Unit 13 sa’d bin abu waqqas (raa).
I. Pre-Reading Tasks.
Before reading the text, look at the title of this unit and answer the questions.
You will read about the first man to draw blood for Islam. What do you know about this person? What people or events do you think of when you hear this person's name?
Work in groups. List your pieces of information about Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas in order of importance.
Compare your list with other groups. How are they similar or different?
Reading.
As you read, try to find the information you listed above in the text.
Sa’d (RAA) was born in Makkah. He was brought up, like all nobles of the Quraish, on principles of bravery and good manners. He was related to the Prophet (SAAS) on his mother’s side.
He loved to make weapons, especially bows and arrows. Eventually, he became famous as a great archer. He used his archery skills at Badr and Uhud. "The Prophet (SAAS) said of him, "This is an example of my mother’s side of the family. If you have another one like him, bring him to me."
He was introduced to Islam by Abu Bakr (RAA). He was the seventh person to become a Muslim, at the age of seventeen. Sa’d was the first man to draw blood for Islam. One day when he was praying, some unbelievers saw him and began to mock him. Sa’d got up and hit one of them until his head started to bleed.
Sa'd
was very fond of his mother. However, she hated Muslims. She tried to
persuade him
to give up his religion. She went on a hunger strike. Then she
threatened to kill herself. Sa’d
was very upset. He said to her, "Please don’t kill yourself,
Mother. Even if 1,000 swords
were
plunged into your body, I would still not give up Islam." The
Quran (Surat Luqman, ayah
15), refers to Sa'd's difficult situation.
"If your parents say strange things about your God Do not obey them. Be kind to them
But follow only the path of those who love Me."
Promised Heaven.
Sa’d was one of the ten men promised Heaven by the Prophet (SAAS). Abdullah, the son of the famous general Amr bin A1-‘Aas, wanted to know why Sa’d had been promised Heaven. What was so special about Sa’d?
He went to Sa’d’s house and asked if he could stay with him for a few days. Sa’d welcomed him. Then Abdullah observed Sa’d at night. Every time he rolled over in his bed he praised Allah (SWT). At dawn, he would wake up, wash, pray, and then have breakfast. After three days, Abdullah hated him. "This man is not special at all," he said to himself.
Sa’d heard him and said, "I am just a simple man. But I bear no grudge against any Muslim. I say nothing bad about anyone. That is why I believe I was promised Heaven."
The Fighter.
Sa’d was a great soldier of Islam. He fought in all the great battles and was one of only three banner carriers when the Muslims entered Makkah. He is famous as one of the toughest of the Prophet’s (SAAS) companions, along with Umar (RAA), Ali (KAW), and Az-Zubair (RAA).
Sa’d was the Prophet's bodyguard at all the battles. One night, ‘A’ishah (RAA) was with the Prophet (SAAS). She was afraid. She said, "I fear for your life on this dark night." The Prophet (SAAS) replied, "Do not worry. Allah (SWT) will send us a guard." Very soon, the shadow of a man appeared outside the tent. The Prophet (SAAS) shouted out, "Who is there?" "It is me," answered Sa’d. After that, the Prophet (SAAS) slept soundly. Later in life, Sa’d led the Muslim army at the Battle of Al-Qadisiyya. His army was only one-tenth the size of the Persian army. However, the Muslim army won the battle. After the battle, Sa’d stayed in the Persian capital city for fourteen months. He did not like it so he ordered a new city to be built. He called it Al-Kufa. It became the new capital of Persia and Iraq.
On hisdeath bed he asked someone to bring an old woolen cloak. He said, "When I die, put me in this cloak. I wore this cloak at Badr. I have kept it for my funeral."