Usama ibn Zayd
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Usama ibn Zayd (Arabic: أسامة بن زيد) was the son of Zayd ibn Harithah, Muhammads freed slave, adopted son and one of the first Muslims.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
[edit] Muhammad's era
[edit] Marriage
According to certain other narrations, Muhammad insisted that a specific woman marry Usama despite her unwillingness to do so [1].
[edit] Father
His father died in the Battle of Mut'ah, 627.
[edit] Usama's dispatchmen
Although Usama was the son of a freed slave, he was appointed to the position of commander over Umar, Abu Bakr and Uthman, three senior Arab aristocrats, a few days before Muhammad's demise.
Among the orders he received was "go to where your father was killed" [2].
He was only eighteen years of age at this time. When protests arose regarding such a high position for someone of his young age, Muhammad silenced the protesters.
Usama, the general of the expedition to Syria, was in Jorf, still waiting for the companions. Some of them sent word to him that Muhammad was dying, and that he should return to Medina. He returned, and moments later, his master died.
Ali washed the body of Muhammad as Usama poured water.
[edit] Abu Bakr's era
[edit] Attack on Syria
Muhammmad died and Usamah asked 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab to go to Madeenah and ask Abu Bakr for permission fo the army's return. The majority of the sahaabah all said that Usamah's army should come back and protect Madeenah, now that so many tribes had apostated and wanted to attack. However, Abu Bakr insisted that the army continue what the Muhammmad had asked Usamah to do. They kept on trying to convice Abu Bakr out of sending the army and he held two meetings to discuss the issue. Even though just about everyone agreed that the army should stay and protect Madeenah Abu Bakr insisted that the Muhammmad commands must be followed whether in his life or in his death.
The ansaar then suggested that at least someone older thatn Usamah should lead the army. They sent Umar bin AlKhattaab to Abu Bakr to request this. When Umar said that the Ansaar were asking for this Abu Bakr jumped up (he had been sitting) grabbed 'Umar by the beard and spoke harshly to him saying that the PROPHET had made him the leader and you want ME to remove him. When 'Umar went out the people went up to him and asked, "So what did you do?" Umar then told them to "Go away. I just really got it from the khaleefah because of you."
Abu Bakr then set out and reached the army. We know that when he was sending them off he walked beside Usamah (who was riding). Abd-al-Rahman ibn Awf was leading Abu Bakr's riding animal. Usamah requested that he get down too or that Abu Bakr at least ride too. Abu Bakr said, "Wallaahi you will not get down and Wallaahi I will not ride. What does it hurt for my feet to get a little dusty in the path of Allaah?" May Allaah be pleased with Abu Bakr. Then he told Usamah, "If you see it fit to leave 'Umar with me to help me then give him leave to do so." Then he turned to the army and advised them telling them ten guidelines they had to keep in mind. Then he told usamah to do what Muhammmad had asked him to do.
Usamah then took his army to where Muhammmad commanded, won the battles in that area, and came back with the war spoils. It took him 40 days to go and come back. The news of Muhammmad death and of Usamah's raids on the some of his cities reached Hiraql at the same time. The Romans had been planning to attack the Muslims but he was surprised when he heard that the as soon as the leader of the Muslims had been killed some of his cities had been attacked and the Muslim army won. That made him think that those Muslims must be very powerful and have a pretty huge and strong army if they are sending armies to take over new land when their leader just died. They then decided that it wasn't wise to attack the Muslims.
Source: Alinshiraah wa Raf' ud-Deeq bi Seerati Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq by Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee [3]
[edit] Return back
Tabari recorded that "Abs [sic] and Zeeban[sic] were the tribes who were the first to attack Medina and Hazrat Abu Bakr fought them before the return of Usamah." Khan also quotes from Ibn Khalladun who also states that "Abs [sic] and Zeeban[sic] were the first to attack Hazrat Abu Bakr and the others collected together at Zil Qassah." [4]
[edit] Legacy
He had a son, named Muhammad ibn Usama [5].
[edit] See also
- Family tree of Usama ibn Zayd
- Sahaba
