Abu Ubaidah ibn al Jarrah

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Aamir
583 – 638
Nickname	Abu Ubaidah, Amin al Umat (Custodian of Ummah)
Place of birth	Mecca, Arabia
Place of death	Jordan Vally, Jordan.
Allegiance	Rashidun Caliphate.
Service/branch	Rashidun army
Years of service	634 - 638
Rank	Supreme Commander of Rashidun army (634-638) Governor of Levant (634-638)
Commands held	Rashidun conquest of Levant

Campaigns of Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah Uhud – Yarmuk – Iron bridge – Ajnadayn – Badr – Hunayn – Uhud – Mecca – Siege of Ta'if – Tabuk – Khaybar – Trench – Qaynuqa – Nadir – Qurayza – Autas – Aleppo – busra

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, was one of the ten companions of the Prophet Muhammad 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 ibn al-Khattab and was on the list of 'Umar’s appointed successors to the Caliphate.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Conversion to Islam 3 Migration to Abyssinia 4 Migration to Medina 5 During Prophet Muhammad's era 6 During Caliph Abu Bakr’s Era 7 During Caliph Umar's era 7.1 Appointment as Supreme Commander 7.2 Conquest of central Levant 7.3 Battles for Emesa and the second battle of Damascus 7.4 Battle of Yarmouk 7.5 Capturing Jerusalem 7.6 Conquest of northern Syria 7.7 Campaigns in Armenia and Anatolia 8 The great Famine 9 The great Plague 10 Death 11 Legacy 12 Family 13 See also 14 References 15 External links

[edit] Early life

Abu 'Ubaidah was born in the year 583 CE in the house of 'Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah, a merchant by profession. Abu 'Ubaidah belonged to the Quraishi clan of Banu al-Harith ibn Fihr. Even before his conversion to Islam, he was considered to be one of the nobles of Quraish and was famous among Quraish of Mecca for his modesty and bravery

[edit] Conversion to Islam

By 611 Muhammad was preaching the oneness of God to the people of Mecca. He began by inviting his closest companions and relatives in secret to the way of Islam. He embraced Islam just a day after Abu Bakr in the year 611.^[1]

[edit] Migration to Abyssinia

Abu 'Ubaidah lived through the harsh experience that the Muslims went through in Makkah from beginning to end. With other early Muslims, he endured the insults and oppressions of Quraysh. As the first emigration to Abyssinia succeeded, this violence against Muslims renewed itself with much conviction and became stronger in its force. Being the only person in his clan to have accepted Islam, Abu Ubaidah was foremost amongst them. Muhammad suggested that the remaining Muslims who were specially subjected to the atrocities of the people of Mecca migrate as well. Consequently, Abu 'Ubaidah migrated to Abyssinia along with a delegation of 83 men and 20 women.^[2]

[edit] Migration to Medina

In 622 CE, when Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina, Abu Ubaidah also migrated. When Muhammad arrived in Medina, he paired off each immigrant (Muhajir) with one of the residents of Medina (Ansari), joining Mu'adh ibn Jabal with Abu 'Ubaidah making them brothers in faith. Muslims remained in peace in Medina for about 1 year before the Quraish raised an army to attack Medina.

[edit] During Prophet Muhammad's era

In the year 624, Abu 'Ubaidah participated in the first major battle between Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca, that is, the Battle of Badr. In this battle, he was attacked by his father Abdullah ibn al-Jarrah, who was fighting alongside the army of Quraysh. Abu 'Ubaidah avoided fighting with him but eventually his father succeeded in blocking Abu Ubaidah's path. Abu 'Ubaidah then attacked him and killed him. The following verse of the Quran was written about this display of character by Abu 'Ubaidah:

“

You will not find a people believing in God and the Last Day making friends with those who oppose God and His messenger even if these were their fathers, their sons, their brothers or their clan. God has placed faith in their hearts and strengthened them with a spirit from Him. He will cause them to enter gardens beneath which streams flow that they may dwell therein. God is well pleased with them and they well pleased with Him. They are the party of God. Is not the party of God the successful ones? (58:22)

”

.

In the year 625, he participated in the Battle of Uhud. In the second phase of the battle, when Khalid ibn Walid’s cavalry attacked Muslims from the rear changing the victory of Muslims into defeat, bulk of Muslim soldiers routed from the battle field and few remained steadfast, Abu Ubaidah was one of them, he guarded Muhammad from the attacks of Qurayshi soldiers. On that day, Abu 'Ubaidah lost two of his front teeth while trying to extract two links of Muhammad's armor that had penetrated into his cheeks.

Later in the year 627 he took part in the Battle of the Trench and also in the Battle of Banu Quraydah. He was also made commander of a small expedition that set out to attack and destroy the tribes of Tha'libah and Anmar, who were plundering nearby villages.^[3].

In the year 628 he participated in Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was made one of the witnesses over the pact.^[3]. Later in the same year, he was a part of Muslim’s campaign to Khaybar.

In the year 629 Muhammad sent 'Amr ibn al-'Aas to Zaat al-Salaasil from where he called for reinforcement and Muhammad sent Abu 'Ubaidah in command of an army that contained Abu Bakr and 'Umar ibn al-Khattab. They attacked and defeated the enemy. Later in the same year, another expedition was sent under his command to locate the routes of Quraishi caravans. This skirmish is known as Saif al-Jara.^[4].

In the year 630, when Muslims armies rushed for the Conquest of Mecca, Abu 'Ubaidah was commanding one of the four Muslim armies that entered Mecca from four different routes. Later that year, he participated in the Battle of Hunayn and the Siege of Ta'if. He was also part of the Tabuk campaign under the command of Muhammad himself. On their return from Tabuk, a Christian delegation from Najran arrived in Medina and showed interest in Islam and asked Muhammad to send with them a person who will guide them in the matters of religion and in other tribal affairs according to Islamic laws, Abu 'Ubaidah was appointed by Muhammad to go with them. He was also sent as the tax collector ('aamil) to Bahrain by Muhammad. He was present in Mecca when Muhammad died in 632.

[edit] During Caliph Abu Bakr’s Era

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When Muhammad died in 632 the matter of his succession took place at Saqifah of Banu Sa'ad Abu Ubaidah was there along with Abu Bakr and Umar. Umar said to Abu Ubaidah to stretch forth his hand for caliphate but he refused and said to Abu Bakr to sretch forth his hand to take the pledge of alliance. After the Ridda wars when Abu Bakr sent Khalid ibn Walid to Iraq to conquer it, he sent four Levant making Abu Ubaidah commander of one of them. His target was selected to be Emesa and he was ordered to move through the route of Tabouk after the army of Shurahbil bin Hasanah.

He remained commander in chief of Muslim armies until Khalid ibn Walid arrived from Iraq to Syria in 634.He was ordered by Khalid ibn Walid to remain where he is until Khalid ibn Walid reached the city of Bosra. Khalid and Abu Ubaidah met at Bosra. The castle surrendered the city After the Battle of Bosra. 130 Muslims died by now it was almost mid of July 634.

Soon Muslims heard of gathering of 90,000 Roman army at Ajnadeen, all the divisions of Muslim army joined khalid at ajnadeen on 24 July 634,which was about 32,000 in number ,Muslims defeated Roman there on 30 July 634 AD in Battle of Ajnadayn under the command of Khalid ibn Walid. After one week Abu Ubaidah along with khalid moved to Damascus, on their way to Damascus, they defeated another Roman army in the Battle of Yakosa in mid-aujust 634 AD. Tomur, the son-in-law of Emperor Heraclius, sent another army to stop khalid’s corps but they were also defeated in the battle of Maraj-al-Safar after the corps of Abu Ubaidah and Shurabil bin Hasana joined him on 19 August 634 AD.

The next day Muslims finally reached Damascus and sieged the city which continued for 30 days. After defeating the Roman reinforcements sent by emperor Heraclius at Battle of Sanita-al-Uqab 20 miles from Damascus, Muslims finally attacked and conquered the city. The Conquest of Damascus held on 18 September 634 AD.

Abu Ubaidah was appointed by Khalid ibn Walid to siege the Jabiya Gate of Damascus. It was Abu Ubaidah who gave peace to Damascus after Khalid ibn Walid attacked the city and conquered by force but as Abu Ubaidah, Shurabil bin Hasana and Amr ibn al-A'as gave peace to them unaware of khalid’s attack from the gate of his side, the Peace treaty was signed by Khalid. Roman army was given deadline of 3 days to go as far as they can with their families and treasure, other simply agreed to stay at Damascus and pay tribute .After three days deadline was over, Muslim cavalry under khalid's command attacked Roman army by reaching them from unknown shortcut at Battle of Maraj-al-Debaj.^[5]|

[edit] During Caliph Umar's era

[edit] Appointment as Supreme Commander

On 22 August 634 CE, Caliph Abu Bakr died making Umar his successor. As Umar became caliph he relieved Khalid ibn Walid from the command of the Islamic army and appointed Abu Ubaida ibn al-Jarrah as the new commander. This was done to dispel the impression that the victories were due to Khalid. Moreover Khalid was an overtly generous person who in some opinions would often waste his money in giving gifts to his soldiers as a reward for their bravery in the battles. Moreover, Abu-Ubaida was a great and a humble person; additionally he was a fearless and a skillful fighter.

Due to different style of commands, there was a slowdown in the pace of operations, as Abu Ubaida moved slowly and steadily, in contrast to Khalid who is said to rush 'like a tornado from battle to battle'; using surprise, audacity and brute force to win his battles. The conquest of Syria continued under the new commander. Abu-Ubaida used to rely heavily on the advice of Khalid, whom he kept with him as much as possible.

[edit] Conquest of central Levant

Soon after the appointment of Abu-Ubaidah as commander in chief, he sent a small detachment to the annual fair held at Abu-al-Quds, modern day Abla, near Zahle 50  east of Beirut. There was a Byzantine and Christian Arab garrison guarding that fair, the size of the garrison was miscalculated by the Muslim informants. The garrison quickly encircled the small Muslim detachment. Before it would have been completely destroyed, Abu Ubaidah, having received new intelligence, sent Khalid to rescue the Muslim army. Khalid reached there and defeated them in the Battle of Abu-al-Quds on 15 October 634 and returned with tons of looted booty from the fair and hundreds of Roman prisoners.

With central Syria captured, the Muslims has given a decisive blow to the Byzantines. The communication between northern Syria and Palestine was now cut off. Abu Ubaidah decided to march to Fahl (Pella), which is about 500 ft (150 m) below sea level, and where a strong Byzantine garrison and survivors of Battle of Ajnadayn were present. The region was crucial because from here the Byzantine army could strike eastwards and cut the communications line with Arabia. Moreover with this large garrison at the rear, Palestine could not be invaded.

Thus the Muslim army moved to Fahl. The Byzantine army was eventually defeated at the Battle of Fahl on the 23 January 635 A.D.

[edit] Battles for Emesa and the second battle of Damascus

After the battle, which would prove to be a key to Palestine and Jordan, the Muslim armies split up. Shurhabil and Amr's corps moved south to capture Palestine. Meanwhile, Abu Ubaidah and Khalid with a relatively larger corps moved north through Lebanon to conquer Lebanon and northern Syria. While the Muslims were occupied at Fahl, Heraclius, sensing the opportunity, quickly sent an army under General Theodras to recapture Damascus, where a small Muslim garrison had been left. Shortly after Heraclius dispatched this new army, the Muslims having finished the business at Fahl, were on their way to Emesa. The Byzantine army met the Muslims half way to Emesa, at Maraj-al-Rome. During the night Theodras sent half of his army towards Damascus to launch a surprise attack on the Muslim garrison

Khalid's spy informed him about the move, Khalid having received permission from Abu Ubaidah, galloped towards Damascus with his mobile guard. While Abu Ubaidah fought and defeated the Roman army in the Battle of Maraj-al-Rome, Khalid moved to Damascus with his cavalry and attacked and defeated Theodras in the 2nd battle of Damascus.

A week later, Abu Ubaida himself moved towards Baalbek (Heliopolis), where the great Temple of Jupiter stood. Baalbek surrendered to Muslim rule after little resistance and agreed to pay tribute. Abu Ubaidah sent Khalid straight towards Emesa.

Emesa and Chalcis sued for peace for a year. Abu Ubaidah, accepted the offer and rather than invading the districts of Emesa and Chalcis, he consolidated his rule in conquered land and captured Hama, Ma’arrat an Nu’man. The peace treaties were, however, on Heraclius's instructions, to lure the Muslims and to secure time for preparation of defenses of northern Syria (Present day Lebanon, Syria and Southern Turkey). Having mustered sizeable armies at Antioch Heraclius sent them to reinforce strategically important areas of northern Syria, like Emesa and Chalcis. With the arrival of Byzantine army in the city, the peace treaty was violated, Abu Ubadiah and Khalid thus marched to Emesa, and a Byzantine army that halted Khalid’s advance guard was defeated. The Muslims besieged Emesa which was finally conquered in March 636 after six months of siege.

[edit] Battle of Yarmouk

After capturing Emesa, the Muslims moved north to capture whole of the northern Syria. Khalid, acting as an advance guard took his mobile guard to raid northern Syria. At Shaizer, Khalid intercepted a convoy taking provisions for Chalcis. The prisoners were interrogated and informed him about Emperor Heraclius' ambitious plan to take back Syria. They told him that an army, possibly 200,000 strong, would soon emerge to recapture their territory. Khalid stopped there. After his past experiences, Heraclius, now had been avoiding pitch battles with the Muslims. He planned to send massive reinforcements to all the major cities and isolate the Muslim corps from each other, and thus separately encircle and destroy the Muslim armies. Five massive armies were launched in June 636 to roll back Syria.

Khalid, sensing Heraclius's plan, feared that the Muslim armies would be isolated and destroyed. In a council of war he suggested that Abu Ubaidah draw all the Muslim armies to one place so as to fight a decisive battle with the Byzantines. As per Khalid's suggestion, Abu Ubaidah ordered all the Muslim armies in Syria to evacuate the conquered land and concentrate at Jabiya. This maneuver gave a decisive blow to the Heraclius's plan. As he did not wish engage his troops in an open battle with the Muslims, where the light cavalry could be effectively used. From Jabiya, on Khalid’s suggestion, Abu Ubaidah ordered the Muslim army to withdraw on the plain of the Yarmouk River, where cavalry could be used. While the Muslim armies were gathering at Yarmouk, Khalid intercepted and routed the Byzantine advance guard. This was to ensure the safe retreat of the Muslims from conquered land.

The Muslim armies reached there in July 636. A week or two later, around mid July, the Byzantine army arrived. The Byzantine commander in chief, Vahan, sent Christian Arab troops of the Ghassanid king, Jabala, to check the strength of the Muslims. Khalid’s mobile guard defeated and routed the Christian Arabs; this was the last action before the battle started. For the next month negotiations continued between the two armies, and Khalid went to meet Vahan in person at Byzantine camp. Meanwhile the Muslims received reinforcements sent by Caliph Umar.

Abu Ubaidah in a concil of war transferred the command of Muslim army to Khalid, who acted as a field commander in the battle and was master mind behind annihilation of Byzantine army.

Finally on 15 August, the Battle of Yarmouk was fought, it lasted for 6 days and ended in a devastating defeat for the Byzantines. The Battle of Yarmouk is considered to be one of the most decisive battles of history. It was the historic defeat that sealed the fate of Byzantines, the magnitude of defeat was so intense that Byzantine could never recover from it. It left whole of the Byzantine Empire vulnerable for the Muslim invaders. The battle was the greatest battle ever fought on Syrian soil till then and was a tactical marvel of Khalid.

[edit] Capturing Jerusalem

With the Byzantine army shattered and routed, the Muslims quickly recaptured the territory that they conquered prior to Yarmouk. Abu Ubaida held a meeting with his high command, including Khalid, to decide of future conquests. They decided to conquer Jerusalem. The Siege of Jerusalem lasted four months after which the city agreed to surrender, but only to caliph Umar in person. Amr-bin al-Aas suggested that Khalid should be sent as caliph, because of his very strong resemblance with Umar. Khalid was recognized and eventually, Umar came and the Jerusalem surrendered on April 637. After Jerusalem, the Muslim armies broke up once again. Yazid’s corps came to Damascus and captured Beirut. Amr and Shurhabil’s corps went on to conquer the rest of Palestine, while Abu Ubaidah and Khalid, at the head of a 17,000 strong army moved north to conquer whole of the northern Syria.

Abu Ubaida sent the commanders 'Amr ibn al-'As, Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan, and Shurhabeel bin Hassana back to their areas to reconquer them. Most of the areas submitted without a fight. Abu Ubaida himself, along with Khalid, moved to northern Syria once again to conquer them with a 17,000 strong army. Khalid along with his cavalry was sent to Hazir and Abu Ubaidah moved to Chalcis.

[edit] Conquest of northern Syria

With Emesa already in hand, Abu Ubaidah and Khalid moved towards Chalcis, which was strategically the most significant fort of Byzantines. Though Chalcis, the Byzantines would guard Anatolia, Heraclius's home land Armenia and there the Asian zone's capital Antioch. Abu Ubaidah sent Khalid, with his elite cavalry, the mobile guard, towards Chalcis. The fort was guarded by the Greek troops under their commander, Menas, who is reported to be of high prestige, second only to the emperor himself. Menas, diverting from conventional Byzantine tactics, decided to face Khalid and destroy the leading elements of the Muslim army before the main body could join them at Hazir, 5 km east of Chalcis. This is known as the Battle of Hazir, which even forced Umar to praise Khalid's military genius. Umar is reported to have said:

Khalid is truly the commander, May Allah have mercy upon Abu Bakr. He was a better judge of men than I have been.^[6]

Abu Ubaidah soon joined Khalid at the virtually impregnable fort of Chalcis, which surrendered in June 637. With this strategic victory, the territory north of Chalcis lay open to the Muslims. Khalid and Abu Ubaidah continued their march northward and laid siege to Aleppo, which was captured after fierce resistance from desperate Byzantine troops in October 637. The next objective was the splendid city of Antioch, the capital of the Asian zone of the eastern Roman Empire.

Before marching towards Antioch, Khalid and Abu Ubaidah decided to isolate the city from Anatolia. Accordingly, they sent detachments north to eliminate all possible Byzantine forces and captured a garrison town, A'zāz 50 km from Allepo; from there the Muslims attacked Antioch on the eastern side. In order to save the empire from annihilation, a desperate battle was fought between the Muslim army and that of the defenders of Antioch, popularly known as Battle of Iron bridge. The Byzantine army was composed of the survivors of Yarmouk and other Syrian campaigns. After being defeated, the Byzantines retreated to Antioch and the Muslims besieged the city. Having little hope of help from Emperor, Antioch surrendered on 30 October 637, with the terms that all Byzantine troops would be given safe passage to Constantinople.

Abu Ubaidah sent Khalid northwards, while he marched south and captured Lazkia, Jabla, Tartus and the coastal areas west of Anti-Lebanon mountains. Khalid moved north and raided territory up to the Kızıl River (Kızılırmak) in Anatolia. Emperor Heraclius had already left Antioch for Edessa before the arrival of the Muslims. He arranged for the necessary defenses in Al-Jazira and Armenia and left for his capital Constantinople. On his way to Constantinople he had a narrow escape when Khalid, after the capturing Marash, was heading south towards Munbij. Heraclius hastily took the mountainous path and, passing though the Cilician Gates, is reported to have said:

Farewell, a long farewell to Syria, my fair province. Thou art an infidel's (enemy's) now. Peace be with you, O' Syria - what a beautiful land you will be for the enemy hands.^[7]

With the devastating defeat at Yarmouk his empire was extremely vulnerable to Muslim invasion. With few military resources left he was no longer in a position to attempt a military come back in Syria. To gain time for the preparations of the defense of the rest of his empire, Heraclius needed the Muslims occupied in Syria. He sought help of the Christian Arabs of Al-Jazira who mustered up a large army and marched against Emesa, Abu Ubaidah’s headquarters. Abu Ubaidah withdrew all his forces from northern Syria to Emesa, and Christian Arabs laid siege to Emesa. Khalid was in favor of an open battle out side fort, but Abu Ubaidah rather sent the matter to Umar, who brilliantly handled it. Umar sent detachment of Muslim armies from Iraq to invade Al-Jazira, homeland of the invading Christian Arabs, from three different routes. Moreover, another detachment was sent to Emesa from Iraq under Qa’qa ibn Amr, a veteran of Yarmouk who was sent to Iraq for the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah. Umar himself marched from Medina ahead of 1,000 men. The Christian Arabs, when they received the news of the Muslim invasion of their homeland, abandoned the siege and hastily withdrew to Al-Jazira. At this point Khalid and his mobile guard came out of the fort and devastated the army, attacking them from rear.

[edit] Campaigns in Armenia and Anatolia

After the battle Umar ordered the conquest of Al-Jazira, which was completed by late summer 638 A.D. Following the victory, Abu Ubaidah sent Khalid and Ayaz ibn Ghanam (conqueror of Al-Jazira) to invade Byzantine territory north of Al-Jazira. They marched independently and captured Edessa, Amida (Diyarbakır), Malatya and whole of Armenia up to Ararat and raided northern and central Anatolia. Heraclius has already abandoned all the forts between Antioch and Tartus to create a buffer zone or no man's land between Muslim controlled areas and main land Anatolia.

Umar for the time being stopped his armies from further invasion deeper into Anatolia and rather ordered Abu Ubaidah, now the governor of Syria, to consolidate his rule in Syria. At this point, Umar is reported to have said:

I wish there was a wall of fire between us and Romans, so that they could not enter our territory nor we could enter theirs.

Due to the dismissal of Khalid from the army and a famine and plague the next year, the Muslim armies were kept from invading Anatolia. The expedition to Anatolia and Armenia marked the end of the military career of Khalid.

[edit] The great Famine

Later this year Arabia fell into a severe drought, and large sums of people began to perish from hunger and epidemic diseases alike, both resulting from the drought and its complications. Therefore, countless numbers of people (in the hundreds of thousands), from throughout Arabia, gathered at Madinah as food was being rationed. Soon, Madinah's food reserves declined to alarming levels; by this time, Caliph Umar had already wrote to the governors of his Provinces requesting any relevant aid they might assist with. One such letter was rushed to Abu Ubaidah, who responded promptly:

“

I am sending you the Caravans whose one end will be here at Syria and the other will be at Madinah.

”

True to his assurance of benevolence, Abu Ubaidah's caravans of food supplies was the first to reach Madinah, with a bountiful aid of 4000 camels arriving full of food. To distribute the overwhelming amount was, Umar appointed Abu Ubaidah to distribute this among the thousands of people living in the outskirts of Madinah; following Abu Ubaidah's generous aid and efforts, Umar provided 4000 Dinars as a modest stipend or token of appreciation which, he refused on the grounds that the deed was done for the sake of Allah.

[edit] The great Plague

Nine months had passed since the drought episode and a new problem had started brewing. The plague epidemic broke in Syria and western Iraq; it was most severe in Syria. When the news of plague broke Umar had been on his way for a tour of Syria but, he returned from the border (of Syria) as advised by his companions. Abu Ubaidah met him there and said

“

O’ Umar do you run from the Allah’s will ?

”

Umar was shocked by this and said in sorrow: if only some one else would have said this other than you Abu Ubaidah and said then

“

“ Yes I am running from Allah’s will, but to Allah’s will

”

. Umar returned from Syria because of the prophet Muhammad once instructed that one should not enter the place where epidemic is unless it is absolutely safe. So Abu Ubaidah returned to his army at Emesa. It was then that a plague hit the land of Syria, the like of which people had never experienced before. It devastated the population. As Caliph Umar wanted to make Abu Ubaidah his successor he didn't want him to remain there in the epidemic region. Umar dispatched a messenger to Abu Ubaidah with a letter saying:

“

"I am in urgent need of you. If my letter reaches you at night I strongly urge you to leave before dawn. If this letter reaches you during the day, I strongly urge you to leave before evening and hasten to me.

”

When Abu Ubaydah received Umar's letter, he said, '"I know why Umar needs me. He wants to secure the survival of someone who, however, is not eternal." So he wrote to Umar:

“

"I know that you need me. But I am in an army of Muslims and I have no desire to save myself from what is afflicting them. This is the army which didn't separate from me in the battlefield and didn't betray me. How can I now betray them? I do not want to separate from them until God wills. So, when this letter reaches you, release me from your command and permit me to stay on.

”

When Caliph Umar read this letter tears filled his eyes and those who were with him asked, "Has Abu Ubaidah died" ? he replied "No, but death is near to him.". Caliph Umar sent another messenger to him saying that if you are not coming back at least move to any highland with less humid environment Abu Ubaidah moved to Jabyia.

[edit] Death

As soon as Abu Ubaidah moved to Jabyia he became afflicted with the plague. As death hung over him, he spoke to his army:

“

Let me give you some advice, which will cause you to be on the path of goodness always. "Establish Prayer, Fast [in] the month of Ramadan, Give charity, Perform the Hajj and Umrah, Remain united and support one another, Be sincere to your commanders and do not conceal anything from them. Don't let the world destroy you for, even if man were to live a thousand years, he would still end up with this state that you see me in. Peace be upon you and the mercy of God."

”

.

He then appointed Mu'adh ibn Jabal as his successor and ordered him to lead people in prayers; after the prayers Mu'adh went to him and, at that moment, his soul departed.

Mu'adh got up and said to the people...

“

O' people, you are stricken by the death of a man. By God, I don't know whether I have seen a man who had a more righteous heart, who was further from all evil and who was more sincere to people than he. Ask God to shower His mercy on him and God will be merciful to you.

”

.

He died in 639 C.E. and was buried at Jabiya.

[edit] Legacy

His appearance was striking. He was slim and tall. His face was bright and he had a sparse beard. It was pleasing to look at him and refreshing to meet him. 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). Abdullah ibn Umar once said about him ...

“

Three persons in the tribe of Quraysh were most prominent, had the best character and were the most modest. If they spoke to you, they would not deceive you and if you spoke to them, they would not accuse you of Lying: Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Uthman ibn Affan and Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah.’’

”

He chose to live a simple way of life, opting for the most modest of garments when compared to some of the other companions / sahaba (rta.) When, during the conquest of Jerusalem, Caliph Umar had come to Syria, he was met by Khalid ibn 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 glamor or Syria’s Emperors?" Both men were incidentally wearing better garments then they were previously accustomed; Khalid ibn 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 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. Umar said to him :

“

‘’ O’ Abu Ubaidah, you [could/should] have arranged some things of comfort for yourself at home ‘’ replied Abu Ubaidah ‘’ O’ Umar that’s enough for me ‘’ .

”

..^[8]

Christians of the Levant accepted Islam and were greatly inspired by Abu Ubaidah; both of the entire Christian tribes, Banu Tanookh and Banu Saleej, had accepted Islam after the conquest of Qasreen city. More over, there were many reliefs given by Abu Ubaidah to the non-Muslims living as his subjects in Syria. He is regarded by Muslims to be one of the ten companions of Muhammad who were promised paradise for them (by Allah) during their lifetime.(see the ten who were promised paradise.^[9]

[edit] Family

Little is known about Abu Ubaidah’s family. He had two wives. From his wife Hind bint Jabar he had his son Yazid and Ubaidah. From his wife Warja he had his son Umair, but all of them died in childhood. It is unknown if he had any daughters, but his male line of descendants is reported to be ended. However, Al-Jarrah family in present day Jordan and Lebanon claim their descendant from Abu Ubaidah.

[edit] See also

• Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.
• 'Umar ibn Khattab.
• 'Uthman ibn 'Affan.
• 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.
• Khalid ibn al-Walid.
• Talhah ibn 'Ubaidullah.
• Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas.
• Zubayr ibn al-'Awwam.
• 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf.
• Sa'id ibn Zayd.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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v • d • e List of Sahaba     Abbad ibn Bishr `Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas `Abd Allah ibn `Abd al-Asad Abd-Allah ibn Mas'ud `Abd Allah ibn Rawahah Abd-Allah ibn Sailam Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy Abd-Allah ibn Umm-Maktum Abd-Allah ibn al-Zubayr Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr Abdullah ibn Hudhafah as-Sahmi Abdullah ibn Ja'far Abdullah ibn Sailam Abu Ayyub al-Ansari Abu Bakr Abu Dharr al-Ghifari Abu Dujana Abu Fuhayra Abu Hudhaifah ibn al-Mughirah Abu Hurairah Abu Lubaba ibn Abd al-Mundhir Abu Sufyan ibn Harb Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah Abu al-Aas ibn al-Rabiah Abu al-Dardaa Abu-Hudhayfah ibn Utbah Abu-Musa al-Asha'ari Abu-Sa'id al-Khudri Akib ibn Usaid Al-Ala'a Al-Hadrami Al-Baraa ibn Malik al-Ansari Al-Hasan Al-Husayn Al-Nahdiah Ali Aminah bint Wahab Ammar ibn Yasir Amr ibn al-Jamuh An-Numan ibn Muqarrin Anas ibn Malik Aqeel ibn Abi Talib Ashaab Bashir ibn Sa'ad Bilal ibn Ribah Bilal ibn al-Harith Fadl ibn Abbas Fatima bint Asad Fatima bint Hizam Fayruz al-Daylami Habibah bint Ubayd-Allah Halima Sadia Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib Harithah bint al-Muammil Hatib ibn Abi Baitah Hisham ibn Al-Aas Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman Hujr ibn Adi Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl Ja`far bin Abī Tālib Julaybib Khabbab ibn al-Aratt Khalid ibn Sa`id Khalid ibn al-Walid Khunais ibn Hudhaifa Kumayl ibn Ziyad Khuzaymat ibn sabet Layla bint al-Minhal Lubaba bint al-Harith Lubaynah Malik Bin Deenar Malik al-Dar Malik ibn Ashter Malik ibn Nuwayrah Mus`ab ibn `Umair Miqdad ibn Aswad Muadh ibn Jabal Muawiyah ibn Abu Sufyan Mughira ibn Shu'ba Muhammad Ibn Maslamah Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr Muhammad ibn Maslamah Nawfal ibn Khuwaylid Nusaybah bint Ka'ab Qatadah Rab'ah ibn Umayah Rabi'ah ibn al-Harith Sa`ad ibn ar-Rabi` Sa`ad ibn Abi Waqqas Saffiyah bint ‘Abd al-Muttalib Said ibn Aamir al-Jumahi Sa'id ibn Zayd Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah Salman the Persian Suhayb ar-Rumi Tamim al-Dari Ubaydah ibn al-Harith Umamah bint Zainab Umar Umm Kulthum bint Ali Umm Kulthum bint Jarwila Khuzima Umm Shareek Umm Ubays Uqbah ibn Amir Urwah ibn Mas'ud Usama ibn Zayd Utbah ibn Ghazwan Uthman ibn Hunaif Wahb ibn Abd Manaf Zayd ibn Arqam Zayd ibn Harithah Zayd ibn Thabit Zaynab bint Ali