Anas ibn Malik
Anas ibn Malik (c. 612 – c. 712 CE) was a Sahabi, or companion, of the Prophet Muhammad, renowned for his decade-long service as the Prophet's personal attendant beginning at age ten and for narrating over 2,200 hadiths that preserve key aspects of the Sunnah.[1][2] Born in Medina (then Yathrib) to the Khazraj tribe's Najjar clan, his family embraced Islam early, and his mother Umm Sulaim dedicated him to the Prophet's service, earning him the epithet Khadim al-Nabi (servant of the Prophet).[3][4] Anas witnessed pivotal events in early Islamic history, including the Hijra and battles like Badr and Uhud, though often in a supportive role due to his youth.[3] His proximity to the Prophet afforded unique insights into daily conduct and teachings, which he later transmitted widely across the Muslim world, settling eventually in Basra where he taught generations of scholars.[2] Living to approximately 100 years, Anas outlasted most companions, dying in Basra around 93 AH and becoming one of the final links to the Prophet's era.[3] His extensive narrations, authenticated in collections like Sahih Bukhari, underscore his enduring influence on Islamic jurisprudence and piety.[4]