Sa`d ibn Abī Waqqās (in Arabic: سعد بن أبي وقاص) was an early convert to Islam from the Banū Zuhrah clan of the Quraysh tribe. He was also a maternal uncle and important companions of the Prophet Muhammad. Sa`d was among the members of the council who elected the third caliph `Uthmān.
In 614 (the fourth year of Prophethood) the Muslims were on their way to the hills of Makkah to hold a clandestine meeting with Muhammad, when a group of polytheists observed their suspicious movements and began to abuse and fight them. Sa`d killed one of their attackers, reportedly the first instance of bloodshed in the history of Islam.
He fought at the battle of Badr with his young brother Umayr who cried to accompany the Muslim army for he was only in his early teens. Sa`d returned to al-Madīnah alone after Umayr was one of the fourteen Muslim martyrs who fell in the battle.
At the battle of Uhud, Sa`d was chosen as an archer together with Zayd, Sa`īb the son of Uthmān ibn Mazūn and others. Sa`d was among those who fought in defence of the Prophet after some Muslims had deserted their positions.
Sa`d also fought under `Umar's command against the Sāsānian army in the Battle of al-Qādisiyyah. He was later appointed governor of al-Kūfah and Najd during the caliphate of `Umar.
He had a son named `Umar ibn Sa`d, the leader of the forces that killed Husayn ibn `Alī at the Battle of Karbalā'.
He is often credited for introducing Islam to China during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang China.
Sunnī Muslims regard him as one of the ten to whom paradise was promised.
See also
- Sahābah (Companions to the Prophet Muhammad)
- Battle of al-Qādisiyyah
External links
- http://www.alinaam.org.za/fazaail/umar.html
- http://www.ahya.org/amm/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=109
- http://www.muslimaccess.com/sunnah/seerah/10a.htm
 | This biographical article about a person notable in connection with Islam is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |