Āmir ibn 'Abdullāh ibn al-Jarrāh (583-638) (Arabic: أبو عبيدة عامر بن عبدالله بن الجراح), more commonly known as Abū 'Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrāh RA, was one of the ten companions of the Prophet Mohammad SAW (pbuh) who were promised Paradise as mentioned in early Islamic historical accounts and records. He remained commander of a large section of Muslim armies during the time of Caliph Umar ('Umar ibn al-Khattab) and was on the list of Umar's appointed successors to the Caliphate.
Legacy
He was extremely courteous and humble and quite shy. Yet in a tough situation he would become strikingly serious and alert. He was given the title Amin or Custodian of Muhammad's community (Ummah). `Abd Allah ibn `Umar once said about him:
He chose to live a simple way of life, opting for the most modest of garments when compared to some of the other sahaba (companions of Rasulullah SAW).
When, during the conquest of Jerusalem, Caliph Umar had come to Syria, he was met by Khalid ibn al-Walid and Yazid bin abu Sufyan; Caliph Umar dismounted from his camel and threw sand at them while admonishing them that "it has not been even a year since you have came out of the hunger and hard life of Arabia and you have forgotten all the simplicity when you saw the glamour of Syria's Emperors?"
Both men were incidentally wearing better garments then they were previously accustomed; Khalid ibn al-Walid noted that beneath their clothes they were still sufficiently armed, indicating they were still accustomed to the practical ways of hard desert life, bringing some relief to the Caliph.
Comparatively, Abu Ubaidah (RA) was also present, but had always maintained his humble dressing and way of life; Umar was pleased to see him, and that very evening, when Umar arrived at his home, he saw that Abu Ubaidah, a man made successful in the art of battle (earning him rights to much booty), had no possessions at home except one bed, a sword and a shield.
WORDS OF WISDOM
In Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah ’s (RA) last days, he made the following statement to the Muslims:
“Today, I am giving you some advice. If you accept it, you will find peace and security to be your companions:
- Establish ‘Salaah’, be regular in your prayer
- Fast during the month of Ramadhan
- Give sacrifices and be charitable often
- Perform the Hajj
- Perform the Umrah
- Encourage and instruct each other to do good actions
- Wish your fair and just rulers well and be loyal to them
- Never deceive your just rulers
- Be careful that you perform your duties and not be lost in worldly pursuits
Listen carefully to what I have to say next: ‘Even if a man gets to live a thousand years, one day he will be in the same position in which you see me today, no one can escape death.’
“My greetings of peace to all of you. May there be countless blessings of Allah the merciful on you all.”
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