Abu Ubaidah: Name and Lineage
Abu Ubaidah, whose full name is Amr ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Jarrah, descends from a reputable lineage: Al-Hilal, Al-Ahib, Al-Dabba, Al-Harith, Al-Fahr, Al-Malik, and Al-Nadr. His mother was Umayyah bint Ghanam ibn Abd Al-Uzza. Both he and his mother trace their lineage back to Al-Harith ibn Al-Fahr. Known by his kunya (nickname) Abu Ubaidah, this name is more widely recognized than his actual name. He is often referred to as Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah, indicating a preference for association with his grandfather rather than his father. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) praised him, bestowing upon him the title of “The Trustworthy of the Ummah.” Even before the advent of Islam, Abu Ubaidah was recognized for his wisdom, keen insight, and intelligence. Alongside Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), he was cited as one of the astute members of the Quraysh, famously referred to as “the two crafty leaders of Quraysh.” The Prophet said: “People are like precious metals; the best among them in Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic period) will be the best in Islam, provided they understand.”
Embracing Islam
When Allah sent our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the message of Islam, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was among the first to believe. He subsequently shared the message discreetly with others, and upon encountering Abu Ubaidah, he shared details about Islam, which Abu Ubaidah received with openness and enthusiasm. He then approached the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) along with Abu Salamah ibn Abd Al-Asad, Abaydah ibn Al-Harith, Abdul Rahman ibn Auf, and Uthman ibn Maz’un (may Allah be pleased with them all). They simultaneously embraced Islam during the early phase of the call, prior to the establishment of the house of Al-Arqam ibn Abu Al-Arqam. At that time, Abu Ubaidah was a robust 25 years old, indicating that he willingly accepted Islam at a mature age, where he could recognize the truth. He found in Islam the justice he sought and was unwavering in his faith, making significant sacrifices following the divine instruction: “Say: Indeed, my Lord has guided me to a straight path, a correct religion, the religion of Abraham, inclining toward truth, and he was not among the polytheists.” While the exact sequence of the first converts to Islam is not well-documented, Ibn Hisham notes that Abu Ubaidah was among the first eight to embrace the faith through the guidance of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him).
Traits and Character of Abu Ubaidah
Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) is celebrated for his numerous virtuous traits and commendable qualities, including:
- Asceticism: When Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) visited him, he found only a mat, a food container, a water skin, and a few pieces of bread in his home. This sight brought Umar to tears. On another occasion, Umar sent him a sum of money, instructing his messenger to observe how he would handle it. Abu Ubaidah distributed the money, leading Umar to praise Allah for having such a person in Islam.
- Gentleness and Good Character: Once, the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent Amr ibn Al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) to the Levant during the Campaign of Dhat Al-Salaasil. Fearing for his wellbeing, the Prophet also sent troops led by Abu Bakr and Umar, appointing Abu Ubaidah as their commander. Upon arriving, Amr claimed command, to which the emigrants (Muhajirin) countered, “You are the commander of your group, and we have Abu Ubaidah as our leader.” Understanding his role, Abu Ubaidah willingly relinquished command to Amr ibn Al-As.
- Beloved by the Companions: Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked that if he were to pass away while Abu Ubaidah was alive, he would appoint him as caliph, having heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) declare him “The Trustworthy of the Ummah.” Similarly, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) referred to him as gentle and lenient, someone who forgives when wronged and is merciful to the believers yet resolute against the disbelievers.
- Piety: During a plague in the Levant, Umar sought to evacuate Abu Ubaidah, but he declined to abandon his community, recognizing the Prophet’s words regarding the plague as an army of Allah.
- Patience and Composure: During a gathering, Umar encouraged the attendees to make wishes, and he longed for a house full of companions like Abu Ubaidah. Recognizing his integrity, Abu Bakr appointed him over the Muslim treasury.
While besieged in the Levant, Umar wrote to him about the inevitability of ease following difficulty, quoting the Quran. Abu Ubaidah responded, reiterating that worldly life is a mere distraction and a source of delusion, leading Umar to publicly encourage the people to rise for jihad.
Virtues of Abu Ubaidah
Abu Ubaidah possesses numerous virtues, including:
- Beloved by the Prophet: A report from Abdullah ibn Shaqeeq relays a conversation with Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), where she outlined that after Abu Bakr and Umar, Abu Ubaidah ranked high among the Prophet’s companions.
- One of the Ten Promised Paradise: Abdul Rahman ibn Auf (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) confirmed ten companions (including Abu Ubaidah) would enter Paradise.
- Trustworthy of the Ummah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that Abu Ubaidah was the trusted one for his community, a title that stemmed from his reputation for integrity.
- Prominent Role in Leadership: At Saqifah, Abu Bakr urged the community to choose between himself and Abu Ubaidah while Umar appointed Abu Ubaidah as governor following the removal of Khalid ibn Al-Walid.
- Valiant in Battles: He exhibited resilience in the battles of Badr and Uhud, notoriously confronting the tragic death of his father at Badr.
Military Contributions and Governance
Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) actively participated in the Battles of Badr, Uhud, and Al-Hudaybiyah. His father challenged him in Badr, leading to his eventual death through Abu Ubaidah’s direct actions, as alluded to in the Quran. The Prophet (peace be upon him) sent him on several military campaigns, and Umar appointed him as a key figure in the governance of Greater Syria, following Khalid ibn Al-Walid’s dismissal. Abu Ubaidah was responsible for much of the conquests in Syria, managing the state’s treasury during Abu Bakr’s caliphate.
Abu Ubaidah’s Death
The catastrophic plague struck the Levant during the eighteenth year of Hijra, referred to as the year of Ramadah due to widespread famine that preceded it. As the epidemic surged, thousands succumbed to the illness, with Abu Ubaidah serving as the provincial commander. According to the Prophet’s guidance regarding pandemics, he chose not to flee the area. Despite Umar’s urgent request for him to leave, Abu Ubaidah declined, stating he could not abandon his people. Upon seeing resistance to evacuation, Umar understood that Abu Ubaidah’s time was nearing its end and advised him to relocate to drier grounds. As fate would have it, the plague eventually reached him, and upon recognizing his last moments, he drafted a will for Umar, returning all entrusted items—except one related to a woman who had married before her waiting period ended. Lastly, Abu Ubaidah expressed his wish to be buried where he died, emphasizing his commitment to remain faithful to his community and uphold the tenets of Islam even in death. He died en route to Al-Aqsa Mosque while intending to pray there.
Following his passing, Mu’adh ibn Jabal addressed the people, urging them to remember the truth of mortality and the importance of trustworthiness. He praised Abu Ubaidah as a paragon of integrity and compassion. When Umar received news of Abu Ubaidah’s death, he expressed deep sorrow and affirmed that he would not replace any appointed leaders established by Abu Ubaidah. At the time of his demise, Abu Ubaidah was fifty-eight years old.