The companions of our Prophet (saas) who stayed in the antechamber later annexed to the north part of Masjid al-Nabawi (the Mosque of our Prophet (saas)) were referred as Ashab al-Suffa. They were those blessed people who never married, had no relatives or attachment to a tribe. They were not involved in trade and devoted all their time to earn Allah’s good pleasure and learn knowledge from our Prophet (saas). Away from their families, they paid no attention to the worldly deeds and continuously learned the Qur’an and listened to our Prophet’s (saas) lectures and were sent to Muslim tribes to teach them the Qur’an and the Sunnah. They were around 400-500 people and were also known as the army of Wisdom.

Our Prophet (saas) was closely interested in their education.

These distinguished people who devoted themselves to Allah’s way in the true sense of the word, never missed the teachings of our Prophet (saas). They were always ready there, memorized the teachings and narrated them to other companions. It is told that the following verse was revealed about Ashab al-Suffa (M.Hamdi Yazir, Hak Dini Kur'an Dili, The Language of the Qur’an, the Righteous Religion, 2/940)

It is for the poor who are held back in the Way of Allah, unable to travel in the land. The ignorant consider them rich because of their reticence. You will know them by their mark. They do not ask from people insistently. Whatever good you give away, Allah knows it. (Surat al-Baqara, 273)