Usayd ibn Hudayr al-Ansari

Usayd ibn Hudayr was the chief of the Aws tribe among the Ansar, one of the two major tribes of Madinah. He was one of the twelve nuqaba' (representatives) chosen at the second Bay'at al-Aqabah. He was known for his quick conversion and enthusiastic support of Islam — his conversion was instrumental in bringing many from the Aws tribe to Islam. He was renowned for his beautiful recitation of the Quran. A famous narration reports that one night, as he recited the Quran while his horse was tethered nearby, a luminous cloud descended toward him, and the horse began to stamp nervously. When he stopped reciting, the cloud lifted; when he resumed, it descended again. The next morning he mentioned this to the Prophet, who explained that it was the angels descending to listen to his recitation. He participated in all the major battles. He died in 20 AH during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab.