Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas was one of the earliest Muslims, a member of the Ten Promised Paradise, and the first man to shoot an arrow in the cause of Islam. Known for supplications that were readily answered, he stood firm when his own mother pressured him to abandon his faith, an episode connected to verses of the Qur’an. Later, he commanded the Muslim army at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, founded the city of Kufa, and lived to become one of the last surviving early companions. His life offers inspiring lessons in faith, courage, and loyalty to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Who Was Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas?
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, whose father’s name was Malik ibn Uhayb, belonged to Banu Zuhrah of Quraysh. He accepted Islam through Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and later described himself as the third person to embrace it. Key facts about him include:
- Full name: Sa’d ibn Malik ibn Uhayb al-Zuhri al-Qurashi.
- Kunya: Abu Ishaq.
- Rank: one of the Ten Promised Paradise and a member of Umar’s shura council.
- Known for: his skill in archery and his answered supplications.
قال الله تعالى: ﴿وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ﴾
(سورة التوبة 9:100)
Allah says: “The first forerunners among the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and those who followed them with excellence—Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.”
(Surah At-Tawbah 9:100)
The Story of Sa’d’s Mother and the Revealed Verse
Sa’d was deeply devoted to his mother, Hamnah bint Sufyan, which made her reaction to his Islam a severe test. The story unfolded in these stages:
- His mother vowed not to eat or drink until he abandoned Islam.
- She grew weak, and people urged Sa’d to give in for her sake.
- Sa’d told her that even if she had a hundred souls departing one by one, he would not leave his faith.
- She ended her fast, and Allah revealed that parents must not be obeyed in associating partners with Him, yet must still be treated with kindness.
This guidance appears in Surat al-Ankabut and Surat Luqman, and it remains a key principle in balancing faith with family duty.
The First Man to Shoot an Arrow in Islam
Sa’d was among the finest archers of the Arabs, and his skill served Islam from the earliest military missions. His most notable moments as an archer include:
- He shot the first arrow for Islam during an early expedition near Rabigh in 1 AH.
- At Uhud, he defended the Prophet ﷺ with his arrows.
- The Prophet ﷺ encouraged him by saying, “Shoot, may my father and mother be ransomed for you.”
قال سعد بن أبي وقاص رضي الله عنه: «إِنِّي لَأَوَّلُ الْعَرَبِ رَمَى بِسَهْمٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ» (صحيح البخاري، حديث 3728)
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas رضي الله عنه said: “I was the first among the Arabs to shoot an arrow in the cause of Allah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3728)
The Accepted Dua of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas
The Prophet ﷺ prayed for Sa’d, asking Allah to make his aim true and to answer his supplications. The companions witnessed the effect of this prayer throughout his life:
- His supplications became so well known that people feared wronging him.
- When a man in Kufa falsely accused him before Umar, Sa’d prayed against him, and the man lived a long life of poverty and trials.
- Reports link the acceptance of his prayers to his care in eating only lawful food.
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas and the Battle of Qadisiyyah
During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, Sa’d was appointed to lead the Muslim army against the Persian Empire. The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, fought around 15 AH, became his greatest achievement:
- Sa’d organized the army and sent delegations to invite the Persian leaders to Islam.
- Although ill and unable to ride, he directed the battle from a nearby fortress.
- After several days of intense fighting, the Persian commander Rustam was killed.
- The Muslim victory opened the way to Iraq and the Persian capital.
قال الله تعالى: ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَاثْبُتُوا وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾ (سورة الأنفال 8:45)
Allah says: “O you who believe, when you encounter a force, stand firm and remember Allah often so that you may succeed.” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:45)
Sa’d and the Founding of Kufa
After the conquest of Iraq, Sa’d sought a healthy, strategic site to settle the Muslim troops. With Umar’s approval, he founded Kufa around 17 AH as a garrison city near the Euphrates. Kufa soon grew into a major center of Islamic learning, producing many scholars of Qur’an, hadith, and Arabic grammar.
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas and China
A popular tradition holds that Sa’d led a delegation to China during the Tang dynasty, and a tomb in Guangzhou is often attributed to him. However, reliable early sources state that he died and was buried in Madinah, so historians treat the China account as unverified, although Muslim envoys did reach China during that era.
قال الله تعالى: ﴿وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا﴾
(سورة الإسراء 17:36)
Allah says: “Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, hearing, sight, and the heart will all be questioned.”
(Surah Al-Isra 17:36)
How Did Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas Die?
Sa’d spent his final years away from political conflict, living on his estate at al-Aqiq near Madinah. The details of his death include:
- He died around 55 AH, at more than eighty years of age.
- He asked to be shrouded in the woolen cloak he had worn at Badr.
- He was buried in al-Baqi cemetery, the last of the Ten Promised Paradise to pass away.
Lessons from the Life of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas
As one of the Ten Promised Paradise, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas left lessons that every believer can apply:
- Faith comes first, even before the dearest family ties.
- Kindness to parents remains a duty even when they disagree with us.
- Lawful earnings and sincere hearts open the door to answered prayers.
- Avoiding conflict during times of strife protects one’s religion.
Final Thoughts on Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas combined the courage of a commander with the humility of a devoted worshipper. His story continues to inspire Muslims to hold firm to their faith while honoring family and serving the community.
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Guidance from the Quran and Hadith
قال الله تعالى: ﴿كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ﴾ (سورة آل عمران 3:185)
Allah says: “Every soul will taste death, and you will only receive your rewards in full on the Day of Resurrection.” (Surah Aal-Imran 3:185)
قال النبي ﷺ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْعَبْدَ التَّقِيَّ الْغَنِيَّ الْخَفِيَّ» (صحيح مسلم، حديث 2965)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah loves the servant who is mindful of Him, self-sufficient, and inconspicuous.” (Sahih Muslim 2965)
FAQs
Why is Sa'd called the Prophet's maternal uncle?
Sa'd belonged to Banu Zuhrah, the clan of the Prophet's mother, Aminah bint Wahb. Arabs referred to men of the mother's clan as maternal uncles, and the Prophet ﷺ affectionately introduced Sa'd as his uncle, asking others to show theirs.
How old was Sa'd when he accepted Islam?
Sa'd accepted Islam at about seventeen years of age, making him one of the youngest of the early believers. Despite his youth, he endured family pressure and the hostility of Quraysh without wavering in his commitment to the new faith.
What was the conquest of al-Mada'in?
After al-Qadisiyyah, Sa'd advanced toward al-Mada'in, the Persian capital. When the Persians destroyed the bridges over the Tigris, he led his army across the river on horseback, entered the city in 16 AH, and prayed in the famous royal palace.
What did Sa'd do during the civil strife among Muslims?
Sa'd chose to stay away from the conflicts that followed Uthman's assassination. He withdrew to his estate at al-Aqiq and firmly refused to fight fellow Muslims, preferring to protect his religion rather than taking any part in the painful strife.
What advice did the Prophet ﷺ give Sa'd about his will?
When Sa'd fell ill in Mecca during the Farewell Pilgrimage, he asked to donate most of his wealth. The Prophet ﷺ limited the bequest to one third, explaining that leaving heirs wealthy is better than leaving them dependent on others.