IBN Umm Maktum (Sixth Century)

Companion of the prophet Muhammad

Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, a companion of the prophet Muhammad and relative of Muhammad's [Page 906]wife Khadijah, was born blind. He was among the earliest believers in Islam and was reportedly keen to learn the Qur'an from the mouth of Muhammad. Once when Muhammad was debating with leaders of the Quraysh tribe, Ibn Umm Maktum interrupted the prophet, who frowned and turned away. Afterward, Muhammad announced a revelation from Allah, which appears in the Qur'an, Sura 80. This seems to censure Muhammad for turning away from Ibn Umm Maktum (other interpretations also exist). Several incidents are recorded in which Ibn Umm Maktum's blindness figured. For example, once he failed to give the dawn call to prayer until a sighted person told him it was morning; another blind man was allowed to pray at home because he lacked anyone to guide him to the mosque, but Ibn Umm Maktum was not granted this dispensation, possibly because he was a potential prayer leader. Sometimes when Muhammad needed to be away from Madinah, he is said to have made Ibn Umm Maktum governor of the city during his absence, indicating high confidence in his character and ability.