As one of
the Ansaar he was mentioned in the
Prophet's words "If the Ansaar
chose to move in a certain direction, I
would follow them. By Allah, if there
had been no emigration, I would have
chosen to be one of the Ansaar." 'Ubaadah
Ibn As-Saamit was not only one of the
Ansaar, but also one of their reknown
leaders whom the Prophet (PBUH) chose to
represent their people and tribes. When
the first An&aar delegation arrived
at Makkah to make the oath of allegiance
to the Prophet (PBUH), 'Ubaadah (May
Allah be pleased with him) was one of
the 12 believers who pledged allegiance
to the Prophet (PBUH), embraced Islam,
and clasped the Prophet's hand in
support and loyalty. In the Second
Pledge of Al-'Aqabah, 'Ubaadah was one
of the leaders of the 70 men and two
women and also one of the
representatives of the Ansaar who gave
his pledge to the Prophet (PBUH) during
the Hajj season.
Ever since, 'Ubaadah never missed a
battle or fell short of a sacrifice, as
the arena at that time offered a
kaleidoscope of self-sacrifice, valor,
courage, and defiance. Since he chose
Allah and His Prophet, he exerted
himself to fulfil his obligations
towards his religion. Therefore, his
loyalty and obedience to Allah and his
relationship with his relatives, allies,
and enemies were all molded in a way so
as to be compatible with the faith and
conduct that a Muslim should have.
In the past, 'Ubaadah's family had been
tied in alliance with the Jews of Bani
Qainuqaa' in Al-Madiinah. Since the
Prophet and his Companions emigrated to
Al-Madiinah, the Jews pretended to be on
good terms with them; but after the
Battle of Badr and a little while before
the Battle of Uhud, the Jews of Al-
Madiinah began to show their true
colors. Consequently, one of the Jewish
tribes, Bani Qainuqaa', fabricated
reasons for commotion and strife against
the Muslims.
As soon as 'Ubaadah realized their real
intention, he decidedly threw aside
their ancient treaty and said, "I
take Allah, His Prophet, and those who
have believed in Him as my
protectors." The Qur'aan descended
on the Prophet (PBUH) to support,
salute, and praise 'Ubaadah's loyal and
steadfast attitude saying, <
And whosoever takes Allah, His
Messenger, and those who have believed
as Protectors, then the party of Allah
wil be victorious > (5 : 56).
Thus, the glorious verse announced the
establishment of Allah's party, the
members of which were the believers who
stood firm by the Prophet's side and
advocated the banner of right guidance
and truth. They were regarded as the
blessed blossom of the seed sown by
their predecessors, who did their utmost
to support their Messenger and invite
people to believe in Allah the
Ever-Living, the One Who Sustains and
Protects all that exists. This newly
born party of Allah would not only
include the Companions of the Prophet,
but also encompass the true believers of
all future generations and times until
Allah inherits the earth and whatever is
with Him.
'Ubaadah, whose loyal and faithful
attitude the verse praised, was not only
a representative of the Al-Khazraj
tribe, but was also one of the leaders
of the pious and righteous Muslims who
would always be looked upon by future
generations throughout the world as a
symbol of chivalry and discipline. His
immortal history will forever resound
throughout the world.
One day 'Ubaadah heard the Prophet
talking about the responsibilities and
obligations of commanders and governors
and the punishment that awaited any one
of them who abused his authority and
manipulated the money entrusted to him.
His words shook him so severely that he
swore never to accept command, even over
two people. He kept this oath. When the
Commander of the Faithful 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab
(May Allah be pleased with him) became
the caliph, he could not prevail on 'Ubaadah
to accept any influential position
except educating and instructing people
in Islamic religion. Indeed, this was
the appropriate field for 'Ubaadah, away
from influential positions that might
jeopardize his faith with precarious
arrogance, power, and wealth.
Therefore, he traveled with Mu'aadh Ibn
Jabal and Abu Ad-Dardaa' to Syria, where
they illuminated the country with
knowledge, fiqh, and enlightment.
Afterward, "Ubaadah traveled to
Palestine, where Mu'aawiyah held
jurisdiction in the name of the caliph.
When 'Ubaadah Ibn As-Saamit finally
settled down in Syria, he always looked
to Al-Madiinah as the capital of Islam
and as the center of the caliphate where
'Umar Ibn Al-KhaJlaab, a master- mind
and a peerless man, lived. Then he
turned around and looked over Palestine,
where Mu'aawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan, a
worldly-minded and a power hungry man,
ruled.
' 'Ubaadah was, indeed, one of those
blessed men who lived the best and the
most accomplished days of their lives
with the Prophet (PBUH). Those men who
gained experience through struggle were
cast in the same mold of conflict,
struggle, and self-sacrifice. 'Ubaadah
had embraced Islam out of conviction
rather than fear. Indeed,he sold himself
and his fortune to Allah. He was one of
the men who were brought up and
disciplined by Muhammad (PBUH), who
infused them with his wisdom,
enlightenment, and greatness. To 'Ubaadah,
one of the most excellent models of the
man in power was "Umar. Naturally,
if 'Ubaadah tried to judge Mu'aawiyah's
conduct and character according to those
standards, the result would not be in
his favor and conflict would be
inevitable. And that is exactly what
happened.
'Ubaadah used to say, "We have
given a pledge to the Prophet (PBUH)
never to be afraid of anyone but
Allah." 'Ubaadahwasa man who kept
his pledges; therefore, he never feared
MiTaawiyah. Although Mu'aawiyah was in
authority, "Ubaadah had already
taken oath to stand fast and expose his
wrongdoings.
Consequently, the people of Palestine
watched him closely, holding their
breath with astonishment, for the news
of the fearless opposition led by 'Ubaadah
resounded across the world of Islam and
was regarded as an outstanding example
that should be followed. Notwithstanding
the patience and tolerance Mu'aawiyah
was famous for, he soon got tired of 'Ubaadah's
opposition, for he considered it a
direct threat to his authority. Finally,
when 'Ubaadah realized that the gap
between him and Mu'aawiyah was widening
fatally, he addressed Mu'aawiyah saying,
"By Allah,1 will never live in the
same land with a man like you."
Consequently, he left Palestine and
returned to Al- Madiinah.
Definitely, "Umar was a man of
outstanding perception and insight. He
was so careful to surround governors
like Mu'aawiyah, who manipulated their
cleverness for their own interest, with
a group of ascetic, pious, and steadfast
Companions and advisers. He aimed at
curbing their aspiration and avarice and
reminding them of the era of the Prophet
and his great feats.
Therefore, no sooner had the Commander
of the Faithful 'Umar Ibn Al Khattaab
seen 'Ubaadah in Al-Madiinah than he
asked him, "What brought you back
to Al-Madiinah?" When 'Ubaadah told
him about his dispute with Mu'aawiyah he
ordered him, "Go back to where you
belong. By Allah, any land that has no
one like you living in it is a
wasteland." 'Umar immediately sent
a message to Mu'aawiyah saying,
"You are not to rule over 'Ubaadah."
Indeed, 'Ubaadah was a commander of
himself. When a man like 'Umar held 'Ubaadah
in such high regard, then, undoubtedly,
he must be a great and worthy man. 'Ubaadah's
greatness was unveiled through his
faith, conscientiousness, and
discipline.
This sensible representative of the
Ansaar and Islam died in A.H. 34, and
his memory and history will forever be
cherished and honored by all Muslims.
Sheikh Abdulfattah Abu-Abdullah Adelabu (Ph. D. Damas),
a West African Islamic Academic founded AWQAF Africa, of
which he's the first al Amir (i.e. President).
Sheikh Dr. Adelabu was studying Postgraduate Degrees in
Damascus early 1990's during when Syria reviewed its
national security after an ‘Oslo Accord'...
Syria like many other countries around the world
witnessed, during this period, the flood of refugees
from war troubled nations like Somalia, arrival of
people from Algeria during the brutal struggling between
the Mujahidun and the government, resettlement of the
Palestinians fleeing from sophisticated guns of the
Israelis as well as adventure of African migrants for
reasons uncountable…
Back
Forward