Sa’id ibn Zayd Biography, Children & Death

Sa’id ibn Zayd (c. 593-671), also known as Abu’l-A’war, was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the brother-in-law of Umar.
Sa’id became a Muslim by 614. His wife, Fatima, also converted early. They kept their faith secret at first because Fatima’s brother, Umar, was a strong opponent of Muslims. Khabbab ibn al-Aratt often visited their home and read the Qur’an to Fatima.
One day, Umar came into their house while Khabbab was reading and asked what was going on. When they denied reading anything, Umar grabbed Sa’id and knocked him to the floor.
Fatima tried to defend her husband, and Umar hit her so hard that she bled. The couple then admitted they were Muslims.
Seeing the blood made Umar regret his actions, and he asked to see what they had been reading. It was the Surah Ta-Ha from the Qur’an. Moved by its beauty, Umar decided to embrace Islam.
Sa’id joined the migration to Medina in 622 and initially stayed at Rifa’a ibn Abdul-Mundhir’s house. He was paired with Rafi ibn Malik as his brother in Islam, although some sources say it was Talha ibn Ubaydallah.
Sa’id and Talha missed the Battle of Badr because Muhammad sent them ahead to scout Abu Sufyan’s caravan.
When they learned the caravan had already gone, they returned to Medina and found that Muhammad and his army had already fought at Badr. They went to Badr and met the victorious army on their way back. Despite missing the battle, Muhammad gave them a share of the spoils of war.
Sa’id took part in all the other battles that Muhammad fought in personally and also served as Muhammad’s secretary, recording the verses of the Quran.
Sa’id was the son of Zayd bin Amr from the Adi clan of the Quraysh in Mecca and Fatima bint Ba’ja from the Khuza’a tribe. His father was killed in 605.
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Wives and Children
Sa’id had over thirty children from at least eleven different women:
- Fatimah bint al-Khattab (also known as Ramla or Umm Jamil), his cousin and the sister of Umar, the second Caliph.
- Abdulrahman the Elder (had no male-line descendants).
- Julaysa bint Suwayd.
- Zayd (had no male-line descendants).
- Abdullah the Elder (had no male-line descendants).
- Atiqa.
- Umama bint al-Dujayj of the Ghassan tribe.
- Abdulrahman the Younger (had no male-line descendants).
- Umar the Younger (had no male-line descendants).
- Umm Musa.
- Umm al-Hasan.
- Hamza bint Qays of the Muharib ibn Fihr clan of the Quraysh.
- Muhammad.
- Ibrahim the Younger.
- Abdullah the Younger.
- Umm Habib the Elder.
- Umm al-Hasan the Younger.
- Umm Zayd the Elder.
- Umm Salama.
- Umm Habib the Younger.
- Umm Sa’id the Elder (died during her father’s lifetime).
- Umm Zayd.
- Umm al-Aswad from the Taghlib tribe.
- Amr the Younger.
- al-Aswad.
- Dumkh bint al-Asbagh of the Kalb tribe.
- Amr the Elder.
- Talha (died during his father’s lifetime and had no male-line descendants).
- Zujla.
- Bint Qurba of the Taghlib tribe.
- Ibrahim.
- Hafsa.
- Umm Khalid, a concubine.
- Khalid.
- Umm Khalid (died during her father’s lifetime).
- Umm al-Numan.
- Umm Bashir bint Abi Mas’ud al-Ansari.
- Umm Zayd the Elder.
- A woman from the Tayy tribe.
- Umm Zayd the Younger, wife of al-Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubayd.
- Another Concubine.
- Aisha.
- Zaynab.
- Umm Abdul-Hawla.
- Umm Salih.
A Simple Introduction to Sa’id Ibn Zaid
Sa’id ibn Zaid ibn Amr ibn Nufayl was a cousin of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and married Umar’s sister, Fatimah.
He was also called Abu Zaid. Sa’id and his wife accepted Islam early, even before Umar did. Umar later embraced Islam in Sa’id’s house. Sa’id was one of the first Muslims to migrate and was among the ten companions promised paradise.
Sa’id Ibn Zaid’s Acceptance of Islam
Sa’id’s father, Zaid ibn Amr, believed in one God even before Islam began but died before Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) started his mission.
Sa’id (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted Islam early, along with his wife Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her). Both were among the first to migrate for their faith.
The Story of Sa’id Ibn Zaid and Umar Ibn al-Khattab
Before Umar accepted Islam, he planned to kill the Prophet (peace be upon him). But on his way, he learned that his sister Fatimah and her husband Sa’id had become Muslims. Angry, Umar went to confront them.
When he arrived, he found them with Khabbab ibn al-Aratt, who was reciting verses from the Quran. Sa’id defended Islam, but Umar hit him and his wife. Despite the attack, Fatimah declared her faith in Islam.
Umar then asked to see the Quranic verses. Fatimah told him to purify himself first, which he did. When Umar read the verses, his heart opened to Islam, and he accepted the faith.
Sa’id and Fatimah were happy and told Umar that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had prayed for either Umar or Abu Jahl to accept Islam. Umar later went to the Prophet and declared his conversion.
Sa’id and his wife played a key role in Umar’s conversion, which greatly strengthened Islam.
Sa’id Ibn Zaid’s Role During the Prophet’s Time
Sa’id ibn Zaid took part in many battles with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but missed the Battle of Badr because he and Talha were sent by the Prophet to gather information about the Quraysh.
By the time they returned, the battle was over. However, the Prophet included them in the reward by shooting their arrows in the battle.
Sa’id Ibn Zaid’s Role After the Prophet’s Time
Sa’id also fought in the Battle of Yarmouk and helped conquer Damascus. He was appointed as the first governor of Damascus by Abu Ubaidah. However, Sa’id wasn’t interested in this position and asked to be replaced so he could continue his journey in jihad.
The Story of Sa’id Ibn Zaid’s Answered Prayer
Sa’id ibn Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) was known for having his prayers answered. A woman named Arwa bint Awais accused him of wrongdoing, saying he took her land.
Sa’id denied the accusation and prayed to Allah, saying, “O Allah, if she is lying, then make her blind and cause her to die on her land.” Later, the woman lost her sight and fell into a pit on her own land, fulfilling Sa’id’s prayer.
Death of Sa’id Ibn Zaid
Sa’id ibn Zaid, a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and brother-in-law of Umar, died in 671 CE (51 AH) during the reign of Muawiyah I. He passed away in al-Aqiq, near Medina. His body was carried back to Medina for burial by Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas and Abdullah ibn Umar.