The Story of Zayd ibn Harithah and His Bond with the Prophet

Zayd ibn Harithah was captured as a child from his tribe of Kalb and sold as a slave in Mecca, eventually coming into the possession of Khadijah, who gave him to the Prophet. The Prophet freed him and raised him as his own son. When Zayd's father Harithah and uncle Ka'b finally tracked him down and came to Mecca offering any ransom for his return, the Prophet gave Zayd the choice: go with his father or stay. Zayd chose to stay with the Prophet, saying: 'I have seen from this man something that makes me never choose anyone over him.' Harithah was hurt, but the Prophet took Zayd by the hand, went to the Ka'bah, and publicly declared: 'Bear witness that Zayd is my son; he inherits from me and I from him.' From that day, Zayd was known as Zayd ibn Muhammad until the Quranic verse abolished adopted sonship. Zayd became the only companion mentioned by name in the Quran (33:37). He was among the first to accept Islam and was deeply beloved by the Prophet, who called him 'the beloved of the Messenger of Allah.'