Miqdad ibn Aswad

When Islam was revealed by Muhammad, Miqdad was among the first seven persons who embraced Islam although he hid his new faith from Aswad ibn Abd al-Yaghuts[2]. He later performing emigrated to Medina with fellow Muslims to escape the persecutions from Quraysh tribe.[1]

Miqdad was known as tall man with huge belly. His skin are dark and his hair is a lot. Miqdad has a dyed beard and wide eye while his nose is hooked[3]

Miqdad attended all the battles of the Prophet[4].

In the battle of Badr, Miqdad is the only Muslim who rode horse, while others either ride camels or walk on foot. Miqdad command the left flank of Muslim army during this battle[5]. During before the battle, Miqdad speaking to the Prophet by quoting Qur'an:

"O messenger of Allah! go ahead with what you were ordered to. We are with you. I swear by Allah we will never do as Bani Israel did to Moses and say, 'Go with your God and fight. We will stay here' No, wi will tell you , 'Go with Allah and fight. we are with you!' I swear by Allah, the One who sent you as Prophet on the right path; even if you lead us to Bark al-Ghimad, we will fight you until you reach it"[6]

In the battle of Uhud, he was said to serve as an archer[7]

Later in the battle of Dhu Qarad when Banu Ghatafan under Abdurrahman al-Faraji came to raid Medina, he along Akhram and Abu Qatadah fight against Abdurrahman al-Faraji. Akhram died in this battle but Miqdad and Abu Qatada manage to avenge their leader and caused the army of Abdurrahman to flee[5] . This record also found in Waqidi Kitabul Maghazi[8]

During the earliest period of caliphate expeditions, Miqdad served as Quran reciter of the army of caliph Abu Bakr[3]

This tradition was recorded continues on to the time of caliph Umar in battle of Yarmouk, where Miqdad has been tasked by Khalid bin al-Walid to recite Quran verses from Al-Anfal to the rear guards which led by Said ibn Zayd to burn their morale before the battle[9]

Miqdad was sent by caliph Umar to egypt during the Muslim conquest of Egypt to aid 'Amr ibn al As as the latter asking for reinforcements. caliph Umar praised Miqdad in his letter to Amr that Miqdad are equal to 1000 soldiers in strength[10]

Miqdad joined the first caliphate naval armada to the Conquest of Cyprus under Muawiyah and Ubadah ibn al-Samit[11]

Before the canonization of Quran codex into one Mushaf under jurisdiction of caliph Uthman, the Qira'at of Miqdad is the one which adhered by Muslims in Levant[12], particularly in Homs[13]

During the battle of Camel, Miqdad and Al-Qaqa ibn Amr al-Tamimi are sent by Ali as envoy to the opposing forces[3]

Miqdad died in 33 AH in Damascus and is buried there.[1][2]. However, Tabari recorded Miqdad was buried in al-Jurf, a place 3 miles western from Medina where the caliph Uthman leading the ritual prayer of his death[3]

Miqdad, along with Ammar ibn Yasir, Abu Dharr and Salman al-Farsi, is considered one of the most loyal companions of Ali.[1]