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son of `Ubaadah Ibn Dulaim Ibn Haarithah, who was famous for his generosity in pagan times. Sa`d's
generosity turned into a sign of his deep-rooted and solid faith.
Narrators commented upon his generosity and said, "The Prophet's houses were always full of food
sent by Sa'd." They also said that a man from the Ansaar used to invite one, two, or even three
Muhaajiruun over for meals, whereas Sa'd Ibn `Ubaadah used to invite over 80 of Muhaajiruun.
Solely for this, Sa'd always implored Allah to bestow him with more of His good provision and used
to invoke, "O Allah, little provision does not suffice me to be righteous or to act righteously." Therefore,
it was justifiable for the Prophet (PBUH) to supplicate saying, "O Lord, bring Your blessings and mercy
on the family of Sa'd lbn `Ubaadah."
Sa'd directed not only his fortune to the service of Islam, the straight and right religion, but also his
energy and skills. He was a skilled marksman. He showed singular spirit of self-sacrifice during the
battles under the Prophet's command (PBUH). Ibn `Abbaas said about him (May Allah be pleased with
them both), "The Prophet (PBUH) used only two standards each time he was at war: the Muhaajiruun's
flag with `Aliy Ibn Abiy Taalib and the Ansaar's flag with Sa'd Ibn `Ubaadah.
It seemed that his characteristic strictness was part of his strong personality. He was stem in
upholding what was right or what he believed to be his right. If he was convinced about a certain matter,
he would rise to make it known in public in an unwavering outspokenness and uncompromising
firmness. This strictness, or should we say this extremism, was the reason behind many of his viewpoints
which were called into question.
For instance, on the Day of the Conquest of Makkah, the Prophet (PBUH) assigned him to lead an
army battalion. Hardly had he reached the outskirts of Makkah, the sacred town, when he shouted,
"Today is the day of fierce battle. Today is the day of transgression." `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab heard his
threat and hurried to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, " Messenger of Allah, listen to what Sa'd just said. . .
He should not be entrusted with the command of the battalion that will attack the Quraish." The Prophet
(PBUH) gave his assent and ordered `Umar to catch up with him and take his place in the command.
It seems that when Sa'd saw Makkah in a state of surrender and helplessness, he saw flashbacks of
the abuse and torture that the believers and he himself had suffered at one time at the hands of
disbelievers. He recalled all the wars they had waged against the Muslims who called for monotheism
just because they believed that there is no god but Allah. His stern nature made him rejoice at the
Quraish's calamity and vow revenge.
This sternness or extremism that was characteristic of Sa'd made him take his famous attitude on the
Day of As-Saqiifah. After the Prophet (PBUH) died, a group of the Ansaar met Sa'd at Bani Saa'adah's
shaded meeting place to tell him that the Prophet's caliph must be one of the Ansaar, as the caliphate was
an honor in this world and in the next; therefore they craved to win that honor. But the Prophet (PBUH)
had already chosen his caliph when he asked Abu Bakr to take his place as Imam (prayer leader) while
he was sick. His Companions saw this and other special qualities enjoyed by Abu Bakr - for instance, he
was the second of the two in the cave - as a sign for his right to the caliphate.
On the one hand, `Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, along with his companions, took the side of Abu Bakr
and held fast to their opinion. On the other hand, Sa'd Ibn `Ubaadah, along with his companions took the
other side and held fast to it. This angered many of the Prophet's Companions who held Ibn `Ubaadah
responsible for such a dispute.
However, Sa'd Ibn `Ubaadah was only being himself when he held fast to his viewpoint, for as we
have already said, he always held tenaciously to his convictions and insisted on being outspoken and
precise concerning exactly where he stood. This feature came out clearly at the Battle of Hunain before
the Prophet himself. When the Muslims were victorious in battle, the Prophet (PBUH) always distributed
the spoils of war among all the Muslims, yet on that particular day, he took special care of those whose
hearts Allah had joined, namely, the elite who had committed themselves to Islam a short time before, so