Rijal Hawl al-Rasul
- Author died
- 1416 AH
- Editions
- Dār al-Fikr li-l-Ṭibāʿah wa-l-Nashr wa-l-Tawzīʿ
Rijal Hawl al-Rasul (Men Around the Messenger) is a modern Arabic biographical work on the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, written by the Egyptian author and intellectual Khalid Muhammad Khalid (d. 1416 AH / 1996 CE) .
Scope and Contents
The book presents biographical narratives of prominent companions (Sahaba), highlighting their embrace of Islam, their moral virtues, and their sacrifices in early Islamic history . It opens with the biography of Mus'ab ibn Umayr, titled "The First Ambassador of Islam" (أول سفراء الإسلام), detailing his transition from a pampered youth of Mecca to an emissary sent to Medina and his subsequent martyrdom at the Battle of Uhud . Among other figures profiled in the work are Khalid ibn al-Walid and Abu Dharr al-Ghifari .
Literary Style and Method
Khalid Muhammad Khalid composed the book in a modern, dramatic literary style characterized by emotive prose and vivid characterizations rather than traditional isnad-based historiography . The author selectively focused on inspiring episodes, ethical lessons, and the transformative impact of the Prophet's guidance on his companions .
Reception and Scholarly Critiques
The book achieved widespread popularity among general readers and was translated into other languages, including French . Commentators like Aid al-Qarni praised the work for its literary eloquence, moving depiction of the companions, and the evident devotion of the author .
However, the book drew several criticisms from Islamic scholars:
- Socio-political Framing: Critics noted the influence of socialist concepts on Khalid's interpretation of early Islamic figures prior to his ideological shift . In particular, his chapter on Abu Dharr al-Ghifari was criticized for depicting the companion as a "leader of the opposition" (زعيم المعارضة), an enemy of wealth, and a leader of a revolution of the destitute or toilers (al-kadihin) against the affluent .
- Hadith Documentation: The book was faulted for presenting historical anecdotes and hadiths without critical verification, citation of source chains, or formal documentation .
- General Evaluation: The hadith scholar Abd al-Muhsin al-Abbad characterized the work as containing confusion (خلط) .
Editions
The work has been published in multiple printings across the Arab world, including editions issued by Dar al-Fikr in Beirut .
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