Usama ibn Zaid ibn Haritha

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The young leader

ibn Zaid was the prophet’s favorite youngman. Usama's father was Zaid ibn Haritha ibn Shuraihabeel. Zaid had an interesting story. His mother wanted to visit her relatives. On the way, some highwaymen raided her. The mother managed to escape and urged her son to catch up with her. However, they kidnapped Zaid who was eight years old. They sold him at the Ukadh market. Hakim ibn Hizam, lady Khadija’s nephew, bought Zaid. When lady Khadija visited Hakim and saw Zaid, she liked the kid whom her nephew sent as a gift to her. Khadijah saw that prophet Mohammad depended on Zaid who became the prophet’s personal servant.

Zaid ibn Haritha and prophet Mohammed:

When prophet Mohammad received the first revelation, he called people to believe in Islam. Zaid was the second convert to Islam after lady Khadija. Ibn Haritha was a devout believer. He witnessed many battles with prophet Mohammad. Zaid was the army leader at the battle of mu'tah. Ibn Haritha was killed and got the highest ranks as a martyr. He was the only Sahabi to be mentioned by name in the holy Quran. Ibn Haritha was Usama’s father. Zaid heard prophet Mohammad say: “Who wants to marry a woman of paradise, let him marry Umm Ayman.” She was called Baraka bint Tha’laba, the prophet’s maid, nurse and babysitter after his mother’s death. Ibn Haritha

Born at a time of familial unrest:

Zaid hurried to marry her. It was in year four after the first revelation. After only one year, Usama was born. The baby was dark with a pug nose, like his father. They gave him the name of “Usama”. When the prophet had heard about his birth, he hurried to congratulate them and make dua for the baby. Usama grew up while the prophet’s call was gaining momentum. Therefore, he grew up as a good Muslim. Muslims were being exposed to torture and persecution at the hands of the elite of Makkah. Usama's parents were keen on teaching their kid Islam and the holy Quran at an early age.

Enthusiastic young warrior:

Usama migrated to al-Madina with his parents. He heard about the Muslims’ plans to avenge themselves from their persecutors in Makkah. Usama was only ten years old at the time of the Battle of Badr. Usama asked his father’s permission to participate in the battle. His father refused due to his young age. Usama said that he wouldn’t fight with a sword, rather he would shoot arrows at the enemies. Zaid expressed his worry and concern about the kid’s safety. The boy insisted. His father advised him to be patient till he grew old enough to fight and take part in battles.

Usama at the battle of Uhud:

Usama was eleven years old at the battle of Uhud. However, his zeal pushed him to go to the battlefield. He carried his sword and shield and ran after the army. The elderly people wondered who the kid was and who allowed him to fight.  knew it was Usama who volunteered to fight. They pitied him and urged him to go back. They advised him to train a bit more. When Zaid participated in a battle, he would return home and tell his kids about battles. This ignited Usama's imagination. At the battle of Mu’tah, Zaid had the biggest role.

Usama and the battle of Mu’tah:

Prophet Mohammed had sent a messenger to the deputy of Hercules at Busra. However, the deputy killed the messenger. Prophet Mohammed held the deputy responsible for the murder and wanted to punish him. Prophet Mohammed mobilized three thousand companions under the leadership of Zaid ibn Haritha. Usama insisted on going with the army. Usama marched happily with the army. Prophet Mohammad said that if Zaid was injured, let Jafar ibn abi Talib lead. If Jafar was injured, let Abdullah ibn Rawaha be the leader. Khalid ibn al-Walid was in the army. The people saw the army off. Prophet Mohammad advised the soldiers not to kill children, women, blind people nor demolish houses or cut down trees.

Examples of the Heroism of Muslims:

Hercules heard the news of the army. Therefore, he mobilized a two hundred thousand soldier army. Theodur, Hercules' brother, led the army. When the Muslims knew the size of the army, they thought for two days. Then, they decided to engage with the enemy army. The Muslims fortified themselves at the village of Mu'tah and fought bravely. The leader Zaid ibn Haritha as well as Jafar were killed. Abdullah ibn Rawaha held the flag, fought and was killed in that battle. Prophet Mohammad was sad for the death of the three leaders. He said that they were elevated in paradise. قُتل القائد زيد بن حارثة وجعفر.

Khalid assumes the leadership:

Khalid ibn al-Walid took over as a leader. Through his genius and leadership, Khalid managed to maneuver and distract the enemy till late at night. In the morning, he reorganized the army, made a lot of noise and withdrew from the battlefield. Eventually, he returned to al-Madina. This unequal battle made Usama stronger and left an incurable wound in him. He decided to avenge himself from the Romans one day. Everyone was sad about what happened at Mu’tah. Therefore, prophet Mohammad decided to lead an army himself to fight the Romans again. However, prophet Mohammad wanted to prepare a strong army for the mission.

Usama and the conquest of Makkah:

The Quraish violated the agreement of al-Hudaibia. Quraish had to consider the Hudaibiya accord as expired. Quraish said that they had canceled the treaty. Therefore, war was inevitable between Quraysh and prophet Mohammad who called the Muslims to march to Makkah. More than ten thousand muslims got ready to go to Makkah. They marched, mentioning Allah all the way. Prophet Mohammad had Zaid ride his she-mule behind him. Prophet Mohammad entered Makkah, prayed two rakat accompanied by Zaid and Bilal only. Peacefully, Makkah was conquered. The people of Makkah feared the prophet’s vengeance. However, prophet Mohammad declared general amnesty in the town. Ever since, Makkah has been the religious capital of Muslems worldwide.

Usama at the battle of Hunain:

Some hostile tribes in the vicinity of Makkah were getting ready to fight the Muslims there to take it from prophet Mohammad who waged a war against them. More than twelve thousand Muslims marched to fight these tribes. Led by prophet Mohammad, the army went to the battlefield. Usama was sixteen years old by then. He was a well trained warrior then. Seeing their own great numbers, the Muslims were too proud to fight. Some Muslims even said that they would not be defeated due to their big numbers. They were surprised that the enemy attacked them everywhere. Disorder covered the prophet’s army. He called out his companions to stay firm and fight.

The believers surround the prophet:

It was a dangerous situation. Chaos was everywhere. Gradually, Muslims began to reunite. Muslims were victorious again and defeated their enemy. Usama proved to be a true knight who fought bravely and fiercely therefore, prophet Mohammad knew very well that Usama was a true man of war. Usama said that prophet Mohammad used to gather Usama, al-Hassan and al-Husain and make dua for them all. Prophet Mohammad. used to consult Usama on a lot of issues. When Aisha was falsely and unjustly accused of being not chaste, prophet Mohammad asked Usama about her character. Usama witnessed that she was pure, chaste and virtuous.

Prophet Mohammad helps Usama to get married:

Abu Amr divorced his wife Fatima bint Qais. He sent her some barley which she rejected. She complained to prophet Mohammad who ordered her to stay at Om Shurik's  or ibn Umm Maktoum’s house and count one hundred days before she could marry again. When she had passed the hundred days, she went to prophet Mohammad and told him that Muawia ibn abi Sufian and abu Jahm proposed to her. However, prophet Mohammad recommended Zaid ibn Haritha to her. She did not like him. Therefore, he recommended Usama ibn Zaid to her. She married Zaid and was happy with him.

Prophet Mohammad’s advice to Usama:

Prophet Mohammad always gave Usama advice. He advised him to be pious, go fasting. Moreover, he advised Usama to feed the poor and be charitable to them. Prophet Mohammad did not forget the revenge with the Romans. Prophet Mohammad expressed his intention to conquer the Roman territories. He urged the muslims to get ready for the war and revenge. They began to get ready, and Usama was enthusiastic. Prophet Mohammad appointed Usama as the army leader and gave him advice. The news of the muslim army reached the Romans who got ready for the battle.  Some muslims were worried that junior Usama led the army.

Prophet Mohammad gives a speech:

Prophet Mohammad insisted on Usama’s leadership. However, something unexpected happened. Prophet Mohammad got seriously ill. Again, prophet Mohammad summoned Usama and confirmed his leadership. Usama got the banner from prophet Mohammad happily. News reached prophet Mohammad that some muslims were still uneasy about Usama’s leadership. Prophet Mohammad urged the Muslims to obey Usama. Usama asked the prophet’s permission to march the army. Prophet Mohammad blessed him. They knew that prophet Mohammad was dying. Therefore, the soldiers returned to al-Madina. Usama wanted to participate in washing the prophet’s dead body. Finally, the prophet was buried in the chamber of Aisha where he breathed his last breaths.

A strict stand of Abu Bakr:

Abu Bakr took over after the prophet’s death. He insisted on sending Usama leading the army to war and went to see the army off. Abu Bakr gave an example to the Muslims to obey and respect Usama, the army leader. Finally, Abu Bakr reminded Usama of the prophet’s advice to him. At last, the army set off. Usama attacked the neighboring villages at Mu'tah. He camped there for one day during which they collected looties and returned victoriously to al-Madina. All the prophet’s companions congratulated him on the victory. This victory deterred the muslims’ enemies and assured their strength.

The death of Usama ibn Zaid:

Usama did not take a major part in public life. Usama  did not seek to assume any political post. He often hurried to take part in jihad. Ibn Zaid went fasting a lot, especially on Mondays and Thursdays. Usama was a grateful son to his mother. He would feed his mother the best food and the things which she liked. Ibn Zaibn Zaid died in the reign of Muawiya ibn abi Sufyan. Usama died outside al-Madina.Usama ibn Zaid died in the year sixty-one H. Ibn Zaid was about fifty-four years old when he died. He was carried and buried at al-Baqi’.  They said: “Bury the prophet’s favorite before sunrise.” Usama ibn Zaid was the prophet’s favorite youngman. Usama's father was Zaid ibn Haritha ibn Shuraihabeel. Zaid had an interesting story. His mother wanted to visit her relatives. On the way, some highwaymen raided her. The mother managed to escape and urged her son to catch up with her. However, they kidnapped Zaid who was eight years old. They sold him at the Ukadh market. Hakim ibn Hizam, lady Khadija’s nephew, bought Zaid. When lady Khadija visited Hakim and saw Zaid, she liked the kid whom her nephew sent as a gift to her. Khadijah saw that prophet Mohammad depended on Zaid who became the prophet’s personal servant.