The lives of the great companions of the Prophet ﷺ serve as beacons of light for generations. Among them was a man whose character, humility, and trustworthiness set him apart—a man who carried the title "Ameen al-Ummah" (The Trustworthy of This Nation). He was Abu Ubaidah Amir ibn al-Jarrah رضي الله عنه.
His story is not just one of military conquests or political prominence but a lesson in humility, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to Islam. The Prophet ﷺ testified that he was among those promised Jannah while he was still walking on this earth. Imagine knowing that paradise awaits you—yet still striving every day to please the Lord of the Worlds.
Early Life and Acceptance of Islam
Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه was one of the earliest people to embrace Islam. He was among those whom Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه invited to Islam, along with other distinguished companions such as Uthman ibn Mad‘un, Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf, and Abu Salamah. They all accepted Islam together, in a single gathering.
This early acceptance meant he bore the trials and persecutions alongside the Prophet ﷺ and his companions. He lived through the difficulties of Makkah, the boycott, and the migration to Madinah, proving his faith through action rather than mere words.
His Role in Major Battles
The Battle of Badr
Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه was a participant in Badr, the first and most decisive battle in Islamic history.
The Battle of Uhud
The true depth of his sacrifice was seen in Uhud, when the Prophet ﷺ was wounded. A blow to his helmet caused the metal rings to pierce into his blessed face. The pain was immense, and the Prophet ﷺ was bleeding.
Abu Ubaidah rushed forward. Using his teeth, he carefully removed the metal pieces, not wanting to cause more pain to the Prophet ﷺ. In doing so, his own two front teeth broke. It was said about him:
فَانْقَلَعَتْ ثَنِيَّتَاهُ فَحَسَّنَ ثَغْرُهُ بِذِهَابِهِمَا
"His two front teeth broke, and the beauty of his smile increased because of it." (Tārīkh al-Islam: 3/181)
The companions never looked at his broken teeth as a flaw. Rather, it was an honor, a mark of his love for the Prophet ﷺ. They would say:
"مَا رُئِيَ هَتْمٌ قَطُّ أَحْسَنَ مِنْ هَتْمِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ"
"Never have broken teeth looked more beautiful than those of Abu Ubaidah." (Tārīkh al-Islam: 3/181)
His physical pain was nothing in comparison to his love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Leadership and Humility
When the Prophet ﷺ passed away, the Muslims gathered at Saqifah Bani Sa’idah to appoint a new leader. The Ansar suggested appointing a leader from among themselves, while the Muhajirun insisted on unity under one leader.
At that critical moment, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه proposed two names for leadership:
- Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه
- Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah رضي الله عنه
He said:
"قد رضيت لكم أحد هذين الرجلين"
"I am pleased for you to have one of these two men as your leader." (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 6830)
However, Abu Ubaidah, known for his humility, immediately stepped back, refusing to place himself above Abu Bakr. The matter was soon resolved, and Abu Bakr was appointed the first Khalifah.
Governor of Sham and His Simplicity
When Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه became Khalifah, he entrusted Abu Ubaidah with overseeing Bayt al-Mal (the public treasury), a role that required immense trust and integrity. Later, during the reign of Umar ibn al-Khattab, Abu Ubaidah was appointed as the governor of Sham.
Despite being in a position of power, his lifestyle remained astonishingly simple. Umar رضي الله عنه once visited him and was shocked to find that Abu Ubaidah’s house contained only a sword, a shield, and a saddle.
Umar said:
"لو اتخذت متاعاً؟"
"Why don’t you furnish your house with something?"
Abu Ubaidah replied:
"يا أمير المؤمنين، إن هذا سيبلغنا المقيل"
"O Commander of the Faithful, this is enough to take us to our resting place (the Hereafter)." (Ḥilyat al-awliyāʼ: 1/101-102)
This was the man whom Umar once wished he had an entire army of, saying:
"لكني أتمنى بيتاً ممتلئاً برجال مثل أبي عبيدة بن الجراح"
"I wish I had a house full of men like Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah." (Tārīkh Al-Sagheer lil Bukhāri:1/54)
His Death During the Plague of ‘Amwas
During the reign of Umar ibn al-Khattab, a devastating plague struck Sham. Umar, knowing the high risk, sent a letter to Abu Ubaidah, urging him to return to Madinah.
Abu Ubaidah understood the true intention behind the letter. He replied:
"يا أمير المؤمنين، إني قد عرفت حاجتك، فحللي من عزيمتي، فإني في جندي من أجناد المسلمين، لا أرغب بنفسي عنهم"
"O Commander of the Faithful, I know what you want. Please relieve me from this order. I am among my soldiers, and I do not want to abandon them." (Siyar A'lām al-Nubalā: 1/18)
He chose to stay, and soon, he too fell victim to the plague. On his deathbed, he gathered his people and said:
"إني أوصيكم بوصية، فإن قبلتموها فلن تزالوا بخير: أقيموا الصلاة، وصوموا رمضان، وتصدقوا، وحجوا، واعتمروا، وتواصوا بالخير، ولا يغركم الدنيا، ولو عمرتم فيها ألف عام، فكأنكم قد رأيتم ما أنتم صائرون إليه."
"I give you this final advice: Establish prayer, fast during Ramadan, give charity, perform Hajj and Umrah, encourage one another to do good, and do not be deceived by this world—even if you lived in it for a thousand years. In the end, you will see where you are heading." (Tārīkh Dimashq: 25/486)
At the age of 58, Abu Ubaidah رضي الله عنه passed away, leaving behind a legacy of trust, humility, and devotion.
Conclusion: A Life of Honor
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah رضي الله عنه was not just a warrior or a leader; he was a man of deep character and sincerity. His honesty earned him the title "Ameen al-Ummah", his sacrifice showed his love for the Prophet ﷺ, and his humility proved that true leadership lies in servitude.
His life teaches us that honor is not in wealth or status, but in serving Islam with sincerity and sacrifice.
Understanding the lives of the Sahabah isn’t just about learning history—it’s about drawing lessons that shape our own faith and character. At AMAU Academy, we strive to make knowledge deeply meaningful, connecting it to our everyday lives through the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Keep learning, reflecting, and growing—because the journey of knowledge never ends.
