The Inspirational Story of Abdurrahman Ibn Awf (رضي الله عنه)

AbdurRahman bin Awf (رضي الله عنه) was: 

1. One of the first 8 people to accept Islam

2. One of the ten companions who were promised Jannah (al-asharatu-l mubashshirin)

3. One of the six members of the Shurah Council of Umar Ibn Al Khatab (May Allah be pleased with him)

4. One of the richest companions in Medina

5. One of the most generous companions in Medina

6. One who fought on all major battles (including Badr and Uhud)

7. The one appointed by Umar as the Imam when Umar  (رضي الله عنه) was stabbed

8. One who was always in the company of the best like Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) and Umar (رضي الله عنه)

9. One who would regularly visit the sick and support the poor

Narrated Ibrahim bin Sa`d from his father from his grandfather: `Abdur Rahman bin `Auf said:

"When we came to Medina as emigrants, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) established a bond of brotherhood between me and Sa`d bin Ar-Rabi`. 

Sa`d bin Ar-Rabi` said (to me), 'I am the richest among the Ansar, so I will give you half of my wealth and you may look at my two wives and whichever of the two you may choose I will divorce her, and when she has completed the prescribed period (before marriage) you may marry her.' `

Abdur-Rahman replied, "I am not in need of all that. Is there any marketplace where trade is practiced?' He replied, "The market of Qainuqa." `

Abdur- Rahman went to that market the following day and brought some dried buttermilk (yogurt) and butter, and then he continued going there regularly.

Few days later, `Abdur-Rahman came having traces of yellow (scent) on his body. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) asked him whether he had got married. He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Whom have you married?' He replied, 'A woman from the Ansar.'

Then the Prophet (ﷺ) asked, 'How much did you pay her?' He replied, '(I gave her) a gold piece equal in weigh to a date stone (or a date stone of gold)! The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'Give a Walima (wedding banquet) even if with one sheep .'"

We will take this hadith, InshaAllah, and outline some of the fundamental lessons that Muslim entrepreneurs and founders can benefit from:

Without knowing what the area or the market looks like, he places his full trust in Allah when going to the market.

Without a blink of an eye, he swiftly rejects what one would call today, winning a lottery.

While he could have easily accepted the offer, after all, he is an immigrant and came with empty hands, but he doesn't want to be in a position where he lowers his hand. Rather, he wants to be a in a self-sufficient position.

 "AbdurRahman went to that market the following day and brought some dried buttermilk (yogurt) and butter..." 

After he learns where the market is, he goes and puts in the effort the following day. He didn't worry about what was going to happen. He knew that he needed to take the first step. He made the niyyah and started working.

After he gets started, he is not worried about the success or failure. Rather, he focuses on being consistent and disciplined on his effort.