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Sa'ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه belonged to the Aus tribe. Sa'ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه mother’s name was Hind bint Aus. The Badri Companion, Abu Dhiyaah Nu‘man bin Thabitرضي الله عنه was his half-brother from his mother’s side. Sa'ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه was known by the titles of Abu Khaithamah and Abu Abdullah. Rasulullahﷺ established a bond of brotherhood between Sa'ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه and Abu Salma bin Abdul Asad(رضي الله عنه.
Sa'ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه was one of the twelve chiefs, appointed to supervise the Muslims of Medina during the second pledge at Aqabah.
“The following year, that is, Dhul-Hijjah of 13 Nabawi, many hundreds of people from the Aus and the Khazraj came to Makkah on the occasion of Hajj. Among them, seventy such people had either become Muslim or now desired to become Muslims and came to Makkah in order to meet Rasulullahﷺ. Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله عنه was also among them. Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله mother was alive, and although she was an idolatress, she loved him very much. When she was informed of his coming, she sent word that ‘First come and meet me, then go elsewhere.’ Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي اللهresponded: ‘I have not yet met Rasulullahﷺ, I shall come to you once I have met him.’
Therefore, he presented himself before Rasulullahﷺ first and briefed him on key issues, then visited his mother. She was very upset. When she saw him, she began to weep and complain. Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله said, ‘Mother! I tell you something wonderful which is very beneficial for you and shall put an end to every disagreement.’ She enquired, ‘What is that?’ Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله quietly responded, ‘This, that you forsake idol worship and become a Muslim and believe in Rasulullahﷺ’ She was a firm idolatress, and as soon as she heard this, she began to put up a commotion saying, ‘I swear by the stars that I shall never enter your religion,’ and signaled her relatives to capture Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله, but he escaped.
“Rasulullahﷺ had been informed of the arrival of the Ansar by Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله, and a few of them had also met Rasulullahﷺ personally. On this occasion, since a collective and private meeting was necessary, after the rites of Hajj, the middle dates of the month of Dhul-Hijjah were set for this purpose. On that day near the middle of the night, all these people were to come and meet Rasulullahﷺ in the same valley as last year, so that a private meeting could be held in peace and with complete attention.
Rasulullahﷺ ordered the Ansar, ‘Do not come as a group, but arrive in pairs of one or two to the valley at the appointed time (lest they attract the attention of the enemy). Do not wake the sleeping and do not wait for the absent.’ Therefore, when the appointed date arrived during the night when about a third of the night had passed, Rasulullahﷺ left his home. He took his uncle Abbas along with him, who was still an idolater, but loved Rasulullahﷺ and was a chieftain of the Hashim dynasty. Both of them reached this valley, and it was not long before the Ansar began to arrive in pairs of one and two. These were seventy souls from the Aus and the Khazraj. In the very beginning, Abbas (who had not yet accepted Islam) began the discourse by saying:
‘O party of the Khazraj! , Rasulullahﷺ is revered and beloved within his dynasty. To this day, his dynasty has always remained responsible for his protection, and in times of danger has always come forward. But now, Rasulullahﷺ intends to leave his homeland and reside with you. As such, if you wish to take him, you must protect him in every way and will have to face every enemy. If you are prepared for this, then well and good, otherwise give a forthright answer, for true speech is good.’
“Al-Bara bin Ma‘rurرضي الله عنه an aged and influential man from the tribe of the Ansar, said, ‘Abbas, we have heard your address, but we would like to hear Rasulullahﷺ from his own blessed tongue, that he may expound the responsibility which he wishes to put upon us.’
“Upon this, Rasulullahﷺ recited a few verses from the Holy Quran and described the teachings of Islam in a brief address. Whilst alluding to Huququllah [rights of Allah] and Huququl-Ibad [rights of fellow creation], Rasulullahﷺ said:
‘With regard to myself, all I desire is that, just as you protect your dear ones and your kindred, if need be, you deal with me in the same manner.’
“When Rasulullahﷺ had completed his address, as per the custom of Arabia, Al-Bara bin Ma‘rurرضي الله عنه took the hand of Rasulullahﷺ into his own, and said, ‘O Rasulullahﷺ! We swear by Allahﷻ Who has sent you with the truth that we shall protect you with our lives, for we have been raised under the shadows of swords and…’ he had not yet completed his statement when Abul-Haitham bin Tayyihanرضي الله عنه – who was among those who accepted Islam – interjected and said:
‘O Rasulullahﷺ! We have had long relations with the Jews. By supporting you, they shall be severed. May it not happen that when Allahﷻ grants you victory, you leave us and return to your homeland, and we are left with nothing.’
“Rasulullahﷺ laughed and said, ‘Nay, Nay! That shall not happen. For your blood shall be mine, your friends shall be my friends and your enemies shall be my enemies.’ Upon this, Abbas bin Ubadah Ansariرضي الله عنه looked to his companions and said, ‘O People! Do you understand the purpose of this treaty and pledge? This means that you should prepare yourselves to confront everyone, no matter who they may be, and should be ready to offer any sacrifice.’
“This means that they had to now be prepared to face every opponent of Rasulullahﷺ and to offer every kind of sacrifice.
“The people said, ‘Yes, we understand, but O Rasulullahﷺ! What shall we receive in exchange for this?’ Rasulullahﷺ said, ‘You will receive the paradise of Allah, which is the greatest of all His rewards.’
“Everyone said, ‘We agree to this bargain. O Rasulullahﷺ, extend your hand.’
“Rasulullahﷺ brought forth his blessed hand, and this group of seventy devotees was sold at the hand of Rasulullahﷺ in a defensive pact. The name of this Bai‘at is ‘The Second Bai‘at at Aqabah’.
Appointment as One of Twelve Chiefs
“When the Bai‘at had taken place, Rasulullahﷺ said: ‘Moses AS appointed twelve chiefs among his people who served as their supervisors and protectors. I also wish to appoint twelve chiefs from among you who shall be your supervisors and your protectors. They shall be like the disciples of Isa AS unto me, and they shall be answerable to me regarding the people. As such, propose the names of worthy men before me.’
“Therefore, twelve men were proposed, who Rasulullahﷺ approved, and appointing each as a supervisor to one tribe, he explained to them their duties. For some tribes, Rasulullahﷺ appointed two chiefs. In any case, the names of these twelve chiefs are as follows:
“As‘ad bin Zurarahرضي الله عنه, Usaid bin Al-Hudairرضي الله عنه, Abul-Haitham Malik bin Tayyihanرضي الله عنه, Sa‘ad bin Ubadahرضي الله عنه, Al-Bara bin Ma‘rurرضي الله عنه, Abdullah bin Rawahahرضي الله عنه Ubadah bin Samiرضي الله عنهt, Sa‘ad bin Ar-Rabiرضي الله عنه, Rafiey bin Malikرضي الله عنه, Abdullah bin Amرضي الله عنهr, Sa‘d bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه [the companion whose account is being narrated] and Mundhir bin Amrرضي الله عنه.”
During the migration to Madinah, Rasulullahﷺ resided at the house of Kulthum(ra) bin al-Hidam in Quba. It is also narrated that the Holy Prophet(sa) stayed at the house of Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه. Likewise, it is narrated that although the Holy Prophet(sa) stayed at the house of Kulthum bin al-Hidamرضي الله عنه, when he left the house to go and sit amongst the people, it was at the house of Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه.
First Friday Prayer in Madinah.
After the first Bai‘at at Aqabah, Rasulullahﷺ sent Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله عنه for the moral and spiritual training of Madinah’s new converts. Shortly after, Musab sought permission from Rasulullahﷺ to lead their own Friday prayers. Upon this, Rasulullahﷺ granted him permission and guided him on the matter. Accordingly, the first Friday prayer offered in Madinah under these guidelines was at the house of Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه.
The al-Ghars Well
Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه. owned a well in Quba which was called “al-Ghars”. Rasulullahﷺ would regularly drink from that well and said regarding the well, “This is from the fountains of Paradise and its water is excellent.” Meaning it is palatably sweet and cool. Upon the demise of Rasulullahﷺ, it was from this well’s water that his body was washed. Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه. narrates that Rasulullahﷺ had said, “Upon my demise, take seven buckets of water from the well of Ghars to wash my body.”
Abu Jafar Muhammad bin Aliرضي الله عنه. narrates that Rasulullahﷺ body was washed thrice. He was washed with water and leaves of tamarisk without removing his upper garment, i.e. his shirt was not taken off. Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه., Saitidina Abbasرضي الله عنه and Saiyidina Fazlرضي الله عنه washed the body of Rasulullahﷺ after his demise. According to some narrations, Usama bin Zaidرضي الله عنه, Shuqraanرضي الله عنه and Aus bin Khawaliرضي الله عنه also took part in washing Rasulullahﷺ blessed body.
His Home as a Haven for Migrants
For many Muslim migrants escaping the persecution of the Quraish of Makkah, and upon reaching Madinah, the first place of arrival would often be Sa‘ad bin Khaithamah’sرضي الله عنه house – that is, all who would arrive after migration would temporarily rest at his house. Some of the known names of those people are as follows: Saiyidina Hamzaرضي الله عنه, Zaid bin Harithaرضي الله عنه, Abu Kabshaرضي الله عنه (who was a slave freed by Rasulullahﷺ), Abdullah bin Mas‘udرضي الله عنه etc.… When these companions of Rasulullahﷺ migrated, they stayed at the house of Saad bin Khaithamah Rasulullahﷺ upon reaching Madinah.
Martyrdom
Sulaiman bin Abaan narrates that when Rasulullahﷺ set out for the Battle of Badr, both Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه, and his father made intent to set out with him. When it was brought to the attention of Rasulullahﷺ that both father and son – from a single household – were setting out together, he instructed, “Only one shall set out, and to decide who goes, they should cast lots.”
Khaithamah told his son Saadرضي الله عنه,, “As only one of us can go to battle, I advise you to stay at home with the women to protect and guard them.”
Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه, replied,
“Had this been a matter related to something other than Paradise, I would surely have given precedence to your request. But I am desirous of martyrdom.”
Upon this, they both cast lots which came in favor of Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه,. He thus set out for battle alongside Rasulullahﷺ and was martyred in the Battle of Badr.
He was martyred at the hands of Amr bin Abd Wudd while according to another narration, it was by Tuaimah bin Adiyy. Saiyida Hamzahرضي الله عنه, killed Tuaimah in the Battle of Badr whereas Saiyidina Ali ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه killed Amr bin Abd Wudd in the Battle of Khandaq.
According to one narration, Saiyidina Ali ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه said:
“On the day of Badr, when the sun had fully appeared, the Muslim and Makkan armies clashed, meaning that the battle had begun. I went in pursuit of a person and saw Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه fighting an idolater atop a sand dune, and the idolater martyred Sa‘ad رضي الله عنه. The idolater was on horseback and was wearing chain armor. He got off the horse, for he had recognized me, but I had not recognized him yet. He invited me to engage in a battle with him, and I responded by pursuing him. When he came forward to attack me, I evaded his line of attack because he was coming from atop and this was disadvantageous to me – this is a technique in battle – I couldn’t afford him attacking me from above. When I was stepping aside for this reason, the idolater shouted, ‘O son of Abu Talib! Are you running away?’
“So I responded:
قَرِیْبٌ مَفَرُّ ابنِ الشَّتْرَاء
‘It is impossible for the son of Ishtira to run away!’”
Meaning that he could never run away. The term Ishtira had become proverbial among the Arabs. They say that history relates to an incident of a thief who would come to steal from people, and when they attacked him, he would run away. However, his running away was only temporary, for he would strike again at the first opportunity. Thus, this gained fame as a proverb among the Arabs, i.e. you evade the enemy as a strategy to attack again.
Saiyidina Ali ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه further states, “When I planted my feet to fight, he approached me and attacked me with his sword which I blocked with my shield, and I swung my own sword at his shoulder with such force that it penetrated his armor. I was convinced that my sword would bring about his end when I noticed the silver glimmer of a blade in my periphery.
Saiyidina Ali ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنهexplains, “I was about to attack a second time, but immediately lowered my head when I noticed another sword coming towards me from behind. The second sword missed me and hit my opponent with such force that his head altogether became severed from his body along with its helmet.
Saiyidina Ali ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه goes on, “When I turned around to look, it was Saiyidina Hamzah رضي الله عنه, saying ‘Let’s see how you defend yourself against this! I am the son of Abdul Muttalib!’”
From this narration of Saiyidina Ali ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه, it seems that Tuaimah bin Adiyy martyred Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه, and subsequently was killed there as well.
According to a narration, during the Battle of Badr, the Muslim army had two horses. On one of the horses, Mus‘ab bin Umairرضي الله عنه was sat, and on the other was Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه. Zubair bin Awwamرضي الله عنه and Miqdad bin Aswadرضي الله عنه also took turns to sit on them.
However, other historical sources cite the number of horses as three and five as well.
(See al-Rahiq al-Makhtum, p. 137)
Irrespective of the amount of provisions and the number of horses and camels the Muslims had, it was incomparable to the provisions and number of horses that were in the possession of the enemy. When the Muslims were attacked and the Muslims were compelled in engaging into a battle, the non-believers came intending to completely obliterate Islam.
At that moment, the Muslims did not look at their provisions and horses, in fact, they had a fervent passion to offer sacrifice in the way of God as is evident from their response. They did not have any worldly desire at all, rather it was simply the desire to offer their lives for the sake of God Almighty. It was for this reason that a son said to his father that he could not give him precedence. In any case, it was a heartfelt passion [to offer a sacrifice] which God Almighty accepted and granted them victory.
Alhamdulillah, all praise be to Allahﷻ, blessings, and greetings to the great leader of the Messenger of Allahﷺ, the members of the family of Rasulullahﷺ, the companions of Rasulullahﷺ and those who follow in the footsteps of the Prophetﷺ.
Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه
We say, the person whose biography we are translating is one of the members of Badar who was martyred in the battle of Badar.
We begin with the words of Allahﷺ:
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ ۖ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Meaning: And verily Allah has helped you achieve victory in the battle of Badr, while you were in a weak state (because you were few in number and lacked weapons of war). Therefore, fear Allah, so that you will be grateful (for the victory).
(Surah al-Imran: 123)
Abu Bakar al-Jazairi when interpreting this verse stated that: Allahﷺ warns the believers not to take protection from the infidels and hypocrites, and tells them that if they are patient and pious, their enemies' tricks will not harm them. them. Allah reminded them of two situations: one in which they were impatient and fearless until they were defeated, namely in the battle of Uhud, and the second in which they were patient and fearless until they gained victory and defeated their enemies, namely in the battle of Badr.
(See Aisar al-Tafasir, 1/370)
His full name is Abu 'Abdillah Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه bin al-Harith al-Ansari al-Ausi al-Badri ibn Malik bin Ka'b bin al-Nahhat bin Ka'b bin Harithah bin Ghanam bin al-Salmi. And he is the same mother as Abu Dhayyah al-Nu'man bin Thabit رضي الله عنه. Rasulullahﷺ once related him to Abu Salamah bin 'Abd al-Asadرضي الله عنه .
The Story of the Battle of al-Badr
Islamic historians say that Sa‘ad bin Khaithamahرضي الله عنه is one of the 12 warlords.
It is said that when Rasulullahﷺ was preparing the Muslims on the day of the Battle of Badr, they all quickly got ready. Sa'ad and his father Khaithamah each fought to go out to fight with Rasulullahﷺ, while one of them had to stay to take care of their family from the women.
Narrated from Sulaiman bin Aban, he said:
أنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ لَمَّا خَرَجَ إِلَى بَدْرٍ أَرَادَ سَعْدُ بْنُ خَيْثَمةَ وَأَبُوهُ جَمِيعًا الخُرُوجَ مَعَهُ، فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ، فَأَمَرَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ أَحَدُهُمَا فَاسْتَهَمَا، فَقَالَ خَيْثَمَةُ بْنُ الحَارِثِ لِابْنِهِ سَعْدٍ: إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لِأَحَدِنَا مِنْ أَنْ يُقِيمَ فَأَقِمْ مَعَ نِسَائِكَ، فَقَالَ سَعْدٌ: لَوْ كَانَ غَيْرَ الْجَنَّةِ آثَرْتُكَ بِهِ، إنِّي أَرْجُو الشَّهَادَةَ فِي وَجْهِي هَذَا، فَاسْتَهَمَا، فَخَرَجَ سَهْمُ سَعْدٍ، فَخَرَجَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ إِلَى بَدْرٍ، فَقَتَلَهُ عَمْرُو بْنُ عَبْدِ وُدٍّ
Meaning: "Indeed when Rasulullahﷺ was about to go out in the battle of al-Badr, Sa'ad bin Khuthaimah and his father both wanted to go out with him, then the matter was told to Rasulullahﷺ, so he ordered only one of them to go out. Both of them cast lots using arrows, Khaithamah said to her son Sa'ad: 'One of us needs to stay, so you stay with the women under your care'. Then Sa'ad replied: 'If it wasn't for heaven, I would have preceded you to go out to war, I really wanted to die as a martyr with my face (he meant it as an oath)'. They both continued to vote. Then Sa'ad's arrow came out (he won the lot) and he went out to fight with Rasulullahﷺ in the battle of Badr, then 'Amru bin 'Abd Wudd killed him."
While Khaithamah's father was martyred in the battle of Uhud. The story of his death was told by Dr. Raghib al-Sirjani, that on one occasion Khaithamah told Rasulullahﷺ about his regret. He said: "O Rasulullahﷺ, I made a mistake on the day of the Battle of Badr. I made a lot of arrows with my son to go out to fight (the battle of Badr), and his arrow came out and he was blessed with martyrdom. Yesterday I saw him in my dream in a very good image, eating from the fruits of heaven and drinking from its rivers.
And he also said to me: 'Come and accompany me in heaven. I have found that what my Lord promised is true.'
For God's sake, O Messenger of God! I woke up longing to be with him in heaven. I am old, my bones are weak, and I hope to meet my Lord. Pray for me O Messenger of God! That I may be blessed with martyrdom and accompany Sa'd in heaven." Rasulullahﷺ also prayed for the matter, and then Khaithamah was martyred in the battle of Uhud.
The privilege of Sa'ad bin Khaithamah
Imam Ibn Hisham narrated from Ibn Ishaq, that Rasulullahﷺ when he arrived in Madinah al-Munawwarah, His Majesty stopped at the house of Kulthum bin Hadm. There is also a history that Rasulullahﷺ stopped at the house of Saa'd bin Khaithamah, it is said that when the Rasulullahﷺ, left the house of Kulthum bin Hadm, His Majesty would sit with the people at the house of Sa'ad bin Khaithamah because he was single and had no family. And there are also houses of friends from among the Muhajirin who are not married, so that is why the house of Sa'd bin Khaithamah is called Bait al-A'zab (House of Singles). Allahﷺ also knows the truth better.
This is all I can share about this noble friend. May Allahﷺ reward him with a great reward for his sacrifice in fighting for the religion of Allahﷺ.
We end with a prayer:
رَبَّا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَ بِالْيِمَِ وَلَا تْجَلْ فِلْوِنَا غِلِّاَ لِّلَّذِينَ امَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُو رَّ ِيمٌ
It means: "O Our Lord! Forgive our sins and the sins of our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not make in our hearts feelings of envy and revenge against the believers. O our God! Indeed, You are very abundant in Your mercy and grace."
God bless you
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