أبو عبيدة بن الجرّاح
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah
The Trustworthy One of this Ummah
Quick Facts
Birth
c. 583 CE, Makkah
Tribe
Quraysh — Banu Fihr
Relationship
Early believer; beloved commander
Major Role
Supreme commander in the Levant
Death
639 CE (18 AH), Plague of Amwas
Named by the Prophet ﷺ as the trustworthy one — the amin — of this Ummah, Abu Ubaidah combined humility with command. He led the armies of the Levant and died serving his soldiers in the plague of Amwas.
Biography Timeline
Early Islam & Trials
He believed among the first and migrated to Abyssinia, then to Madinah. He is remembered for his gentleness, courage and complete reliability in every task entrusted to him.
The Trustworthy One
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Every nation has a trustworthy one, and the trustworthy one of this Ummah is Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.' The title captured a lifetime of integrity.
Command in the Levant
Under Umar he became supreme commander in the Levant, entering Damascus and other cities. Though appointed over more senior men at times, all obeyed him for his justice and trust.
The Plague of Amwas
When plague struck the army at Amwas, he refused to flee and remained with his soldiers, dying among them in 639 CE. His death was mourned as the loss of the Ummah's trustworthy heart.
Authentic Narrations
إنّ لكلّ أمةٍ أمينًا، وأمين هذه الأمة أبو عبيدة بن الجرّاح.
“Every nation has a trustworthy one, and the trustworthy one of this Ummah is Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.”
Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim
ورد أن النبي ﷺ سمّى عشرة من أصحابه من أهل الجنة: أبو بكر، وعمر، وعثمان، وعليّ، وطلحة، والزبير، وعبد الرحمن بن عوف، وسعد بن أبي وقاص، وسعيد بن زيد، وأبو عبيدة بن الجراح.
“It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ named ten of his companions as people of Paradise: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, al-Zubayr, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa'id ibn Zayd, and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.”
Jami' al-Tirmidhi (Sahih)
Historical Sources
- ✦Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim
- ✦al-Tabari; Ibn Sa'd