Ubay bin Ka'ab, a Chosen Qur'an Scholar Who Heard Direct Revelation
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Nuzulul Qur’an event on the 17th of Ramadan stands as a pivotal milestone in the history of Islam. It was on that night that the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in the Cave of Hira through the verses of Surah Al-`Alaq, verses 1-5. Since then, the Qur’an has descended gradually and has been safeguarded through the memorisation of the companions.
Among the companions known as both memorisers and experts of the Qur’an is Ubay bin Ka’ab. He was a resident of Yathrib (or Medina) who was very intelligent, fond of reading, and skilled in writing. At that time literacy was rare, so Ubay’s abilities made him an important figure within society.
When Mus’ab bin Umair was sent by the Messenger of Allah to Yathrib to teach Islam, Ubay was among those who promptly accepted the message. He subsequently embraced Islam, joined the Bai’at Aqaba pledge, and welcomed the Prophet Muhammad’s arrival as he migrated to Yathrib.
Ubay was known as a companion with deep piety. He would often cry when mentioning the name of Allah, and his voice, full of devotion when reciting the Qur’an, moved those around him to tears.
A divine trust for Ubay
On one occasion, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, told Ubay bin Ka’ab that he had been commanded by the Angel Jibril to recite the Qur’an to him in particular. With astonishment, Ubay asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, will my name be mentioned to you?’ The Prophet replied that not only would his name be mentioned, but also his lineage would be spoken of in front of the inhabitants of heaven. Hearing this, Ubay wept, realising the magnitude of the trust he bore as the custodian of the revelation.
In this narration, the Prophet then recited to him Allah’s words in Surah Al-Bayyinah, verses 1-8. This event served as evidence of Ubay’s distinguished status in mastery and safeguarding of the Qur’an.
Throughout his life, Ubay was a model in Qur’anic scholarship. Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab even described him as the leading figure among Muslims in matters relating to the Qur’an. His role shows that from the early days of Islam, guarding the revelation was achieved through a combination of memorisation, teaching, and written documentation.
The passing of Ubay bin Ka’ab left deep sorrow. Many Muslims escorted his funeral as a mark of respect for his services and exemplary conduct in safeguarding and teaching the Qur’an.
The Ramadan Nuzul al-Qur’an momentum each year serves as a reminder that the Qur’an was not only revealed as a text to read but as a guide for living. The tradition of tadarrus and khataman that flourishes in mosques today continues the legacy of the companions like Ubay bin Ka’ab, those who safeguarded the revelation through memorisation, piety, and sacrifice.