'Ubadah ibn al-Samit ( ar, عبادة بن الصامت ) was a
companion of Muhammad
The Companions of the Prophet ( ar, اَلصَّحَابَةُ; ''aṣ-ṣaḥāba'' meaning "the companions", from the verb meaning "accompany", "keep company with", "associate with") were the disciples and followers of Muhammad who saw or m ...
and a well-respected chieftain of the
Ansar tribes confederation. He participated in almost every battle during
Muhammad
Muhammad ( ar, مُحَمَّد; 570 – 8 June 632 Common Era, CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Muhammad in Islam, Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet Divine inspiration, di ...
's era. His official title, according to Muslim scholarly tradition, was 'Ubadah ''bin Saamit al-Ansari al-Badri'' () for his actions at the
Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr ( ar, غَزْوَةُ بَدِرْ ), also referred to as The Day of the Criterion (, ) in the Quran, Qur'an and by Muslims, was fought on 13 March 624 CE (17 Ramadan (calendar month), Ramadan, 2 Anno Hegirae, AH), near the ...
.
He served under the first three
Rashidun
, image = تخطيط كلمة الخلفاء الراشدون.png
, caption = Calligraphic representation of Rashidun Caliphs
, birth_place = Mecca, Hejaz, Arabia present-day Saudi Arabia
, known_for = Companions of t ...
caliphs
A caliphate or khilāfah ( ar, خِلَافَة, ) is an institution or public office under the leadership of an Islamic steward with the title of caliph (; ar, خَلِيفَة , ), a person considered a political-religious successor to th ...
in the Muslim conquest against the
Byzantines.
The conquest of
Cyprus
Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...
marked 'Ubadah as one of the
Rashidun army
The Rashidun army () was the core of the Rashidun Caliphate's armed forces during the early Muslim conquests in the 7th century. The army is reported to have maintained a high level of discipline, strategic prowess and organization, granti ...
's most successful military commanders. He participated in more than seven large scale military campaigns before ending his career as a
Qadi
A qāḍī ( ar, قاضي, Qāḍī; otherwise transliterated as qazi, cadi, kadi, or kazi) is the magistrate or judge of a '' sharīʿa'' court, who also exercises extrajudicial functions such as mediation, guardianship over orphans and mino ...
in the
Holy Land
The Holy Land; Arabic: or is an area roughly located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River, traditionally synonymous both with the biblical Land of Israel and with the region of Palestine. The term "Holy ...
. In later years he assisted the then-governor
Umayyad Caliph
The Umayyad Caliphate (661–750 CE; , ; ar, ٱلْخِلَافَة ٱلْأُمَوِيَّة, al-Khilāfah al-ʾUmawīyah) was the second of the four major caliphates established after the death of Muhammad. The caliphate was ruled by the ...
Muawiya I
Mu'awiya I ( ar, معاوية بن أبي سفيان, Muʿāwiya ibn Abī Sufyān; –April 680) was the founder and first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling from 661 until his death. He became caliph less than thirty years after the deat ...
.
'Ubadah served as the Qur'anic teacher of
Suffah
Al-Ṣuffah ( ar, الصُّفّة), or ''Dikkat Ashab As-Suffah'' () was a sheltered raised platform that was available at the rear side of the Prophet's Mosque during the Medina period (622-632) of early Islam. It was initially available at the ...
and the
Mufti
A Mufti (; ar, مفتي) is an Islamic jurist qualified to issue a nonbinding opinion ('' fatwa'') on a point of Islamic law (''sharia''). The act of issuing fatwas is called ''iftāʾ''. Muftis and their ''fatwas'' played an important rol ...
and judge of the Rashidun caliphate, along with matters of converting subdued populations and building
Mosque
A mosque (; from ar, مَسْجِد, masjid, ; literally "place of ritual prostration"), also called masjid, is a place of prayer for Muslims. Mosques are usually covered buildings, but can be any place where prayers ( sujud) are performed, ...
s, such as the
Mosque of Amr ibn al-As
The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As ( ar, جامع عمرو بن العاص), or Taj al-Jawame' ( ar, تاج الجوامِع, lit=Crown of Mosques), or Masjid Ahl ar-Rayah ( ar, مسجد اهل الرّاية, lit=Mosque of the Banner Bearers), or Ja ...
in
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediter ...
and the Bazaar
Congregational mosque
A congregational mosque or Friday mosque (, ''masjid jāmi‘'', or simply: , ''jāmi‘''; ), or sometimes great mosque or grand mosque (, ''jāmi‘ kabir''; ), is a mosque for hosting the Friday noon prayers known as ''jumu'ah''.*
*
*
*
*
*
*
...
in
Homs
Homs ( , , , ; ar, حِمْص / ALA-LC: ; Levantine Arabic: / ''Ḥomṣ'' ), known in pre-Islamic Syria as Emesa ( ; grc, Ἔμεσα, Émesa), is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is Metres above sea level ...
. Despite his low structural position, 'Ubadah's influence as a respected senior Sahabah who was trusted by Muhammad and caliph Umar could rule many of his compatriots, including those who outranked him structurally such as
Mu'awiyah
Mu'awiya I ( ar, معاوية بن أبي سفيان, Muʿāwiya ibn Abī Sufyān; –April 680) was the founder and first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling from 661 until his death. He became caliph less than thirty years after the deat ...
, who served as Governor of
Homs
Homs ( , , , ; ar, حِمْص / ALA-LC: ; Levantine Arabic: / ''Ḥomṣ'' ), known in pre-Islamic Syria as Emesa ( ; grc, Ἔμεσα, Émesa), is a city in western Syria and the capital of the Homs Governorate. It is Metres above sea level ...
during 'Ubadah's tenure as judge.
Islamic scholars regard 'Ubadah as an influential companion of Muhammad who passed down many
Hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approval ...
s that became the basis of
Fiqh
''Fiqh'' (; ar, فقه ) is Islamic jurisprudence. Muhammad-> Companions-> Followers-> Fiqh.
The commands and prohibitions chosen by God were revealed through the agency of the Prophet in both the Quran and the Sunnah (words, deeds, and ...
ruling in various matters.
Early life
'Ubadah was a descendant from
Yemeni
Yemen (; ar, ٱلْيَمَن, al-Yaman), officially the Republic of Yemen,, ) is a country in Western Asia. It is situated on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and borders Saudi Arabia to the Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, north and ...
Arabs who settled in
Yathrib
Medina,, ', "the radiant city"; or , ', (), "the city" officially Al Madinah Al Munawwarah (, , Turkish: Medine-i Münevvere) and also commonly simplified as Madīnah or Madinah (, ), is the Holiest sites in Islam, second-holiest city in Islam, ...
and formed the
Banu Aws
The Banū Aws ( ar, بنو أوس , "Sons of Aws") or simply Aws ( ar, أوس, also romanised as Aus) was one of the main Arab tribes of Medina. The other was Khazraj, and the two, constituted the Ansar ("helpers f Muhammad) after the Hijra. ...
and
Khazraj
The Banu Khazraj ( ar, بنو خزرج) is a large Arab tribe based in Medina. They were also in Medina during Muhammad's era.
The Banu Khazraj are a South Arabian tribe that were pressured out of South Arabia in the Karib'il Watar 7th century ...
tribes. He was born into the latter and became a prominent chief.
His genealogical lineage was 'Ubadah ibn al-Samit Ibn Qais bin Asram bin Fahr bin Tha'labah ibn Ghanm ibn Auf ibn (Amr bin Auf) ibn Al Khazraj. Sometime before Muhammad's migration from
Mecca
Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red ...
, 'Ubadah and other Banu Aws and Khazraj tribe chieftains, such as
Abdullah ibn Rawahah, ʿAbdullah ibn Haram,
Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah, and
Abu Talha al-Ansari Abū Ṭalḥa, Zayd ibn Sahl ibn al-Aswad ibn Ḥarām al-Khazrajī () was a renowned companion of the Islamic prophet Muḥammad and one of the Anṣār (the ‘Helpers’) of Medina. He was from Banu Khazraj, which after the Hijrah came to be k ...
, met Muhammad at
Aqabah during their journey from
Medina
Medina,, ', "the radiant city"; or , ', (), "the city" officially Al Madinah Al Munawwarah (, , Turkish: Medine-i Münevvere) and also commonly simplified as Madīnah or Madinah (, ), is the Holiest sites in Islam, second-holiest city in Islam, ...
to perform
Hajj
The Hajj (; ar, حَجّ '; sometimes also spelled Hadj, Hadji or Haj in English) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried ...
in
Mecca
Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red ...
. In historical literature, these clan leaders are said to have done Hajj to achieve enlightenment after they grew weary of tribal conflicts, particularly the civil war of Yathrib that Muslim historians call the Battle of Bu'ath. They listened to Muhammad's preaching and considered him to be the solution to unite their tribes. They immediately pledged their allegiance to him, marking this event as the first pledge of al-Aqabah. 'Ubadah was around forty years old.
Later he participated in the
Second pledge at al-Aqabah
The second pledge at al-Aqabah was an important event in the mission of the Islamic prophet Muhammad where 75 residents of the city of Medina pledged their loyalty to Muhammad as their leader in an agreement known as a ''bay'ah''. It preceded the ...
, and narrated the event.
When the
Meccan
Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valle ...
Muslims
were migrating to seek refuge in Yathrib (now Medina), 'Ubadah and his fellow
Banu Aws
The Banū Aws ( ar, بنو أوس , "Sons of Aws") or simply Aws ( ar, أوس, also romanised as Aus) was one of the main Arab tribes of Medina. The other was Khazraj, and the two, constituted the Ansar ("helpers f Muhammad) after the Hijra. ...
and
Khazraji provided shelter to them as Muhammad immediately instructed 'Ubadah to take an oath of brotherhood with the
Muhajireen
The ''Muhajirun'' ( ar, المهاجرون, al-muhājirūn, singular , ) were the first converts to Islam and the Islamic prophet Muhammad's advisors and relatives, who emigrated with him from Mecca to Medina, the event known in Islam as the ''Hijr ...
named Abu Marthad al-Ghanwi.
Battles under Muhammad
During Muhammad's stay in Yathrib, 'Ubadah participated at the
battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr ( ar, غَزْوَةُ بَدِرْ ), also referred to as The Day of the Criterion (, ) in the Quran, Qur'an and by Muslims, was fought on 13 March 624 CE (17 Ramadan (calendar month), Ramadan, 2 Anno Hegirae, AH), near the ...
, which elevated his status as a patron of
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
in the view of Muslim scholars and earned him the title of ''al-Badri'', which is bestowed to Muslims who attended the battle.
'Ubadah gave his testimony in regards to the aftermath of the battle when the Muslim army discussed their prisoners of war.
'Ubadah also participated in the
battle of Uhud
The Battle of Uhud ( ar, غَزْوَة أُحُد, ) was fought on Saturday, 23 March 625 AD (7 Shawwal, 3 AH), in the valley north of Mount Uhud.Watt (1974) p. 136. The Qurayshi Meccans, led by Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, commanded an army of 3,000 m ...
.
After the ancident between the
Banu Qaynuqa
The Banu Qaynuqa ( ar, بنو قينقاع; he, בני קינוקאע; also spelled Banu Kainuka, Banu Kaynuka, Banu Qainuqa, Banu Qaynuqa) was one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of Medina, now in Saudi Arabia. The grea ...
tribe and Muhammad, 'Ubadah announced that he had annulled the alliance with Banu Qaynuqa, and it was this incident that led to the
revelation
In religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing of some form of truth or knowledge through communication with a deity or other supernatural entity or entities.
Background
Inspiration – such as that bestowed by God on the ...
of and from Allah to Muhammad. 'Ubadah's position as a respected head clan superseded
Abdallah ibn Ubay's (another Khazraji chief) support of the
Jews
Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""The ...
. In the end, the entire clan instead followed 'Ubadah and supported Muhammad and they expelled the Banu Qaynuqa Jews from Medina and took their
date palm
''Phoenix dactylifera'', commonly known as date or date palm, is a flowering plant species in the palm family, Arecaceae, cultivated for its edible sweet fruit called dates. The species is widely cultivated across northern Africa, the Middle Eas ...
gardens as
holy war
A religious war or a war of religion, sometimes also known as a holy war ( la, sanctum bellum), is a war which is primarily caused or justified by differences in religion. In the modern period, there are frequent debates over the extent to wh ...
benefit for the city's Muslim community before continuing to serve in the
Battle of Khandaq
The Battle of the Trench ( ar, غزوة الخندق, Ghazwat al-Khandaq), also known as the Battle of Khandaq ( ar, معركة الخندق, Ma’rakah al-Khandaq) and the Battle of the Confederates ( ar, غزوة الاحزاب, Ghazwat al- ...
.
In January 627, the Ansaris under 'Ubadah and his colleague, Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah, led an expedition against the
Banu Mustaliq The Banu Mustaliq ( ar, بنو المصطلق) is an Arab tribe. The tribe is a sub-clan of the Banu Khuza'a, descended from Azdi Qahtani. They occupied the territory of Qadid on the Red Sea shore between Jeddah and Rabigh.
History
The Banu a ...
tribe. The raid was successful and they took 200 families captive, along with 200 camels, 5,000 sheep, goats, and a large quantity of household goods.
online
However, during the battle 'Ubadah unintentionally killed one of his Ansari clansmen, Hisham ibn Subabah.
Sometime after the
treaty of Hudaybiyya
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah ( ar, صُلح ٱلْحُدَيْبِيَّة, Ṣulḥ Al-Ḥudaybiyyah) was an event that took place during the time of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It was a pivotal treaty between Muhammad, representing the state of ...
, 'Ubadah fought in the
Battle of Khaybar
The Battle of Khaybar ( ar, غَزْوَة خَيْبَر, label=Classical Arabic, Arabic) was fought in 628 Common Era, CE between the early Muslims led by Muhammad and Jews living in Khaybar, an oasis located 150 km from Medina in the n ...
.
'Ubadah participated in virtually all military expeditions personally led by Muhammad before his death.
Rashidun caliphate
After the selection of the first caliph, rebellion broke out across the caliphate. 'Ubadah was commanded by Caliph Abu Bakr to quell the
rebellions across Arabia, though it history did not record which battles he was involved in. According to David Nicolle, the four Rashidun contingents left Medina between the autumn of 633 to 634 before Khalid converged with other contingents led by generals such as
Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah,
Yazid ibn Abu Sufyan
Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan ibn Harb ibn Umayya ( ar, يزيد بن أبي سفيان بن حرب بن أمية, Yazīd ibn Abī Sufyān ibn Ḥarb ibn Umayya; died 639) was a leading Arab Muslim commander in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, conquest ...
,
Amr ibn al-A'as and
Shurahbil Ibn Hasanah.
[D. Nicolle, ''Yarmuk 636 AD – The Muslim Conquest of Syria'', Osprey, 1994, p. 46.] 'Ubadah,
Abu Darda
Abū Dardāʾ al-Anṣārī ( ar, أبو الدرداء الأنصاري, d. 32 AH/652 CE) was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was the husband of fellow companion Umm al-Darda al-Kubra.
Biography
Abu Darda was a trader in Me ...
, and
Muadh ibn Jabal
Muʿādh ibn Jabal ( ar, مُعاذ بن جبل; 605 – 639) was a sahabi (companion) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Muadh was an '' Ansar'' of Banu Khazraj and compiled the Quran with five companions while Muhammad was still alive. He was kn ...
were sent to
Syria
Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...
after ibn Abu Sufyan asked the caliph to send him preachers to teach the newly subdued Syrian Christians. At some point, 'Ubadah was tasked to assist the military campaigns in Syria.
During the time of Caliph
Umar ibn al-Khattab
ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb ( ar, عمر بن الخطاب, also spelled Omar, ) was the second Rashidun caliph, ruling from August 634 until his assassination in 644. He succeeded Abu Bakr () as the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate o ...
, reinforcement requests came from the Syrian front during the Rashidun's
conquest of Levant. Khattab sent 'Ubadah to join forces with
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
ʿĀmir ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Jarrāḥ ( ar, عامر بن عبدالله بن الجراح; 583–639 CE), better known as Abū ʿUbayda ( ar, أبو عبيدة ) was a Muslim commander and one of the Companions of the Islamic prophet M ...
and
Khalid ibn al-Walid
Khalid ibn al-Walid ibn al-Mughira al-Makhzumi (; died 642) was a 7th-century Arab military commander. He initially headed campaigns against Muhammad on behalf of the Quraysh. He later became a Muslim and spent the remainder of his career in ...
.
'Ubadah participated in the
Battle of Ajnadayn
The Battle of Ajnadayn ( ar, معركة أجنادين) was fought in July or August 634 ( Jumada I or II, 13 AH), in a location close to Beit Guvrin in present-day Israel; it was the first major pitched battle between the Byzantine (Roman) ...
under Khalid ibn al-Walid, where the 100,000 Byzantine soldiers under Vardan were trapped, defeated, and fled to
Damascus
)), is an adjective which means "spacious".
, motto =
, image_flag = Flag of Damascus.svg
, image_seal = Emblem of Damascus.svg
, seal_type = Seal
, map_caption =
, ...
. This battle ended with more than half of the Byzantine army killed, including General Vardan.
During the
Siege of Emesa
The siege of Emesa was laid by the forces of Rashidun Caliphate from December 635 up until March 636. This led to the Islamic conquest of Emesa, which was a major trading city of the Byzantine Empire in the Levant.
Background
After a decis ...
between 635 and 636 AD, Abu Ubaydah appointed 'Ubadah as his deputy in Homs while Abu Ubaydah left to capture
Hamah
, timezone = EET
, utc_offset = +2
, timezone_DST = EEST
, utc_offset_DST = +3
, postal_code_type =
, postal_code =
, ar ...
. 'Ubadah stayed there with his wife,
Umm Haram
Umm Hiram bint Milhan (; tr, Hala Sultan, Aunt Sultan), was the maternal aunt ( ar, خالة) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and one of his companions . She was also one of the Ansar of Medina.
Life
She was the sister of Umm Sulaim and ...
, where Umm Haram remembered the Hadith that allegedly prophesied the future conquest of
Cyprus
Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...
in which she and her husband participated.
'Ubadah participated in the
Battle of Yarmouk
The Battle of the Yarmuk (also spelled Yarmouk) was a major battle between the army of the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim forces of the Rashidun Caliphate. The battle consisted of a series of engagements that lasted for six days in August 636, ...
.
After they defeated the Byzantine coalitions in Yarmouk, 'Ubadah, along with the army of Abu Ubaydah and Khalid, continued their conquest until they reached Northern Syria, where they turned south to pacify the shore areas of Levant. 'Ubadah was instructed to lead a detachment to subdue
Tartus
)
, settlement_type = City
, image_skyline =
, imagesize =
, image_caption = Tartus corniche Port of Tartus • Tartus beach and boulevard Cathedral of Our Lady of Tortosa • Al-Assad Stadium&n ...
, a coastal fortress city.
While 'Ubadah occupied Tartus in 636, Muawiyah came to the city, and built an
Amsar Amṣar ( ar, أمصار), singular miṣr, are the 'garrison towns' or settlements that were established by Arab Muslim warriors in conquered lands, in the first centuries of Islam. The first were created under Caliph Omar during his reign from 63 ...
complex, while also delegating fiefs to the garrison commanders.
'Ubadah was commanded by Abu Ubaydah to march towards
Jablah
)
, settlement_type = City
, motto =
, image_skyline = Jableh Collage.jpg
, imagesize = 250px
, image_caption = General view of city and port • Roman Amphitheater• A ...
and Laodicea (
Latakia
, coordinates =
, elevation_footnotes =
, elevation_m = 11
, elevation_ft =
, postal_code_type =
, postal_code =
, area_code = Country code: 963 City code: 41
, geocode ...
).
'Ubadah met with resistance from the local garrison during the
siege of Latakia. He observed that the city had a massive gate that could only be opened by a large number of men. He ordered his men to camp and dig trenches that could hide a rider on horseback. 'Ubadah and his army pretended to return to Homs, while at night he ordered the army to return hide themselves inside the trench. As soon as people in Laodicea thought 'Ubadah had left, they opened the gate to let their cattle out. 'Ubadah then ordered his entire army to attack. The Byzantines were caught by surprise and failed to close the gate. He climbed the wall then gave signal of
Takbir
The Takbir ( ar, تَكْبِير, , "magnification f God) is the name for the Arabic phrase ' (, ), meaning "God is the greatest".
It is a common Arabic expression, used in various contexts by Muslims and Arabs around the world: in formal Salah ...
terrifying the Byzantine defenders to flee towards Al-Yusaiyid.
The fleeing Byzantine soldiers and local citizens returned and surrendered to 'Ubadah, who accepted their surrender and allowed them to return to their homes with specific conditions, including the obligation to pay the
Kharaj land tax.
While 'Ubadah oversaw Latakia, no buildings were razed including churches, while starting to build mosques. He stayed to establish the order of the caliphate on the subdued population. One particular mosque, Jami' al Bazaar or Mosque al-Bazaar survives. Laodicea was renamed to Latakia or ''Al-Ladhiqiyah.''
After settling matters in Latakia, 'Ubadah marched into other Byzantine controlled cities, and subdued them one by one from
Salamiyah
A full view of Shmemis (spring 1995)
Salamieh ( ar, سلمية ') is a city and district in western Syria, in the Hama Governorate. It is located southeast of Hama, northeast of Homs. The city is nicknamed the "mother of Cairo" because it was t ...
to
Baniyas
Baniyas ( ar, بَانِيَاس ') is a Mediterranean coastal city in Tartous Governorate, northwestern Syria, located south of Latakia (ancient Laodicea) and north of Tartous (ancient Tortosa).
It is known for its citrus fruit orchards an ...
port city.
Circa 630s, 'Ubadah subdued the city of
Paltus :''Paltus may also refer to a Russian Kilo class submarine''
Paltus or Paltos ( el, Πάλτος) is a ruined city. It was also a bishopric, a suffragan of Seleucia Pieria in the Roman province of Syria Prima, that, no longer being a residential ...
, which would become an Arab settlement called
Arab al-Mulk
Arab al-Mulk ( ar, عرب الملك, also spelled Arab al-Milk, Beldi al-Melek, Balda al-Milk or Beldeh) is a coastal village in northwestern Syria, administratively part of the Jableh District in the Latakia Governorate, located south of Latakia ...
during later era, as recorded by
Yaqut al-Hamawi
Yāqūt Shihāb al-Dīn ibn-ʿAbdullāh al-Rūmī al-Ḥamawī (1179–1229) ( ar, ياقوت الحموي الرومي) was a Muslim scholar of Byzantine Greek ancestry active during the late Abbasid period (12th-13th centuries). He is known fo ...
.
Transfer to Egypt
In July 640, during the
siege of Babylon fortress
The Babylon Fortress, a major military stronghold of the Byzantine Empire in Egypt, was captured by forces of the Rashidun Caliphate after a prolonged siege in 640. It was a major event during the Muslim conquest of Egypt.
Prelude
Amr had assum ...
in
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediter ...
against the Byzantine forces, the caliph sent 'Ubadah with 4,000 soldiers.
The four commanders were two veteran Muhajireen,
Zubayr ibn al-Awwam
Az Zubayr ( ar, الزبير) is a city in and the capital of Al-Zubair District, part of the Basra Governorate of Iraq. The city is just south of Basra. The name can also refer to the old Emirate of Zubair.
The name is also sometimes written Al ...
and
Miqdad ibn al-Aswad; a young Ansari commander named
Maslama ibn Mukhallad al-Ansari
Maslama ibn Mukhallad ibn Samit al-Ansari () to whom the tecnonymics Abu Ma'n or Sa'id or Umar are ascribed, was one of the companions of the Prophet and active in Egypt in the decades after its conquest by the Muslims.
Biography
He was born ...
; and 'Ubadah. These reinforcements arrived in September 640.
Imam
Awza'i
The Awza'i ( ar, الأوزاعي, al-Awzā‘ī) madhhab was one of the schools of Fiqh, the Islamic jurisprudence, or religious law within Sunni Islam in the 8th century. Its Imam was Abd al-Rahman al-Awza'i.
History In the Maghreb and al-A ...
, a
Tabi'un
The tābi‘ūn ( ar, اَلتَّابِعُونَ, also accusative or genitive tābi‘īn , singular ''tābi‘'' ), "followers" or "successors", are the generation of Muslims who followed the companions (''ṣaḥābah'') of the Islamic proph ...
and founder of now extinct Awza'i school
Madhhab
A ( ar, مذهب ', , "way to act". pl. مَذَاهِب , ) is a school of thought within ''fiqh'' (Islamic jurisprudence).
The major Sunni Mathhab are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali.
They emerged in the ninth and tenth centuries CE an ...
, recorded that he witnessed the Muslim conquest of Egypt and he confirmed that 'Ubadah was among the leaders.
Amr ibn al-Aas decided to battle on the open field near
Heliopolis in early to mid July 640. 8,000 al-Aas soldiers were led by Zubayr, 'Ubadah, Maslama, Miqdad,
Bisr ibn Abi Artat. They defeated the 20,000 strong Byzantine army under Theodore.
The Muslims
besieged the fortress over the course of months without a clear victory. During the siege, both sides exchanged envoys in an effort to demoralize each other.
In the days leading up to the end, 'Ubadah was sent with a delegation to
Muqawqis
Al-Muqawqis ( ar, المقوقس, cop, ⲡⲭⲁⲩⲕⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ, ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲩⲕⲟⲥ, p-khaukianos, pi-kaukos "the Caucasian") is mentioned in Islamic history as a ruler of Egypt who corresponded with the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ...
to negotiate for the last time. It is said that Muqawqis became afraid of 'Ubadah when he saw 'Ubadah's dark and majestic appearance. 'Ubadah then mocked Muqawqis in a chronicle:
'Ubadah gave him three options: accept Islam, pay ''
Jizyah
Jizya ( ar, جِزْيَة / ) is a per capita yearly taxation historically levied in the form of financial charge on dhimmis, that is, permanent Kafir, non-Muslim subjects of a state governed by Sharia, Islamic law. The jizya tax has been unde ...
'', or fight. Muqawqis refused chose to continue fighting.
Following the failed negotiation, Byzantine forces decided to fight, and on the same day the fortress fell to the Muslims led
Zubayr ibn al-Awwam
Az Zubayr ( ar, الزبير) is a city in and the capital of Al-Zubair District, part of the Basra Governorate of Iraq. The city is just south of Basra. The name can also refer to the old Emirate of Zubair.
The name is also sometimes written Al ...
who climbed the fortress wall alone and opened the gate from inside.
After the fortress had been taken, al-Aas consulted with
Maslama ibn Mukhallad
Maslama ibn Mukhallad ibn Samit al-Ansari () to whom the tecnonymics Abu Ma'n or Sa'id or Umar are ascribed, was one of the companions of the Prophet and active in Egypt in the decades after its conquest by the Muslims.
Biography
He was born ...
. Maslama suggested that Amr give a field command to 'Ubadah to attack
Alexandria
Alexandria ( or ; ar, ٱلْإِسْكَنْدَرِيَّةُ ; grc-gre, Αλεξάνδρεια, Alexándria) is the second largest city in Egypt, and the largest city on the Mediterranean coast. Founded in by Alexander the Great, Alexandria ...
. 'Ubadah rode to Amr, who gave him his spear of command.
'Ubadah rode towards the army and gave a speech before commencing his
attack on Alexandria. 'Ubadah led a detachment to
besiege Alexandria and reused his strategy of using trenches to conquer Latakia in Syria. When he and his main force arrived at Alexandria's outskirts, he gave a signal to the army including those who hid in the trenches to launch an assault. His attack breached and routed the Alexandrian garrison forces on the first charge.
After Alexandria, 'Ubadah stayed in Egypt to help al-Aas build the city of
Fustat
Fusṭāṭ ( ar, الفُسطاط ''al-Fusṭāṭ''), also Al-Fusṭāṭ and Fosṭāṭ, was the first capital of Egypt under Muslim rule, and the historical centre of modern Cairo. It was built adjacent to what is now known as Old Cairo by ...
and its landmark, Mosque Amr ibn al-Aas.
Return to Levant
'Ubadah was dispatched by
Caliph Umar
ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb ( ar, عمر بن الخطاب, also spelled Omar, ) was the second Rashidun caliph, ruling from August 634 until his assassination in 644. He succeeded Abu Bakr () as the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate o ...
to assist Abu Ubaydah and Mu'awiyah in Syria. Until the last years of caliph Umar's life, he wanted to appoint 'Ubadah as governor in Homs, as the caliph thought that the grip of the caliphate and Islam was new in that area, so he wanted someone he trusted to impose strict order.
'Ubadah declined the offer and then agreed to be instead appointed as
Qadi
A qāḍī ( ar, قاضي, Qāḍī; otherwise transliterated as qazi, cadi, kadi, or kazi) is the magistrate or judge of a '' sharīʿa'' court, who also exercises extrajudicial functions such as mediation, guardianship over orphans and mino ...
in Palestine. 'Ubadah spent time during his tenure as Qadi to teach the Quran and Hadith, opened a public
Majlis
( ar, المجلس, pl. ') is an Arabic term meaning "sitting room", used to describe various types of special gatherings among common interest groups of administrative, social or religious nature in countries with linguistic or cultural conne ...
and led sermons.
'Ubadah joined the main force of Muawiyah to conquer
Caesarea
Caesarea () ( he, קֵיסָרְיָה, ), ''Keysariya'' or ''Qesarya'', often simplified to Keisarya, and Qaysaria, is an affluent town in north-central Israel, which inherits its name and much of its territory from the ancient city of Caesare ...
in 640 and was appointed to lead the right flank of the Muawiyah corps during the last battle against the
Romans
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
* Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*''Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
at Qaysariyyah or
Caesarea Maritima
Caesarea Maritima (; Greek: ''Parálios Kaisáreia''), formerly Strato's Tower, also known as Caesarea Palestinae, was an ancient city in the Sharon plain on the coast of the Mediterranean, now in ruins and included in an Israeli national park ...
, The Muslims were repelled several times before 'Ubadah and his men crushed the Byzantine ranks in a single charge that broke the stalemate. This allowed the Muslim forces to annex the historical territory of Byzantine, which led to the formation of the
Jund Filistin
Jund Filasṭīn ( ar, جُنْد فِلَسْطِيْن, "the military district of Palestine") was one of the military districts of the Umayyad and Abbasid province of Bilad al-Sham (Levant), organized soon after the Muslim conquest of the L ...
. This ended 'Ubadah's journey in the Levant. During this time, 'Ubadah was appointed as the first governor of Jund Filistin.
Later, 'Ubadah assisted
Muawiyah I
Mu'awiya I ( ar, معاوية بن أبي سفيان, Muʿāwiya ibn Abī Sufyān; –April 680) was the founder and first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling from 661 until his death. He became caliph less than thirty years after the deat ...
to attack
Amorium
Amorium was a city in Phrygia, Asia Minor which was founded in the Hellenistic period, flourished under the Byzantine Empire, and declined after the Arab sack of 838. It was situated on the Byzantine military road from Constantinople to Cil ...
, 170 miles south east of
Constantinople
la, Constantinopolis ota, قسطنطينيه
, alternate_name = Byzantion (earlier Greek name), Nova Roma ("New Rome"), Miklagard/Miklagarth (Old Norse), Tsargrad ( Slavic), Qustantiniya (Arabic), Basileuousa ("Queen of Cities"), Megalopolis (" ...
,
in the winter of 644 with a force of 10,000 men.
This campaign continued northwards until they reached an area in
Anatolia
Anatolia, tr, Anadolu Yarımadası), and the Anatolian plateau, also known as Asia Minor, is a large peninsula in Western Asia and the westernmost protrusion of the Asian continent. It constitutes the major part of modern-day Turkey. The re ...
called Shaifa.
First Conquest of Cyprus
After
Uthman ibn al-Affan
Uthman ibn Affan ( ar, عثمان بن عفان, ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān; – 17 June 656), also spelled by Colloquial Arabic, Turkish language, Turkish and Persian language, Persian rendering Osman, was a second cousin, son-in-law and nota ...
became caliph after Umar's death, Muawiyah requested that the caliph allow him to build a navy to attack Cyprus, as Muawiyah reasoned that Cyprus had become a satellite island of Byzantine forces which could threaten the caliphate on the western banks of Palestine.
[Ali Sallabi" /> 'Ubadah, along with veteran companions of Muhammad such as Miqdad Ibn al-Aswad, Abu Dhar GhiFari, Shadaad ibn Aws, Khalid bin Zayd al-Ansari, and ]Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari ( ar, أبو أيوب الأنصاري, Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī, tr, Ebu Eyyûb el-Ensarî, died c. 674) — born Khalid ibn Zayd ibn Kulayb ibn Tha'laba ( ar, خالد ابن زيد ابن كُليب ابن ثعلبه, Kh ...
, all participated in building the caliphate's first Naval armada, led by Muawiya. Before he joined Muawiya's project to built first naval forces of the caliphate, 'Ubadah joined forces with Muslim general, Abdallah ibn Qais. Together with Muawiyah, they built the first caliphate armada with permission from ibn al-Affan. Abu Dharr mentioned that Miqdad ibn Amr al-Aswad participated in this project. Shortly later, Muawiya and 'Ubadah departed from Acre
The acre is a unit of land area used in the imperial
Imperial is that which relates to an empire, emperor, or imperialism.
Imperial or The Imperial may also refer to:
Places
United States
* Imperial, California
* Imperial, Missouri
* Imp ...
and headed to Cyprus
Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...
. According to al-Baladhuri
ʾAḥmad ibn Yaḥyā ibn Jābir al-Balādhurī ( ar, أحمد بن يحيى بن جابر البلاذري) was a 9th-century Muslim historian. One of the eminent Middle Eastern historians of his age, he spent most of his life in Baghdad and ...
and Khalifa ibn Khayyat
Abū ʿAmr Khalīfa ibn Khayyāṭ al-Laythī al-ʿUṣfurī () (born : 160/161 AH/777 AD– died 239/240 AH/854 AD) was an Arab historian.
His family were natives of Basra in Iraq. His grandfather was a noted muhaddith or traditionalist, and Kh ...
, Mu'awiya and 'Ubadah led the attack and were accompanied by their wives Katwa bint Qaraza ibn Abd Amr of the Qurayshite Banu Nawfal
)
, type = Qurayshi / Adnanite Arab Tribe
, image =
, alt =
, caption = Banner of Banu Taym
, nisba = Al-Nawfal ()
, location = Western Arabian Peninsula, especially in Mecca (present-day Saudi Arabia)
, descen ...
and Umm Haram. Umm Haram died in an accident during the campaign.[Ali Sallabi" /> The Muslim forces accepted Cyprus' surrender under the condition that they refrain from hostility to the Muslims, inform the caliphate of any Byzantine movements, pay 7,200 dinars annually for ''Jizya'', and never reveal information to outsiders regarding the caliphate's military operations.][Ali Sallabi" />
Muawiya and 'Ubadah forces pacified almost every Byzantine garrison. This is evidenced by two Greek inscriptions in the Cypriot village of Solois that note those two offensives. The entire island of Cyprus surrendered after their capital, Salamis, was surrounded and besieged.][Ali Sallabi" /> At least 50 military operations occurred in Cyprus between this first campaign in 648 until the last one in 650.][Ali Sallabi">]
Hadith of the prophecy of Cyprus conquest
One of the most famous Hadiths related to 'Ubadah and Umm Haram relate to the prophecy that the Islamic caliphate would dominate the sea on two occasions. This was taught by Muslim scholars as a prophecy of the conquest of Cyprus. 'Ubadah participated in both the initial conquest and the second campaign years later. Umm Haram narrated the prophecy, which she believed related to this campaign. Anas ibn Malik
Anas ibn Mālik ibn Naḍr al-Khazrajī al-Anṣārī ( ar, أنس بن مالك الخزرجي الأنصاري (c.612 – c.712 Finding the Truth in Judging the Companions, 1. 84-5; EI2, 1. 482 A. J. Wensinck J. Robson) was a well-known ''saha ...
, her nephew, reminded them about the Hadith of the promise of incoming naval conquests by Islam.
Second conquest
In 652, Cyprus rebelled against the caliphate and caused Muawiyah and 'Ubadah to mount a second campaign.[Ali Sallabi" /> This time Mu'awiyah and 'Ubadah split their forces: one led by Mu'awiyah and the other by ]Abdallah ibn Sa'd
Abd Allah ibn Sa'd ibn Abi al-Sarh ( ar, عبد الله ابن سعد ابن أبي السرح, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Saʿd ibn Abī al-Sarḥ) was an Arab administrator and commander.
During his time as governor of Egypt (646 CE to 656 CE), Abd Al ...
. This punitive campaign was described in Tarikh fi Asr al-Khulafa ar-Rashidin as particularly brutal. Many died in the campaign and many were taken captive.[Ali Sallabi" />
After they pacified Cyprus once more, 'Ubadah told Mu'awiyah to share the spoils according to the Teaching of Muhammad, which must be divided in fifths.][Ali Sallabi" /> Muawiyah agreed with 'Ubadah's counsel and gave him the task. Afterwards, Muawiyah consulted with one of his officers, Ismail bin Ayyasy, as to how to prevent another uprising. Muawiyah decided on a garrison of 12,000 soldiers. Muawiyah also transferred Muslim settlers from Baklabak, Syria, to Cyprus and constructed mosques.][Ali Sallabi" />
]
Later life and death
At the end of his military career, 'Ubadah retired to Palestine. When Caliph Uthman
Uthman ibn Affan ( ar, عثمان بن عفان, ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān; – 17 June 656), also spelled by Colloquial Arabic, Turkish and Persian rendering Osman, was a second cousin, son-in-law and notable companion of the Islamic prop ...
faced dissidents from the Khawarij sect and portions of the followers of Abdullah ibn Saba
ʿAbd Allāh ibn Sabāʾ al-Ḥimyarī ( ar, عبد الله بن سبأ الحميري) (sometimes also called Ibn Sabāʾ, Ibn al-Sawdāʾ, Ibn Wahb, or Ibn Ḥarb) was a 7th-century figure in Islamic history associated with a group of followe ...
. 'Ubadah was among those who expressed support for Uthman. 'Ubadah did not appreciate the revolts from the Abdullah ibn Saba followers, which was headed by Yazid ibn Qais and Malik al-Ashtar
Malik al-Ashtar ( ar, مَالِك ٱلْأَشْتَر), also known as Mālik bin al-Ḥārith al-Nakhaʿīy al-Maḏḥijīy ( ar, مَالِك ٱبْن ٱلْحَارِث ٱلنَّخَعِيّ ٱلْمَذْحِجِيّ), was one of the loyal ...
. He, Mu'awiyah, Kharijah ibn Huzafah of Egypt, Anas ibn Malik, Hisham ibn Amir, Abu Darda, and Tabiin pupils of Abdullah ibn Masud
Abdullah ibn Masūd, or Abdullah ibn Masood, or Abdullah Ben Messaoud ( ar, عبد الله بن مسعود, ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʽūd; c.594-c.653), was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad who he is regarded the greatest mufassir of Qu ...
were among those from outside Medina who urged the caliphate to take action against the Khawarij
The Kharijites (, singular ), also called al-Shurat (), were an Islamic sect which emerged during the First Fitna (656–661). The first Kharijites were supporters of Ali who rebelled against his acceptance of arbitration talks to settle the ...
dissidents in Medina.
'Ubadah passed in Ramla at the age of seventy two (72) years. 'Ubadah said on his deathbed:
Personal information
Appearance
Dr. Khalid Basalamah Lc, MA, interviewed the Imam of Al-Aqsa mosque
Al-Aqsa Mosque (, ), also known as Jami' Al-Aqsa () or as the Qibli Mosque ( ar, المصلى القبلي, translit=al-Muṣallā al-Qiblī, label=none), and also is a congregational mosque located in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is situate ...
during a visit to 'Ubadah 's grave in Palestine. The Imam related the oral tradition that 'Ubadah was a "handsome man with dark skin". This was supported by Ibn Hajar in his Siyar A'lam Nubala in the chapter of 'Ubadah where he describes him as physically attractive. The Imam noted 'Ubadah was "very muscular. So ripped and huge his forearm size is equal to the span of nadult male hand palm.". Several historians noted how his enemies, such as Muqawqis, governor nclof Egypt and Jabalah and leader of the Ghassanid Arabs in the battle of Yarmouk were awed by his appearance.
Family
'Ubadah's sister was named Nusaybah. His father was Samit Ibn Qais Ibn Asram Ibn Fahr while his mother was Qarat al-Ain Bint 'Ubadah bin Nidhal al-Khazrajiyya. His brother, 'Aws bin al-Samit, was married to Khawla bint Tha'labah Khawlah bint Tha'labah () Khawla (b. Malik) bint Tha'laba b. Asram b. Fihr b. Qays b. Tha'laba b. Ghanm b. Salm b. 'Auf was one of the female companions of Muhammad. She is mentioned in the Quran in reference to Zihar. The 58th chapter of the Qura ...
, a female companion of Muhammad who was mentioned in Surah al Mujadalah.
Records from Bukhari Bukhari or Bokhari () means "from Bukhara (Uzbekistan)" in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Hebrew, and may refer to:
People
* al-Bukhari (810–870), Islamic hadith scholar and author of the
* Bukhari Daud (1959–2021), Indonesian academician and re ...
and Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
texts included a statement from Anas Ibn Malik that 'Ubadah was married to Umm Haram bint Milhan during the first conquest of the Island of Cyprus with Muawiyah where Umm Haram died during the campaign. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī or ''Ibn Ḥajar'' ( ar, ابن حجر العسقلاني, full name: ''Shihābud-Dīn Abul-Faḍl Aḥmad ibn Nūrud-Dīn ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī al-Kināni'') (18 February 1372 – 2 Febru ...
translated this to mean 'Ubadah married Umm Haram during the campaign. However, Ibn Ishaq
Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq ibn Yasār ibn Khiyār (; according to some sources, ibn Khabbār, or Kūmān, or Kūtān, ar, محمد بن إسحاق بن يسار بن خيار, or simply ibn Isḥaq, , meaning "the son of Isaac"; died 767) was an 8 ...
disagreed and translated the words of Anas to mean Umm Haram had married 'Ubadah before the campaign. Ibn Hajar argued further that another record from Ibn Hibban
Muḥammad ibn Hibbān al-Bustī () (c. 270–354/884–965) was a Muslim Arab scholar, Muhaddith, historian and author of well-known works, “Sheikh of Khorasan”.
Biography
Ibn Hibban was born in 270 AH (884 CE) in Bust or Bost in present-da ...
that stated that Umm Haram had just married 'Ubadah, which caused Ibrahim al Quraibi, author of Tarikh ul-Khulafa, to support the opinion of Ibn Hajar.
'Ubadah was also married to Jamilah bint Abi Sa'sa' and they had a son named Walid ibn 'Ubadah.
His son, Ubaydah ibn Ubadah ibn Ubadah, was buried in Egypt.
Character
During his lifetime, 'Ubadah held influence within caliphate administration. He was trusted to pass fatwa
A fatwā ( ; ar, فتوى; plural ''fatāwā'' ) is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law (''sharia'') given by a qualified '' Faqih'' (Islamic jurist) in response to a question posed by a private individual, judge or government. A jurist i ...
s judgements, which only a handful of Muhammad's companions were allowed during their life.
Regarding his battlefield achievements, 'Ubadah was known as a fearless warrior. Caliph Umar himself has praised him as an equal of 1,000 warriors. He was once recorded for displaying his personal military prowess when the Muslims had besieged a Byzantine fort. 'Ubadah was found alone praying in a field by Byzantine soldiers. Before they could approach, he jumped to his horse and advanced towards them. The Byzantine soldiers fled and were chased by 'Ubadah until they reached their fort.
He was known as a clever commander who deployed successful strategies, such as the use of ambush trenches which allowed him to conquer strongholds such as Latakia in Syria and Alexandria in Egypt.
Islam historians described 'Ubadah as a stern man with high confidence who could not be easily intimidated during negotiation. He is known as a solemn personality who detested sycophants, which he showed at one Friday prayer in Damascus. The khatib
In Islam, a khatib, khateeb or hatib ( ar, خطيب ''khaṭīb'') is a person who delivers the sermon (''khuṭbah'') (literally "narration"), during the Friday prayer and Eid prayers.
The ''khateeb'' is usually the prayer leader ('' imam''), ...
lauded him with praise when 'Ubadah was a chief judge. He threw mud in the Khatib's face and quoted Hadith about the instruction from Muhammad to throw mud in the face of flatterers. Caliph Umar held 'Ubadah in high regard. The caliph respected him to the extent that he gave 'Ubadah important tasks. Caliph Umar supported 'Ubadah when the latter came into dispute with Muawiyah. The caliph appointed 'Ubadah as a judge while giving him autonomy so that Muawiyah, who was the governor of Syria, could not interfere with his verdicts. The source of the dispute was recorded by a Hadith that was grade highly by Sunan ibn Majah. The Hadith explained the difference between 'Ubadah and Mu'awiyah regarding the permissibility of transactions using gold to exchange with coin of Dinar and silver with coin of Dirham.
Legacy
Sunni scholars classified 'Ubadah as among the higher-ranked Companions of the Prophet
The Companions of the Prophet ( ar, اَلصَّحَابَةُ; ''aṣ-ṣaḥāba'' meaning "the companions", from the verb meaning "accompany", "keep company with", "associate with") were the disciples and followers of Muhammad who saw or m ...
, due to his heritage as an Ansari and his attendance at the First and Second Pledges in Aqaba, the Battle of Badr, and the Pledge of the Tree
The Pledge of the Tree ( ar, بيعة الشجرة '' bayʻat ash-shajarah'') or Pledge of Satisfaction (Arabic: ''bayʻat ar-riḍwān'') or Pledge of Ridwan was a pledge that was sworn to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by his ''Sahaba'' (compan ...
. At least five reasons are stated by scholars that ranked 'Ubadah in such saintly venerable status according to the traditions of Islamic scholars:
* His attendance at the Aqaba pledge of allegiance
The diplomatic career of Muhammad ( – 8 June 632) encompasses Muhammad's leadership over the growing Muslim community (''Ummah'') in early Arabia and his correspondences with the rulers of other nations in and around Arabia. This period was mar ...
, which inaugurated an honorific title of ''Al-Aqabi''.
* His status as Ansar, which inaugurated a honorific title of ''"Al-Ansari"''. Furthermore, The embeddings of 'Ansari by Muhammad in various Qur'an verses and Hadith were viewed as a special status in Islam. Two patrons of Hadith, Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
and Bukhari Bukhari or Bokhari () means "from Bukhara (Uzbekistan)" in Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Hebrew, and may refer to:
People
* al-Bukhari (810–870), Islamic hadith scholar and author of the
* Bukhari Daud (1959–2021), Indonesian academician and re ...
, compilled special chapters regarding the Ansar matter. Nasiruddin al Albani highlighted the Hadith from Muslim, that the Ansar is "the best tribe in human history until end of times". Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani
Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī or ''Ibn Ḥajar'' ( ar, ابن حجر العسقلاني, full name: ''Shihābud-Dīn Abul-Faḍl Aḥmad ibn Nūrud-Dīn ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī al-Kināni'') (18 February 1372 – 2 Febru ...
recorded and gave commentary in his book, Fath al-Bari
''Fatḥ al-Bārī fī Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī'' ( ar-at, فتح الباري, lit=Grant of the Creator) is a multi-volume commentary on the Sunni hadith collection ''Sahih al-Bukhari'', composed by Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani Shafi. Conside ...
, regarding the Hadith that loving and caring the Ansaris are required Muslims
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abraha ...
, while bearing ill will towards the Ansaris and their families were sign of hypocrisy
Hypocrisy is the practice of engaging in the same behavior or activity for which one criticizes another or the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform. In moral psychology, it is the ...
.
* His attendance at the Battle of Badr, which inaugurated a honorific title of ''"Al-Badri"''. His status as a veteran is special in the eyes of scholars as Muhammad regarded those of his companions who attended Badr as among the most important in Islam.
* His attendance at the Battle of Uhud, which inaugurated a honorific title of ''"Al-Uhudi".''
* His attendance in the Pledge of the Tree
The Pledge of the Tree ( ar, بيعة الشجرة '' bayʻat ash-shajarah'') or Pledge of Satisfaction (Arabic: ''bayʻat ar-riḍwān'') or Pledge of Ridwan was a pledge that was sworn to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by his ''Sahaba'' (compan ...
. Rashid Rida
Muḥammad Rashīd ibn ʿAlī Riḍā ibn Muḥammad Shams al-Dīn ibn Muḥammad Bahāʾ al-Dīn ibn Munlā ʿAlī Khalīfa (23 September 1865 or 18 October 1865 – 22 August 1935 CE/ 1282 - 1354 AH), widely known as Sayyid Rashid Rida ( ar, ...
explained that for everyone who pledged were regarded by Islam teaching as special. This explanation is in line with Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani
Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī or ''Ibn Ḥajar'' ( ar, ابن حجر العسقلاني, full name: ''Shihābud-Dīn Abul-Faḍl Aḥmad ibn Nūrud-Dīn ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī al-Kināni'') (18 February 1372 – 2 Febru ...
's explanation of the Hadith Bukhari regarding pledge attendance, which resulted to the revelation of Hadith Qudse
Hadith Qudsi or Hadith Qudse ( ar, الحديث القدسي, meaning ''"pure"'' or ''"holy Hadith"'') is a special category of Hadith, the compendium of sayings attributed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is stated these Hadiths are uni ...
regarding the God's will towards them.
Early Muslim scholars supported scholarly knowledge of 'Ubadah's status as evidenced from Ahmad ibn Hanbal
Ahmad ibn Hanbal al-Dhuhli ( ar, أَحْمَد بْن حَنْبَل الذهلي, translit=Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal al-Dhuhlī; November 780 – 2 August 855 CE/164–241 AH), was a Muslim jurist, theologian, ascetic, hadith traditionist, and ...
. Al-Dhahabi
Shams ad-Dīn adh-Dhahabī (), also known as Shams ad-Dīn Abū ʿAbdillāh Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad ibn ʿUthmān ibn Qāymāẓ ibn ʿAbdillāh at-Turkumānī al-Fāriqī ad-Dimashqī (5 October 1274 – 3 February 1348) was an Islamic historia ...
listed a specific chapter of his biography in his ''Siyar a'lam Nubala.''
Quran
Muhammad ibn Ka'b al-Qurazi narrated that during the time of Muhammad, 'Ubadah was among those who collected and wrote down the Qur'an along with Muadh ibn Jabal
Muʿādh ibn Jabal ( ar, مُعاذ بن جبل; 605 – 639) was a sahabi (companion) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Muadh was an '' Ansar'' of Banu Khazraj and compiled the Quran with five companions while Muhammad was still alive. He was kn ...
, Abayyuu ibn Ka'ab, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari ( ar, أبو أيوب الأنصاري, Abū Ayyūb al-Anṣārī, tr, Ebu Eyyûb el-Ensarî, died c. 674) — born Khalid ibn Zayd ibn Kulayb ibn Tha'laba ( ar, خالد ابن زيد ابن كُليب ابن ثعلبه, Kh ...
, and Abu Darda
Abū Dardāʾ al-Anṣārī ( ar, أبو الدرداء الأنصاري, d. 32 AH/652 CE) was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was the husband of fellow companion Umm al-Darda al-Kubra.
Biography
Abu Darda was a trader in Me ...
. Quran
The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Classical Arabic, Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation in Islam, revelation from God in Islam, ...
ic experts generally accepted 'Ubadah's participation in the Pledge of the Tree
The Pledge of the Tree ( ar, بيعة الشجرة '' bayʻat ash-shajarah'') or Pledge of Satisfaction (Arabic: ''bayʻat ar-riḍwān'') or Pledge of Ridwan was a pledge that was sworn to the Islamic prophet Muhammad by his ''Sahaba'' (compan ...
as Asbab al-nuzul
Occasions or circumstances of revelation ( ''al-nuzūl'', ) names the historical context in which Quranic verses were revealed from the perspective of traditional Islam. Though of some use in reconstructing the Qur'an's historicity, ''asbāb'' is ...
of the verse 55-56 of Surah Al-Ma'idah
Al-Ma'idah ( ar, ٱلمائدة, ; "The Table" or "The Table Spread with Food") is the fifth chapter (''sūrah'') of the Quran, with 120 verses ('' āyāt''). Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (''asbāb al-nuz ...
, which is one of the factors that makes 'Ubadah venerated. Furthermore, tradition from Al-Tabarani
Abū al-Qāsim Sulaymān ibn Aḥmad ibn Ayyūb ibn Muṭayyir al-Lakhmī al-Shāmī al-Ṭabarānī (Arabic: أبو القاسم سليمان بن أحمد بن أيوب بن مطير اللَّخمي الشامي الطبراني) (AH 260/c. 87 ...
and bayhaqi agreed that the revelation of verse 51 to 52 of Surah Al Ma'idah was also linked with 'Ubadah. Where the verses reprimanded 'Ubadah to not follow the path of hypocrites like Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy
ʿAbd Allāh ibn 'Ubayy ibn Salūl ( ar, عبد الله بن أبي بن سلول), died 631, was a chieftain of the Banu Khazraj, Khazraj tribe of Medina. Upon the arrival of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, Ibn Ubayy seemingly became a Muslim, but ...
who took companionship from heretics like Jews and Christians. Those verses are believed by Muslims to be the revision of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments (Biblical Hebrew עשרת הדברים \ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים, ''aséret ha-dvarím'', lit. The Decalogue, The Ten Words, cf. Mishnaic Hebrew עשרת הדיברות \ עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדִּבְ ...
according to Islam. Either as revealed to Moses originally
''Originally'' is an album by drummer Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers recorded in 1956, but not released on the Columbia label until 1982.Hammam ibn Munabbih
Hammam ibn Munabbih ibn Kamil al-Yamani ( ar, همام ابن منبه ابن كامل اليمني, translit=Hammām ibn Munnabih ibn Kāmil al-Yamanī) was an Islamic scholar, from among the Tabi‘in and one of the narrators of hadith.
Biogr ...
, a Tabi'in
The tābi‘ūn ( ar, اَلتَّابِعُونَ, also accusative or genitive tābi‘īn , singular ''tābi‘'' ), "followers" or "successors", are the generation of Muslims who followed the companions (''ṣaḥābah'') of the Islamic proph ...
who authored one of the oldest Hadith
Ḥadīth ( or ; ar, حديث, , , , , , , literally "talk" or "discourse") or Athar ( ar, أثر, , literally "remnant"/"effect") refers to what the majority of Muslims believe to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approval ...
, reported that 'Ubadah was trusted by Muhammad to tutor the disciples of Suffah
Al-Ṣuffah ( ar, الصُّفّة), or ''Dikkat Ashab As-Suffah'' () was a sheltered raised platform that was available at the rear side of the Prophet's Mosque during the Medina period (622-632) of early Islam. It was initially available at the ...
the art of writing and imparting tafseer
Tafsir ( ar, تفسير, tafsīr ) refers to exegesis, usually of the Quran. An author of a ''tafsir'' is a ' ( ar, مُفسّر; plural: ar, مفسّرون, mufassirūn). A Quranic ''tafsir'' attempts to provide elucidation, explanation, in ...
of Qur'an[Muhammad Hamidullah
Muhammad Hamidullah ( ur, محمد حمیداللہ, translit=Muḥammad Ḥamīdullāh; 19 February 1908 – 17 December 2002) was a scholar of hadiths (''muhaddith)'' and Islamic law ( faqih) and a prolific academic author. A polymath with com ...]
The fact that 'Ubadah was among the few Companions of the Prophet who are allowed to give Fatwa verdicts and passed down the knowledge of so many
narrations from Muhammad, Muslim scholars across generations generally view him as one of Islam's patrons of knowledge, and borrowed traditions from 'Ubadah as the basis for various rulings, including the observance of Islamic teaching, mysticism, eschatological, ethics or
.
's book ''Siyar a'lam al-nubala'', he recorded that at least one hundred and eighty-one (181) Hadiths were narrated by 'Ubadah.
Numerous Hadith for observances of Islamic faith were transmitted by 'Ubadah, such as the Hadith about
. This Hadith was deemed authentic by
.
Another Hadith that has been used by scholars was narratd by
. He attributed it to 'Ubadah through Mahmud ibn al-Rabi. This Hadith became a basis of later
are obligatory to be recited in every Salah ritual.
Another observance Hadith transmitted by 'Ubadah was used as a metric by Muslims to measure the existence and omen of
, a special occasion for Muslims that occurred once a year, which are found in the work of
listed the narrations and traditions from 'Ubadah.
On the field of Mysticism regarding teaching of Islam, Hadith from 'Ubadah were compiled by
or true believer of Islam as one of Muhammad's forty miracles.
The chains were deemed authentic by the author of the Hadith critics, while the exegete commentary preserved from
from the classical era by Mahmud ibn Ghaylan translated this Hadith that sometimes, proof of Muhammad prophecies and signs of Qur'an and
appear in the dreams of believers.
took the Hadith regarding governorship and conduct of ruling that loyalty and obedience to the rightful rulers or leaders are a part of Muslim obligation and as a basis of
law about government authority.
The exemplary Hadith of 'Ubadah deemed important by Maliki Madhab regarding transactions was recorded by the founder of Maliki Madhhab, Malik ibn Anas in his book
in his Hadith compilation.
.
such as the one after they pacified Cyprus for the second time. 'Ubadah told Mu'awiyah to share the spoils that were acquired through military campaigns according to the
, which must be divided in fifths.