Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas Biography, Life & Death

Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas was an Arab Muslim leader. He founded the city of Kufa and was its governor under Umar ibn al-Khattab. He played an important role in the Muslim conquest of Persia and was a close friend of the Prophet Muhammad.

Sa’d was the seventh man to convert to Islam, starting at the age of seventeen. He fought in all the battles led by Muhammad while they were in Medina.

Sa’d was well-known for his leadership in the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah and the capture of Ctesiphon in 636.

After these events, he became the top commander of the Rashidun army in Iraq, where he conquered Khuzestan and helped establish the city of Kufa. However, he was later removed from his position by the caliph Umar due to complaints about his behavior.

During the First Fitna, Sa’d led a neutral group of Muhammad’s companions who wanted to stay out of the civil war. Some traditions say he introduced Islam to China in 651, but this is debated.

Sunni historians respect Sa’d for his close relationship with Muhammad, being one of the ten promised Paradise, and his participation in the Battle of Badr, which is highly valued.

Sa’d was among the first people to convert to Islam. He was seventeen when he accepted Islam, although some reports say he was nineteen.

According to Ibn Ishaq, Sa’d was invited to Islam by Abu Bakr. Sa’d’s mother opposed his conversion and threatened to starve herself until he left Islam, but he didn’t give in, and eventually, she relented.

Muhammad praised Sa’d for his strong faith but also advised him to be kinder to his mother, emphasizing the importance of respecting one’s parents in Islam. Sa’d’s brother Amir also converted, which led their mother to try another hunger strike, but it didn’t stop him.

Ibn Hisham’s version of Ibn Ishaq’s account says that Sa’d and other Muslims in Mecca were criticized by polytheists, leading Sa’d to wound one of them with a camel bone. This is considered the first act of violence in Islam.

According to Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani’s Fath al-Bari, Sa’d migrated to Medina before Muhammad did, along with Ibn Umm Maktum and Mus’ab ibn Umayr, where he continued to practice Islam.

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The Conversion of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, dreamed that he was drowning in the sea. While trying to save himself, he saw a moon and managed to reach it. In his dream, he saw that Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and Zaid ibn Harithah—may Allah be pleased with them—had already reached the moon.

The next morning, Sa’d heard that Muhammad—peace be upon him—was calling people to a new religion. He realized that his dream was a sign to embrace this true religion. Sa’d was one of the early Muslims.

He went to Muhammad—peace be upon him—when he was in the tribe of Bani Jazima and declared his Islam there. Some say he was the fourth person to embrace Islam, while others say he was the seventh.

Sa’d’s Migration to Medina

Sa’d was among the first to migrate to Medina. He arrived before Muhammad—peace be upon him—and migrated with Ammar ibn Yasir and Bilal ibn Rabah—may Allah be pleased with them. They came after Mus’ab ibn Umair and Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum—may Allah be pleased with them.

When Sa’d arrived in Medina, he stayed with his brother, Utbah ibn Abi Waqqas. When Muhammad—peace be upon him—arrived in Medina, he created a bond of brotherhood between Sa’d and Mu’adh ibn Jabal—may Allah be pleased with them both.

Sa’d’s Courage

Sa’d was the first to shoot an arrow in defense of Islam, showing his bravery. He was a protector of the Prophet Muhammad—peace be upon him—during battles and led the campaign against Persia under Umar ibn al-Khattab—may Allah be pleased with them both. Sa’d’s leadership led to the conquest of Persia and victory at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah.

Sa’d’s Retirement from Civil Unrest

Sa’d narrated a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad—peace be upon him—about the turmoil that would follow his death.

The Prophet said that it was better to remain seated during such times than to stand, walk, or run. Sa’d chose to stay in seclusion during the unrest.

When his son asked him why he didn’t take a leadership role, Sa’d replied that he would only accept leadership if he could use a sword in a way that would make people say, “May Allah forgive Sa’d!” He preferred to avoid involvement in the civil strife, as seen in his choice to stay away from the Battle of Siffin and the arbitration process.

The Death of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas passed away in Al-Aqiq, about seven miles from Medina, during the caliphate of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan—may Allah be pleased with them both.

He died in the year 55 AH and was buried in the famous cemetery of Al-Baqi in Medina, where many other notable companions of the Prophet Muhammad—peace be upon him—are also buried.

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