Ubadah ibn al-Samit
'Ubadah ibn al-Samit was a companion of Muhammad and a well-respected chieftain of the Ansar. He participated in almost every battle during Muhammad's era. His official title, according to Muslim scholarly tradition, was 'Ubadah ibn Saamit al-Ansari al-Badri for his actions at the Battle of Badr. He served under the first three Rashidun caliphs in the Muslim campaigns against the Byzantine Empire.
The conquest of Cyprus marked 'Ubadah as one of the Rashidun army's most successful military commanders. He participated in more than seven large scale military campaigns before ending his career as a qadi in the Holy Land. In later years he assisted Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, the governor of Syria and future founder of the Umayyad Caliphate.
'Ubadah served as the Quranic teacher of the Suffah, as well as the mufti and judge of the Rashidun Caliphate, and was involved in the matters of converting subdued populations and building mosques, such as the Amr ibn al-As Mosque in Egypt and the Congregational mosque in Homs. Despite his low structural position, 'Ubadah's influence as a respected senior sahaba who was trusted by Muhammad and Caliph Umar could over-rule many of his compatriots, including those who outranked him structurally such as Mu'awiya, who served as Governor of Homs during 'Ubadah's tenure as judge.
Islamic scholars regard 'Ubadah as an influential companion of Muhammad who passed down many hadiths that became the basis of fiqh ruling in various matters.
Early life
'Ubadah was a descendant of Yemeni Arabs who settled in Yathrib and formed the Banu Aws and Khazraj tribes. He was born into the latter and became a prominent chief. His genealogical lineage was 'Ubadah ibn al-Samit Ibn Qais bin Asram bin Fahr bin Tha'labah ibn Ghanm ibn Auf ibn ibn Al Khazraj. Sometime before Muhammad's migration from Mecca, 'Ubadah and other Banu Aws and Khazraj tribe chieftains, such as Abd Allah ibn Rawahah, ʿAbdullah ibn Haram, Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah, and Abu Talha al-Ansari, met Muhammad at Aqabah during their journey from Medina to perform Hajj in Mecca. In historical literature, these clan leaders are said to have done Hajj to achieve enlightenment after they grew weary of tribal conflicts, particularly the civil war of Yathrib that Muslim historians call the Battle of Bu'ath. They listened to Muhammad's preaching and considered him to be the solution to unite their tribes. They immediately pledged their allegiance to him, marking this event as the first pledge of al-Aqabah. 'Ubadah was around forty years old. Later he participated in the Second pledge at al-Aqabah, and narrated the event.When the Meccan Muslims were migrating to seek refuge in Yathrib, 'Ubadah and his fellow Banu Aws and Khazraji provided shelter to them as Muhammad immediately instructed 'Ubadah to take an oath of brotherhood with the Muhajirun named Abu Marthad al-Ghanwi.
Battles under Muhammad
During Muhammad's stay in Yathrib, 'Ubadah participated at the Battle of Badr, which elevated his status as a patron of Islam in the view of Muslim scholars and earned him the title of al-Badri, which is bestowed to Muslims who attended the battle. 'Ubadah gave his testimony in regards to the aftermath of the battle when the Muslim army discussed their prisoners of war.'Ubadah also participated in the Battle of Uhud.
After the incident between the Banu Qaynuqa tribe and Muhammad, 'Ubadah announced that he had annulled the alliance with the Banu Qaynuqa, and it was this incident that led to the revelation of and from God to Muhammad. 'Ubadah's position as a respected head of the clan superseded Abd Allah ibn Ubayy's support of the Jews. In the end, the entire clan instead followed 'Ubadah and supported Muhammad and they expelled the Banu Qaynuqa Jews from Medina and took their date palm gardens as a holy war benefit for the city's Muslim community before continuing to serve in the Battle of Khandaq. In January 627, the Ansaris under 'Ubadah and his colleague, Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah, led an expedition against the Banu Mustaliq tribe. The raid was successful and they took 200 families captive, along with 200 camels, 5,000 sheep, goats, and a large quantity of household goods. However, during the battle 'Ubadah unintentionally killed one of his Ansari clansmen, Hisham ibn Subabah. Sometime after the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, 'Ubadah fought in the Battle of Khaybar.
'Ubadah participated in virtually all military expeditions personally led by Muhammad before his death.
Rashidun Caliphate
After the selection of the first caliph, rebellion broke out across the caliphate. 'Ubadah was commanded by Caliph Abu Bakr to quell the rebellions across Arabia, though it is not recorded which battles he was involved in. According to David Nicolle, the four Rashidun contingents left Medina between the autumn of 633 to 634 before Khalid converged with other contingents led by generals such as Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah, Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan, Amr ibn al-As and Shurahbil ibn Hasana. 'Ubadah, Abu al-Darda, and Muadh ibn Jabal were sent to Syria after the caliph was asked to send preachers to teach the newly subdued Syrian Christians. At some point, 'Ubadah was tasked to assist the military campaigns in Syria.During the time of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, reinforcement requests came from the Syrian front during the Rashidun's conquest of Levant. Umar sent 'Ubadah to join forces with Abu Ubayda and Khalid ibn al-Walid. 'Ubadah participated in the Battle of Ajnadayn under Khalid ibn al-Walid, where the 100,000 Byzantine soldiers under General Vardan were trapped and defeated, and then fled to Damascus. This battle ended with more than half of the Byzantine army killed, including Vardan.
During the Siege of Emesa between 635 and 636 AD, Abu Ubaydah appointed 'Ubadah as his deputy in Homs while Abu Ubaydah left to capture Hamah. 'Ubadah stayed there with his wife, Umm Haram, where Umm Haram remembered the hadith that allegedly prophesied the future conquest of Cyprus in which she and her husband participated.
| Oh Jabla. Don't you know how we faced your advanced forces at Ajnadain and other places and how Allah Subhanahu Wa ta 'Ala granted us victory over you and how your tyrant ran away? We know who remains from your forces and they are easy for us. We are not afraid of these forces that have come. We have tasted blood and we haven't found blood sweeter than the blood of the Romans! Jabla, I call you to the religion of Islam and to enter our religion with your people and keep your honor in this life and the next life. do not be a servant of these uncouth Romans and put your life on the line to save them from destruction. You are from the chiefs of the Arabs and a king. Verily our religion has appeared. Follow the path of those who have repented and returned to Allah and believe in Him and say: "There is no God but Allah and Mohamed is the Messenger of Allah…" |
| 'Ubadah ibn al-Samit taunt to Jabalah ibn al-Aiham before the Battle of Yarmuk |
'Ubadah participated in the Battle of Yarmouk.
After they defeated the Byzantine coalitions in Yarmouk, 'Ubadah, along with the army of Abu Ubaydah and Khalid, continued their conquest until they reached northern Syria, where they turned south to pacify coastal Levant. 'Ubadah was instructed to lead a detachment to subdue Tartus, a coastal fortress city. While 'Ubadah occupied Tartus in 636, Mu'awiya came to the city, and built an amsar complex, while also delegating fiefs to the garrison commanders.
'Ubadah was commanded by Abu Ubaydah to march towards Jablah and Laodicea. 'Ubadah met with resistance from the local garrison during the siege of Latakia. He observed that the city had a massive gate that could only be opened by a large number of men. He ordered his men to camp and dig trenches that could hide a rider on horseback. 'Ubadah and his army pretended to return to Homs, while at night he ordered the army to return to hide themselves in the trench. When the people in Laodicea thought 'Ubadah had left, they opened the gate to let their cattle out. 'Ubadah then ordered his entire army to attack. The Byzantines were caught by surprise and failed to close the gate. He climbed the wall then gave the signal of takbir terrifying the Byzantines and causing them to flee towards Al-Yusaiyid. The fleeing Byzantine soldiers and local citizens returned and surrendered to 'Ubadah, who accepted their surrender and allowed them to return to their homes with specific conditions, including the obligation to pay the kharaj land tax. While 'Ubadah oversaw Latakia, no buildings were razed including churches, while starting to build mosques. He stayed to establish the order of the caliphate on the subdued population. One particular mosque, Jami' al Bazaar or Mosque al-Bazaar survives. Laodicea was renamed to Latakia or Al-Ladhiqiyah.
After settling matters in Latakia, 'Ubadah marched into other Byzantine controlled cities, and subdued them one by one from Salamiyah to the port city of Baniyas.
Circa 630s, 'Ubadah subdued the city of Paltus, which would become an Arab settlement called Arab al-Mulk during a later era, as recorded by Yaqut al-Hamawi.
Transfer to Egypt
In July 640, during the siege of Babylon fortress in Egypt against the Byzantine forces, the caliph sent 'Ubadah with 4,000 soldiers. The four commanders were two veteran Muhajirun, Zubayr ibn al-Awwam and Miqdad ibn Aswad; a young Ansari commander named Maslama ibn Mukhallad; and 'Ubadah. These reinforcements arrived in September 640. Imam Awza'i, a Tabi'un and founder of the now extinct Awza'i madhhab, recorded that he witnessed the Muslim conquest of Egypt and confirmed that 'Ubadah was among the leaders. Amr ibn al-As decided to battle on the open field near Heliopolis in early to mid July 640. His 8,000 soldiers were led by Zubayr, 'Ubadah, Maslama, Miqdad, and Kharija ibn Hudhafa. They defeated the 20,000 strong Byzantine army under Theodore. The Muslims besieged the fortress over the course of months without a clear victory. During the siege, both sides exchanged envoys in an effort to demoralize each other. In the days leading up to the end, 'Ubadah was sent with a delegation to Muqawqis to negotiate for the last time. It is said that Muqawqis became afraid of 'Ubadah when he saw 'Ubadah's dark and majestic appearance. 'Ubadah then mocked Muqawqis in a chronicle:'Ubadah gave him three options: accept Islam, pay jizyah, or fight. Following the failed negotiation, Byzantine forces decided to fight, and on the same day the fortress fell to the Muslims led Zubayr ibn al-Awwam who climbed the fortress wall alone and opened the gate from inside. After the fortress had been taken, al-Aas consulted with Maslama ibn Mukhallad. Maslama suggested that Amr give a field command to 'Ubadah to attack Alexandria. 'Ubadah rode to Amr, who gave him his spear of command. 'Ubadah rode towards the army and gave a speech before commencing his attack on Alexandria. 'Ubadah led a detachment to besiege Alexandria and reused his strategy of using trenches as he had with Latakia. When he and his main force arrived at Alexandria's outskirts, he gave a signal to the army including those hidden in the trenches to launch an assault. His attack breached and routed the Alexandrian forces on the first charge. After Alexandria, 'Ubadah stayed in Egypt to help Amr build the city of Fustat and its landmark, the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As.