The Companion Utbah ibn Ghazwan

Biography of Utbah ibn Ghazwan

He is Utbah ibn Ghazwan ibn Jabir ibn Wahib, the noble leader and warrior, Abu Ghazwan al-Mazini, an ally of Banu Abd Shams. He was among the earliest converts to Islam, migrated to Abyssinia, then returned and migrated to Medina alongside Al-Miqdad.

He witnessed the Battle of Badr and others. Umar ibn Al-Khattab appointed him during the conquests, where he founded Basra and achieved numerous victories. He was tall and handsome. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) established brotherhood between him and Abu Dujanah.

The Story of Utbah ibn Ghazwan’s Embrace of Islam

He was the seventh of seven people who first accepted Islam, pledging allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and challenging Quraysh despite their power and ability to retaliate.

In the early, difficult and terrifying days of the Islamic call, Utbah stood firm with his brothers in a way that became a source of strength for human conscience through the ages.

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed his companions to migrate to Abyssinia, Utbah went with the emigrants. However, his longing for the Prophet did not allow him to settle there for long, and he quickly crossed land and sea back to Mecca. He stayed near the Prophet until it was time for the migration to Medina, at which point he migrated with the Muslims.

The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) Influence on Utbah ibn Ghazwan’s Character

Utbah greatly feared that worldly life was affecting his religion and was concerned for the Muslims as well. He would encourage them towards contentment and austerity.

Many tried to lure him into desiring power and status, especially in lands unfamiliar with such humble leadership, but Utbah would say: "I seek refuge with Allah from being great in your world while being small in the sight of Allah".

When he saw the discontent on people's faces due to his strictness, he told them, "Tomorrow, you will see rulers after me".

Main Features of Utbah ibn Ghazwan’s Personality

1. His Great Love for Jihad and Spreading Islam

Utbah led his relatively small army to Al-Ubullah where the Persians had gathered a mighty force. He organized his troops, stood at their front holding his spear, and shouted, "Allahu Akbar! Allah has fulfilled His promise".

Shortly afterward, the battle ended in victory; Al-Ubullah surrendered, and its people were liberated from the tyranny they had endured. Allah indeed fulfilled His promise!

2. His Deep Sincerity in Obeying Allah and His Messenger

This sincerity made him renounce worldly pleasures and yearn for the Hereafter. After being reappointed by Umar ibn Al-Khattab, he prayed not to hold any more positions of authority.

Some Incidents of Utbah ibn Ghazwan with the Companions

Umar ibn Al-Khattab sent him to conquer Al-Ubullah and cleanse it from the Persians who used it as a launch point against Islamic forces. Umar said: "Go with your men to the furthest Arab lands and the nearest non-Arab lands. Proceed with Allah’s blessing. Call to Allah; whoever responds, accept him. Whoever refuses, offer them to pay jizya. If they refuse, fight them without leniency. Face the enemy and fear Allah your Lord".

Later, Utbah sought Umar's permission to return after feeling undermined by Saad ibn Abi Waqqas. Umar initially remained silent, but when Utbah insisted, Umar said: "Why not acknowledge the authority of a man of Quraysh who has companionship with the Prophet?" Utbah replied: "Am I not from Quraysh? Did not the Prophet (peace be upon him) say: ‘The ally of a people is one of them’? I have old and undeniable companionship with the Prophet".

Eventually, Utbah refused to return to his post, but Umar insisted. On the way back, Utbah died. His tenure over Basra had lasted only six months.

Some Hadiths Narrated by Utbah ibn Ghazwan

Utbah ibn Ibrahim ibn Utbah ibn Ghazwan narrated from his father, who narrated from Utbah ibn Ghazwan that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Quraysh one day: "Is there among you someone who is not from you?" They said: "Our nephew, Utbah ibn Ghazwan". The Prophet replied: "The nephew of a people is one of them, and the ally of a people is one of them".

Some Words from Utbah ibn Ghazwan

Khalid ibn Umair narrated that Utbah ibn Ghazwan once said: "O people, the world has signaled its departure and has turned its back swiftly. Only remnants remain, like the remnants of water in a vessel. You are in a place from which you must move, so take what you can from the good deeds at hand. I seek refuge with Allah from being great in my own eyes but small before Allah".

He added: "By Allah, you will experience rulers after me. Prophethood was always succeeded by kingship and tyranny. I remember myself with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as one of seven, and we had no food but tree leaves until our mouths were sore. I found a cloak and tore it in half, giving half to Saad ibn Malik and wearing the other half. Now, not one of those seven remains alive except that he is a governor of one of the regions".

He also said: "Woe to the stone that is thrown from the top of Hell, falling for seventy autumns until it reaches the bottom. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, Hell will be filled! Did you find it strange? The width between two doors of Paradise is a distance of forty years, yet a day will come when there will be no space left due to the crowd".

The Death of Utbah ibn Ghazwan

When the Hajj season came, Utbah appointed a deputy in Basra and set out for pilgrimage. After completing Hajj, he traveled to Medina and asked the Caliph to relieve him of his position.

But Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who highly valued ascetic leaders, refused, saying: "You place your trusts on my neck, then leave me alone? No, by Allah, I will not excuse you!"

Thus, Utbah had no choice but to obey. Before mounting his ride back to Basra, he faced the qiblah, raised his hands, and prayed to Allah not to return him to Basra nor to governance again. His prayer was answered, and on his way back, death overtook him.

He passed away content with his sacrifices, his abstinence, and the reward Allah prepared for him.

Utbah died on the road to Basra while traveling back to Medina in the year 17 AH, though some say it was in 15 AH, at the age of 57 years (may Allah be pleased with him).