches, to al-Hadees or HadithUnlocked as well. Quran verses link to quran.com, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tanzil. The Arabic is taken from the hadith editions and trimmed around the quoted words, so read the full report at the source before relying on it. Grades are the ones those editions give.

This page is pending scholar review. It was compiled from public sources, and its citations were last checked on 7 October 2026. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us.

Suggest a correction

← All companions