Explore the Life of Sa'd ibn Ubadah رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ

Shining Stars

SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ

Adnan Ahmad Attari Madani

One of the Prophet’s Companions who had immense love for his mother. In the 5^th year after hijra, in the month of RabīꜤ al-Awwal, during the Battle of Dūmah al-Jandal, his mother passed away. Upon returning from the battle, just like a fortunate son would do, the Companion began to think about transmitting reward to her.

He went to the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and submitted, “O Messenger of Allah! My mother has passed away. Which form of charity is best for her?”

“Water”, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied.

The Companion had a well dug and said, “This is for the mother of SaꜤd.”[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! This noble individual who had great love for his mother and who transmitted this immense reward to her book of deeds was the renowned Companion, SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ.

His acceptance of Islam

His teknonyms were Abū Thābit and Abū Qays. He was a leading name of Khazraj tribe and held a high rank among the Anṣār Companions.[2]

He was also among the 70 or 72 fortunate Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم who took the pledge of the allegiance at the blessed hands of the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم in the 13^th year after the proclamation of prophethood, in the valley of Mina during ḥajj season. This inscribed his name with golden letters in the pages of history.[3]

When the Quraysh came to know of this pledge, they were enraged and wished to capture all those who took part, but were only able to apprehend him and not anyone else. The wretched disbelievers first tied his hands to his neck with a saddle strap, and then harshly dragged him to Mecca by his hair, imprisoning him there. When Jubayr b. MaṭꜤam and Ḥārith b. Ḥarb b. Umayya found out, they advised the Quraysh to release him at once, otherwise their actions could endanger the latter’s trade in the Levant. They freed him, and like this, he was able to return to Medina safely.[4]

His blessed qualities

During the Age of Ignorance, the number of people who could write Arabic was very small. Even then, SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda could read and write skillfully. He was also an excellent archer and exceptional swimmer, which led to him being given the title Kāmil, i.e. accomplished.[5]

Amazing hospitality

He was exceptionally big-hearted, possessed excellent character, displayed immense generosity, and was hospitable to a tee. These were qualities he inherited from his father and grandfather. His house was situated in an elevated place, from which he would make the following announcement daily, “Whoever wants clarified butter and meat should come to the house of SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda!”[6]

The Companions رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم would take one or two members of Aṣḥāb al-Ṣuffa with them, but SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ would sometimes take eighty of them at once, keeping them with himself and serving them generously.[7]

Dua

One of the duas he would make was the following, “O Allah! Grant me wealth, as it is with wealth that works are done correctly!”[8]

Presenting food

When the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم moved to Medina, SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ would send a large plate of food for him daily, bearing bread mixed with vinegar and olives. Other times, he would send milk or ghee. Mostly, he sent tharīd made from meat broth.[9]

Unique way of seeking blessings

Once, the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم came to his home and greeted him with salam, to which SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ responded quietly. The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم greeted him again, and SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ responded in a low voice again. His family asked him the reason for this; “Why are you not responding aloud and asking the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم to enter our home?”

He explained, “Remain silent, so we receive more salam from the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم.”

When the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم gave salam for the third time, SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ replied quietly yet again. After giving salam three times, the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم began to leave. SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ ran after him and submitted, “O Messenger of Allah! We were at home and responding quietly, so that you make this dua of safety (salam) for us again and again.”

With great reverence, he took the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم into his home and had some water brought for him to perform ghusl. SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ then presented a saffron-dyed shawl, which the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم wrapped himself in, before raising his hands in dua and saying, “O Allah! Bestow Your grace and mercy upon the family of SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda (رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ)!” When the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was about to leave after eating, SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ placed a saddle on his donkey and offered it as a ride.[10]

Flagbearer

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would generally keep two flags during a battle; the flag of the Muhājirīn was usually with ꜤAlī b. Abī Ṭālib رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ and the Anṣār’s flag was usually held by SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ.[11]

His passing

After the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم left this world, SaꜤd b. ꜤUbāda رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ took up residence in Shām. In 15 AH, he passed away there in an area known as Ḥawrān.[12]

May Allah Almighty have mercy upon him and forgive us without accountability for his sake.

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ