Muhammad bin Ishaq narrates that Abdullah bin Mas'ud bin al-Harith bin Shamkh bin Makhzum bin Kahil bin al-Harith bin Sa'd bin Hudhayl was one of the allies of Banu Zuhrah.

Muhammad bin Umar narrates: Abdullah bin Mas'ud bin Ghafil bin Habib bin Shamkh bin Far bin Makhzum bin Sahilah bin Kahil bin al-Harith bin Tamim bin Sa'd bin Hudhayl bin Mudrikah; his kunyah was Abu Abd al-Rahman, after his son Abd al-Rahman. His father, Mas'ud bin Ghafil, had made a pact of alliance with Abd al-Harith bin Zuhrah in the Jahiliyyah. Abdullah bin Mas'ud accepted Islam before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) entered the house of al-Arqam. According to all the biographers, he took part in the Battles of Badr, Uhud, al-Khandaq and all the campaigns with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He made both emigrations. He was the keeper of the secrets of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the one in charge of his cushion, his miswak, his sandals and his water for ablution. He was slender, short and of a deep brown complexion. He passed away in Madinah in the year 32 AH and was buried in Jannat al-Baqi'. His age at the time of his death is said to have been a little over sixty years.

Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Numayr narrates that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away in Madinah in the year 32 AH, at the time when Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was killed. He had made his bequest to Sayyiduna al-Zubayr bin al-Awwam (may Allah be pleased with him), so it was he who led his funeral prayer; it is also said that Sayyiduna Ammar bin Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him) led his funeral prayer. He was buried in Jannat al-Baqi' at night, and at that time he was a little over sixty years old.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave him the kunyah "Abu Abd al-Rahman" although at that time no child had yet been born to him.

Mus'ab bin Abdullah al-Zubayri narrates from his father that the mother of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) was Umm Abd bint Abd bin al-Harith bin Zuhrah.

Yahya bin Ma'in narrates that the kunyah of Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) was Abu Abd al-Rahman.

It is narrated from Ibrahim al-Nakha'i that Sayyiduna Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) gave Alqamah the kunyah "Abu Shibl" while no child had yet been born to him. When he was asked about this, he related that Alqamah had narrated to him from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had given him the kunyah "Abu Abd al-Rahman" before any child was born to him.