The Name and Lineage of Abu Ubayda
Abu Ubayda, whose full name is Amir ibn Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah ibn Hilal ibn Ahib ibn Dabba ibn al-Harith ibn Fehr ibn Malik ibn al-Nadr. His mother was Ummama bint Ghannam ibn Abd al-Uzza. His lineage converges with his mother at Harith ibn Fehr. His nickname is Abu Ubayda, which became more well-known than his actual name. He is attributed to his grandfather, not his father. People used to call him "Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah". The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) praised and honored him, giving him the title "Amin al-Ummah" (the trustworthy of the nation).
In the pre-Islamic era, he was known for his wisdom, sagacity, sound judgment, and intelligence. He shared these qualities with Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), and people used to say, "Quraish has excelled with Abu Bakr and Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah". This referred to their intelligence, sagacity, and sound judgment. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "People's intellects remain the same; their best in the pre-Islamic era is their best in Islam when they understand (the religion)". (Hadith)
The Islam of Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah
When Allah, the Most High, sent our Master Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the message of Islam, our Master Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) believed in it and accompanied the Prophet. He began calling people to Islam secretly. He was elated to speak to Abu Ubayda about Islam. He explained the tenets of Islam to him, and Abu Ubayda readily accepted and responded to the call. Abu Bakr then directed him to meet with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Along with Abu Salama ibn Abd al-Asad, Ubaydah ibn al-Harith, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, and Uthman ibn Mazh'un (may Allah be pleased with them all), Abu Bakr reinforced the teachings of Islam to Abu Ubayda. All of them embraced Islam simultaneously during the early stages of the Islamic call, even before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) entered the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam.
At that time, Abu Ubayda was twenty-five years old, indicating that he entered Islam of his own accord. This age signifies a period in a person's life when their mental and physical capabilities are fully developed, and they are not easily swayed by temptations. In Islam, Abu Ubayda found the truth he had been seeking and the utmost justice, which enabled him to remain steadfast in his faith. He offered sacrifices in line with the words of Allah the Most High: "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). Abu Ubayda's specific rank among those who embraced Islam at the outset of the call is not known, but Ibn Hisham mentioned in his biography that he embraced Islam after the first eight men who had accepted the faith and that he entered Islam along with a group of men at the hands of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him).
Qualities and Ethics of Abu Ubayda
The esteemed companion, Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him), possessed numerous noble qualities and virtuous characteristics, some of which are mentioned below:
- Asceticism in Worldly Matters: Abu Ubayda lived a simple life and practiced asceticism. When Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited him, he found nothing in his house except a mat, a food bowl, a water container, and some crumbs of bread. When Umar saw this, he wept. On one occasion, Umar sent him a sum of money, curious about how he would use it. Abu Ubayda, however, divided the money among the needy. Upon hearing of this, Umar remarked, "Praise be to Allah, who has placed in Islam individuals capable of such deeds".
- Gentleness and Good Character: Abu Ubayda was known for his gentleness and excellent character. During the campaign of the Expedition of Dhat al-Salasil, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) to lead a group of companions. Afraid of the responsibility, Amr requested that Abu Ubayda be appointed as the leader instead. However, when they reached their destination in the Levant, Amr asserted, "I am your commander". The Muhajirun (emigrants) responded, "You are the leader of your own group, but our leader is Abu Ubayda". Amr retorted, "You are reinforcements that have been sent to assist me". Upon hearing this, Abu Ubayda handed the command over to Amr ibn al-As.
- Love and Description by the Companions: Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) once said that if he were to die while Abu Ubayda was still alive, he would appoint Abu Ubayda as his successor because he had heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) describe Abu Ubayda as "the trustworthy of this nation". Additionally, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) described him as "kind, gentle, and forgiving when wronged, always maintaining ties of kinship, merciful towards the believers, and stern towards the disbelievers; Amir ibn al-Jarrah".
- Piety (War'a): When a plague reached the Levant and Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wished to bring Abu Ubayda back from the affected area, he sent him a message requesting him to return. Understanding Umar's intention, Abu Ubayda, in full compliance with Islamic principles, declined to save himself at the expense of leaving his fellow Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had said, "When you hear about a plague in a land, do not go there, and if it happens in a land while you are there, do not leave that place". When Umar learned of this response, he wept and was told that Abu Ubayda had passed away due to the plague.
- Good Character and Patience: On one occasion, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) sat with a group of men and asked them to make wishes. Each person expressed their desires, but Umar wished for a house filled with men like Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah. This was because Abu Ubayda had been entrusted with the management of the Muslims' treasury, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had called him the "trustworthy of the nation".
During the period when Abu Ubayda was in the Levant amidst a siege by the enemy, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote to him saying, "Calamities are not attached to a believer but that Allah makes them a source of relief, and no hardship befalls a person but that Allah helps him endure it". Abu Ubayda replied with Quranic verses, demonstrating his understanding and patience. Umar then ascended the pulpit, read Abu Ubayda's letter to the people, and encouraged them to join the jihad effort.
These qualities and ethics of Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah reflect his outstanding character and commitment to the principles of Islam, making him a revered companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and a shining example for all Muslims.
Virtues of Abu Ubayda
Abu Ubayda possessed many virtues, some of which are as follows:
- Most Beloved to the Prophet: Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked about the companions most beloved to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She replied that Abu Bakr was the dearest, followed by Umar, then Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah. When pressed further, she remained silent. In a similar context, if the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had appointed a successor, he would have chosen 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) said that Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, Zubair, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Saeed ibn Zaid, and Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah are assured a place in Paradise.
- Ameen of the Ummah (Trustworthy of the Nation): The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) bestowed the title "Ameen of the Ummah" on Abu Ubayda. This title reflects trustworthiness and is rooted in a hadith narrated by Hudhaifah ibn al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him). In this hadith, two emissaries from Najran came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and sought to test his integrity. When they asked the Prophet to send a trustworthy representative with them, he chose Abu Ubayda, who lived up to the expectations, demonstrating his honesty and integrity.
- One of the Two Men Chosen by Abu Bakr to Lead Prayers During His Illness: When Abu Bakr was seriously ill and unable to lead prayers, he designated two men to lead the congregation in his place. One of these men was Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah, emphasizing his esteemed status and piety.
- Participation in Numerous Expeditions: Abu Ubayda actively took part in many expeditions, including the Battle of Badr, where his father was martyred. He also played a notable role in the Battle of Uhud and the Battle of Khandaq. In the latter, he removed the thorns that had become embedded in the Prophet's cheeks, resulting from a blow with a double-edged sword. Abu Ubayda's gentleness and care in this act earned him the praise that "no one removes thorns better than Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah".
Abu Ubayda's virtues and outstanding character earned him a place of great honor among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and served as an inspiration for all Muslims.
Jihad and Activities of Abu Ubaidah During the Caliphate
Abu Ubaidah, may Allah be pleased with him, participated in the battles of Badr, Uhud, and Al-Hudaybiyyah. His father confronted him several times during the Battle of Badr, aiming to fight and kill him, but each time, Abu Ubaidah refrained from harming his father. Eventually, his father increased his aggression, and Abu Ubaidah reluctantly had to kill him. This led to the revelation of the verse: "You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day".
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, also sent Abu Ubaidah on a military expedition known as the Expedition of Dhat Al-Khabt. Moreover, Abu Ubaidah served as a governor for the people of Najran. After Umar ibn al-Khattab dismissed Khalid ibn al-Walid, he appointed Abu Ubaidah as his replacement, and he continued to serve as a prominent leader in the battles and conquests in the region. Abu Ubaidah's sincerity and dedication to Islam were evident in these various roles, making him a trusted and respected figure among the early Muslims.
Ibn Hajar mentioned that he played a significant role in the conquest of many regions in the Levant. His leadership was crucial in the conquest of Damascus. During the caliphate of Abu Bakr, he was entrusted with overseeing the Muslim treasury, and Umar ibn al-Khattab appointed him as the commander in chief of the Islamic army in the Levant. Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad sent him as a deputy for Amr ibn Al-As during the Expedition of Dhat Al-Salasil to provide reinforcements for Amr. When the people of Yemen requested someone to teach them the Quran and the Sunnah, Abu Ubaidah was selected to fulfill this role and guide them.
Story of Abu Ubaidah's Passing
In the eighteenth year of the Hijra, a severe plague known as the "Year of the Ashes" broke out in the region of Al-Sham (Greater Syria). This devastating plague caused famine, leading Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, to pray for relief. As a result of his supplication, Allah sent rain to alleviate the hardship. The famine and the subsequent outbreak of the plague in Al-Sham affected the people gravely.
During this time, Abu Ubaidah was present in the region. The plague first appeared in a town called Amwas, situated between Al-Ramla and Al-Quds (Jerusalem). Thousands of people succumbed to the plague. Abu Ubaidah, may Allah be pleased with him, was the leader of the people in this area and could not leave his post. According to the instructions of the Prophet Muhammad, 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, may Allah be pleased with him, was concerned about Abu Ubaidah's well-being and wanted to bring him back, but Abu Ubaidah refused to abandon his people, as previously mentioned in his virtues and piety.
When Umar saw Abu Ubaidah's steadfastness, he realized that his end was near and advised him to relocate his people from the moist land to a dry one. Umar instructed Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, to find a dry place for the people to move to. Unfortunately, the plague later reached Abu Ubaidah, and he fell ill.
Sensing that his end was near, Abu Ubaidah wrote a will for Umar ibn al-Khattab. In the will, he stated that he had returned all entrusted items to their rightful owners, except for a woman who had been married before her waiting period had ended. Her husband had sent her a sum of one hundred dinars. Abu Ubaidah ordered the people to return the money to her.
Abu Ubaidah initially wished to be buried on the western side of the Jordan River near the Holy Land. However, he feared that people might establish a habit of doing so, which was against the Sunnah. As part of his last will, he advised the believers on various aspects of Islamic life, including the importance of observing the pillars of Islam, detachment from worldly desires, enjoining what is good, and forbidding what is evil. He emphasized the remembrance of death as well.
Abu Ubaidah embarked on a journey toward the Holy Land to perform prayers in its sacred precincts but was overtaken by death on the way. He passed away, may Allah be pleased with him, before reaching his destination.
Following Abu Ubaidah's demise, Mu'adh ibn Jabal took over the responsibility of addressing the people. He reminded them of the reality of death, the importance of fulfilling trusts, and the duty of not forsaking fellow Muslims. He encouraged them to hasten their repentance to Allah. Mu'adh also delivered a heartfelt eulogy for Abu Ubaidah, describing him as a sincere, compassionate, and faithful man who cared deeply for the general welfare of the Muslim community.
He sent a letter to Umar ibn al-Khattab, informing him of Abu Ubaidah's passing, which deeply saddened Umar. Umar appointed Mu'adh as Abu Ubaidah's successor in Al-Sham and proclaimed that he would not change the orders given by Abu Ubaidah, acknowledging the great trustworthiness and righteousness of the deceased. Abu Ubaidah passed away at the age of fifty-eight.
