THE DEATH OF ABOO ‘UBAYDAH IBN AL-JARRAAH (MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM)
Hijri date: 18
His full name is ‘Aamir ibn Abdullah ibn al-Jarraah, a.k.a. Aboo ‘Ubaydah. He is one of the ten to whom paradise was promised by the Prophet ﷺ who described him as the Trustworthy of the Muslim Nation, and he was described as the strong and trustworthy. He witnessed the battles of Badr and Uhud as well as all the battles that the Prophet ﷺ participated in. He was one of the first persons to accept Islam and among the Muslims who emigrated to Abyssinia and al-Madeenah. Upon his arrival to al-Madeenah, the Prophet ﷺ formed a bond of brotherhood between him and Aboo Talhah al-Ansaaree. During the reign of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, he was one of his commanders who conquered many cities. He was appointed as the commander of the Muslims army in al-Shaam after ‘Umar removed Khaalid ibn al-Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) from his position. He was well revered by ‘Umar to the extent it was said that ‘Umar said: If Aboo ‘Ubaydah is still alive, I would have appointed him as my successor.” One day, Umar ibn Al-Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him) was sitting with a group of his companions. He told them: “Make a wish!” One of them said, “I wish to have as much gold as would fill this whole house, so that I could spend it in Jihad.” Then again ‘Umar said: “Make a wish!” and another man said, “I wish that this house was full of jewels and pearls so that I could spend it all in Jihad and charity for the sake of Allah.” Umar said for the third time: “Make a wish.” His companions said: “We don’t know what to say, O Chief of Believers.” Thereupon, ‘Umar said, “I wish that this house was full of men like Aboo ‘Ubaydah Ibn al-Jarraah.” According to the famous opinion, he (may Allah be pleased with him) died during the plague of ‘Amwaas