Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas

Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqās
Born	circa 595 Mecca, Arabia
Died	circa 674 Medina, Arabia or Guangzhou, China
Allegiance	Rashidun Caliphate
Service/branch	Rashidun Army
Years of service	636–644
Rank	Commander Governor of Ctesiphon (637–638) Governor of Busra (638–644), (645–646)
Commands held	Rashidun conquest of Persian Empire

Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas leads the armies of the Rashidun Caliphate during the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah from a manuscript of the Shahnameh.

Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqās (Arabic: سعد بن أبي وقاص‎‎) was an early convert to Islam in 610–11 and one of the important companions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Sa'd was the seventeenth person to embrace Islam at the age of seventeen. He is mainly known for his commandership in the conquest of Persia in 636, governorship over it, and diplomatic sojourns to China in 616 and 651.

Biography

Family

Sa'd was born in Mecca, 595. His father was Abu Waqqas Malik ibn Uhayb ibn Abd Manaf ibn Zuhrah from the Banu Zuhrah clan of the Quraysh tribe. Uhayb ibn Abd Manaf was the paternal uncle of Aminah bint Wahb, mother of Muhammad. Sa'd's mother was Hamnah bint Sufyan ibn Umayya ibn Abd Shams ibn Abd Manaf.

He was seventeen years old when he accepted Islam. His son was Umar ibn Sa'ad who played an active and important role in Battle Of Karbala.

During Muhammad's era 610–632

Conversion to Islam

He was one of the first to accept Islam.

Saʿd relates:

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 Quranic verse 31:14–15.

Battles

In 614, the Muslims were on their way to the hills of Mecca to offer prayer with Muhammad, when a group of polytheists observed them. They began to abuse and fight them. Sa`ad beat a polytheist and shed his blood, reportedly becoming the first Muslim to shed blood in the name of Islam.

Main article: Battle of Badr

He fought at the battle of Badr with his young brother ʿUmayr. Being only in his early teens, Umayr was denied access to battle, but after struggling and crying, he was later given permission by Muhammed to fight in battle. Saʿd returned to Medina alone; ʿUmayr was one of the fourteen Muslims who died in the battle.

Main article: Battle of Uhud

At the battle of Uhud, Saʿd was chosen as an archer together with Zayd, Saʿīb (the son of Uthmān ibn Mazūn) and others. Saʿd was among those who fought in defense of Muhammad after some Muslims had deserted their positions. Muhammad honoured him by declaring him one of the best archers of that time. During the battle, Muhammad gathered some arrows for him.

Farewell Pilgrimage

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

O Messenger of Allah. I have wealth and I only have one daughter to inherit from me.

Shall I give two thirds of my wealth as Sadaqah?" "No," replied the Prophet. "Then, (shall I give) a half?." asked Sa'ad and the Prophet again said 'no.' "Then, (shall I give) a third?' asked Sa'ad. "Yes," said the Prophet. "The third is much. Indeed to leave your heirs well-off is better than that you should leave them dependent on and to beg from people. If you spend anything seeking to gain thereby the pleasure of Allah,

you will be rewarded for it even if it is a morsel which you place in your wife's mouth.

During Caliph ʿUmar's era 634–644

Saʿd also fought under ʿUmar's command against the Sassanid army at the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah and Battle of Nahāvand. He was later appointed governor of Kufa and Nejd during the caliphate of ʿUmar.

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

He was one of six people nominated by Umar ibn al-Khattab for the third caliphate.

During Caliph ʿUthman's era 644–656

ʿUthman carried out ʿUmar's recommendation and appointed Saʿd as governor of Kufa.

Saʿd has been traditionally credited by Chinese Muslims with introducing Islam to China in 650, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang,

During Muʿawiyah's era 661–664

He outlived all ten blessed companions, and died a wealthy man at the age of eighty, around the year 674.

Legacy

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

One Sunni source states: To urge him on [during Uhud], Muhammad said: "Shoot, Saʿd ...may my mother and father be your ransom.". This was also reported by ʿAli ibn Abi Talib who said that he had not yet heard Muhammad promising such a ransom to anyone except Sa'ad Bin Malik. Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 389. It should be noted that Sa'ad bin Malik and Saʿd bin abi Waqqas are the same person.

See also

• Saad
• Sunni view of the Sahaba
• Emperor Gaozong of Tang

External links

• Sahaba.net: Sa`d ibn Abî Waqâs
• http://www.alinaam.org.za/fazaail/umar.html
• http://www.muslimaccess.com/sunnah/seerah/10a.htm