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Zarvan you are a top guy but you shouldnt talk about the great islamic armies from the days of initial islamic expansions and the Pakistan Army in the same breath. Those were highly skilled armies and were tactical and strategic masters of their time. PA on the other hand would pick a spot and sit there like a duck so that enemy can direct all his artillery fire there.(Kargil)
Mr Kargil was a biggest disaster planned by only 4 Generals and even whole army didn't knew it and all those were also not our Army guys still it took India to use 40000 troops to take out those sitting in Kargil
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas
We are now in a small town in a narrow valley. There is no vegetation, no livestock, no gardens, no rivers. Desert after desert separates the town from the rest of the world. During the day the heat of the sun is unbearable and the nights are still and lonely. Tribes flock to it like animals in the open country flock to a water hole. No government rules. There is no religion to guide people except one which promotes the worship of stone idols. There is no knowledge except priestcraft and a love for elegant poetry. This is Makkah and these are the Arabs.
In this town lives a young man who has not yet seen twenty summers. He is short and well-built and has a very heavy crop of hair. People compare him to a young lion. He comes from a rich and noble family. He is very attached to his parents and is particularly fond of his mother. He spends much of his time making and repairing bows and arrows and practicing archery as if preparing himself for some great encounter. People recognize him as a serious and intelligent young man. He finds no satisfaction in the religion and way of life of his people, their corrupt beliefs and disagreeable practices. His name is Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas.
One morning at about this time in his life the genial Abu Bakr (ra) came up and spoke softly to him. He explained that Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah (saw) had received Revelation and was sent with the religion of Guidance and Truth. Abu Bakr (ra) then took him to Muhammad (saw) in one of the valleys of Makkah. It was late afternoon by this time and the Prophet (saw) had just prayed Salat al-'Asr. Sa'd (ra) was excited and overwhelmed and responded readily to the invitation to truth and the religion of One God. The fact that he was one of the first persons to accept Islam was something that pleased him greatly.
The Prophet (saw) was also greatly pleased when Sa'd (ra) became a Muslim. He saw in him signs of excellence. The fact that he was still in his youth promised great things to come. It was as if this glowing crescent would become a shining full moon before long. Perhaps other young people of Makkah would follow his example, including some of his relations. For Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) was a cousin of the Prophet (saw) on his mother's side and belonged to the Bani Zuhrah, the clan of Aminah bint Wahb (ra), the mother of the Prophet (saw). For this reason he is sometimes referred to as Sa'd of Zuhrah, to distinguish him from several others whose first name was Sa'd.
While the Prophet (saw) was delighted with Sa'd's acceptance of Islam, others including and especially his mother, were not. Sa'd (ra) relates:
"When my mother heard the news of my Islam, she flew into a rage. She came up to me and said:
'O Sa'd! What is this religion that you have embraced which has taken you away from the religion of your mother and father? By God, either you forsake your new religion or I would not eat or drink until I die. Your heart would be broken with grief for me and remorse would consume you on account of the deed which you have done and people would censure you forever more.'
'Don't do (such a thing), my mother,' I said, 'for I would not give up my religion for anything.'
"However, she went on with her threat. For days she neither ate nor drank. She became emaciated and weak. Hour after hour, I went to her asking whether I should bring her some food or something to drink but she persistently refused, insisting that she would neither eat nor drink until she died or I abandoned my religion. I said to her:
'Ya Ummah! In spite of my strong love for you, my love for Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) is indeed stronger. By Allah, if you had a thousand souls and one soul after another were to depart, I would not abandon this my religion for anything.'
"When she saw that I was determined, she relented unwillingly and ate and drank."
It was concerning Sa'd's relationship with his mother and her attempt to force him to recant his faith that these words of the Qur'an were revealed:
"And We enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In pain upon pain did his mother bear him and his weaning took two years. So show gratitude to Me and to your parents. To Me is the final destiny.
"But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not. Yet bear them company in this life with justice and consideration and follow the way of those who turn to Me. In the end, the return of you all is to Me and I shall tell you (the truth and meaning of) all that you used to do." (Surah Luqman, 31:14-15)
In these early days of Islam, the Muslims were careful not to arouse the sensibilities of the Quraysh. They would often go out together in groups to the glens outside Makkah where they could pray together without being seen. But one day a number of idolaters came upon them while they were praying and rudely interrupted them with indignities passively and they came to blows with the idolaters. Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) struck one of the disbelievers with the jawbone of a camel and wounded him. This was the first bloodshed in the conflict between Islam and kufr - a conflict that was later to escalate and test the patience and courage of the Muslims.
After the incident, however, the Prophet (saw) enjoined his companions to be patient and forbearing for his was the command of Allah (swt):
"And bear with patience what they say and avoid them with noble dignity. And leave Me alone to deal with those who give the lie to the Truth, those who enjoy the blessings of life (without any thought of Allah) and bear with them for a little while." (Surah al-Muzzammil, 71:10)
More than a decade later when permission was given for the Muslims to fight, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) was to play a distinguished role in many of the engagements that took place both during the time of the Prophet (saw) and after. He fought at Badr together with his young brother 'Umayr (ra) who had cried to be allowed to accompany the Muslim army for he was only in his early teens. Sa'd (ra) returned to Madinah alone for 'Umayr (ra) was one of the fourteen Muslim martyrs who fell in the battle.
At the Battle of Uhud, Sa'd (ra) was specially chosen as one of the best archers together with Zayd, Sa'ib the son of 'Uthman ibn Maz'un (ra) and others. Sa'd (ra) was one of those who fought vigorously in defense of the Prophet (saw) after some Muslims had deserted their positions. To urge him on, the Prophet (saw) said:
"Irmi Sa'd… Fidaka Abi wa Ummi - Shoot, Sa'd… may my mother and father be your ransom."
Of this occasion, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (ra) said that he had not yet heard the Prophet (saw) promising such a ransom to anyone except Sa'd. Sa'd (ra) is also known as the first companion to have shot an arrow in defense of Islam. And the Prophet (saw) once prayed for him:
"O Lord, direct his shooting and respond to his prayer."
Sa'd (ra) was one of the companions of the Prophet (saw) who was blessed with great wealth. Just as he was known for his bravery, so he was known for his generosity. During the Farewell Pilgrimage with the Prophet (saw), he fell ill. The Prophet (saw) came to visit him and Sa'd (ra) said:
"O Messenger of Allah. I have wealth and I only have one daughter to inherit from me. Shall I give two thirds of my wealth as sadaqah?"
"No," replied the Prophet (saw).
"Then, (shall I give) a half?" asked Sa'd (ra) and the Prophet (saw) again said 'no'.
"Then, (shall I give) a third?" asked Sa'd (ra).
"Yes," said the Prophet (saw). "The third is much. Indeed to leave your heirs well-off is better than that you should leave them dependent on and to beg from people. If you spend anything seeking to gain thereby the pleasure of Allah (swt), you will be rewarded for it, even if it is a morsel that you place in your wife's mouth."
Sa'd (ra) did not remain the father of just one child but was blessed thereafter with many children.
Sa'd (ra) is mainly renowned as the commander-in-chief of the strong Muslim army which 'Umar (ra) dispatched to confront the Persians at Qadisiyah. 'Umar (ra) wanted nothing less than an end to Sasanian power which for centuries had dominated the region.
To confront the numerous and well-equipped Persians was a most daunting task. The most powerful force had to be mustered. 'Umar (ra) sent dispatches to Muslim governors throughout the state to mobilize all able-bodied persons who had weapons or mounts, or who had talents of oratory and other skills to place at the service of the battle.
Bands of Mujahidin then converged on Madinah from every part of the Muslim domain. When they had all gathered, 'Umar (ra) consulted the leading Muslims about the appointment of a commander-in-chief over the mighty army. 'Umar (ra) himself thought of leading the army but 'Ali (ra) suggested that the Muslims were in great need of him and he should not endanger his life. Sa'd (ra) was then chosen as commander and 'Abdur-Rahman ibn 'Awf (ra), one of the veterans among the Sahabah, said:
"You have chosen well! Who is there like Sa'd?"
'Umar (ra) stood before the great army and bade farewell to them. To the commander-in-chief, he said:
"O Sa'd! Let not any statement that you are the cousin of the Messenger of Allah (saw) or that you are the companion of the Messenger of Allah (saw) distract you from Allah (swt). Allah Almighty does not obliterate evil with evil but he wipes out evil with good.
"O Sa'd! There is no connection between Allah (swt) and anyone except obedience to Him. In the sight of Allah (swt), all people whether noblemen or commoners are the same. Allah (swt) is their Lord and they are His servants seeking elevation through taqwa and seeking to obtain what is with Allah (swt) through obedience. Consider how the Messenger of Allah (saw) used to act with the Muslims and act accordingly…"
'Umar (ra) thus made it clear that the army was not to seek conquest for the sake of it and that the expedition was not for seeking personal glory and fame.
The thirty thousand strong army set off. Among them were ninety-nine veterans of Badr, more than three hundred of those who took the Pledge of Ridwan (Satisfaction) at Hudaybiyah and three hundred of those who had participated in the liberation of Makkah with the Noble Prophet (saw). There were seven hundred sons of the companions. Thousands of women also went on to battle as auxiliaries and nurses and to urge the men on to battle.
The army camped at Qadisiyah near Hirah. Against them the Persians had mobilized a force of over one hundred thousand men under the leadership of their most brilliant commander, Rustum.
'Umar had instructed Sa'd (ra) to send him regular dispatches about the condition and movements of the Muslim forces, and of the deployment of the enemy's forces. Sa'd (ra) wrote to him about the unprecedented force that the Persians were mobilizing and 'Umar (ra) wrote to him:
"Do not be troubled by what you hear about them nor about the (forces, equipment and methods) they would deploy against you. Seek help with Allah (swt) and put your trust in Him and send men of insight, knowledge and toughness to him (the Chosroes) to invite to Allah (swt)… And write to me daily."
Sa'd (ra) understood well the gravity of the impending battle and kept in close contact with the military high command in Madinah. Although commander-in-chief, he understood the importance of shura.
Sa'd did as 'Umar (ra) instructed and sent delegations of Muslims first to Yazdagird and then to Rustum, inviting them to accept Islam or to pay the jizyah to guarantee their protection and peaceful existence or to choose war if they so desired.
The first Muslim delegation which included Nu'man ibn Muqarrin (ra) was ridiculed by the Persian Emperor, Yazdagird. Sa'd (ra) sent a delegation to Rustum, the commander of the Persian forces. This was led by Rub'iy ibn 'Amir (ra) who, with spear in hand, went directly to Rustum's encampment. Rustum said to him:
"Rub'iy! What do you want from us? If you want wealth we would give you. We would provide you with provisions until you are sated. We would clothe you. We would make you become rich and happy. Look, Rub'iy! What do you see in this assembly of mine? No doubt you see signs of richness and luxury, these lush carpets, fine curtains, gold embroidered walls, carpets of silk… Do you have any desire that we should bestow some of these riches which we have on you?"
Rustum thus wanted to impress the Muslim and allure him from his purpose by this show of opulence and grandeur. Rub'iy (ra) looked and listened unmoved and then said:
"Listen, O commander! Certainly, Allah (swt) has chosen us so that through us those of His creation whom He so desires could be drawn away from the worship of idols to Tawhid (the affirmation of the unity of Allah), from the narrow confines of preoccupation with this world to its boundless expanse and from the tyranny of rulers to the justice of Islam.
"Whoever accepts that from us, we are prepared to welcome him. And whoever fights us, we will fight him until the promise of Allah (swt) comes to pass."
"And what is the promise of God to you?" asked Rustum.
"Paradise for our martyrs and victory for those who live."
Rustum of course was not inclined to listen to such talk from a seemingly wretched person the likes of whom the Persians regarded as barbaric and uncivilized and whom they had conquered and subjugated for centuries.
The Muslim delegation returned to their commander-in-chief. It was clear that war was now inevitable. Sa'd's eyes filled with tears. He wished that the battle could be delayed a little or indeed that it might have been somewhat earlier. For on this particular day he was seriously ill and could hardly move. He was suffering from sciatica and he could not even sit upright for the pain.
Sa'd (ra) knew that this was going to be a bitter, harsh and bloody battle. And for a brief moment he thought, if only… but no! The Messenger of Allah (saw) had taught the Muslims that none of them should say, "If…" To say "If…" implied a lack of will and determination and wishing that a situation might have been different was not the characteristic of a firm believer. So, despite his illness, Sa'd (ra) got up and stood before his army and addressed them. He began his speech with a verse from the glorious Qur'an:
"And indeed after having exhorted (man), We have laid it down in all the books of Divine wisdom that My righteous servants shall inherit the earth." (Surah al-Anbiya', 21:105)
The address over, Sa'd (ra) performed Salat az-Zuhr with the army. Facing them once again, he shouted the Muslim battle cry "Allahu Akbar" four times and directed the fighters to attack with the words:
"Hayya 'ala barakatillah - Charge, with the blessings of Allah."
Standing in front of his tent, Sa'd (ra) directed his soldiers and spurred them on with shouts of Allahu Akbar (Allah is Most Great) and La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no power nor might save with Allah). For four days the battle raged. The Muslims displayed valor and skill. But a Persian elephant corps wrought havoc in the ranks of the Muslims. The ferocious battle was only resolved when several renowned Muslim warriors made a rush in the direction of the Persian commander. A storm arose and the canopy of Rustum was blown into the river. As he tried to flee, he was detected and slain. Complete confusion reigned among the Persians and they fled in disarray.
Just how ferocious the battle was can be imagined when it is known that some thirty thousand persons on both sides fell in the course of four days' fighting. In one day alone, some two thousand Muslims and about ten thousand Persians lost their lives.
The Battle of Qadisiyah is one of the major decisive battles of world history. Is sealed the fate of the Sasanian Empire just as the Battle of Yarmuk had sealed the fate of the Byzantine Empire in the west.
Two years after Qadisiyah, Sa'd (ra) went on to take the Sasanian capital. By then he had recovered his health. The taking of Ctesiphon was accomplished after a brilliant crossing of the Tigris River while it was in flood. Sa'd (ra) has thus gone down in the annals of history as the Hero of Qadisiyah and the Conqueror of Ctesiphon.
He lived until he was almost eighty years old. He was blessed with much influence and wealth but as the time of death approached in the year 54 AH, he asked his son to open a box in which he had kept a coarse woolen jubbah and said:
"Shroud me in this, for in this (jubbah) I met the Mushrikin on the day of Badr and in it I desire to meet Allah Almighty."
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas
SA`AD IBN ABI WAQQAS (RadhiAllaahu Anhu)
Sa` ad Ibn Abi Waqqas(RadhiAllaahu Anhu), one of the companions of Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) . He was one of those ten Companions who had been given the glad tidings of belonging to Paradise. He was the last of them to die. He died away from Medina in the land to which he retired away from the sedition between Ali & Mo’aweya(R Anhum). After his death, he was carried to Medina where he was buried. The most agreed upon date of his death was the year 55 after Hijra. Sa’ad was the first one to throw an arrow for the sake of Islam; he was the first to spill blood for the faith. He was one of the six persons that Umar ibn Al-Khattab(R A) appointed to choose a Caliph to succeed him from among them. Sa’ad was renowned for being of responded invocations. Whenever he asked Allaah for anything, he was answered. (due to the Prophet's Special supplication for him).
Sa` ad comes from a rich and noble family. And was so much attached to his family, specially his mother.
He was known for being serious and intelligent. Before embracing Islam he used to feel that he doesn t fit in the lifestyle of his people, also he was never satisfied with their religious beliefs.
On day Abu Bakr(RadhiAllaahu Anhu) came up and spoke softly to Sa`d (R A) , and explained to him what Islam is about. Then took him to Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) . It was late afternoon by this time and the Prophet had just prayed Salat al-Asr. Sa` ad (R A) was excited and overwhelmed and responded very quickly to the invitation to truth and the religion of Allaah . The fact that he was among the first people to embrace accept Islam was something that gave him great satisfaction.
The Prophet (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) was also greatly pleased with the fact that Sa` ad (R A) has become a Muslim. The Prophet (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) saw in Sa` ad signs of brilliance. The fact that he was still in his youth promised great things to come.
The Prophet (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) was happy with his family relationship to Sa` ad . Once as he was sitting with his companions, he saw Sa `d coming and he said to them:
"This is my maternal uncle. Let a man see his maternal uncle!"
Indeed Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) was delighted with Sad's acceptance of Islam, but Sa`d' s mother was not. Sa` ad narrates:
"When my mother knew that I became a Muslim, she flew into a rage. She came up to me and said:
"O Sad! What is this religion that you have joined which has taken you away from the religion of your mother and father...? Either you abandon this new religion or I would not eat or drink until I die. Your heart would be broken with grief for me and remorse would consume you on account of the deed which you have done and people would censure you forever more.'
'Don't do this to me mother,' I said, 'for I would not give up my religion for anything in the world.'
Sa` ad s mother carried out her threat... For days she neither ate nor drank. And thus her health has majorly deteriorated. Once Sa` ad went to visit his mother trying to convince her to eat, he narrates:
'Mother! In spite of my strong love for you, my love for Allaah and His Messenger is way stronger. By Allaah , if you had a thousand souls and one soul after another were to depart, I would not abandon Islam for anything.' When she saw that I was determined she relented unwillingly and ate and drank."
It was concerning Sad's relationship with his mother and her attempt to forsake Islam that the words of the Qur an were revealed:
"And we enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents. In pain upon pain did his mother bear him and his weaning took two years. So show gratitude to Me and to your parents. To Me is the final destiny.
"But if they strive to make you join in worship with Me things of which you have no knowledge, obey them not. Yet bear them company in this life with justice and consideration and follow the way of those who turn to Me. In the end, the return of you all i s to Me and I shall tell you (the truth and meaning of) all that you used to do." Qur an (31: 14-15).
Sa` ad ibn Abi Waqqas (R A) had distinguished role in many of the battles that took place both during the time of the Prophet (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) and after. He fought at the battle of Badr together with his young brother Umayr (R A) who had cried to be allowed to join the Muslim army for he was only in his early teens. Sa` ad returned to Madinah alone for Umayr was killed in the battle.
At the Battle of Uhud, Sa`d(R A) was chosen as one of the best warriors together with Zayd, Saib the son of Uthman ibn Mazun and others(R Anhum). Sa` ad was one of those who fought strongly in defence of the Prophet (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) after some Muslims had deserted their positions. To urge him on, the Prophet (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) , said:
" Shoot, Sa` ad ...may my mother and father be your ransom."
Sa`d (R A) is also known as the first companion to have shot an arrow in defence of Islam. And the Prophet once prayed for him saying:
"O Lord, direct his shooting and respond to his prayer."
Sa` ad was one of the companions of the Prophet who enjoyed great wealth. Just as he was known for his bravery, so he was known for his generosity. During the Farewell Pilgrimage with Prophet Mohammad (SallAllaahu 'Alaihi wa Sallam) , he fell ill. The Prophet came to visit him and said:
"O Messenger of Allaah . I have wealth and I only have one daughter to inherit from me. Shall I give two thirds of my wealth in charity?"
"No," replied the Prophet.
"Then, (shall I give) a half?" asked Sad and the Prophet again said 'no'.
"Then, (shall I give) a third?' asked Sa` ad .
"Yes," said the Prophet. "The third is much. Indeed to leave your heirs well-off' is better than that you should leave them dependent on others and to beg from people. If you spend anything seeking to gain thereby the pleasure of Allaah , you will be rewarded for it even if it is a morsel which you place in your wife's mouth."
Sa` ad did not remain the father of just one child but was blessed thereafter with many children.
Sa` ad is mainly renowned as the commander-in-chief of the strong Muslim army which Umar dispatched to fight the Persians at the Battle of Qadisiyyah.
It wasn t an easy task to fight the very strong army of Persia. The most powerful force had to be mustered. Umar(R A) sent dispatches to Muslim governors throughout the state to gather all strong men who had weapons or mounts, or who had talents of oratory and other skills to join the Muslims in the battle.
When they had all gathered, Umar (R A) consulted the Muslims leaders about the appointment of a commander-in-chief over the mighty army. Umar (R A) himself thought of leading the army but Ali suggested that the Muslims were in great need of him. So Sa` ad was then chosen as commander and Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf(R A) , one of the veterans among the Prophet s companions said:
"You have chosen well! Who is there like Sa` ad ?" Umar (R A) stood before the army and bade farewell to them. To the commander-in-chief he said:
"O Sad! Let not any statement that you are the uncle of the Messenger of Allaah or that you are the companion of the Messenger of Allaah distract you from God. Allaah Almighty does not obliterate evil with evil but he wipes out evil with good.
"O Sa`ad ! There is no connection between God and anyone except obeying Him. In the sight of Allaah all people whether nobleman or commoner are the same. Allaah is their Lord and they are His worshipers seeking elevation through taqwa (fear of God) and seeking to obtain what is with God through obedience. Consider how the Messenger of Allaah used to act with the Muslims and act accordingly..."
Sa` ad was fully aware of the gravity of the impending battle and kept in close contact with the military high command in Madinah. Although commander-in-chief, he understood the importance of shura (counseling).
Sa`ad (R A) followed Umar' s (R A) instructions.
The Battle of Qadisiyyah is one of the most important battles of world history.
Two years after Qadisiyyah, Sa` ad went on to take the Sasanian capital. The taking of Ctesiphon was accomplished after a brilliant crossing of the Tigris river (In Iraq) while it was in flood. Sa` ad (R A) has thus gone down in the annals of history as the Hero of Qadisiyyah and the Conqueror of Ctesiphon.
Sa` ad was blessed with much influence and wealth but as the time of death approached in the year 54 AH, he asked his son to open a box in which he had kept a course woolen jubbah and said:
"Shroud me in this, for in this (jubbah) I fought against the atheists on the day of Badr and in it I desire to meet Allaah Almighty."
Virtues of Sa` ad Ibn Abi Waqqas(RadhiAllaahu Anhu)
Sa’ad was the one who built the city of Kufa in Iraq during the reign Umar ibn al-Khattab(R A). He was appointed by Umar as its Amir. Later Umar (R A) removed him from that post but he was re-assigned during the caliphate of Othman(R A). Muslim mentions that the people of Kufa filed a complaint against Sa’ad to the Caliph Umar . Umar (R A) was known to be meticulous in his rulings & verdicts. He sent a committee to Kufa to investigate the matter. They passed by all mosques of the city asking about Sa’ad & got loads of praise on his behalf. In just one masjid, that of the clan of Bani Abd, one single man (Abu Sa’adah) criticized Sa’ad saying: Sa’ad never leads his troops, never rules fairly, & never divides profits evenly. When this reached Sa’ad, he said: As he accused me of three, likewise I’ll ask God for three to befall him if he lied: to extend his life, to deepen his poverty & to make fall for temptations. The narrators Abdul Malak ibn Omair after Jaber ibn Thamarah testify that they saw such a man who falsely charged Sa’ad cursed by Sa’ad’s invocation: old, poor & chasing women in the streets! If the accusations were false & Sa’ad acquitted, why then did Umar remove Sa’ad from his post as Emir of Koufa? This resolution from Umar was not for something wrong that Sa’ad did. This is proved by the fact that Umar chose Sa’ad as one of his possible successors. Moreover, Umar specified Sa’ad in his will: “If Sa’ad was chosen as my successor well & good, if not he should be consulted. I did not remove him for being defective or dishonest”. Umar dismissed Sa’ad as a part of his policy of legitimacy. He would not leave someone in office who has been accused by people, even if the charges were proved to be false. He would not let doubts propagate in the hearts of lay people. When Umar was dying, he confirmed the honest status of Sa’ad admitting that he did not dismiss him for any defects or dishonesty on his side. And he appointed Sa’ad as one of his possible successors.
• Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas (R A) was among those who stayed away from the big dispute between Ali & Mo’aweyah refusing to take sides. His nephew Hashem ibn Otbah came to him saying: 100,000 swords are waiting for you to lead them. They believe that you deserve to be their master. Sa’ad replied: I just want one single sword out of those 100,000; a sword that when I use to hit a believer it would not harm him, yet when I strike with it an infidel it would cut him. In another version Sa’ad said: Give me a sword that when I want to strike a believer, it denies me & says: Do not hit, this is a believer. But when I want to strike an infidel, it cuts him. Sa’ad was wise to retire this whole sedition & refused to have any part in it. He had some nice words on that issue: We & our companions are like some people who were travelling on the road, when suddenly it all turned dark around them. Some of them said that the road was going right & they walked right. Others said that it went left & they turned left. But we said that we do not see to which way the road goes & we decided to stay where we were standing till the darkness clears. When it cleared, we carried on taking the original road.
• Imam Muslim mentions that Aisha (R Anha) said that one night the Prophet (SAWS) woke up from his sleep & said: I wish some good man from among my companions would keep an eye on me for the night. Just as he said that we heard the rattle of a weapon outside. The Prophet(SAWS) asked: Who is there? Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas replied: It is me Messenger of Allaah. The Prophet asked again: And what brought you? Sa’ad(R A) replied: I felt some concern for you Messenger of Allaah, so I decided to come & stand guard for you for the night. The Prophet felt safe. He gave an invocation for Sa’ad then went into sound sleep. The hadeeth points to some virtues of Sa’ad: (a) “I wish a good man from among my companions would keep an eye on me for the night”. So we know that Sa’ad is “a good man” & that he is “from among the friends of the Prophet” who are all righteous. (b) “The Prophet gave an invocation for Sa’ad”. This means that the Prophet prayed for the man asking God to forgive him & to let him prosper. It is known that Allaah accepts the Prophet’s prayers & fulfills them.
• Muslim mentions a hadeeth in which Ali (R A) said: The Prophet (SAWS) never swore by both his father & mother together except for Sa’ad. He was telling him in the battle of uhud: Throw, by my father & mother. In another version of the hadeeth mentioned byMuslim, the narrator is Sa’ad himself who said: The Messenger of Allaah (SAWS) has united both his parents for me on the day of uhud. There was this infidel who was hitting Muslims hard with his sword. So the Prophet told me: By my father & mother throw an arrow on him. So I threw him with a blunt-headed arrow which hit his side (some narrators said that the arrow hit the man’s heart). He fell down. The Prophet(SAWS) was content that the man who was frightening Muslims has been killed.
• Muslim mentions a hadeeth by Mus’ab (the son of Sa’ad) who said: Four verses of the Qur'an were revealed on behalf of Sa’ad. His mother swore that she would not talk to him at all until he goes back on his faith. She refused to eat or drink & told him: You claim that your religion commands you to honor your parents. I am your mother & I command you to go back on that faith of yours. She spent 3 days on that food strike till she was extremely weary. Another son of hers (Umair ) gave her to drink. They forced her to eat by opening her mouth by force. But once she regained composure, she kept cursing Sa’ad. He told her: Even if you had 100 lives (or 100 breaths left in you), & these kept on leaving your body one by one, still I’d never abandon my faith. Then a verse of the Quran was revealed blaming Sa’ad for being rude to his mother but corroborated his stand with her regarding the matter of faith [“And should they try to force you to adopt or accept polytheism and to incorporate with Me other deities of whom or (of which) you have empty knowledge, then refuse to accept and disobey them in this respect. But keep friends with them in life and maintain the friendly feeling and disposition and let it be felt in equity” (31: 15)]. The verses told Sa’ad to hold on to his faith, but to be kind to his mother & not to talk to her in such harsh words.
• A second verse of the Quran was revealed in Sa’ad. He narrates: In this battle the Prophet (SAWS) gained a lot of spoils. Among these was a great sword (of Sa’eed ibn Al-Aas). I was the one who gained it & took it to the Prophet (SAWS) & asked him to give it to me as I was the one who deserved it (being the one who killed the owner & brought the sword, & being a brave skilled fighter with swords). The Prophet said: Put it back from where you took it. I went to put it where spoils are collected, but my soul was blaming me (you are the one who got it, so you should take it & not leave it to someone else). So, I returned back to the Prophet & asked him again. He raised his voice blaming me for not obeying him on the first time & repeated: Put it back from where you took it. And God revealed [“They ask you O Muhammad about the spoils of war what to do with them, to whom do they belong and how are they going to be divided among the victors! Say to them: «They belong to Allaah and His cause and to the Messenger who administers Allaah 's affairs according to divine instructions. The main thing is that you people entertain the profound reverence dutiful to Allaah and to stand firm to Allaah 's principles and purpose, to concert all matters in difference and to obey Allaah and His Messenger if indeed are true believers»” (8:1)].
• Sa’ad narrates the story surrounding the revealing of the 3rd verse on his behalf: I was roaming around when I came across a group of Ansar (original inhabitants of Medina who supported the Prophet) & Muhajereen (inhabitants of Mecca who migrated to Medina fleeing with their faith). They said: O Sa’ad, come & have some food & wine with us. This was before alcohol was prohibited. I accepted their invitation & we sat together eating & drinking. There was this grilled head of a camel & big container of wine. I said (apparently after getting drunk) that Muhajereen are better than Ansar. One of the Ansar (who was also drunk) took the bony skull of the camel & hit me with it in the face. My nose was injured (slit opened) & bleeding. I went to the Prophet (SAWS) & told him of what happened. Allaah revealed to him the verse of the Quran that prohibited alcohol [“O you who have conformed to Islam You had better realize that Intoxicants (alcohol & the like), gambling, the stone altars on which oil is poured for consecration or on which meat is sacrificed for idols (idolatrous/superstitious practices), & divination & raffling by arrows or any other means; all these are indeed an atrocity of Satan who is your avowed enemy. Therefore, avoid such horrible wickedness so that Heaven may hopefully prosper you. The fact is that Satan wishes to use intoxicants and gambling as the instrument to implant enmity and hatred among you and to alienate you from keeping Allaah in mind and from the act of worship” (5:90-91)].
• Muslim mentions a hadeeth in which Sa’ad said: This verse of the Quran was revealed on behalf of me among six others [“And do not oblige the rich infidels who suffer from inordinate self-esteem, by dismissing those who are humble in rank or station before they listen to your discourse on Islam. Poor as they are, they uplift their hands and their inward sight to Allaah in their devotional exercise morning and evening seeking only the illumination proceeding from Him” (6:52)]. There was ibn Mas’ood, Bilal, one man from Hudthail, myself & two others whom I don’t recall. The rich infidels asked the Prophet to throw us out while he was preaching them about Islam lest we may get daring towards them. The Prophet must have thought of something within himself. And Allaah revealed to him (verse 6:52). Most probably the Prophet may have thought of letting those 6 pious Muslims out in response to those infidels in an attempt to gain them into Islam. The Prophet (SAWS) was known to have said: I may skip a man that I love from donations, & give someone else in order to make him blend. It is normal that one may trust the faith of pious righteous ones, & not fear any retreat of their faith. But for someone who has just embraced the religion (or is hoped to) & whose faith is still on the edge, you must treat that one very gently & be generous with him; much more than you are with the pious ones. One may think that the Prophet was favoring the infidel over the pious believer. Aiming at gaining more people into the faith, the thought of pleasing the infidels being preached by getting those 6 believers out; that thought may have crossed his mind. Allaah did not approve of such thought of the Prophet & the verse was revealed redirecting his aims.
• Sa’ad was sick during the Prophet’s (SAWS) farewell pilgrimage. He was afraid that he would die in Mecca as Sa’ad ibn Khawla had died. The Prophet called ibn Khawla “the distressed” for not dying in Medina. He narrates: I was sick, so I sent to the Prophet & he came to visit. I said to him that I’ll divide my heritage the way I fancy. He denied that. So I said: I’ll divide half of it. Again he denied that. So I said: I’ll divide one third of it. This time he remained silent. A rule of jurisprudence was thus established. A person is given the right to divide only 1/3 or less of his heritage. He has no control over the rest which is divided between his heirs according to the rules revealed in the Quran (4:11-12)
SAHABA STORIES: SA`AD IBN ABI WAQQAS (R A)
