Sa`d Ibn Abu Waqqaas: The Lion's Claws! (1/2)

A continuous stream of incoming news worried the Commander of the Faithful `Umar lbn Al-khattab. This news was about the deceitful attacks launched by the Persian forces against the Muslims at the Battle of Al-Jisr which cost the Muslims 4,000 lives in a single day and, moreover, about the Iraqis' renouncement of allegiance and their violation of agreed-upon covenants. Therefore, he decided to personally lead the Muslim troops in a decisive fight against Persia. In fact, he set out accompanied by some of his companions, leaving `Ali lbn Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) behind to act as his deputy over Al-Madinah.

However, he had hardly left Al-Madinah when some of his companions found it wiser to ask him to return and appoint someone else for this task.

This view was adopted by `Abdur-Rahman Ibn `Awf, who saw it unwise to risk the caliph's life in such a way while Islam was going through its most decisive days.

`Umar ordered the Muslims to gather for public consultation. Congregational prayer was then announced and `Ali Ibn Abu Talib was sent for.

He went with some Madinites to where `Umar and his companions were waiting. At last, they accepted `Abdur-Rahman lbn `Awfs opinion. The assembly decided that `Umar was to go back to Al-Madinah and another Muslim leader be chosen to combat the Persians.

`Umar agreed to their decision, then asked his companions, "Whom do you see fit to be sent to Iraq?" They thought silently for a while. Then `Abd Ar-Rahman Ibn `Awf shouted, "I've found him!" `Umar said, "Who is it?" `Abdur-Rahman said, "The Lion's Claws: Sa`d Ibn Malik Az-Zuhriy."

The Muslims supported his choice. `Umar then sent for Sa`d Ibn Malik Az-Zuhriy, also known as Sa`d Ibn Abu Waqqas and appointed him governor of Iraq and Commander of the Army.

Who is that "Lion's Claws"? It is he who, whenever he turned to the Prophet while sitting among his Companions, was greeted cheerfully by the Prophet saying, "He's my maternal uncle."

Can anyone tell me who his uncle was? He was Sa`d Ibn Abu Waqqas His grandfather was Uhayb Ibn Manaf, the paternal uncle of Aaminah, the mother of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). He accepted Islam when he was 17 years old. He embraced Islam very early. When he talked about himself, he said, "I witnessed a day in which I was third in Islam," which means that he was the third to embrace Islam.

When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) spoke about the One God and about the new religion whose teachings he was to spread all around, and before using Daar Al-Arqam as a refuge for himself and the Companions in those early days, Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqaas had already sworn the oath of allegiance to the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

Historical and biographical sources inform us that the conversion of Abu Bakr was the reason for Sa'd's embracing Islam. He may have been one of those who announced their belief in Islam after Abu Bakr convinced them. This group included `Uthman lbn `Affan, Az-Zubayr Ibn Al-`Awwam, Abdur-Rahman Ibn `Awf and Allah Ibn `Ubaydullah.

However, that does not omit the possibility that his conversion had taken place secretly and he had believed even earlier.

Sa`d lbn Abu Waqqas had many noble qualities which he could be proud of. However, he never arrogantly mentioned any of these merits, except for two great privileges. First, he was the first to throw a spear in the cause of Allah and the first to be struck by one. Second, he was the only one for whom the Prophet (Peace be upon him) hoped his parents might be his ransom. That happened when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said to him on the day of Uhud, `Throw, Sa`d. May my father and mother be your ransom."

Yes, indeed, he always mentioned proudly these two noble blessings. Thanking Allah, he always said, "By Allah, I am the first Arab to throw a spear in the cause of Allah."

`Ali lbn Abu Talib said, "I have never heard the Prophet (Peace be upon him) hoping that his parents may be made someone's ranson except Sa`d. On the day of Uhud I heard the Prophet (Peace be upon him) say, "Throw Sa`d. May my father and mother be your ransom."

Sa`d was considered to be one of the most courageous Arab and Muslim horsemen. He possessed two weapons, his lance and his prayer. Whenever he pierced an enemy with his lance he hurt him; whenever he invoked Allah He answered. He and the Companions always saw that this was due to the Prophet's prayer in favor of him. One day, when the Prophet saw him doing something which made him glad and delighted, he made the following plea: "O Allah, make his spear hit unerringly and answer his prayer."

It was in this way that he became famous among his companions for his prayer, which was like a sharp sword. He knew that about himself; therefore, he never cursed a person. Sa`d would just trust Allah to do with him as He liked.

An example of that is what `Amir Ibn Sa`d once narrated: Sa`d once saw a man insulting `Aliy, Talhah and Az-Zubair. He forbade him, but he didn't stop. Sa'd then said, " Then I will invoke Allah against you." The man said, "You're threatening me as if you were a Prophet."

Sa`d went away, performed his ablution and prayed two Rak`ahs. Then he lifted his hands up and said, "O Allah, if You know that that man has insulted people who have already been granted by You that which is the best and his cursing of them has annoyed You, then make an example out of him."

Only a short while had passed, when a stray camel went out of a house. Nothing could stay it till it entered a crowd as if searching for something. Then it attacked the man, and he fell between its legs. It continued to kick the man down till he died.

If this phenomenon was to prove something, then it proved primarily the purity of his soul, the honesty of his faith, and the depth of his sincerity. He always sought to support his piety by halal food; with great insistence he always refused to take doubtful money.

Sa`d lived until he became one of the wealthiest Muslims. When he died, he left a great fortune behind. Although the abundance of money and its legitimacy are rarely to be found together, they certainly were combined in the hands of Sa`d. Thus Allah granted him a great amount of halal money.

He (may Allah be pleased with him) was a great figure in the act of charity, as much as he was a great figure in the act of righteously choosing the sources of his money. His ability to collect purely halal money was equal to, if not second to, his ability to donate it in the cause of Allah.

He became ill during the Farewell Pilgrimage, when he was accompanying the Prophet (Peace be upon him), who visited him.

Sa`d asked him (Peace be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah, I own a lot of money and there is nobody to inherit from me except one daughter. May I contribute two thirds of my money as alms?" The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "No." Then he said, "Then half of it?" The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: "No." Then he said, "Then a third?" The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, "Yes, and the third is too much. To leave your heirs wealthy is better than to leave them having to be dependent on someone. If you spend any money in the cause of Allah you'll be rewarded for it, even the bite you put in your wife's mouth."

Sa`d did not remain the father of one daughter because he was later on blessed with other children.

Sa`d used to cry a lot out of piety. Whenever he listened to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) preaching or advising, his tears rolled down abundantly, so that his tears nearly filled his lap.

He was blessed with success and accomplishment. Once the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was sitting with the Companions when his eyes gazed on the horizon while listening to what was being revealed secretly and whisperingly. Then he looked at his Companions' faces and said: "A man who belongs to Paradise will soon appear." The Companions turned in all directions trying to learn, who this successful person may be. After a while, Sa`d arrived.

Later on, `Abdullah Ibn `Amr Ibn Al-`As asked him persistently to tell him the worship or deed which made him eligible for such a reward. Sa`d told him, "Nothing more than what we all do or worship, except that I don't carry any spite or hatred towards any Muslim."

This is the "Lion's Claws" as `Abdur-Rahman Ibn `Awf had described him. This is the man whom `Umar chose for the great day of the Battle of Al-Qadisiyyah.

The Commander of the Faithful had insight into all his glittering merits when he chose him for the most difficult task confronting Islam and the Muslims:

- His prayers were heard and answered; if he asked Allah for victory, he would be granted it.

- His food was pure, his tongue was pure, his conscience was pure.

- He was a man who belonged to Paradise, as the Messenger (Peace be upon him) prophesied.

- He was the horseman on the Day of Badr, the horseman on the Day of Uhud and in every battle he experienced with the Prophet (Peace be upon him).

- And another thing, which `Umar would not forget nor underestimate the value and importance among the characteristics which should be present in anyone facing major tasks, was the strength and firmness of his faith.

-`Umar did not forget what happened between Sa`d and his mother when he converted to Islam and followed the Prophet (Peace be upon him). At that time, all attempts to hinder and obstruct him from the cause of Allah had failed. His mother used a device which none doubted would conquer Sa`d's soul and drive him back to his people's idols. She announced her abstention from food and drink until Sa`d returned to his ancestors' and kin's religion. She actually carried on her hunger strike with death defying determination and had almost approached death.  

Despite all that, Sa`d did not care. He would not sell his faith and religion for anything, even if it were his mother's life. Hoping that his heart would yield upon seeing her, some relatives took Sa`d to his mother, who was almost dying.

Sa`d went to her. The scene was so impressive, even mountain rocks would yield and melt. However, his belief in Allah and His Messenger proved to be stronger than rocks and iron. He came with his face nearer and shouted so that she could hear him. "You know, by Allah, mother, if you had 100 souls coming out one after the other I wouldn't abandon my faith in return for anything. Then eat if you like or don't eat!"

His mother changed her mind. A divine revelation greeted Sa`d's position and supported it. "But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not..." (Surah Luqman, 31: 15).

 (Continued)