The First Youngster to Accept Islam

There are different narrations reported regarding which person was blessed to be the first to accept Islam at the blessed hand of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

According to some narrations, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first to accept Islam, while other narrations mention that Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first, and yet other narrations mention that Hazrat Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was the first to accept Islam. (Usdul Ghaabah 3/283-284)

The Ulamaa have reconciled between these narrations by explaining that Hazrat Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was the first woman to accept Islam, and she preceded Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and everyone else in accepting Islam.

As for Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), then he was the first of the free-men to accept Islam. As far as Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) is concerned, then he was the first youngster to accept Islam. From the freed slaves, Hazrat Zaid bin Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first to accept Islam. (Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah 4/73)