Sad ibn Abi Waqqas - Biographies of the Companions (Sahabah)

We are now in a small town in a narrow valley. There is no vegetation,
no livestock, no gardens, no rivers. Desert after desert separates the
town from the rest of the world. During theday the heat of the sun is
unbearable and the nights are still and lonely. Tribes flock to it
like animals in the open country flock to a water-hole. No government
rules. There is no religion to guide people except one which promotes
the worship of stone idols. There is no knowledge except
priestcraftand a love for elegant poetry. This is Makkah and these are
the Arabs.
In this town lies a young man who has not yet seen twenty summers. He
is short and well-built and has a very heavy crop of hair. People
compare him to a young lion. He comes from a rich and noble family. He
is very attached to his parents and is particularly fond of his
mother. He spends much of his time making and repairing bowsand arrows
and practising archery as if preparing himself for some great
encounter. People recognize him as a serious and intelligent young
man. He finds no satisfaction in the religion and way of life of
hispeople, their corrupt beliefs and disagreeable practices. His
nameis Sad ibn Abi Waqqas.
One morning at about this time in his life the genial Abu Bakr came up
and spoke softly to him. He explained that Muhammad ibn Abdullah the
son of his late cousin Aminah bint Wahb had been given Revelations and
sent with the religion of guidance and truth. Abu Bakr then took him
to Muhammad in one of the valleys of Makkah. It was late afternoon by
this time and the Prophet hadjust prayed Salat al-Asr. Sad was excited
and overwhelmed and responded readily to the invitation to truth and
the religion of One God. The fact thathe was one of the first persons
to accept Islam was something that pleased him greatly.
The Prophet, peace be on him, was also greatly pleased when Sad became
a Muslim. He saw in him signs of excellence. The fact that he was
still in his youth promised great things to come. It was as if this
glowing crescentwould become a shining full moon before long. Perhaps
other young people of Makkah would follow his example, including some
of his relations. For Sad ibn Abi Waqqas was in fact a maternal uncle
of the Prophet since he belonged to the Bani Zuhrah, the clan of
Aminah bint Wahb, the mother of the Prophet, peace be upon him. For
this reason he is sometimes referred to as Sad of Zuhrah, to
distinguish him from several others whose first name was Sad.
The Prophet is reported to have been pleased with his family
relationship to Sad. Once as he was sitting with his companions, he
saw Sad approaching and he said to them: "This is my maternal uncle.
Let a man see his maternal uncle!"
While the Prophet was delightedwith Sad's acceptance of Islam, others
including and especially his mother were not. Sad relates: "When my
mother heardthe news of my Islam, she flew into a rage. She came up to
me and said:
"O Sad! 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 which 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 wouldneither 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 God and
His Messenger is indeed stronger. By God, if you had a thousand souls
and one soul after another were to depart, I would not abandon this my
religion for anything.' When she saw that I was determined she
relented unwillingly and ate and drank."
It was concerning Sad's relationship with his mother and her attempt
to force him to recant his faith that the words of the Quran were
revealed:"And we enjoined on man (to begood) to his parents. In pain
upon pain did his mother bear him and his weaning took two years. So
show gratitude to Me and to your parents. To Me is thefinal destiny.
"But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of
which you have no knowledge, obey them not. Yet bear them company in
this life with justice and consideration and follow the way of those
who turn to Me. In the end, the return of you all is to Me and I shall
tell you (the truth and meaning of) all that you used to do." (Surah
Luqman, 31: 14-15).
In these early days of Islam, the Muslims were careful not to arouse
the sensibilities of the Quraysh. They would often go out together in
groups to the glens outside Makkah where they could pray together
without being seen. But one daya number of idolaters came upon them
while they were praying and rudely interrupted them with ridicule. The
Muslims felt they could not suffer these indignities passively and
they came to blows with the idolaters. Sad ibn Abi Waqqas struck one
of the disbelievers with the jawbone of a camel andwounded him. This
was the first blood shed in the conflict between Islam and kufr - a
conflict that was later to escalate and test the patience and courage
of the Muslims.
After the incident, however, the Prophet enjoined his companions to be
patient and forbearing for this was the command of God: "And bear with
patience what they say andavoid them with noble dignity. And leave Me
alone to deal with those who give the lie to the Truth, those who
enjoy the blessings of life (without any thought of God) and bear with
them for a little while." (The Quran, Surah al Muzzammil, 71: 1O).
More than a decade later when permission was given for the Muslims to
fight. Sad ibn Abi Waqqas was to play a distinguished role in many of
the engagements that took place both during the time of the Prophet
and after. He foughtat Badr together with his young brother Umayr who
had cried to be allowed to accompany the Muslim army for he was only
in his early teens. Sad returned to Madinah alone for Umayr was one of
the fourteen Muslim martyrs who fell in the battle.
At the Battle of Uhud, Sad was specially chosen as one of the best
archers together with Zayd,Saib the son of Uthman ibn Mazun and
others. Sad was one of those who fought vigorously in defence of the
Prophet after some Muslims had deserted their positions. To urge him
on, the Prophet, peace be on him, said: "Irmi Sad...Fidaaka Abi wa
Ummi " Shoot, Sad ...may my mother and father be your ransom."
Of this occasion, Ali ibn Abi Talib said that he had not yet heard the
Prophet, peace be on him, promising such a ransom to anyone except
Sad. Sad is also known as the first companion tohave shot an arrow in
defence ofIslam. And the Prophet once prayed for him:
"O Lord, direct his shooting and respond to his prayer." Sad was one
of the companions of the Prophet who was blessed with great wealth.
Just as he was known for his bravery, so he wasknown for his
generosity. Duringthe Farewell Pilgrimage with theProphet, he fell
ill. The Prophet came to visit him and Sad said:
"O Messenger of God. 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, (shallI give) a half?." asked Sad
and the Prophet again said 'no'.
"Then, (shall I give) a third?' asked Sad.
"Yes," said the Prophet. "The third is much. Indeed to leave your
heirs well-off' is better thanthat you should leave them dependent on
and to beg from people. If you spend anything seeking to gain thereby
the pleasure of God, you will be rewarded for it even if it is a
morsel which you place in your wife's mouth."
Sad did not remain the father of just one child but was blessed
thereafter with many children.
Sad is mainly renowned as the commander-in-chief of the strong Muslim
army which Umardespatched to confront the Persians at Qadisiyyah. Umar
wanted nothing less than an end to Sasanian power which forcenturies
had dominated the region.
To confront the numerous and well-equipped Persians was a most
daunting task. The most powerful force had to be mustered. Umar sent
despatchesto Muslim governors throughoutthe state to mobilize all
able-bodied persons who had weapons or mounts, or who hadtalents of
oratory and other skills to place at the service of the battle.
Bands of Mujahidin then converged on Madinah from every part of the
Muslim domain.When they had all gathered, Umar consulted the leading
Muslims about the appointment of a commander-in-chief over the mighty
army. Umar himself thought of leading the army but Ali suggested that
the Muslims were in great need of him and he should not endanger his
life. Sad was then chosen as commander and Abdur-Rahman ibn Awl, one
of the veterans among the Sahabah said:
"You have chosen well! Who is there like Sad?" Umar stood before the
great army and bade farewell to them. To the commander-in-chief he
said:
"O Sad! Let not any statement that you are the uncle of the Messenger
of God or that you are the companion of the Messenger of God distract
you from God. God Almighty does not obliterate evil with evil but he
wipes out evil with good.
"O Sad! There is no connection between God and anyone exceptobedience
to Him. In the sight ofGod all people whether nobleman or commoner are
the same. Allah is their Lord and they are His servants seeking
elevation through taqwa and seeking to obtain what is with God through
obedience. Consider how the Messenger of God used to act with the
Muslims and act accordingly..."
Umar thus made it clear that thearmy was not to seek conquest for the
sake of it and that the expedition was not for seeking personal glory
and fame.
The three thousand strong armyset off. Among them were ninety nine
veterans of Badr, more than three hundred of those who took the Pledge
of Riffwan (Satisfaction) at Hudaybiyyah and three hundred of those
who had participated inthe liberation of Makkah with the noble
Prophet. There were seven hundred sons of the companions. Thousands of
women also went on to battle as auxiliaries and nurses and to urge the
men on to battle.
The army camped at Qadisiyyah near Hira. Against them the Persians had
mobilized a force of12O,OOO men under the leadership of their most
brilliantcommander, Rustum.
Umar had instructed Sad to sendhim regular despatches about the
condition and movements ofthe Muslim forces, and of the deployment of
the enemy's forces. Sad wrote to Umar aboutthe unprecedented force
that the Persians were mobilizing and Umar wrote to him:
"Do not be troubled by what youhear about them nor about the (forces,
equipment and methods) they would deploy against you. Seek help with
God and put your trust in Him and send men of insight, knowledge and
toughness to him (the Chosroes) to invite him to God... And write to
me daily."
Sad understood well the gravity of the impending battle and kept in
close contact with the military high command in Madinah. Although
commander-in-chief, he understood the importance of shura.
Sad did as Umar instructed and sent delegations of Muslims firstto
Yazdagird and then to Rustum, inviting them to accept Islam or to pay
the jizyah to guarantee their protection and peaceful existence or to
choose war if they so desired.
The first Muslim delegation which included Numan ibn Muqarrin was
ridiculed by the Persian Emperor, Yazdagird. Sad sent a delegation to
Rustum, thecommander of the Persian forces. This was led by Rubiy ibn
Aamir who, with spear in hand, went directly to Rustam's encampment.
Rustam said to him:
"Rubiy! What do you want from us? If you want wealth we would give
you. We would provide you with provisions untilyou are sated. We would
clothe you. We would make you become rich and happy. Look, Rubiy! What
do you see in this assembly of mine? No doubt yousee signs of richness
and luxury, these lush carpets, fine curtains, gold embroidered wails,
carpets of silk...Do you have any desire that we should bestow some of
these riches which we have on you?"
Rustum thus wanted to impress the Muslim and allure him from his
purpose by this show of opulence and grandeur. Rubiy looked and
listened unmoved and then said:
"Listen, O commander! Certainly God has chosen us that through us
those of His creation whom He so desires could be drawn away from the
worship of idols to Tawhid (the affirmation of the unity of God), from
the narrow confines of preoccupation with this world to its boundless
expanse and from the tyranny of rulers to justice of Islam.
"Whoever accepts that from us we are prepared to welcome him. And
whoever fights us, we would fight him until the promise of God comes
to pass.""And what is the promise of Godto you?" asked
Rustum."Paradise for our martyrs and victory for those who live."
Rustum of course was not inclined to listen to such talk from a
seemingly wretched person the likes of whom the Persians regarded as
barbaric and uncivilized and whom they had conquered and subjugated
for centuries.
The Muslim delegation returned to their commanderin-chief. It was
clear that war was now inevitable. Sad's eyes filled with tears. He
wished that the battle could be delayed a little or indeed that it
might have been somewhat earlier. For on this particular day he was
seriously ill and could hardly move. He was suffering from sciatica
and he could not even sit upright for the pain.
Sad knew that this was going to be a bitter, harsh and bloody battle.
And for a brief moment he thought, if only... but no! The Messenger of
God had taught the Muslims that none of them should say, "If....." To
say "If....." implied a lack of will and determination and wishing
that a situation might have been different was not the characteristic
of a firm believer. So, despite his illness, Sad got upand stood
before his army and addressed them. He began his speech with a verse
from the glorious Quran:
"And indeed after having exhorted (man), We have laid it down in all
the books of Divine wisdom that My righteous servants shall inherit
the earth." Surah al-Anbiyaa, 21:1O5).
The address over, Sad performedSalat az-Zuhr with the army. Facing
them once again, he shouted the Muslim battle cry"Allahu Akbar" four
times and directed the fighters to attack with the words:
"Hayya ala barakatillah Charge, with the blessings of God." Standing
in front of his tent, Sad directed his soldiers and spurredthem on
with shouts of Allahu Akbar (God is Most Great) and La hawla wa la
quwwata ilia billah (there is no power or might savewith God). For
four days the battle raged. The Muslims displayed valor and skill. But
a Persian elephant corps wrought havoc in the ranks of the Muslims.
The ferocious battle was only resolved when several renowned Muslim
warriors made a rush in the direction of the Persian commander. A
stormarose and the canopy of Rustam was blown into the river. As he
tried to flee he was detected and slain. Complete confusion reigned
among the Persians and they fled in disarray.
Just how ferocious the battle was can be imagined when it is known
that some thirty thousand persons on both sides fell in the course of
four days' fighting. In one day alone, some two thousand Muslims and
about ten thousand Persians lost their lives.
The Battle of Qadisiyyah is one ofthe major decisive battles of world
history. It sealed the fate of the Sasanian Empire just as the Battle
of Yarmuk had sealed the fate of the Byzantine Empire in the east.
Two years after Qadisiyyah, Sad went on to take the Sasanian capital.
By then he had recovered his health. The taking of Ctesiphon was
accomplished after a brilliant crossing of the Tigris river while it
was in flood. Sad has thus gone down in the annals of history as the
Hero of Qadisiyyah and the Conqueror of Ctesiphon.
He lived until he was almost eighty years old. He was blessed with
much influence and wealth but as the time of death approached in the
year 54 AH, heasked his son to open a box in which he had kept a
course woolen jubbah and said:"Shroud me in this, for in this (jubbah)
I met the Mushrikin on the day of Badr and in it I desire to meet God
Almighty."

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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