The noble Companion Abu Ad-Dardaa — Uwaymir ibn Zayd (or ibn Aamir; there is some variation regarding his exact name) — was among the foremost Sahabah who carried the Qur'aan to Shaam (the Levant), particularly to Damascus, where he eventually settled after initially passing through Hims. He, along with Mu’aadh ibn Jabal and Saabit ibn Ubaadah, settled in the region during the caliphate of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, at a time when Yazeed ibn Abee Sufyaan was the Governor of Shaam.
Al-Imaam adh-Dhahabi reported that the Qur'aan school of Abu Ad-Dardaa would often host more than a thousand students — Allaahu Akbar!
He used to organize them into groups of ten, with a mulaqqin (teacher) for each group. He would then move from one circle to another, monitoring their progress. Only those who had mastered the Qur’aan proficiently within their group were allowed to recite it in full to Abu Ad-Dardaa for final certification.
From his circles emerged great reciters, notably ‘Abdullaah ibn Aamir al-Yahsabee ad-Dimashqee, who later became a leading Qaari for the entire region of Shaam.
Abu Ad-Dardaa was among the first to establish organized Qur’aan learning circles (possibly the very first in Shaam). He was recognized as Sayyid al-Qurraa’ (Master of the Reciters) of Damascus and also served as a judge for the city, this during the reign of Uthman bn Affan - radiyallahu an'hu.
He was one of the few Companions who memorized the entire Qur’aan during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allaah. Others included Mu’aadh ibn Jabal, Zayd ibn Thaabit, and Abu Zayd.
(Ubayy ibn Ka’b, Zayd, and Sa’d ibn Ubaadah also completed the memorization. Ibn Mas’ood was known to have memorized more than seventy surahs. It was also reported that ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan completed the Qur’aan.)
Abu Ad-Dardaa was an Ansaari from the Khazraj tribe. Although he embraced Islam later, Allaah granted him deep knowledge and understanding.
The Sahabah considered him a prime example of one who matched his words with actions.
He was ascetic and took little from this world. The Messenger of Allaah — sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam — paired him with Salmaan al-Faarisee as a close companion. On one occasion, Salmaan visited him and found his wife in a disheveled state. When he asked about it, she explained that her husband had no time for her due to his constant devotion to acts of worship. Salmaan stayed over and taught him how to balance his duties — saying: “Indeed, your body has a right over you, and so does your wife.” The next morning, the matter reached the Messenger of Allaah — sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam — who affirmed: “Salmaan has spoken the truth.”
Hishaam ibn ‘Ammaar narrated from Yazeed ibn Abee Maalik, who narrated from his father, that whenever Abu Ad-Dardaa finished his prayers, he would begin teaching the Qur’aan. After the day's lessons, he would ask his companions: “Is there any wedding or naming ceremony in town that we can attend?” If they answered in the affirmative, they would go. If not, he would say: “O Allaah, bear witness that I am fasting.”
Abu Ad-Dardaa passed away in 32 AH — radiyallaahu ‘anhu.
Source: Generally adapted from Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa’, 4/12-20
Penned by Aboo Aamir
