THE COMPANION: Uqbah ibn ‘Amir Al Juhani رضي الله عنه

Monday

Uqbah ibn ‘Amir Al Juhani رضي الله عنه

Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, (Arabic: عقبة بن عامر‎) was a companion of the Rasulullahﷺ and a member of the early Muslim community. Uqbah ibn Amir RA died in Egypt in 58 AH/677 or 678 CE.

After a long and exhausting journey, Rasulullahﷺ is at last on the outskirts of Madinah. The good people of the city go out to meet him. Many crowd the narrow streets. Some stand on roof-tops chanting La ilaha ilia Allah and Allahu Akbar in sheer joy at meeting the Prophet of Mercy and his loyal companion, Abu Bakr as-Siddiqرضي الله عنه. The small girls of the city come out gaily beating their daffs and singing the words of welcome:

Tala ‘a-l badru alaynaa

Min Thaniyaati-l Wadaa’ Wajaba-sh shukru alaynaa

Maa da’aa lillaahi daa’ Ayyuha-l mab ‘uthu finaa

Ji’ta bi-l amri-l mutaa’ Ji’ta sharrafta-l Madinah

Marhaban yaa khayra-d daa’.

“The full moon has come upon us. From beyond the hills of Thaniyaati-l Wada Grateful we must be. For what to God he calls? O you who has been sent among us? You came with a mission to be obeyed. You came, you honored the city; Welcome, O best of those who call (to God).

As the procession of the blessed Rasulullahﷺwended its way, all around there were joyful hearts, tears of ecstasy, smiles of sheer happiness.

Far away from these scenes of jubilation and delight was a young man named Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, Named Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه,. had gone out to the bawadi, the open expanses of desert, to graze his flocks of sheep and goats on the sparse vegetation. Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, . had wandered far in search of fodder for his hungry flock. It was difficult to find suitable grazing grounds and he was constantly afraid that his flock would perish. They were all named Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه,. possessed and he did not want to lose them.

The happiness which engulfed Madinah, henceforth to be known as the radiant city of Rasulullahﷺ, soon spread to the near and distant bawadi and reached every nook and corner of the land. The good news of Rasulullahﷺ’s arrival finally reached Uqbah as he tended his flocks far away in the inhospitable desert. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA. Response to the news was immediate as he himself relates: ” Rasulullahﷺ, may God bless him and grant him peace, came to Madinah while I was tending my sheep. When I heard the news of his coming, I set out to meet him without delay. When I met him I asked:

‘Will you accept my pledge of allegiance, O Rasulullahﷺ?’ ‘And who are you?’ asked Rasulullahﷺ. ‘Uqbah ibn Amir al-Juhani,’ I replied. ‘Which do you prefer,’ he asked, ‘the pledge of a nomad or the pledge of someone who has migrated?’ ‘The pledge of someone who has migrated,’ I said. So Rasulullahﷺ took the same pledge from me as he did from the Muhajirin. I spent the night with him and then went back to my flock.

There were twelve of us who had accepted Islam but we lived far from the city tending our sheep and goats in the open country. We came to the conclusion that it would be good for us if we went to Rasulullahﷺ daily so that he could instruct us in our religion and recite for us whatever revelation he had received from on high. I told the others:

‘Take turns to go Rasulullahﷺ. Anyone going may leave his sheep with me because I am too worried and concerned about my own flocks to leave them in the care of someone else.’

Each day, one after another of my friends went to Rasulullahﷺ, leaving his sheep for me to look after. When each returned, I learned from him what he had heard and benefitted from what he had understood. Before long, however, I returned to my senses and said to myself:

‘Woe to you! Is it because of a flock of sheep that you remain thin and wretched and lose the opportunity to be in the company of Rasulullahﷺ and to speak directly to him without an intermediary’:’ With this, I left my flock, went to Madinah and stayed in the masjid close to Rasulullahﷺ,

Uqbah had no reason to regret having taken this fateful decision. Within a decade, he had become one of the outstanding scholars among the companions of Rasulullahﷺ, a competent and beautiful reciter of the Quran, a military commander and later on one of the eminent Muslim governors as Islam spread east and west with astonishing rapidity. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA. could never have imagined as he left his flock to follow the teachings of the noble Rasulullahﷺ, that Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA he would have been among the vanguard of the Muslim forces that liberated fertile Damascus – then known as the “mother of the universe” and that he would have a house for himself among its verdant gardens. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA could never have imagined that he would be one of the commanders who liberated Egypt, and then known as the “emerald of the world”, and that he would be one of its governors.

The fateful decision however was taken. Alone without possessions. Or relatives, Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA came to Madinah from the ba’wadi. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA stayed with others like him on the Suffah or elevated part of Rasulullahﷺ mosque, near his house. The Suffah was like a reception point where people like Uqbah would go because they wanted to be close to Rasulullahﷺ. They were known as the “Ashab as-Suffah” and Rasulullahﷺ once described them as the “guests of Islam”.

Because they had no income, Rasulullahﷺ always shared his food with them and encouraged others to be generous to these “guests”. They spent much of their time studying the Quran and learning about Islam. What a marvelous opportunity they had! They were in close and regular contact with Rasulullahﷺ. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA had a special love and concern for them and took care to educate them and look after them in all respects. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA gave an example of how Rasulullahﷺ trained and taught them. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA said:

“One day, Rasulullahﷺ, came out to us while we were on the Suffah and asked:

‘Which of you would like to go out to the open country or a valley every day and fetch for himself two beautiful, black camels?’ (Such camels were considered prize possessions.)

‘Every one of us would like that, O Rasulullahﷺ,’ we all replied.

‘Now,’ Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA said, ‘each one of you should go to the mosque and learn two ayats (verses) of the Book of God. This is better for him than two camels; three verses are better than three camels; four verses are better than four camels (and son).”

In this way, Rasulullahﷺ tried to bring about a change in attitudes among those who had accepted Islam, a change from an obsession with acquiring worldly possessions to an attitude of devotion to knowledge. Rasulullahﷺ simple example provided them with motivation and a powerful incentive to acquire knowledge.

On other occasions, the Ashab as-Suffah would ask questions of Rasulullahﷺ in order to understand their religion better. Once, Uqbah said, he asked Rasulullahﷺ, “What is salvation?” and he replied: “Control your tongue, make your house spacious for guests and spurn your mistakes.”

Even outside the mosque, Uqbah tried to stay close to Rasulullahﷺ. On journeys, Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA he often took the reins of Rasulullahﷺ’s mule and went wherever Rasulullahﷺ desired. Sometimes Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA he followed directly behind Rasulullahﷺ peace be on him, and so came to be called the redif of Rasulullahﷺ On some occasions, Rasulullahﷺ would descend from his mount and allow Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA to ride while he himself walked. Uqbah described one such occasion:

“I took hold of the reins of Rasulullahﷺ’s mule while passing through some palm groves of Madinah.

‘Uqbah,’ Rasulullahﷺ said to me, ‘don’t you want to ride.’?’

I thought of saying ‘no’ but I felt there might be an element of disobedience to Rasulullahﷺ in such a reply so I said: ‘Yes, O Rasulullah.’

Rasulullahﷺ then got down from his mule and I mounted in obedience to his command. He began to walk. Shortly afterward I dismounted. Rasulullahﷺ mounted again and said to me:

Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA, shall I not teach you two surahs the like of which has not been heard before.?

‘Certainly, O! Rasulullahﷺ,’ I replied. And so he recited to me “Qul a’udhu bi rabbi-l Falaq” and “Qul a’udhu bi rabbi-n nas” (the last two surahs of the Quran). I then said the Iqamah for Salat. Rasulullahﷺ led the Salat and recited these two surahs. (Afterward), he said: ‘Read both these surahs when you go to sleep and whenever you wake up.'”

The above instances show “continuous education” at its best, at home, in the mosque, riding, and walking in the open school of Rasulullahﷺ.

Two objectives occupied Uqbah attention throughout his life; the search for knowledge and jihad in the path of God. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA applied his energies totally to these objectives.

In the field of learning, Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA drank deeply from the fountain of knowledge that was Rasulullahﷺ. Uqbah became a distinguished muqri (reciter of the Quran), a muhaddith (recorder and narrator of the sayings of Rasulullahﷺ; Rasulullahﷺ qih (jurist); a faradi (expert on the Islamic laws of inheritance); an adib (literateur); a fasih (orator) and a sha’ir (poet).

In reciting the Quran, Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA had a most pleasant and beautiful voice. In the stillness of the night, when the entire universe seems peaceful and tranquil, Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA would turn to the Book of God, and recite its overpowering verses. The hearts of the noble companions would be drawn to his recitation. Their whole being would be shaken and they would be moved to tears from the fear of God which his recitation induced.

One day Umar ibn al-Khattab invited Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA and said:

“Recite for me something from the Book of God, O Uqbah.” “At your command, O Amir al-Muminin,” said Uqbah and began reciting. Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA wept till his beard was wet.

Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA left a copy of the Quran written in his own hand. It is said that this copy of the Quran existed until quite recently in Egypt in the well-known mosque named Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA himself. At the end of this text was written: “Uqbah ibn Amir al-Juhani wrote it.” This Mushaf of Uqbah was one of the earliest copies of the Quran in existence but it was lost in its entirety with other priceless documents due to the carelessness of Muslims.

In the field of Jihad, it is sufficient to know that Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA fought beside Rasulullah SAW, peace be on him, at the Battle of Uhud and in all the military engagements thereafter. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA was also one of the valiant and daring groups of shock troopers who were tested to their maximum during the battle for Damascus. In recognition for his outstanding services, the commander of the Muslim forces then, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah RA, dispatched Uqbah to Madinah to convey the good news of the liberation of Damascus to Umar ibn al-Khattab. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA spent eight days and seven nights, from Friday to Friday, in a continuous forced march to bring the news to Saidina Umar Al Khattab RA.

Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA was one of the commanders of the Muslim forces that liberated Egypt. For three years he was the Muslim governor of Egypt after which he received orders from the Caliph Muawiyah to mount a naval expedition to the island of Rhodes in the Mediterranean Sea.

An indication of Uqbah’s enthusiasm for jihad is the fact that he committed to memory the sayings of Rasulullah SAW on this subject and became a specialist in narrating them to the Muslims. One of Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA favorite pastimes was to practice the skill of spear throwing.

Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA was in Egypt when he became fatally ill. Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA gathered his children together and gave them his final advice. He said: “My children, guard against three things: Don’t accept; my saying attributed to Rasulullah SAW, except from a reliable authority. Do not incur debts or take up a loan even if you are in the position of an imam. Don’t compose poetry for your hearts might be distracted thereby from the Quran.”

Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA was buried at the foot of the hill Al Muqaththam. After they check his legacy, among others, there are seventy-seven bows. Each arc has a horn (as the arrows). ‘Uqbah intestate, so bow-bow was used by the Muslims in jihad fi sabilillah.

May Allah bestow light to face ‘ Uqbah ibn Amir Al-Juhani RA, a reciter. ‘Alim and warlords. And may Allah give reward to reward excellent. Amen!!!

Islamic Quotes – Uqbah Ibn `Amir Al-Juhani

‘Uqbah b. ‘Âmir Al-Juhanî – Allâh be pleased with him – once passed by a man who looked like a Muslim, so he greeted him with salâm, and he replied, “And upon you [be peace] and the mercy of Allâh SWT and His blessings.” A boy informed him, “He is a Christian!” So Uqbah Ibn `Amir Al-Juhani got up and followed the man, caught up with him and said, “The mercy of Allâh SWT and His blessings are upon the believers; however, may Allâh SWT give you a long life, and make plentiful your wealth and offspring.”

Al-Bukhârî, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad. Shaykh Al-Albânî grades its chain of narration hasan in Sahîh Al-Adab Al-Mufrad p444, and notes:

“In this narration, this illustrious Companion indicates that it is permissible to supplicate for someone to have a long life, even if he is an unbeliever, and so [this can be done for] a Muslim a fortiori…However, the supplicant should make sure that the unbeliever is not an enemy of the Muslims. It is also taken from this [narration] that such an unbeliever can be commiserated with what has been mentioned therein [i.e. the believers are the ones who will receive the mercy of Allâh SWT and His blessings].”

Uqbah ibn Aamir al-Juhani, the qari, the alim, the ghazi, died in Cairo and was buried at the foot of the Muqattam hills.

Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه hailed from the Juhayna tribe, a branch of the Quda'a confederation resident across Syria and northwestern Arabia. He became a well-known companion of Rasulullahﷺ and had been the latter's muleteer. Uqbah ibn Amir رضي الله عنه was also a poet and became known for his writing skills. He developed a reputation as an early reader of the Quran and possessed a version of the Muslim holy book that was different from the version descended from Caliph Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه. His recension of the Quran fell into oblivion after the Umayyad governor of Egypt, Abd al-Aziz ibn Marwan, had another codex produced in accordance with the Uthmanid canon. Uqbah ibn Amir رضي الله عنه is credited with the transmission of several hadith (traditions of Rasulullahﷺ).

During the First Muslim Civil War, he was an active supporter of his friend Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, against Caliph Ali bin Abu Talib رضي الله عنه (r. 656–661). Mu'awiyah رضي الله عنه became caliph in 661 and appointed Uqba the governor of Egypt, replacing the caliph's deceased brother, Utba ibn Abi Sufyan, in 664. According to the 9th-century historian al-Tabari, in 668/69, Uqba led the Arab troops of Egypt alongside the troops of Madinah in a naval raid against Byzantine territory. Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه was replaced as governor by Maslama ibn Mukhallad al-Ansari in 669. Uqba ibn Amir رضي الله عنه died in Egypt in 677/78. An honorary tomb was built on his grave in the cemetery of Qarafa al-Kubra near Fustat. During the Mamluk period in the 14th century, it was one of several ziyarah (Muslim pilgrimage sites) visited by Egyptian Muslims.

He is Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, who became Rasulullahﷺ Companion after his emigration to al-Madinah al-Munawarrah. Our master Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, took part in the conquest of Egypt with Amr Ibn al-‘Aas and the conquest of al-Sham. Mu’awiyah Ibn Abu Sufyan appointed him the governor of Egypt in 44 AH.

Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه was governor of Egypt for three years. Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه built a house in Egypt and was one of the eighty Companions who determined the qibla (direction of prayer) of Amr Ibn al-‘Aas رضي الله عنه, mosque during its construction.

Our master ‘Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, transmitted nearly one hundred hadiths (Prophetic reports) from our master, Rasulullahﷺ. These include:

‘Whoever performs ablution well and then prays while fully concentrating and heedful of his prayer, the sins he committed before it will be forgiven.”

Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, said, “I heard Rasulullahﷺsay, ‘Your Lord is pleased with the young man who does not succumb to the passions of youth.’

On one occasion, Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, said, “I was holding the reins of the Prophet’s mule in a wooded area of al-Madinah when he said, ‘Should I not teach you two [Qur`anic] chapters?!’

I replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah!”

So he recited to me ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn”, and ‘Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.”

Prayers were then established and when Rasulullahﷺ led the prayer, he recited these two chapters in it.

Rasulullahﷺ then said, ‘Recite them whenever you sleep or wake.’

There is a region in Egypt called ‘Meet Uqba’ in the governate of Giza, near al-Dokki where our master, Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, had houses constructed during his tenure as governor of Egypt. This region was known as ‘Minyat ‘Uqba’. The word ‘Minyat’ was later corrupted and the area came to be known as ‘Meet ‘Uqba’. The word ‘Minya’ means ‘harbor’—at that time the area was located on the western shore of the Nile before it was diverted to the East.

Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه, remained in Egypt until he died on 8th Sha’ban 58 AH, the day on which the Mother of Believers, Saidatuna A’isha رضي الله عن,, died, may Allahﷻ be pleased with them.

Uqbah ibn Amir al Juhani رضي الله عنه,grave is visited for blessings and prayers made there have been known to be answered.

Clouds water the tomb of Ibn Amer,

That houses and conceals his body.

He was a young man—one of the most earnest from among the Companions,

The most generous of them in both poverty and wealth,

He narrated reports from the Prophet,

That was recorded by Muslims and Bukhari.

The kings and governors of Egypt undertook the care of ‘Uqbah ibn Amir رضي الله عنه’s grave. Salah al-Din al-Ayubi replaced the structure built on his grave with a big dome while later kings undertook its renovation and restoration. And why not when Rasulullahﷺ said, “Whoever from among my Companions dies in a land, illuminates it and will be the leader of its people on the Day of Judgment.” Rasulullahﷺ also said, ‘My Companions are like stars. You will be guided by whoever you follow from among them.”

Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه was better known as "Assabiqunal Awwalun" (among the earliest companions who believed in Rasulullahﷺ.

Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه was one of the commanders of the Islamic forces that conquered Egypt. For three years, Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه was appointed by the Commander of the Faithful, at that time Muawiyah bin Abu Sufyan as the governor of Egypt, and after that, he received an order from Muawiyah to conduct a naval expedition to the Greek island of Rhodes.

In the field of knowledge, he continued to obtain it from a pure and reliable source, namely from the Messenger of God. so that he succeeded in becoming an expert in interpreting the Qur'an (good at reading correctly and eloquently, memorizing, understanding its meaning and purpose), becoming an expert in hadith, an expert in jurisprudence, an expert in farid, in addition to being a poet (literary) and a poet.

Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه has the most beautiful voice among the Qur'an reciters. When the day was far into the night, the atmosphere was calm, quiet and deserted, he took the book of Allah, then read the holy verses whose meaning was clear and clear. The hearts of the friends were moved and bowed when they listened to his melodious reciting. Until their tears flowed out of fear of Allah SWT.

Umar bin Khattab once called Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه, then he said, "Hey Uqbah! Please read me the verses of the Qur'an!" "Good, Commander of the Faithful!" answered Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه obediently. So, he read the Qur'an. Umar cried with tears that wet his beard. Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه left behind a manuscript made by his own hand. The Mushaf was previously still in Egypt, at a university known as "Jamiah Uqbah Ibnu Amir" (University of Uqbah Ibnu Amir). At the end of the mushaf is the word, "Katabahu Uqbah bin Amir al-Juhani" (Written by Uqbah bin Amir al-Juhani).

Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه died in Egypt. Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه left seventy-seven bows and arrows. Each bow has a horn (as an arrow holder) complete with arrows. Uqbah bequeathed that the bows and arrows be used by Muslims in jihad fi sabilillah. May God pour light on the face of Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه, a reciter, scholar, and warlord.

HADITHS NARRATED BY

Uqbah ibn Amir aJuhani رضي الله عنه

Sayyiduna ‘Uqbah Ibn `Amir Al-Juhani RA reports that Rasulullah SAW said:

Verily Allah Ta’ala says: ‘O Son of Adam, suffice me [by offering] four rakaats of salah at the beginning of the day, I will suffice for you [your needs] till the end of the day in exchange of those four rakaats’

(Musnad Ahmad, vol. 4 pg. 153 and Musnad Abu Ya’la, Hadith: 1757)

Hafiz Mandhar (rahimahullah) has authenticated the above narration. Similar narrations have also been reported via other Sahabah.

(Refer: Targhib, vol. 1 pg. 464)

If a person offers two rakaats only, he will get the reward promised in the first Hadith, and if he merely adds two more rakaats he will In sha Allah, get the reward promised in the second narration as well.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Uqbah ibn Amir al-Juhani RA narrated that Rasulullah SAW (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

“One who recites the Qur’an in a loud voice is like one who gives alms openly; and one who recites the Qur’an quietly is one who gives alms secretly.”

— Sunan of Abu-Dawud, no. 521

Found in: The Chapters of Purification and its Sunnah

Hadith no: 558