It is narrated from Muhammad bin Umar (al-Waqidi) that the kunyah of Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Maslamah (may Allah be pleased with him) was "Abu Abd al-Rahman". He accepted Islam in Madinah at the hands of Sayyiduna Mus'ab bin Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him), even before Sayyiduna Usayd bin Hudayr and Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with them both). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) established brotherhood (mu'akhat) between him and Sayyiduna Abu Ubaydah bin al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him). He took part in the Battles of Badr and Uhud, and on the day of Uhud he was among those who stood firm with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) even though the people turned back. He took part in the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq) and in all the battles with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) except the Battle of Tabuk, because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) appointed him as his deputy in Madinah when he set out for Tabuk. He was also among those who killed Ka'b bin al-Ashraf.

It is narrated from Tha'labah bin Dubay'ah: I heard Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) say: "I know a man whom the tribulation (fitnah) will not harm." Then we came to Madinah and saw a tent pitched, and in it was Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Maslamah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him). I asked him (the reason for leaving the city), and he said: "I will not settle in any of their cities until this tribulation clears away from the community of the Muslims."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "I know a man whom the tribulation will not harm." When we came to Madinah, we found a tent pitched there in which Sayyiduna Muhammad bin Maslamah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) was seated. We asked him, and he said: "Until this matter (the tribulation) becomes fully clear, we will not take up residence in any of their cities." This is a great virtue, narrated with a sahih (authentic) chain of narration.