Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
Abu Ubaidah, whose full name is Amer ibn Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah, was a distinguished companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He belonged to the Quraysh tribe, specifically the Al-Fahri clan, and he shares lineage with the Prophet through their common ancestor, Al-Fahr ibn Malik. Notably, Abu Ubaidah was known for his towering stature, slender physique, and sharp features, including a pronounced chin and notable dimpled cheeks. His temperament was marked by kindness, humility, and patience, traits that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) praised, stating, “There is no one among my companions whom I could criticize for their character, except for Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.”
Additionally, Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked, “Among the Quraysh, three stand out for their nobility, character, and steadfastness: Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, and Uthman ibn Affan.” Importantly, Abu Ubaidah was one of the early converts to Islam, embracing the faith before the Prophet entered Dar Al-Arqam, and he participated in all the battles alongside the Prophet as a valiant warrior, achieving significant victories through his efforts.
The Impact of the Prophet’s Upbringing on Abu Ubaidah
The influence of the upbringing provided by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) profoundly shaped Abu Ubaidah’s character and morals. A notable incident illustrating this occurred during the Battle of Dhat al-Salasil, in the eighth year of Hijrah. The Prophet dispatched Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) to the land of Adhrah and Bili, where he soon faced a significantly larger enemy force. Amr reached out to the Prophet, requesting reinforcements. The Prophet selected a group of migrants, including Abu Bakr and Umar, and appointed Abu Ubaidah as their commander.
Upon their arrival, Amr announced, “I am your commander.” The migrants insisted that Abu Ubaidah was their leader, and he commanded those accompanying him. Amr retorted, “You are my reinforcements.” At this point, Abu Ubaidah intervened, demonstrating his good character, a testament to the Prophet’s influence, saying, “Know, Amr, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) told me that if I came to you, we should cooperate. If you disobey me, I will still obey you.”
The Virtues of Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) is regarded as one of the foremost companions due to his early acceptance of Islam, participation in both migrations, and recognition as one of the ten companions given the glad tidings of paradise. He witnessed the Battle of Badr and stood firm alongside the Prophet during Uhud, even removing the helmet studs from the Prophet’s face, causing two of his teeth to fall out. Numerous authentic narrations highlight his virtues, including:
- Divine Praise: Scholars mention that Allah praised Abu Ubaidah indirectly in the Holy Quran after he confronted his father, Al-Jarrah, during the Battle of Uhud. Al-Jarrah was a disbeliever whom Abu Ubaidah ultimately defeated. This led to the revelation: “You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers, sons, brothers, or kin.”
- Beloved by the Prophet: It is reported that the Prophet’s wife, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), was once asked who the most beloved person to the Prophet was, to which she replied, “Abu Bakr, then Umar, and then Abu Ubaidah.”
- Trusted by the Community: Although all companions were known for their trustworthiness, the Prophet uniquely designated Abu Ubaidah as the trustworthy one of this nation, as indicated in a narration from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), stating: “Every nation has an ameer, and our ameer is Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.” When the Christians of Najran visited the Prophet and requested a trustworthy envoy, the Prophet proclaimed, “I will send with you a truly trustworthy man,” leading all companions to hope it would be them. He then declared, “Stand up, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.” The Prophet affirmed, “This is the trustworthy one of this nation.”
The Death of Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
When the plague broke out in the area of Amwas, Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) was the commander of the forces there. Fearing for his safety, Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab sent a message urging him to evacuate. In his message, he wrote, “When you receive my letter at night, I insist that you do not remain until morning without coming to me. If you receive it in the morning, do not spend the evening without coming to me, as I have need of you.” Understanding the implication that Umar sought to save him from the plague, Abu Ubaidah, with great respect, declined the request, stating, “I have received your letter, O Commander of the Faithful, and I understand your intention. I am, however, amidst my fellow believers, and what befalls them will also befall me. Please excuse me from your command, O Commander of the Faithful.”
Upon receiving this response, Umar wept. When asked whether Abu Ubaidah had passed, he replied that if he wasn’t dead yet, he was inevitably moving towards death since there was no escape from the plague. Among Abu Ubaidah’s forces of thirty-six thousand, only six thousand survived. He passed away in the year eighteen after Hijrah due to what became known as the plague of Amwas, at the age of fifty-eight. Umar led the funeral prayer for him, and he was buried in Baysan.