Uqba ibn Nafi
The Lineage and Early Life of Uqba ibn Nafi
Uqba ibn Nafi ibn Abd al-Qays ibn Luqayt ibn Amir ibn Umayya ibn al-Zarib ibn al-Harith ibn Amir ibn Fahhr al-Qurashi was born during the time of the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- but did not accompany him. He was born one year before the Hijra. His parents were among the early converts to Islam; thus, he was born and raised in a Muslim household. He was a brother of Amr ibn al-As -may Allah be pleased with him-. His mother was al-Nabigha; thus, Uqba is considered a brother to Amr ibn al-As through his mother. However, there are narratives that suggest they were cousins and others that Uqba was the nephew of Amr ibn al-As.
In summary, he was a relative of Amr ibn al-As. Uqba ibn Nafi was influenced by the environment in which he was raised; he participated in the Islamic conquests. In fact, Umar ibn al-Khattab -may Allah be pleased with him- appointed him as a commander of the armies for his bravery and strength, although Umar only gave command to the Companions, except in Uqba's case. Uqba's star shone as a leader and warrior, especially in North Africa. Among his descendants were Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Habib ibn Abi Ubayda ibn Uqba from Nafi, one of the famous leaders, as was his grandson Abd al-Rahman ibn Habib ibn Abi Ubayda ibn Uqba ibn Nafi.
The Virtues of Uqba ibn Nafi and His Military Character
Uqba ibn Nafi is remembered for his piety, bravery, and decisiveness, in addition to having his prayers answered. Uqba reached this esteemed position in jihad and leadership due to the qualities he possessed; he feared Allah in all his affairs, remembered Him often, sought His help, and entrusted matters to Him. He believed that victory comes from Allah and that the Muslim's victory is a victory for Allah's creed. He was kind to his soldiers; he loved them, and they loved him; trusted them, ensured their well-being, rewarded the good among them appropriately, overlooked their minor mistakes, admonished the negligent and the errant with kind words, and did not expose their faults or slips.
Uqba excelled militarily with his sound judgment and experience in matters of war, strategy, and necessary tactics; he seized opportunities, imposed tricks, and was observant and alert, capable of managing crises and making quick decisions when needed. He was keen on the safety of his soldiers, took responsibility for them, and was proficient in military strategies, with knowledge in them, such as the principle of surprise, securing communication lines, sending scouts, and maintaining morale, among other military strategies. He understood the psyche of his soldiers; he brought security to their hearts and understood the psyche of his enemies, instilling fear in them during wars.
Achievements of Uqba ibn Nafi
The Conquests Led by Uqba ibn Nafi
Uqba ibn Nafi took command of the garrison (Barqa) in the Islamic conquests; he was appointed to it during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan and continued in this role during the caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib -may Allah be pleased with them-. In addition to being a mujahid in the cause of Allah, he was a preacher, spreading Islam among the Berbers. After the conquest of Barqa, Amr ibn al-As ordered Uqba ibn Nafi to head towards Tripoli to secure the army's return route and protect them from any possible attacks.
Uqba secured these areas until he reached the region of Zuwila, where he found no resistance on his way there. He agreed with its people on a truce in exchange for thirteen thousand dinars and stayed in its desert, inviting Islam and spreading it, remaining there for about twenty years. After conquering Zuwila, he headed towards Nubia by order of Amr ibn al-As -may Allah be pleased with him- in the twenty-first year of the Hijra. When the Muslims reached Nubia, they conquered it and brought it under the banner of the Muslims.
Uqba ibn Nafi's Governance of Africa
Uqba ibn Nafi took charge of Africa by order of the Caliph Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, and he and his army, along with those who converted to Islam, settled in Qairawan, making it a place for Muslims to live. He ordered its construction; mosques and homes were built, Islam was established there, and many people entered Islam. Then, Caliph Muawiya appointed Muslama ibn Mukhallad al-Ansari over Egypt and Africa instead of Uqba ibn Nafi. Abu al-Muhajir, the freedman of Muslama, came to Africa and did not treat Uqba well, so Uqba left for the Levant and went to Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, complaining about Abu al-Muhajir's behavior towards him. Muawiya apologized to him and promised to appoint him again over Africa, but this did not happen due to Muawiya's death. When his son Yazid succeeded him, he appointed Uqba over Africa, and he returned there in the year sixty-two.
Uqba ibn Nafi conquered some areas on his way to Africa, such as the region of Sirte, then the lands of Waddan and Jarmah, then Fazzan. In the story of the conquest of the lands of Waddan, it is mentioned that when Uqba reached Maghmadass, he heard that the people of Waddan had breached their covenant with Bishr ibn Abi Arta'ah, so Uqba set out to them with a detachment of men and conquered it again, conquering the city of Jarmah on his way, and continued his march, conquering until he reached the camp he had established in Maghmadass, located in Sirte, then moved from there to Africa, conquering Ghadames on his way as well.
Uqba ibn Nafi's Construction of the City of Qairawan
As mentioned before, Uqba ibn Nafi conquered Qairawan, settled there, and made it a center for Muslims and a base for spreading Islam to the end of time; to be a strong fortress for them and a secure base for them in North Africa. Uqba chose the location for building the city after consulting with his men, choosing a suitable place for that.
This place was abundant in trees, animals, and wild beasts. He prayed to Allah to expel the wild beasts and predators from this place, and Allah answered his prayer. Then, he ordered his men to cut down the trees to build the city. The construction began in the year fifty of the Hijra, and its completion was in the year fifty-five of the Hijra. It included a grand mosque and homes for the people, and it became a military base for the Muslims.
The Martyrdom of Uqba ibn Nafi
Uqba built the city of Qairawan, and the Muslims settled there. After that, he continued his march in conquering the farthest lands of the Maghreb and repelling the Roman attack, achieving his goal of the Islamic conquest. Then, he decided to return to Qairawan. On the way back, when he reached Tangier, he ordered the army to disperse, and he remained with three hundred men from his soldiers.
He turned with them towards the city of Tehouda, where there was a plot against Uqba and his companions. They were attacked; the two groups fought until Uqba and all those with him were martyred in the year sixty-three of the Hijra. The place where he was martyred is named after him and is still known as Sidi Uqba.
