Abd Allah ibn Umm Maktum

Abd Allah ibn Umm Maktum (died ca. 15 AH) was a blind Companion of the Prophet ﷺ from the Amir ibn Lu'ayy clan of Quraysh. He was among the earliest converts to Islam in Mecca and was a cousin of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. His full name was Abd Allah ibn Sharahil, and he was known by his matronymic because his mother's name was Umm Maktum.

He is the figure referenced at the beginning of Surah Abasa (80:1–10), where Allah gently rebuked the Prophet ﷺ for turning away from Ibn Umm Maktum when a wealthy Qurayshi leader was present. This Quranic passage established the supreme dignity of every sincere believer regardless of wealth or status, and Ibn Umm Maktum thereafter held a position of special honor in the community.

He emigrated to Medina and became one of the two official muezzins of the Prophet's mosque, alternating with Bilal ibn Rabah. He would call the adhan before dawn for the pre-Fajr meal (suhur), while Bilal called the Fajr adhan. The Prophet ﷺ appointed him as deputy in Medina on at least thirteen occasions when the Prophet ﷺ was absent on campaigns.

Despite his blindness, Ibn Umm Maktum requested permission to participate in the Battle of Qadisiyyah against the Sassanid Persians during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab. He was granted permission and participated, carrying a banner and saying he would never flee even though he could not see. He was martyred in that battle around 15 AH / 636 CE, dying as he had lived — in complete devotion to Islam.