Demise of Two Chieftains From Among the Anṣār

In the first year after migration, the Holy Prophet(sa) was made to bear the loss of two very sincere Companions. Kulthūm bin Al-Hadam(ra), in whose home the Holy Prophet(sa) had stayed when he arrived at Qubā’, and who was an aged man, passed away. It was in the same era that As‘ad bin Zarārah(ra) also passed away. As‘ad was among the first six individuals who had accepted the Holy Prophet(sa), one year prior to the first Bai‘at at ‘Aqabah in Makkah. Muṣ‘ab bin ‘Umair(ra), the first missionary of Islām, stayed in his home when he came to Madīnah. Prior to the migration, he arranged for the Ṣalāt and Friday Prayer service to be held in congregation. Moreover, he was among the 12 chiefs who had been appointed from among the Anṣār by the Holy Prophet(sa), on the occasion of the second Bai‘at at ‘Aqabah. Therefore, upon his demise, the Banū Najjār, whose leader he was, presented themselves before the Holy Prophet(sa), and requested him to appoint another chief in his place. However, since there was no longer a need for this, the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Now, I am your chief, there is no need for another one.”1