Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas

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Hazrat Sa'ad ibn Abī Waqqās
Born circa 595
Mecca, Arabia
Died circa 674
Medina, Arabia or Guangzhou, China
Allegiance Rashidun Caliphate
Service/branch Rashidun Army
Years of service 636–644
Rank Commander
Governor of Ctesiphon (637–638)
Governor of Busra (638–644), (645–646)
Commands held Rashidun conquest of Persian Empire

Sa'ad ibn Abī Waqqās (Arabic: سعد بن أبي وقاص‎) was an early convert to Islam in 610–11 and one of the important companions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad(pbuh). Sa'ad was the seventeenth person to embrace Islam at the age of seventeen. He is mainly known for his commandership in the conquest of Persia in 636, governorship over it, and diplomatic sojourns to China in 616 and 651.



Born in Mecca in 595, Saʿd was from the Banu Zuhrah clan of the Quraysh tribe,[1] and was the grandson of the paternal uncle of Aminah bint Wahb,[2] mother of Muhammad. He was seventeen years old when he accepted Islam. His son was Umar ibn Sa'ad who played an active and important role in Battle Of Karbala.

During Muhammad's era 610–632[edit]

Conversion to Islam[edit]

He was one of the first to accept Islam.[1]

Saʿd relates:

This was referenced in the Quranic verse 31:14–15.[1]


In 614, the Muslims were on their way to the hills of Mecca to offer prayer with Muhammad, when a group of polytheists observed them. They began to abuse and fight them. Sa`ad beat a polytheist and shed his blood, reportedly becoming the first Muslim to shed blood in the name of Islam.[1][3]

Main article: Battle of Badr

He fought at the battle of Badr with his young brother Umayr. Being only in his early teens, Umayr was denied access to battle, but after struggling and crying, he was later given permission by Muhammed to fight in battle. Saʿd returned to Medina alone; Umayr was one of the fourteen Muslims who died in the battle.

Main article: Battle of Uhud

At the battle of Uhud, Saʿd was chosen as an archer together with Zayd, Sa`īb (the son of Uthmān ibn Mazūn) and others. Saʿd was among those who fought in defense of Muhammad after some Muslims had deserted their positions. Muhammad honoured him by declaring him one of the best archers of that time. During the battle, Muhammed gathered some arrows for him.

Farewell Pilgrimage[edit]

He fell ill during the Farewell Pilgrimage, and he had only a daughter during this period. Sa'ad 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. "Then, (shall I give) a half?." asked Sa'ad 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 and to beg from people. If you spend anything seeking to gain thereby the pleasure of Allah, you will be rewarded for it even if it is a morsel which you place in your wife's mouth.[1]

During Caliph Umar's era 634–644[edit]

Saʿd also fought under Umar's command against the Sassanid army at the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah and Battle of Nahāvand. He was later appointed governor of Kufa and Nejd during the caliphate of Umar.

Some narrations state that although Umar deposed him from his post as governor, he recommended that the caliph who succeeded him reinstall Sa'd, since Umar had not deposed Sa'd due to any treachery.[4]

He was one of six people nominated by Umar ibn al-Khattab for the third caliphate.

During Caliph Uthman's era 644–656[edit]

Uthman carried out Umar's recommendation and appointed Sa'd as governor of Kufa.[4]

S'ad has been traditionally credited by Chinese Muslims with introducing Islam to China in 650, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang,[5][6]

During Muawiyah's era 661–664[edit]

He outlived all ten blessed companions, and died a wealthy man at the age of eighty, around the year 674.[1]


Sunni Muslims regard him as one of the ten to whom paradise was promised.

One Sunni source states: To urge him on [during Uhud], Muhammad said: "Shoot, Saʿd ...may my mother and father be your ransom.". This is was also reported by Ali ibn Abi Talib who said that he had not yet heard Muhammad promising such a ransom to anyone except Sa'ad Bin Malik. Bukhari, Volume 5, Book 59, Number 389. It should be noted that Sa'ad bin Malik and Sa'ad bin abi Waqqas are the same person.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ a b c d e f Sa'ad Ibn Abi Waqqas (radhi allahu anhu)
  2. ^
  3. ^ Nafziger 2003, p. 23
  4. ^ a b The Shi'a: The Real Followers of the Sunnah on [1]
  5. ^ Wang, Lianmao (2000). Return to the City of Light: Quanzhou, an eastern city shining with the splendour of medieval culture. Fujian People's Publishing House. Page 99.
  6. ^ Lipman, Jonathan Neaman (1997). Familiar strangers: a history of Muslims in Northwest China. University of Washington Press. p. 29. ISBN 962-209-468-6. 

Further reading[edit]

  • Nafziger, George F.; Mark W. Walton (2003), Islam at war, Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 278, ISBN 0-275-98101-0, retrieved 25 July 2010 

External links[edit]