Who Was...? #1 Abu Ubaydah ibn al Jarrah radiallahu anhu

Sahabah radiallahu anhum Series

A sad reality - Many have neglected the rights of the Sahabah radiallahu anhum. The in depth personalities and spiritual states of those men and women who once roamed around the world with the proclaimed banner of “The Best of Nations” above their heads have become mere historical figures. Our own ignorance towards their existence has left us falling into a bottomless pit of darkness; as without them, we have no role model to kindle the fire of inspiration. Thus, our life becomes void of a guiding light and a template. Without the Sahabah radiallahu anhum, none would know how to love Allah Ta’ala or Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. We would plummet into a type of ignorance that would have no bounds. It is for this reason, I have decided to write succinct biographies in relation to these wonderful people radiallahu anhum. I will write on those companions who have undeservedly been forgotten by many. Many are aware of the Khulafa e Raashideen and the Ummuhaatul Mu’mineen but not many know of others whose sacrifices we would never be able to equal, even if we try our entire lives. And so I begin with a Sahabi who was colossus in his Islam.

May Allah Ta’ala shower endless blessings upon the Sahabah radiallahu anhum and count us with them on the Day of Qiyamah. Ameen.

رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ‌ۚ
“Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.”

His name and lineage:

His real name was Aamir ibn Abdullah ibn al Jarrah ibn Hilal ibn Uhaib ibn Dabbah ibn al Harith ibn Fihr ibn Malik. His lineage meets with the Prophet’s salallahu alayhi wa salam with their ancestor Fihr.

Prior to Islam, he was called by his name ‘Aamir’. However, he was soon given the nickname Abu Ubaydah.

Among his other nicknames is ‘Ameenul Ummah - The Trustworthy of the Ummah’. This was given to him by Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam.

His Features:

He was tall, slender and he had a sparse beard. He was handsome, pleasent and bright, sharp eyes. He had no front teeth (which were lost in Uhud) and he dyed his hair with henna and Katm (a reddish black dye). He was extremely soft in his speech.

His Reversion:

Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was of those who had responded to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul salallahu alayhi wa salam immediately. He was one of the first 10 to accept Islam and thereafter, sustain much persecution during the early days. He was one of the five who reverted to Islam in a single day at the hands of Hazrat Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu.

Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu thereafter became an exemplary model to the Muslims for his piety, good characters, strength of belief and firmness in being truthful.

His Emigration:

During a period enormous hardships for Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam and the Sahabah radiallahu anhum, the Muslims became extremely weak due to the constant persecution. They were resigned to eating bones and leaves. When Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam saw the severe state of the Muslims, he sent them to Abyssinia. Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu felt it improper to leave Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam alone to face the enemies of Islam and thus remained in Makkah with him. Thereafter, when the people made emigration to Madinah, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was with them.

Episodes from his life:

1. The title given to Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was one of a huge rank. This was due to an affair that rose up between the rulers of Najran. To settle this affair, the people of Najran requested a just man and so Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam said to them, ‘Come tomorrow and I will send the strong and trustworthy with you.”Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu states,

“I never liked authority except on that day when I hoped to be the one worthy of that title. So, I went to perform Zuhr early. When Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam completed his prayer, he turned to the right and to the left, and I wanted him to see me but he only looked at the people. When he saw Abu Ubaydah, he called him. Then he said, ‘Go with them, and judge between them with justice.’ So, Abu Ubaydah won the title.”

2. After the death of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam, the Muslims were discussing who would then take on the leadership of the Muslims. Hazrat Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu was in favour of Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu for he said,

“I have heard the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam say: Every nation has an Ameen (the most trustworthy, honest man), and the Ameen of this nation is Abu Ubaydah ibn al Jarrah.”

3. On another occasion, Hazrat Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu would send people to have their questions answered by Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu due to his vast knowledge. He would say,

“Go to Abu Ubaydah, the one who is good hearted and lenient. The one who when he is oppressed, does not oppress; when he is treated harshly, he pardons; when he is severed, he joins; and he is merciful to the believers and hard to the unbelievers.”

4. Those who become firm in matters of religion due to the establishment of pure belief, love of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul salallahu alayhi wa salam suddenly find the world less important. Thereafter, the believer loves for the sake of Allah Ta’ala and hates for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. He gives in the way of Allah Ta’ala and withholds for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was a prime example of this. The following narration is taken from Hayaatus Sahabah:

Hazrat ibn Showdhab reports that the father of Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu kept confronting him during the Battle of Badr and Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu continued avoiding him. However, when his father’s confrontation became too persistent, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu severed his father’s head from his body. It was then Allah Ta’ala revealed

لَّا تَجِدُ قَوۡمً۬ا يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ يُوَآدُّونَ مَنۡ حَآدَّ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَلَوۡ ڪَانُوٓاْ ءَابَآءَهُمۡ أَوۡ أَبۡنَآءَهُمۡ أَوۡ إِخۡوَٲنَهُمۡ أَوۡ عَشِيرَتَہُمۡ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ڪَتَبَ فِى قُلُوبِہِمُ ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنَ وَأَيَّدَهُم بِرُوحٍ۬ مِّنۡهُ‌ۖ وَيُدۡخِلُهُمۡ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِہَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا‌ۚ رَضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنۡہُمۡ وَرَضُواْ عَنۡهُ‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ حِزۡبُ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ أَلَآ إِنَّ حِزۡبَ ٱللَّهِ هُمُ ٱلۡمُفۡلِحُونَ

“You will not find those who believe in Allah and in the Hereafter having friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they may be their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their clan. They are such that Allah has inscribed faith on their hearts, and has supported them with a spirit from Him. He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, in which they will live forever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Allah. Those are the party of Allah. Be assured that it is (the members of) the party of Allah that are the successful.” Surah Mujaadalah 58:22

5. Once, Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu sent to Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu 40,000 dinar and 4,000 dirham with a servant messenger and told the messenger to see what Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu would do with the wealth. Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu distributed the whole amount among the poor and he sent a similar amount to be distributed except for a little amount for his wife. When Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu was told about that he said, “Praise be to Allah who preserved for Islam men like this man.”

His Piety:

Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was known for his piety and his asceticism. He understood very clearly the statement of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam in which he said, “The world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.” As a result, he had no desire to gain worldly possessions.

Urwah ibn az Zubair radiallahu anhu said: When Umar ibn al Khattab radiallahu anhu returned from Syria, the public figures and commanders went out to received him. Umar radiallahu anhu said, “Where is my brother?” It was said, “Who?” He said, “Abu Ubaydah.” They said, “He will soon come.” When Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu came, Umar radiallahu embraced him, then he went to his house. Umar radiallahu anhu saw nothing in his house except for his sword, armour and saddle. Umar radiallahu anhu said, “Why didn’t you possess what your friends possessed?” Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu said, “This is sufficient to help me reach my destination.”

His humility:

After the death of Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu. Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu gained authority and removed Khalid ibn al Waleed radiallahu anhu as the leader of the army. He gave the leadership to Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu through a letter which read,

“I have appointed you over Syria and made you commander of the Muslims. Khalid is dismissed. Wassalam”

During the conquest of Damascus, the Muslims had besieged a fort. Hazrat Khalid ibn Walid radiallahu anhu and a part of the army were stationed at the back entrance of the fortand Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was stationed at the front gate. The siege lasted a while and Hazrat Khalid radiallahu anhu did not know that he had been dismissed as Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was too humble to tell him. And so, Hazrat Khalid radiallahu anhu and co planned a night raid which proved to be successful. They scaled the walls of the fort and got into the town, thereupon they began to wreak havoc with their swords. On the other side of the settlement, the leaders and commanders were unaware of this and began consulting one another as to what they should do. They resolved to go speak to Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu for they knew his heart to be soft, they would enter a pact with the Muslims. And so they approached him in this state that they were unaware of what was happening inside. They made a pact and brought Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu into the city. Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was walking with the priests in a very peaceful manner having agreed good terms for the Muslims whilst Hazrat Khalid ibn Walid radiallahu anhu stormed through the city until they both came face to face in the centre. Hazrat Khalid ibn Walid radiallahu anhu found out that Hazrat Ab Ubaydah radiallahu anhu had entered a pact with the disbelievers, he was greatly displeased as the entering of the pact can only be done by the leader of the Muslim Army (which he still thought he was). A feud broke out at that moment in which Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was being reprimanded for making a pact without the consultation or approval of the leader. His humility was such that even though he was the leader in reality, he did not say anything lest it may demoralise Hazrat Khalid ibn Walid radiallahu anhu. He would have been full and well in his right to show them the letter of Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu yet his humility was such that he did not want to embarrass his brother and so, he took some light criticism.

Hazrat Khalid radiallahu anhu did not know anything about this until 20 nights later when Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu found out about Hazrat Abu Ubaydah’s radiallahu anhu humility. So Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu sent a letter directly to Hazrat Khalid radiallahu anhu telling him about his removal. He (Hazrat Khalid radiallah anhu) said to Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu,

“May Allah show you mercy! The letter of the Commander of the Faithful making you the leader of the army reached you, and while the power was yours, you performed prayer behind me?!”

Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu said, “May Allah forgive you. It was I who did not inform you of this and I was not to interrupt your mission until you completed it. I do not care for worldly power or worldly delights. You will see one day that we are but brothers who must adhere to the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala.”

Even soon after, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was too shy to command Hazrat Khalid ibn Walid radiallahu anhu and even said on one occasion, “O Abu Sulayman (this is the nickname of Hazrat Khalid radiallahu anhu), I was shy to order you..” Hazrat Khalid radiallahu anhu gave a breathtaking response. He said,

“By Allah! Were a small child to order me, I would obey! That being the case, how can I oppose you when your Faith is older than mine and you preceded me in Islam along with those who preceded. You hastened to bringing Faith along with those who hastened. How can it be possible for me to reach you or attain your loft status with all that to your credit and with Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam naming you as, “The Trustworthy One?” I make you my witness that I have given my life in the Path of Allah and will never oppose you, nor will I ever accept a command post again.”

The love Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam had for him:

On the authority of Shaqiq who said: I asked Aishah radiallahu anha, “Who among the companions of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam was most beloved to him?” She said, “Abu Bakr.” I asked, “Who then?” She said, “Umar.” I asked, “Who then?” She said, “Abu Ubaydah.” I said, “Who then?” She kept silent.

The love of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam for Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was not only down to his huge sacrifices for the deen but for his great manners. As the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam once said, “The best of you are those who have the best manners.” And so the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam said,

“There is only one from my companions that if I wanted to blame any them for a mistake, I could not do so to Abu Ubaydah ibn al Jarrah.”

On another occasions he salallahu alayhi wa salam said, “How excellent Abu Ubaydah is!”

It is for this reason on the battle of Uhud, when the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam was in a very constraint situation did Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu come to his aid. The Sahabah radiallahu anhum were all dispersed and Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam and two rings from the chainmail (the armour of the face) were embedded into the blessed face of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. Hazrat Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu tried to take them out but was not able to do so, thereafter Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu bited into the chainmail and pulled it out with his teeth. He had the blood of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam in his mouth which he then swallowed. Upon this, the Prophet salallahu alayhi wa salam remarked, “The one whose blood is mixed with mine will not enter Jahannam.” In this effort, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah’s radiallahu anhu front two teeth fell out but the Sahabah radiallahu anhu mention that when he would smile, he would be the envy of the people.

His Fear of Allah Ta’ala:

He would advise the soldiers under his command, “Take note, how many people clean their garments yet stain their religion? And how many people dignify themselves yet disgrace their religion. Wipe out evil deeds by performing good ones. For if anyone commits an evil deed larger than the distance between heaven and earth, the one good deed might overpower his evil one!”

His passing away:

Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu and his soldiers were marching through Syria and surrounding lands whey they were inflicted by a plague. Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu felt upset as he knew Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu was ill and immediately requested him to come back to Madinah Munawwarah. Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu knew that his death was approaching and wrote a letter to Hazrat Umar radiallahu anhu saying,

“I have known the need of the Ameerul Mu’mineen, he wants to keep alive that which is perishable.” Then he wrote: “Indeed, I have come to know your need for me, so set aside your desire. O Ameerul Mu’mineen, because I am among the Muslim army, and I will not put myself before them.”

When his death became imminent, he said,

“Give my greetings to the Ameerul Mu’mineen and tell him that I have fulfilled my obligations.”

Some days later, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu passed away in Jordan. He had died at the age of 58. Prior to his death he gave his parting words to the Ummat of Rasulullah salallahu alayhi wa salam. He said,

“I leave you some advice. If you accept it, you will live a good life. Establish prayer, observe fasting in the month of Ramadhan, give in charity, perform Hajj, perform Umrah and advise each other. Advise your rulers and do not defame them. Let not the delights of life destroy you because if a person lives for 1000 years, certainly he will face what I am facing (death). Allah Ta’ala has preordained death on the sons of Adam, so everyone must die. Thus, the most prudent among you are those who will be obedient to the Lord, and he who works diligently for the day of Qiyamah. Assalamu Alaykum.”

Moments after, Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu breathed his last. 'To Allah we belong and to Him we return.'

Hazrat Mu’adh ibn Jabal radiallahu anhu who was present spoke to the people and said,

“Indeed, you have been afflicted with the death of a man, by Allah, I have never seen a slave of Allah with a more pure heart, further away from idle talk and more ardent in giving advice to people than him. So, pray unto Allah Ta’ala to shower His mercy on him.”

Hazrat Mu’adh ibn Jabal, Amr ibn al Aas and ad Dahak ibn Qays radiallahu anhum lowered him into his grave. After they covered him with sand, Mua’adh radiallahu anhu said,

“O Abu Ubaydah! Indeed I will appreciate you all my life uttering no falsehood, since uttering falsehood against you incurs Allah’s wrath. By Allah, I have come to know about one who mentions Allah much. One of those who walk on the earth in humility and when the foolish address them, they reply back with mild words. One of those when they spend, they are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but they hold a medium between the two extremes. By Allah, you were one of the humble among the true believers who show mercy to the orphans and the poor and detest the traitors and the haughty!”

O Allah shower upon Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu perpetual blessings, water the grave of Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu with Your unique mercy. O Allah, it is your beloved Rasul salallahu alayhi wa salam who said, “Man will be with those whom he loves.” So raise me with these people hand in hand and all those who bare love for these exceptional souls. O Allah, embed into us these distinguished characteristics and make of us and from our offspring the likes of Hazrat Abu Ubaydah radiallahu anhu and reunite us with those upon who Your favour is in the Hereafter. Ameen.

The above article has been extracted from ‘Ad Dharru Ath Thamaneeyatu Taraajimu Al Asharatul Al Mubasharatu bil Jannah, Futuhusham, Seeratus Sahabah and Hayatus Sahabah’

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