going or gone before, preceding, foregoing, former, prior, past, ancient, bygone

ancient, past, previous, former, ancient right or custom, precedence, friendship, intimacy, close intercourse, dealings

to put in touch with, come into contact, have business with

the earliest companions of Prophet Muhammad, those who embraced Islam in the very beginning

earlier people, previous generations

before this, formerly, heretofore

originally, in the beginning

come into contact with, have to deal with

as per former practice, according to previous rules, as usual

prior familiarity

past favors

prior familiarity

above-mentioned, aforesaid

one who embraced Islam at the earliest stage of Prophet Mohammad's missionary work

The Companions who were the first to believe in the Prophet Mohammed

the preceding era

former or past state or condition

just like before, as before, in status quo

restore to the original number