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SA'IID IBN `AAMIR
Greatness Under Worn-out Garments
Does any of us know this man or have any of us ever heard his name before? Most probably, the
majority of us, if not all, have not heard his name mentioned before. I imagine that you wonder, who is
Sa'iid Ibn `Aamir? Well, you are about to embark on a journey back in time so as to find out all that there
is to be known about this "happy" ("Sa'iid" means "happy ") man, so fasten your seat belts.
In short, Sa'iid was one of the outstanding Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), notwithstanding the
fact that his name was seldom, if ever, mentioned. He was one of the most distinguished unknown pious
Companions. It was natural that he, like all Muslims, would accompany the Prophet (PBUH) in all his
expeditions and battles, for as a believer, he could not lag or turn his back on Allah's Prophet (PBUH) in
peace or war time. Shortly before the Conquest of Khaibar, Sa'iid submitted himself to Islam. Ever since
he embraced Islam and gave his allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH)), he consecrated his life, existence,
and destiny to the service of Islam. All the great virtues of obedience, asceticism, dignity, humbleness,
piety, and pride thrived harmoniously inside this pure and kind man.
In our attempt to unveil his greatness, we must bear in mind that, in most cases, appearance contrasts
with reality. If we are to judge him by his outer looks, we will not do him justice, for he was definitely
ill-favored as regards his appearance. He had dusty uncombed hair. Nothing in his looks or appearance
distinguished him from poor Muslims. If we are to judge his reality by his appearance, we will see
nothing impressive or breath-taking. But if we dive deep into his inner self beyond his outer appearance,
we will see greatness in the full meaning of the word. His greatness stood aloof from the splendor and
ornament of life. Yet, it lurked there beyond his modest appearance and worn-out garments. Have you
ever seen a pearl hidden inside its shell? Well, he was much like this hidden pearl.
When the Commander of the Faithful `Umar Than Al- Khattaab dismissed Mu'aawiyah from his
position as governor of Homs in Syria, he exerted himself in searching for someone who was qualified to
take over his position.
Undoubtedly, `Umar's standards of choice of governors and assistants were highly cautious,
meticulous, and scrutinizing. He believed that if a governor committed a sin, error, or violation, two
people would be asked to account for it before Allah: `Umar and the governor, even if this governor were
in the farthest corner of the earth. His standards of estimation and evaluation of governors were highly
subtle, alert, and perceiving. Centuries before the advent of Islam, Homs was a big city that witnessed,
one after the other, the dawn and eclipse of many civilizations. besides, it was a vital trade center. The
attractions of the vast city turned it into a place of seduction and temptation. In `Umar's opinion only an
ascetic, devout, and repentant worshiper would be able to resist and renounce its attractions.
`Umar suddenly realized that Sa'iid Ibn `Aamir was the man he was looking for and cried out,
"Sa'iid Ibn `Aamir is the right man for this mission." He summoned him. Sa'iid was offered the
governorship by the Commander of the Faithful, but he refused saying, "Do not expose me to Fitnah
(trials and affliction)." `Umar then cried out, "By Allah, I will not let you turn me down. Do you lay the
burdens of your trusteeship and the caliphate upon my shoulders, then you refuse to help me out? "
Instantly, Sa'iid was convinced of the logic of `Umar's words. Indeed, it was not fair to abandon or avoid
their obligation towards their trusteeship and towards the caliphate and lay them on `Umar's shoulders.
Moreover, if people like Sa'iid Ibn `Aamir renounced the responsibility of rule, then `Umar would
definitely have a hard time to find a man who was highly pious and righteous enough to be entrusted
with such a mission.