Utba Ibn Ghazwan - The Skilled Archer Who Quickly Accepted Islam
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This is the story of Utba Ibn Ghazwan, one of the first seven people to accept Islam after the Prophet ﷺ. What we know from his life is brief, yet we see his bravery and strong Iman in all aspects of his life. He was one of the few people who completed both emigrations of the Muslims, first to Abyssinia, present-day Ethiopia, and then to Medina.
Early Days of Islam
Utba Ibn Ghazwan was one to quickly give his pledge of allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ when he heard of this new message. In fact, he was one of the first seven to accept Islam, following some well-known Sahabah such as Abu Bakr (RA), Ali Ibn Abu Talib (RA), and Khalid Ibn Sa’eed ibn Al’Aas (RA). During the early years of Islam, the Quraysh were viciously against the Prophet ﷺ and the early Muslims. However, Utba was known to speak up against the Quraysh’s treatment.
Standing Alongside the Prophet ﷺ
Utba showed his allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ by standing alongside him when necessary and listening to his advice when necessary. When the Prophet ﷺ sent some Muslims to Abyssinia to tell them about Islam and ask for their support, Utba joined them. However, he longed to spend more time with the Prophet ﷺ and returned to Makkah. In the 10th year after the revelation, the Prophet ﷺ set out to Medina. Utba Ibn Ghazwan joined the Prophet ﷺ on this journey.
After their migration, Quraysh did not leave the Muslims alone and challenged them to many battles. Utba was a very skilled archer and used his skill and strength to defeat the armies of Quraysh. In every battle, Utba was to be seen with his bow and arrows and spear, defending the Muslims and the message of Islam. Even after the death of the Prophet ﷺ, he continued using his skills and bravery to defend the message of Islam. In fact, he was greatly known for his role in the Persian Wars.
The Persian Wars
After the death of the Prophet ﷺ and the death of Abu Bakr (RA), Omar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA) became the second Khaleefa, or Caliphate, of the Muslims. Knowing Utba’s great skill, Omar (RA) sent him to the city of Ubulla, in present-day Iraq. This was the biggest port and an important town for the Persians. Utba was sent to retaliate, or fight back, against the Persians and spread the message of Islam through its lands.
Utba ibn Ghazwan set out with a small army towards Ubulla, which held a great and powerful Persian army. As he stood at the edge of the town with his spear, he called upon Allah SWT and his promise to protect the Muslims and continued forward. The Battle at Ubulla was not that difficult, and the city quickly surrendered. The Persian army left the city and its citizens remained.
The Town of Busra
After defeating the Persians at Ubulla, Utba rebuilt the town into a city now known as Basra. He built a masjid and guided the people to Islam. He had liked to return to Medina, as he did not feel like he was a good fit to govern this new Muslim city. However, Omar (RA) ordered him to stay there. So he did. He continued leading the Muslims in prayers, offering advice, and teaching them about the Deen from what he knew.
As one of the earliest Muslims living in fear and trouble amongst the Quraysh, Utba was used to living a life free of riches and luxury. He was a warrior and spent many days with very little food and belongings. He would tell the people of Busra, “I was with the Prophet ﷺ and we were only seven! Our food used to be no more than the tree leaves, and our jaw bones would become sore [from eating them]. One day, I was given a garment, which I split into two. I gave half of it to Sa’ad Ibn Malik and wore the other.” SubhanAllah! This was the harshness and simplicity of life in Makkah for the early Muslims.
With this background, Utba was fearful of any excessive food or wealth, even encouraging others not to live in luxury. He worried that the luxuries and comfort of this world would make the people forget about their Deen. He continued teaching and telling the people of Busra to live simpler lives. But the people were used to living among the Persians, who were known for their wealth and luxuries. It was difficult for them to follow Utba on this path, and they tried to encourage him to grow out of this mindset.
Utba did not let their words affect him.
He would often say, “I seek refuge with Allah SWT from being great in your world and low in the sight of Allah SWT.” He saw that they were still not satisfied, and warned them, “Soon, you will see [what] the governors [would do] after me.”
The Death of Utba Ibn Ghazwan
When the season of Hajj came, he appointed one of the companions to be the governor of Basra and headed back to Makkah. When he finished the pilgrimage, he went to Medina to visit Omar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA). He asked him to remove from his duties the governorship of Basra, but Omar (RA) refused. He did not want to see someone run away from their duties and responsibilities. He said to him,
“do you make me carry the burdens of responsibility for all Muslims and then leave me alone? No! By Allah, I would never exempt you [from the responsibility of being a governor].”
Utba had no choice but to return to Basra. Before he headed out, he turned towards the qibla and made a dua to Allah SWT that he does not return to Basra and does not stay their governor. Allah SWT accepted his dua and Utba Ibn Ghazwan died on his way to Basra.