Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah Biography, Virtues, Activities & Death

The Name and Lineage of Abu Ubayda

Abu Ubayda’s full name was Amir ibn Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah. His mother was Ummama bint Ghannam. His family tree connects with his mother’s lineage at Harith ibn Fehr.

People mostly knew him by his nickname, Abu Ubayda, which became more popular than his real name. He was often called “Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah,” referring to his grandfather instead of his father.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) honored him with the title “Amin al-Ummah,” meaning “the trustworthy of the nation.”

Before Islam, Abu Ubayda was known for his wisdom, good judgment, and intelligence, just like Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). People would say,

“The Quraish tribe has excelled with Abu Bakr and Abu Ubayda,” praising their intellect and sound judgment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, “A person’s character remains the same; those who were the best before Islam will remain the best in Islam when they understand it” (Hadith).

The Islam of Abu Ubayda

When Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the message of Islam, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the first to believe. He began secretly inviting others to Islam and was happy to speak to Abu Ubayda about it.

After hearing about Islam from Abu Bakr, Abu Ubayda quickly accepted and met with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Along with a few others, including Abu Salama and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, Abu Ubayda embraced Islam early on, before the Prophet started teaching in the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam.

Abu Ubayda was 25 years old at the time, a mature age when a person’s mind and body are fully developed. He accepted Islam with full understanding and commitment.

In Islam, he found the truth and justice he had been seeking, which helped him stay strong in his faith. He made sacrifices in line with the teachings of Allah:

“Say, ‘Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a correct religion, the way of Abraham, inclining toward truth. And he was not among those who associated others with Allah.‘” (Quran, 6:161).

While it’s unclear exactly where Abu Ubayda ranks among the early converts, it is known that he embraced Islam after the first eight men who accepted the faith, with guidance from Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him).

Qualities and Ethics of Abu Ubayda

Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was a respected companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) known for his many noble qualities. Here are some of his key virtues:

Simplicity and Detachment from Worldly Things: Abu Ubayda lived a very simple life. When Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited his home, he found only a mat, a bowl, a water container, and a few crumbs of bread.

Seeing this, Umar cried. Once, Umar sent Abu Ubayda some money to see how he would use it. Abu Ubayda gave it all away to those in need. When Umar heard about this, he praised Allah for placing such people in Islam.

Gentleness and Good Character: Abu Ubayda was known for his gentle nature and good character. During the Expedition of Dhat al-Salasil, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) appointed Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) as the leader.

However, Amr, feeling overwhelmed, wanted Abu Ubayda to take the lead. But when they reached their destination, Amr insisted, “I am your commander.” The emigrants (Muhajirun) responded, “You lead your group, but our leader is Abu Ubayda.” Amr asserted, “You are reinforcements sent to assist me.” Abu Ubayda then gracefully handed over the command to Amr.

Respected by His Peers: Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) once said that if he were to pass away while Abu Ubayda was still alive, he would appoint him as his successor because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had called Abu Ubayda “the trustworthy of this nation.”

Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) also spoke highly of him, describing him as kind, gentle, forgiving, and merciful toward the believers while being firm against the disbelievers.

Piety: When a plague struck the Levant, Umar wanted to bring Abu Ubayda back to safety. However, Abu Ubayda understood that Umar was trying to save him from danger. He refused to leave, following the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) guidance that one should not leave a place if a plague breaks out there. Abu Ubayda chose to stay with the people and ultimately died from the plague. When Umar received news of his death, he wept deeply.

Good Character and Patience: Once, Umar ibn al-Khattab asked a group of men to share their wishes. After everyone had spoken, Umar wished for a house full of men like Abu Ubayda. Abu Ubayda had been entrusted with managing the Muslims’ treasury, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) called him “the trustworthy of the nation.”

During a difficult siege in the Levant, Umar wrote to Abu Ubayda, reminding him that Allah provides relief in times of hardship.

Abu Ubayda responded with verses from the Quran, showing his deep understanding and patience. Umar then read Abu Ubayda’s letter to the people, encouraging them to join the effort in jihad.

These qualities make Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah an outstanding example of character and dedication to Islam, earning him a place as one of the most revered companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Virtues of Abu Ubayda

Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was known for many great virtues, including:

Beloved by the Prophet: Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was once asked who the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved the most among his companions. She said that Abu Bakr was the dearest, followed by Umar, and then Abu Ubayda. When asked for more names, she remained silent. It is said that if the Prophet had appointed a successor, it would have been Abu Bakr, followed by Umar, and then Abu Ubayda.

One of the Ten Promised Paradise: According to a narration by Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, Zubair, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Saeed ibn Zaid, and Abu Ubayda as those who were promised a place in Paradise.

Trustworthy of the Nation (Ameen of the Ummah): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gave Abu Ubayda the title “Ameen of the Ummah,” meaning “the trustworthy of the nation.”

This was shown when two representatives from Najran came to the Prophet and asked him to send a trustworthy person with them. The Prophet chose Abu Ubayda, who proved his honesty and integrity.

Chosen by Abu Bakr to Lead Prayers: During his illness, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was unable to lead prayers. He chose two men to take his place, and one of them was Abu Ubayda, showing his high status and piety.

Participation in Many Battles: Abu Ubayda participated in several important battles, including the Battle of Badr, where he had to fight his father, who was on the opposing side.

He also took part in the Battles of Uhud and Khandaq. During the Battle of Khandaq, he carefully removed the thorns that had pierced the Prophet’s cheeks after being struck by a double-edged sword. His gentleness earned him praise from the Prophet.

Abu Ubayda’s virtues and exemplary character made him highly respected among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and an inspiration to all Muslims.

Jihad and Activities During the Caliphate

Abu Ubayda (may Allah be pleased with him) was actively involved in several significant battles, including Badr, Uhud, and Al-Hudaybiyyah. During the Battle of Badr, his father repeatedly tried to kill him, but Abu Ubayda avoided confrontation until he was forced to defend himself, leading to his father’s death. This incident led to the revelation of the Quranic verse: “You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day.”

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also sent Abu Ubayda on a military expedition called the Expedition of Dhat Al-Khabt. He later served as the governor for the people of Najran. After Umar ibn al-Khattab dismissed Khalid ibn al-Walid, he appointed Abu Ubayda as the new leader, and Abu Ubayda continued to lead in battles and conquests.

Abu Ubayda played a crucial role in the conquest of many regions in the Levant, particularly Damascus. During Abu Bakr’s caliphate, he was entrusted with overseeing the Muslim treasury, and Umar appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the Islamic army in the Levant.

Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent him as a deputy to Amr ibn Al-As during the Expedition of Dhat Al-Salasil to provide reinforcements.

When the people of Yemen asked for someone to teach them the Quran and Sunnah, Abu Ubayda was chosen for this important task, further demonstrating his dedication and sincerity to Islam.

Story of Abu Ubaidah’s Passing

In the 18th year after the Hijra, a terrible plague called the “Year of the Ashes” struck the region of Al-Sham (Greater Syria).

This plague led to a severe famine, and Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed for relief. Allah answered his prayer by sending rain, which helped ease the famine. However, the plague continued to cause great suffering.

Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) was in Al-Sham when the plague hit. It first appeared in a town called Amwas, between Al-Ramla and Al-Quds (Jerusalem), and many people died. Abu Ubaidah was the leader in this area and chose to stay with his people, following the Prophet Muhammad’s guidance (peace be upon him): “If you hear of a plague in a land, do not enter it. If it breaks out in a land where you are, do not leave it.”

Umar was very concerned for Abu Ubaidah’s safety and wanted to bring him back to safety, but Abu Ubaidah refused to abandon his people. Umar, understanding Abu Ubaidah’s strong commitment, realized his end might be near.

He advised Abu Ubaidah to move his people to a dry area to avoid the worst effects of the plague and instructed Abu Musa al-Ash’ari to find such a place. Sadly, the plague reached Abu Ubaidah, and he became ill.

Feeling his time was near, Abu Ubaidah wrote a will for Umar. He stated that he had returned all entrusted items to their owners, except for a woman who had remarried before her waiting period ended. Her previous husband had sent her 100 dinars, which Abu Ubaidah instructed to be returned to her.

Abu Ubaidah initially wanted to be buried on the western side of the Jordan River, near the Holy Land. However, he feared this might lead people to establish a habit contrary to the Sunnah (the practices of the Prophet).

In his final advice, he reminded the believers about the importance of following the pillars of Islam, staying away from worldly desires, encouraging good, and forbidding evil. He also emphasized the importance of remembering death.

On his way to the Holy Land to pray, Abu Ubaidah passed away before reaching his destination. After his death, Mu’adh ibn Jabal took on the responsibility of addressing the people.

He reminded them about the reality of death, the importance of fulfilling trusts, and the duty to support fellow Muslims.

He urged them to repent and return to Allah. Mu’adh also gave a touching eulogy for Abu Ubaidah, describing him as a sincere, compassionate, and faithful man who cared deeply for the Muslim community.

Mu’adh then sent a letter to Umar, informing him of Abu Ubaidah’s passing, which deeply saddened Umar. Umar appointed Mu’adh as Abu Ubaidah’s successor in Al-Sham and declared that he would honor the orders given by Abu Ubaidah, recognizing his great trustworthiness and righteousness. Abu Ubaidah passed away at the age of 58.