Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas

Sa`ad ibn Abī Waqqās (ArB|سعد بن أبي وقاص) was an early convert to Islam and one of the important companions of Muhammad.

Family

He was from the Banū Zuhrah clan of the Quraysh tribe [http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=109 Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waqqas (radhi allahu anhu) ] ] , and was a maternal uncle of Muhammad. He had a son named `Umar ibn Sa`d, the leader of the forces that killed Husayn ibn `Alī at the Battle of Karbalā'. Abd-al-Rahman ibn Awf was his first cousin A Restatement of the History of Islam and Muslims on Al-Islam.org [http://al-islam.org/restatement/57.htm] ] .

Biography

Early Life — ?-610

Assuming he lived until he was almost eighty years old and died in 664, he was born in or shortly after 584.

Muhammad's era — 610-632

Adopting Islam

He was one of the first to accept Islam .

Sa'ad relates: cquote|When my mother heard the news of my Islam, she flew into a rage. She came up to me and said: "O Sa'ad! What is this religion that you have embraced which has taken you away from the religion of your mother and father...? By God, either you forsake your new religion or I would not eat or drink until I die. Your heart would be broken with grief for me and remorse would consume you on account of the deed, you have done and people would censure you forever more.' 'Don't do (such a thing), my mother,' I said, 'for I would not give up my religion for anything.' However, she went on with her threat... For days she neither ate nor drank. She became emaciated and weak."

"Hour after hour, I went to her asking whether I should bring her some food or something to drink but she persistently refused, insisting that she would neither eat nor drink until she died or I abandoned my religion. I said to her, 'Yaa Ummaah! In spite of my strong love for you, my love for Allah and His Messenger is indeed stronger. By Allah, if you had a thousand souls and each one depart one after another, I would not abandon this religion for anything.' When she saw that I was determined she relented unwillingly and ate and drank.

This was referenced in the Qur'anic verse .

Battles

In 614 the Muslims were on their way to the hills of Mecca to hold a clandestine meeting with Muhammad, when a group of polytheists observed their suspicious movements and began to abuse and fight them. Sa`ad beat a polytheist and shed his blood, reportedly the first instance of bloodshed in the history of Islam.

He fought at the battle of Badr with his young brother Umayr, who cried to accompany the Muslim army, as he was only in his early teens. Sa`d returned to al-Madīnah alone; Umayr was one of the fourteen Muslims who died in the battle.

At the battle of Uhud, Sa`d was chosen as an archer together with Zayd, Sa`īb (the son of Uthmān ibn Mazūn) and others. Sa`d was among those who fought in defense of Muhammad after some Muslims had deserted their positions.

=Farewell Pilgr

He fell ill during the The Farewell Pilgrimage, and he had only a daughter during this period. Sa'ad said:

Abu Bakr's era — 632–634

presentScholar|Muhammad al-Tijani|20th|Shi'a|Twelver writes:

Umar's era — 634-644

Sa`d also fought under `Umar's command against the Sāsānian army in the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah. He was later appointed governor of al-Kūfah and Najd during the caliphate of `Umar.

Some narrations state that although Umar deposed him from his post as governor, he recommended that the caliph who succeeded him reinstall Sa'd, since Umar had not deposed Sa'd due to any treachery .

He was among the members of the council who elected the third caliph, `Uthmān.

Uthman's era — 644–656

Uthman carried out Umar's recommendation and appointed Sa'd as governor of Kufa .

S'ad is often credited for introducing Islam to China in 650, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang China.Wang, Lianmao (2000). "Return to the City of Light: Quanzhou, an eastern city shining with the splendour of medieval culture". Fujian People's Publishing House. Page 99.]

Ali's era — 656–661

presentScholar|Muhammad al-Tijani|20th|Shi'a|Twelver writes:cquote|bgcolor=#F0FFF0
But what is strange in as far as Sa`d ibn Abu Waqqas is concerned is that he did not swear the oath of allegiance to the Commander of the Faithful Ali, nor did he support him while he knew the Imam fully well and realized his merits. He himself narrated several of Ali's merits which both Imam al-Nasa'i and Imam Muslim record in their respective Sahih books.

Muawiyah's era — 661–664

Sa'd was mentioned in a hadith relevant to the Umayyad tradition of cursing Ali [Muslim|31|5915] .

He lived until he was almost eighty years old. He died, a wealthy man, in the year 664.

Legacy

unni view

Sunnī Muslims regard him as one of the ten to whom paradise was promised.

One Sunni source states:cquote|To urge him on [during Uhud] , the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:

"Shoot, Sa'ad ...may my mother and father be your ransom." Of this occasion, Ali ibn Abi Talib said that he had not yet heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) promising such a ransom to anyone except Sa'ad. Sa'ad is also known as the first companion to have shot an arrow in defense of Islam.

And the Prophet once prayed for him: "O Lord, direct his shooting and respond to his prayer." Sa'ad was one of the companions of the Prophet who were blessed with great wealth. Just as he was known for his bravery, so he was known for his generosity .

ee also

*Sa'd (name)

References

External links

*http://www.alinaam.org.za/fazaail/umar.html
*http://www.muslimaccess.com/sunnah/seerah/10a.htm