Ka`b ibn Maalik ibn Abu Ka`b Al-Ansaari:
His name is `Amr ibn Al-Qayn ibn Ka`b ibn Sawaad ibn Ghunm ibn Salamah Al-Ansaari, may Allah be pleased with him. There are different narrations regarding his nickname, some say it is Abu `Abdullaah others say it is Abu `Abdur-Rahmaan, while others say it is Abu Muhammad, and yet others say it is Abu Basheer Al-Madani Ash-Shaa`ir.
He, may Allah be pleased with him, was born in Madeenah about twenty five years before the migration of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ). Allah The Almighty blessed him with Islam whilst in Madeenah and before attending the pledge of Al-`Aqabah. This gave him a headstart in the matters of religion and he would perform prayer in secret lest his people discover his acceptance of Islam.
He, may Allah be pleased with him, attended the second `Aqabah pledge and gave his allegiance to the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), and attended all the battles with him, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), except for the Battle of Tabook. However, there is a difference of opinion amongst historians regarding his participation in the Battle of Badr.
Ka`b ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, was one of those who used to defend the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), against any harm. He, may Allah be pleased with him, was one of the Companions who recited the Quran accurately and in a pleasing voice and was well-known in the pre-Islamic era as a poet. Thus, when he embraced Islam he exploited all his abilities and talents to serve Islam and support and defend the Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), with his poetry.
Ka`b ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, was one of those who stayed behind during the Battle of Tabook, but Allah The Almighty forgave him and the two other Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful. And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error]} [Quran 9:118-119]
Ibn Sa`d may Allah have mercy upon him said, 'The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) joined him (in the brotherhood bond) with Az-Zubayr or Talhah, may Allah be pleased with them. He, may Allah be pleased with him, died in the year 51 A.H'. However, Al-Waaqidi may Allah have mercy upon him stated that he, may Allah be pleased with him, died during the year 50 A.H., and Ibn Hibbaan may Allah have mercy upon him said that he, may Allah be pleased with him, died when Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was killed.
Hassaan Ibn Thaabit Al-Ansaari:
His name is Hassaan ibn Thaabit ibn Al-Munthir ibn Haraam, may Allah be pleased with him, from the tribe of Maalik ibn An-Najjaar. The tribes of An-Najjaar and Haashim ibn `Abd Manaaf were related to the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), because Salma bint `Amr from the tribe An-Najjaar was the mother of `Abdul-Muttalib, the grandfather of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ).
His nickname was Abu Al-Waleed, and he was born in Madeenah around seven to eight years before the birth of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), and he was from the tribe of Al-Khazraj. He embraced Islam after the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), migrated to Madeenah.
He was famous for defending Islam and praising it, so much so that he was given the title "The Prophet's Poet". He did not participate in any of the battles with the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ). The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), informed him that Allah The Almighty supports him (i.e. Hassaan, may Allah be pleased with him) with Jibreel, may Allah exalt his mention, when he recited poems in defense and praise of Islam.
He, may Allah be pleased with him, lived around one hundred and twenty years, sixty years as a non-believer, and the next sixty years as a devout Muslim and he was considered the poet laureate of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ).
Hassaan, may Allah be pleased with him, died during the era of Mu`aawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, in the year 54 (or 55) A.H.
