Zayd ibn Arqam (ra)
The lad who overheard Ibn Ubayy's treason; vindicated by Surah al-Munafiqun.
The young Ansari whose heart was full of iman, who overheard Abdullah ibn Ubayy‘s treasonous words at al-Muraysi’ and reported them to the Prophet ﷺ — and was vindicated when Surah al-Munafiqun confirmed that his ear “had heard the truth.”
Identity & lineage
A young Ansari lad of Madinah, present on the Expedition of Banu al-Mustaliq (5 AH).
Role in the Seerah
On the return from al-Muraysi’, after an Ansari–Muhajir quarrel had been quelled, Zayd was in Abdullah ibn Ubayy’s tent among the munafiqun and heard him say — of the Muhajirun — “If we return to Madinah, the honourable will surely expel the inferior,” likening the Prophet ﷺ and the emigrants to dogs. Recognising it as clear kufr, Zayd rushed to his uncle, who took him to the Prophet ﷺ, and he reported it exactly.
Key episodes
- The confrontation. Summoned, Abdullah ibn Ubayy swore the strongest oaths that he had said nothing, and the Prophet ﷺ — hoping the vulgar words were untrue — accepted his denial.
- “The worst day of my life.” Zayd fell into deep depression, feeling his testimony had been rejected in favour of the hypocrite’s.
- Vindication by revelation. That morning Allah revealed the whole of Surah al-Munafiqun (Q 63), opening “the hypocrites are truly liars” (63:1) and quoting Abdullah ibn Ubayy’s exact words — “the honourable will expel the inferior; but all honour belongs to Allah, His Messenger, and the believers” (63:8). The Prophet ﷺ then took Zayd by the ear and told him, “Allah has confirmed that this has heard the truth,” to comfort and cheer him.
Character & lessons
A youth whose courage to speak truth against the powerful was honoured by the Quran itself — Allah does not abandon the sincere; vindication may come from where none expects it.
Death
Not established in the lectures. (Open question: date.)
Cross-references
Muhammad ﷺ · Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul · Nifaq (Hypocrisy) · The Muhajirun (the Emigrants) · The Ansar (the Helpers of Madinah) · The Expedition of Banu al-Mustaliq · Madinah (Yathrib) · Seerah Timeline
Sources
- S008 — Yasir Qadhi Seerah EP 051–060 (esp. EP 055).
- Quran: Surah al-Munafiqun (Q 63, esp. 63:1–2, 63:8). Zayd ibn Arqam’s report is the noted occasion of the surah’s revelation and is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Muslim.