بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَلْحَمْدُ للّٰهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِيْنَ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلىَ اَشْرَفِ اْللأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِيْنَ سَيِّدِناَ وَمَوْلٰنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى اٰلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ اَجْمَعِيْنَ، اَمَّا بَعْدُ.
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Salit ibn Qays ibn 'Amr al-Ansari رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ (also transliterated as Suleet bin Qais) was a prominent Companion (Sahabi) of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ belonging to the indigenous helpers of Madinah (the Ansar). He is revered as a Badri Companion due to his participation in the Battle of Badr, giving him a distinguished elite status among the early generation of Muslims.
Lineage, Clan, and Tribe
• Full Lineage: Salit ibn Qays ibn 'Amr ibn 'Ubaid ibn Malik ibn Najjar.
• Tribe: Khazraj (One of the two primary Arab tribes of Yathrib/Medina).
• Sub-Tribe (Bani): Banu al-Najjar (Specifically from the branch of Banu 'Adi bin al-Najjar). This is the same maternal clan that the Prophet Muhammad's grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, was related to through his mother, Salma bint 'Amr.
Conversion to Islam
Salit ibn Qays embraced Islam during the early propagation of the faith in Medina, around the time of the Pledges of al-Aqabah or shortly thereafter, prior to the Prophet's official migration (Hijrah) to the city.
Upon accepting Islam, he demonstrated deep conviction by actively participating in the dismantling of the remnants of paganism in Medina. Along with his fellow companion Abu Salma, Salit personally destroyed the idols kept by the family clan of Banu 'Adi bin al-Najjar to purify the area for monotheism.
Significant Events & Deeds;
Key Milestones and Military Service
• Destruction of Idols: Upon embracing Islam, he partnered with Hazrat Abu Salma to tear down and eliminate the tribal idols of the Banu 'Adi bin Najjaar family.
• The Prophet's Arrival in Medina: When the Prophet's camel entered Medina during the Migration (Hijrah), Saleet and other tribal members tried to guide it towards their homes to host him. The Prophet (ﷺ) instructed them to let the camel walk freely, stating it was under divine guidance.
• Major Campaigns: He fought bravely in all early Islamic campaigns, including the Battles of Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and the Battle of Khaybar.
• The Arrival of the Prophet ﷺ: When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in Medina during the Hijrah, every tribe eagerly wanted him to lodge at their home. When the Prophet's camel reached the quarters of Banu 'Adi, Salit ibn Qays and Aseerah bin Abu Khuwarjah stepped forward to halt the camel, hoping to host him. The Prophet ﷺ gently directed them, saying, "Leave my camel as it is moving under divine guidance," before it eventually knelt at the site that became the Prophet's Mosque.
• Diplomatic and Military Appointments: During the Caliphate of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Salit's strategic acumen was recognized when he was appointed over the affairs of al-Yamama during the critical operations of the Ridda Wars.
Contributions, Battles, and Ultimate Sacrifice
Salit ibn Qays was a fierce defender of the early Muslim community, committing himself entirely to the defense of Islam across all fronts.
• Ghazawat (Prophetic Battles): He took part alongside the Prophet ﷺ in the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud, the Battle of Khandaq (Trench), and all subsequent military campaigns led by the Messenger of Allah.
• Martyrdom (Shahadah): Following the death of the Prophet ﷺ, Salit continued serving on the volatile frontiers. During the Caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab in 13 AH (c. 634 CE), he fought in the arduous campaigns against the Sasanian Empire. He attained martyrdom at the historic Battle of the Bridge (Ma'rakah al-Jisr) in Iraq under the command of Abu Ubaid al-Thaqafi.
Family Connections
Saleet came from a highly dedicated Muslim household. His sisters were notable female companions (Sahabyat), most prominently Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais, who famously participated in the Pledge of Rizwan and was present during the congregation when the Qiblah was changed from Jerusalem to Mecca. His other sisters, Umm Sulaim and 'Umairah bint Qais, also accepted Islam early on.
Role as a Military Advisor and Martyrdom
During the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar (ra) in the 14th Hijri, Saleet was chosen for his strategic wisdom and appointed as a senior advisor to the Muslim commander Abu Ubaid al-Thaqafi in the military campaigns against the Persian Empire.
Before the historic Battle of the Bridge (Ghazwa al-Jisr), Saleet strongly cautioned Abu Ubaid against recklessly crossing the Euphrates River into a tactical trap set by the Persians. Although his military counsel was ultimately unheeded, Saleet fought valiantly and achieved martyrdom (Shahadah) during the battle alongside Abu Ubaid.
Characters and Personal Traits;
Historical texts highlight Salit as a man of profound loyalty, courage, and swift obedience. His swiftness to smash his family's ancestral idols shows a decisive nature that broke completely from pre-Islamic customs. Furthermore, his continuous presence on the front lines of every major military engagement highlights an enduring trait of self-sacrifice (Fidā') and deep-seated bravery.
Narrated Hadiths
Salit ibn Qays has zero (0) recorded narrations in the primary books of Hadith (such as the Kutub al-Sittah).
This is highly common for many prominent early Ansar and Badri companions. Because Salit was actively engaged on the military frontiers and met his martyrdom very early on during the Caliphate of Umar (13 AH), he did not live into the later era when the formal collection, preservation, and systematic transmission of Hadith took off across the Islamic world. His legacy remains preserved through his deeds and sacrifices rather than oral text transmission.
- Ibn Hisham (may Allah have mercy on him) in “al-Sira al-Nabawiyya”: he records his name in the list of those from Banu 'Adi ibn al-Najjar who were present at Badr.
- Ibn Sa'd (may Allah have mercy on him) in “al-Tabaqat al-Kubra”: he gives his biography in the generation of the Ansar who fought at Badr, and records his presence at all the battles and his martyrdom at the Battle of the Bridge.
- Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (may Allah have mercy on him) in “Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk”: he reports the course of the Battle of the Bridge, the commanders' consultation with Abu 'Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him) and the martyrdom of Salit (may Allah be pleased with him).
- Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani (may Allah have mercy on him) in “al-Isaba fi Tamyiz al-Sahaba”: he gives his biography and records his martyrdom at the Battle of the Bridge.Before the historic Battle of the Bridge (Ghazwa al-Jisr), Saleet strongly cautioned Abu Ubaid against recklessly crossing the Euphrates River into a tactical trap set by the Persians. Although his military counsel was ultimately unheeded, Saleet fought valiantly and achieved martyrdom (Shahadah) during the battle alongside Abu Ubaid.
alfakir albakr allatifi;
References:
Notes
There is a companion named Hazrat Suleet bin Qais bin ‘Amar. He passed away in 14th Hijri. His full name was Hazrat Suleet bin Qais bin ‘Amar bin ‘Ubaid bin Malik. After accepting Islam, both Hazrat Sulaeet bin Qais and Hazrat Abu Salma destroyed the idols of the family of Banu ‘Adi bin Najjaar.
At the occasion of the Holy Prophet's (sa) migration to Medina when he was entering the city on his camel, every tribe desired that he would stay at their home. When the Holy Prophet's (sa) camel reached the house of Banu ‘Adi, and they were his maternal uncles because Salma bint ‘Amr, mother of ‘Abdul Muttalib, was from this tribe, at that time Hazrat Suleet bin Qais and Aseerah bin Abu Khuwarjah tried to stop the Holy Prophet (sa) but he stated ,“Leave my camel as it is moving under divine guidance.” That is, it will stop wherever God desires.
Hazrat Suleet took part in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and all the battles with the Holy Prophet (sa). He passed away in 14th Hijri during the Khilafat of Hazrat ‘Umar at the battle of Jisr in Abi Ubaid.
(At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 388, Suleet bin Qais, Da-ul-Kutub Al-Ilmiyyah, 1990, Beirut), (Seerat ibn Hisham, p. 229, Baab Hijrat-ul-Rasul, Dar ibn Hazam, Beirut)
https://www.kahkashan-e-marefat.com/en/dictionary/%D8%B3%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B7-%D8%A8%D9%86-%D9%82%DB%8C%D8%B3
https://www.google.com/search?q=Salit+ibn+Qays+ibn+%27Amr+al-Ansari+al-Khazraji+al-Najjari++companion+of+prophet+muhammad+saw%2C+his+complete+biography+%28clan+%2Ctribe%2C+bani%2C+when+embrace+Islam%29+characters+and+personal+traits%2C+significant+events%2C+deeds%2C+sacrifice+in+battle+fronts+or+Ghazwah+and+contribution+to+Islam.+Number+and+list+of+Hadiths+narrated.&rlz=1C1GCEA_enMY971MY971&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&amc=1&udm=50&aep=42&cud=0&source=chrome.crn.rb&mstk=AUtExfASzrBxJl9V-zqR1ZW3I5TfmLlS86g_KfLoq0GLrSElV6-SdYm5JmNZI7I1cBpQHtRFSKZNXafX-FjonpAh6jIUGKFUGy-zJHmxTZbOhBjDzTD0fKPrDcuIZtds8lYG9c619AoG9gmizGDJyl5W2VHPi4CeHgQed_w&csuir=1&mtid=0YvcarLvC_CmhvcP4cOd4Q0
https://ansabsira.com/en/sahabi/sulayt_qays
https://ulumalhadith.com/the-seven-prolific-narrators-among-the-sa%E1%B8%A5abah/
