Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas



Sa`d ibn Abī Waqqās (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.

Family
Born in Mecca in 595, Sa`d was from the Banu Zuhrah clan of the Quraysh tribe, and was the cousin to Aminah bint Wahb, mother of prophet Muhammad. He was seventeen years old when he accepted Islam.

Conversion to Islam
He was one of the first to accept Islam.

Sa`d 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 the prophet 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.

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

At the battle of Uhud, Sa`d was chosen as an archer together with Zayd, Sa`īb (the son of Uthmān ibn Mazūn) and others. Sa`d was among those who fought in defense of prophet Muhammad after some Muslims had deserted their positions. Prophet Muhammad honoured him by declaring him one of the best archers of that time. During the battle, the Prophet 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 Umar's era 634–644
Sa`d also fought under Umar'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 Umar.

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

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

During Caliph Uthman's era 644–656
Uthman carried out Umar's recommendation and appointed Sa'd as governor of Kufa.

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

During Muawiyah'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
Muslims regard him as one of the ten to whom paradise was promised.

One Islamic source states:

To urge him on [during Uhud], Muhammad said:

"Shoot, Sa`d ...may my mother and father be your ransom.". This is was also reported by Ali ibn Abi Talib who said that he had not yet heard Mohammed 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 Sa'ad bin abi Waqqas are the same person.