الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا، ومن سيئات أعمالنا 

وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأشهد أن سيدنا محمدًا عبده ورسوله.

Today Inshallah, I will give a brief account on the life of one of the Prophet’s companion and he is Amr Ibn AL-Aas.   But before we discuss his life let me correct two misconceptions about him.

1. Amr ibn Al-Aas did not lead the Muslim army to invade or occupy Egypt, he rather went to liberate Egypt.

During the time of the revelation, the middle east was ruled by two opposing super powers, the Roman (Byzantine) Empire and the Persian Empire.  Every country was occupied by one of them.  Egypt was occupied by the Byzantine empire that oppressed the Egyptian thru heavy taxes and prosecution of anyone who objects to the tyrant rule. 

This is important to keep in mind to realize that when Amr ibn Al-Aas entered Egypt, he did not enter as conqueror or as invader but rather as liberator.  During Amr battles with the Roman army in Egypt, he ensured that the fight does not affect any of the local Egyptians.   Upon the victory of the Muslim Army in Egypt, most the Egyptians embraced Islam.  The reason for that goes back far before Islam.  

At about 318 AD, religious turmoil started in Egypt because of the presence of two major churches.  One in the North in Alexandria and was led by Bishop Alexander and one in the south and was let by a high priest called Arius. 

Arius teaching was based on the following: “Christ was not one with the Creator, he was rather the Logos, the first and the highest of all created beings.”

Bishop Alexander objected to teaching of Arius, particularly, he had large followers and their number was continuously increasing.   This is not the subject for today other than making the point that many of the Egyptian did not believe in the concept of trinity or that Jesus was the begotten son of God and thus when Amr Ibn Al-Aas liberated Egypt from the Romans, the teachings of Islam was similar to what most Egyptian already believed and thus they entered in Islam in masses.

But it way of general interest to hear some of the arguments that Arius made: He said:

“If the Son had been begotten of the Father, it must have been in time, the Son therefore, could not be coeternal with the Father.  If Christ was created, it must have been from nothing, not from the Father’s substance, Christ was not “consubstantial” with the Father.” 

2. Amr ibn Al-Aas did not play a trick on Abu Musa al-Ashari (أبو موسى الأشعري) during the arbitration between Khalifa Ali and Muawiya to stop the battle that started in response to the assignation of Khalifa Uthman.

During the Battle of Siffin (صفين) between the army of Ali and Muawiya, the recommendation was made to stop and go for arbitration.  Ali selected (أبو موسى الأشعري) and Muawiya selected (عمرو بن العاص).  This part of the account is correct, the part that is completely false is that both representatives agreed to remove both Ali and Muawiya from the leadership of Muslims.   When the two came out to announce the agreement, Abu Musa said that he removes both Ali and Muawiya as he removes these rings form his fingers.  But when the time was for Amr to speak, he said that he removed Ali as he removes this ring form his figure and he reinstates Muawiya as he reinstates this ring in his figure.   It is amazing that some Muslims believe in this ridiculous story.   (The story is reported by a fabricator Abu Mukhnaf Loot Bin Yahya (لوط ابن يحيٰ ابن سعيد ابن مِخنَف الأزدي))

The true story is that both Amr and Abu Musa met and they agreed to a ruling which is  to stop conflict for one year and the two waring armies leave to heal the wounds and then after a year, a group of three people are to meet to come with a solution that is binding on both sides and the three that they agreed on are: Ali ibn Abi Talib, Sad ibn Abi Waqas and Abdullah ibn Omar.  The war stopped but later another group formed called the Kharijites who plotted to kill both Ali and Muawiya.

We can discuss the details of the whole fitnah another day, but I just wanted to correct the false and frankly the absurd account that was insulting to the great companions, Amr in Al-Aas and Abu Musa al-Asharie.

Now, who is Amr Ibn Al-Aas.

Amr ibn al-Ās (عمرو بن العاص) (583 CE- January 6, 664 CE).  He was 13 years younger than Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) (570 CE – 8 June 632 CE) and he was 2 years older than Khalid ibn Al-Walid (585 CE – May 642 CE)

His father was Al-Aas ibn Wa’il (العاص بن وائل السهمي ), one of the chiefs of Banu Sahm (بني سهم) clan of the Quraish and one of the leaders of Mecca. 

Amr’s mother was Salma bint Harmalah aka “Al-Nabighah” (سلمى ابنة حرملة، كانت تلقب بالنابغة), the genius.  She was slave woman and was bought by Al-Aas ibn Wa’il.  She became a slave when she was kidnaped from her tribe Anza (عنزة) by a group who sold her.  She was sold sever times until Al-Aas ibn Wa’il bought her.

سلمى بنت خزيمة بن الحارث بن كلثوم بن حريش بن سواءة بن جوشن بن عمرو بن عبد الله بن خزيمة بن الحارث بن جلان بن عتيك بن أسلم بن يذكر بن عنزة بن أسد بن ربيعة بن نزار بن معد بن عدنان.   سلمى ابنة حرملة، كانت تلقب بالنابغة، وهي من عنزة، وكانت قد سبيت وبيعت في سوق عكاظ ثم بيعت ثانية وثالثة، واشتراها أخيراً العاص بن وائل فأولدها ابنه عمراً، فكان لعمرو إخوة عدة وأخت واحدة من أمه.

Amr grow up to be great fighter and became known for his intelligent and tactics during the battles.  He and Khalid ibn Al-Waleed were the two of the best in Quraysh. 

Amr was also very eloquent and combined with his intelligence, he was often selected as representative of Quraysh in negotiations.   

He was also a trader and used to accompany caravans along the commercial trading routes through Asia and the Middle East.  He used to also travel for trading to Egypt and Ethiopia (Abyssinia) and thus was quite familiar with these two countries.  In Ethiopia, he became friend with its ruler Al- Najaashiy and used to bring to him abundant gifts anytime he went there.

Like the other Quraysh chiefs, he opposed Islam in the early days. Because of his relationship with Al- Najaashiy, Quraysh sent him as head of a delegation to Abyssinia to prevail upon Al-Najaashiy, the ruler of Abyssinia, to turn away the Muslims who escaped Quryash prosecution from his country. The mission failed, and the ruler of Abyssinia refused to oblige the Quraysh.

After the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to Madina, Amr took part in all the battles that the Quraysh fought against the Muslims.  He commanded a Quraish contingent at the battle of Uhud.

Amr ibn al-Ās was married to Umm Kulthum bint Uqba but he divorced her when she embraced Islam. She then re-married Umar ibn al-Khattab.

Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas was not among the earliest ones to embrace Islam. He embraced Islam with Khalid Ibn Al-Walid after the treaty of Hudibiah, just shortly before the Conquest of Makkah.

It is surprising that his Islam began at the hands of Al-Najaashiy in Abyssinia.  In his final visit to that country, An-Nagaashiy asked Amr: “How could you not believe in Mohammad and follow him, when he is truly a Messenger from Allah?”

Amr then asked An- Najaashiy, “Is he thus?”

An Najaashiy answered, “Yes, so obey me, O `Amr, and follow him, for indeed, by Allah, he is on the path of truth and he will surpass those who stood against him!”

Amr left straight to the port area, where he found a ship ready to sail. He went on board and sailed to a place called Al-Shu’bah, where he disembarked. 

He bought a camel and traveled on toward Madinah. He passed through Marr Al-Zahran and went on until he arrived at Al-Haddah where he saw two men who had arrived there a short while earlier, trying to find a place to camp.

One of them was inside the tent; the other was holding the reins of their two camels.  Amr recognized Khalid ibn Al-Waleed (خالد بن الوليد). When he asked him where he was going, Khaled answered: ‘The way has become clear. The man is certainly a Prophet, and by Allah, I am going to become a Muslim. How much longer should I delay?

Amr Ibn al-As answered, ‘I am travelling for the same reason. I have just returned from Abyssinia where An- Najaashiy (Negus) has convinced me to enter Islam.

Uthman ibn Talhah (عثمان بن طلحة) came out of the tent and they stayed there together that night.

So, the three of them traveled to Medinah to meet the Prophet (PBUH). When the Prophet (PBUH) saw them coming form far, his face beamed with joy and said to his Companions, ‏)‏ (‏إن مكـة قد ألقت إلينا أفلاذ كبدها‏)‏‏“Mecca has surely given to you the flesh of its liver.”, meaning its most noble leaders.”

Khalid ibn Al-Waleed went first and declared the Shahadah and gave his pledge of loyalty to the Prophet. He was followed by Uthman ibn Talhah.

Amr was the third. Amr said: When I sat down opposite to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: I will give my pledge providing Allah would forgive me all my sins which I had committed in the past.

The Prophet (PBUH) said to me: “When you embrace Islam, all your past sins are forgiven. When you emigrate for the cause of God, your emigration ensures also the forgiveness of your past sins.”

I then declared the Shahadah and swore allegiance to him. 

Following his conversion to Islam in the year 8 AH (629 CE), Amr rose quickly through the Muslim hierarchy. Soon after his becoming a Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) assigned him to lead the campaign of Dhat as-Salasil (ذات السلاسل).

Dhat as-Salasil is a spot situated ten days’ walk north of Madinah.  The news came to the Prophet (PBUH) that the tribe of Qudaah (قضاعة) are assembling an army to attach Al-Madinah. So, the Prophet (PBUH) sent Amr as leader on a group of 300 but when he became near, his scout informed him that Qudaah has assembled large army of several thousands.  He immediately stopped and sent (رافع بن مكيث الجهني) to the Prophet (PBUH) requesting additional support.  

The Prophet (PBUH) sent to him 200 led by Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (أبا عبيدة بن الجراح) among them were Abu Bakr and Omar ibn Al-Khataab (أبو بكر وعمر بن الخطاب،).  When they arrived, it was time for prayer, so Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah (أبا عبيدة بن الجراح) stood to lead the prayers by Amr told him that he just joined him as supported and he is still the leader of the group and thus he will be leading the prayer.   Abu Ubayda moved back to let Amr lead the prayers even though he has the least time as Muslim and knows the least of the Quran.

What Amr did is actually proper based on the Prophet’s commands regarding who should lead the prayers.  The Prophet (PBUH) said:

وعن أَبي مسعودٍ عُقبةَ بنِ عمرٍو البدريِّ الأنصاريِّ  قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُول اللَّه ﷺ: يَؤُمُّ الْقَوْمَ أَقْرَؤهُمْ لِكتَابِ اللَّهِ، فَإِنْ كَانُوا في الْقِراءَةِ سَواءً، فَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِالسُّنَّةِ، فَإِنْ كَانُوا في السُّنَّةِ سَوَاءً، فَأَقْدمُهُمْ هِجْرَةً، فَإِنْ كانُوا في الهِجْرَةِ سَوَاءً، فَأَقْدَمُهُمْ سِنًّا، وَلا يُؤمَّنَّ الرَّجُلُ الرَّجُلَ في سُلْطَانِهِ، وَلا يَقْعُد في بيْتِهِ عَلَى تَكْرِمتِهِ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ رواه مسلم

“The person who can best read the Book of Allah will lead the people (in prayer).  If they are equal in reading (the Qur’an), then the one who has more knowledge of the Sunnah.  If they are equal in the knowledge of Sunnah, then the one who was first in making the Hijrah (from Makkah to Madinah).  If they are equal in that then the one who is more senior (or older) in Islam. Let not a person lead the prayer in the place of the person in authority and let him not sit in his place of honor, except by his permission.” (Reported by Muslim)”

This hadeath clearly give the highest priority is given to the person in authority and Amr was in Authority and he did not want to relinquish his position in the prayers.  The campaign ended with the Muslims victory but in return, the companions complained to the Prophet about two things that Amr did during the campaign but upon him explaining his reasons, the Prophet (PBUH) accepted them as proper.  One of the complaints was related to him prohibiting them from making fire at night though the weather was too cold.  He explained his reason is that he did not want to enemy to recognize their position and small number to allow him to surprise them. 

The second complaint was related to Amr leading the prayers without “Ghusl” washing after Janabah and only doing Tayammum (Dry Ablution).  He explained to the Prophet (PBUH) that the weather was too cold and he was afraid to get sick is he took a bath and recited to the Prophet part of verse 29 in Surat Al-Nisa:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لَا تَأۡڪُلُوٓاْ أَمۡوَٲلَكُم بَيۡنَڪُم بِٱلۡبَـٰطِلِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَـٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضٍ۬ مِّنكُمۡ‌ۚ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُوٓاْ أَنفُسَكُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمۡ رَحِيمً۬ا (٢٩)

“O you who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves unjustly except it be a trade amongst you, by mutual consent. And do not kill yourselves.  Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you. (Al-Nisa 4:29)

فضحك رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏ولم يقل شيئا  ) سنن أبي داود(

The Prophet (PBUH) laughed and did not say anything.

Amr was dispatched by the Prophet (PBUH) to Oman where he played a key role in the conversion of the leaders of that nation, Jayfar (جيفر) and ‘Abbād ibn Julanda (عبد ابني الجلندي).  The Prophet (PBUH) sent ‘Amr bin Al-’As (عمرو بن العاص) with the following letter to the king of Oman and his brother: 

‏(‏بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم‏.‏ من محمد رسول الله إلى جيفر وعبد ابني الجلندي، سلام على من اتبع الهدي، أما بعد‏:‏

فإني أدعوكما بدعاية الإسلام، أسلما تسلما، فإني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى الناس كافة، لأنذر من كان حياً ويحق القول على الكافرين، فإنكما إن أقررتما بالإسلام وليتكما، وإن أبيتما ‏[‏أن تقرا بالإسلام‏]‏ فإن ملككما زائل، وخيلي تحل بساحتكما، وتظهر نبوتي على ملككما‏)‏‏.

“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the messenger of Allah, to Jaifer (جيفر) and ‘Abd Al- Jalandi (عبد ابني الجلندي). Peace be upon him who follows true guidance; thereafter I invite both of you to the Call of Islam. Embrace Islam and you will be assured peace and security.  I am the messenger of Allah to all mankind to warn those who are alive and to remove the excuses from those who reject Allah’s message.  If you two accept Islam, you will remain in command of your country; but if you refuse my Call, you’ve got to remember that you will lose your leadership role. My horsemen will take over your land, and my Prophethood will assume preponderance over your kingdom.”

‘Amr bin Al-’As narrates that when he arrived in Oman and before he was admitted into the audience of Jaifer (جيفر), he contacted ‘Abd Al- Jalandi (عبد ابني الجلندي), who was known to be more mild-tempered than his brother: 

‘Amr told Abd: I am the messenger of Allah’s Messenger coming with a letter from him to both, you and your brother.

‘Abd said:  You have to see my brother and read to him the letter you are carrying. He is my senior in both age and kingship. Incidentally, what is the purpose of your mission?

‘Amr replied:

أدعو إلى الله وحده لا شريك له، وتخلع ما عبد من دونه، وتشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله‏.‏

To invite you to believe in Allah Alone with no associates and discard any other deities and testify that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

‘Abd said:

يا عمرو، إنك ابن سيد قومك فكيف صنع أبوك‏؟‏ فإن لنا فيه قدوة

O ‘Amr! Your father was the chief of your people, tell me what did your father do because we consider him as our role model.

Amr said:

مات ولم يؤمن بمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، ووددت أنه كان أسلم وصدق به، وقد كنت أنا على مثل رأيه حتى هداني الله للإسلام

He died before believing in Muhammad (PBUH); I have wished that he had embraced Islam and been truthful to it before his death. I myself had adopted the same attitude until Allah guided me towards Islam.

‘Abd: When did you embrace Islam?

‘Amr: When I was at Al-Nagashi (Negus’s) court. By the way, Negus did also enter into the fold of Islam. (عند النجاشي، وأخبرته أن النجاشي قد أسلم‏.)

‘Abd: What was his people’s reaction?

‘Amr: They approved of him and many followed his steps.

‘Abd:  How about the bishops and monks?

‘Amr: Some of them did the same.

‘Abd: Beware ‘Amr, there is no worst character in a man than lying.

 (إنه ليس من خصلة في رجل أفضح له من الكذب‏).

‘Amr: I never tell lies; moreover, our religion never allows it. (ما كذبت، وما نستحله في ديننا)

‘Abd: Has Heraclius been informed of the Islamization of Negus?

(ما أرى هرقل علم بإسلام النجاشي)

 ‘Amr: Yes, of course.

‘Abd: How did you happen to know that?

‘Amr:

كان النجاشي يخرج له خرجاً، فلما أسلم وصدق بمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال‏:‏ لا والله لو سألني درهما واحداً ما أعطيته فبلغ هرقل قوله، فقال له اليَنَّاق أخوه‏:‏ أتدع عبدك لا يخرج لك خرجاً، ويدين بدين غيرك ديناً محدثاً‏؟‏ قال هرقل‏:‏ رجل رغب في دين، فاختاره لنفسه، ما أصنع به‏؟‏ والله لولا الضن بملكي لصنعت كما صنع

Negus used to pay land tax to Hercules, but when he embraced Islam,

he swore he would discontinue that tax. When this news reached Heraclius, his

brother told him: are you going to leave one of your subjects stop paying you the tax and to believe in a religion other than yours.  Heraclius told him: a man desired a religion and chose it what should I do with him? By Allah, if it was not for fear on my kingship, I would have done what he did.

Abd:  Look Amr to what you are saying.

Amr:  By Allah, I am telling you the truth.

 ‘Abd: What does your Prophet command you to do?

‘Amr:

يأمر بطاعة الله عز وجل وينهي عن معصيته، ويأمر بالبر وصلة الرحم، وينهي عن الظلم والعدوان، وعن الزنا، وعن الخمر، وعن عبادة الحجر والوثن والصليب

He commands us to obey Allah, the All- Mighty, the All-Glorious, and prohibits from committing sins be pious and orders us to maintain good ties with family kin; he forbids injustice, aggression, adultery, intoxicants (wine), and forbids the worship of the stone and the cross.

‘Abd:

ما أحسن هذا الذي يدعو إليه، لو كان أخي يتابعني عليه لركبنا حتى نؤمن بمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم ونصدق به، ولكن أخي أضن بملكه من أن يدعه ويصير ذنباً

Fair words and fair beliefs are those he is calling for. I wish my brother

would follow me to believe in Muhammad [pbuh] and profess his religion, but my

brother is too possessive of his kingship to become a subordinate.

‘Amr:

إنه إن أسلم مَلَّكَهُ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على قومه، فأخذ الصدقة من غنيهم فيردها على فقيرهم

Should he accept Islam; the Prophet would give him authority over his people and asks him to take zakat from the wealthy people to be given to the needy.

‘Abd: That is fair behavior. But what is this zakat you have mentioned?

‘Amr:

فأخبرته بما فرض رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في الصدقات في الأموال، حتى انتهيت إلى الإبل

I described to him the divine injunction about the zakat and listed to him all the rules for the zakat on money until I reached to the zakat on camels.

‘Abd: I don’t see from our people except being tight with money, I doubt it that many of them will accept that.

(والله ما أري قومي في بعد دارهم وكثرة عددهم يطيعون لهذا)

Amr stayed for some days to be admitted into Jaifer’s court until he was finally granted this permit. Jaifer (جَيْفَر) asked Amr to hand him the letter to read it.  Jaifer (جَيْفَر) showed some reluctant but asked Amr to give him sometime and to see him the following day.

After a private talk with his brother and reconsidering the whole situation, both brothers embraced Islam and proved to be true to Islam.

The Prophet (PBUH) later made governor of the region until shortly after the Prophet’s death.  Sayedna Abu Bakr sent Amr with the Arab armies into Palestine and he played an important role in the conquest of that region.

During the caliphate of Sayedna Omar assigned Amr to lead the army against the Byzantine in Syria in the battle of Yarmuuk.   Omar was told that the Byzantine army is led by one of the most skillful Roman commanders, Artubun (ارطبون).  On hearing this Omar response was, “We have thrown at Artubun (ارطبون) of Rome Artubun (ارطبون) of the Arabs, so let us see how the matter unfolds.”

Amr was very daring and unhesitant. However, it was his great skill to get himself out of a destructive crisis.  An evidence of Amr’ wits and his skill of intuitive insight, is seen in his encounter with Artubun (ارطبون).

When Artubun (ارطبون) invited Amr to talk, Amr accepted though he knew the danger but he wanted to enter the fort to map a method of its attack.  Artuburn gave an order to some of his men to throw a rock at Amr immediately upon his departure from the fort  and to prepare everything so that the killing of Amr would be an inevitable matter.

Amr met the commander, and their meeting ended. While Amr was on his way out of the fort, he glimpsed over the walls something suspicious that aroused in him a strong sense of danger, and immediately he acted as if he remembered something and returned back to the Artuburn, in secure, slow steps, with confident, happy feelings, as if nothing had scared him at all or had aroused his suspicion.

He met the commander and said to him, “An idea came across my mind I wanted you to know. I have with me, where we are camped, a group from among the first Companions of the Messenger to enter into Islam. The Khalifa would not decide anything without consulting them and would not send an army unless he put them at the head of its fighters and soldiers. I will bring them to you so that they hear from you that which I heard, so they will become as clear in the matter as I am.”

The Roman commander Artubun (ارطبون) felt that Amr had granted him the opportunity of a lifetime. Therefore, he thought. Let us agree with him, and when he returns with these Muslim commanders and the best of their men and their leaders, we will finish off all of them at once, instead of killing Amr alone.

Secretly he gave his order to put off the plan that was devised to assassinate Amr, and he saw Amr off cordially and shook his hand with enthusiasm. Amr smiled as he was leaving the fort.

In the morning Amr returned to the gate if the fort with few men from his army with the rest of the army hiding in the sides.   As soon as the Romans opened the gate to Amr and his companions, the rest of the Muslim army attacked and achieved a major victory over the Artubun of Rome, who left his army to defeat and fled to Egypt.

After this victory, Amr convinced Sayenda Omar to allow him to liberate Egypt from the Byzantine.  Sayedna Omar agreed the actual campaign began towards the end of 630.  Amr led an army of 3,500-4,000 men who were victorious on all his battles against the Roman armies and liberated Egypt from their rule.

In 43 hijra year and at the age of 81, death caught up with Amr Ibn Al-Aas in Egypt, where he was ruling. He summarized his life in the moments of departure, saying,

“In the first part of my life I was a disbeliever, and I was one of the fiercest people against the Messenger of Allah, so if I had died on that day, the fire would have surely been my fate. Then, I swore allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, and there was no person dearer to me and more glorious in my eyes than he. If I wanted to describe him, I could not, because I was not able to fill my eyes with him on account of being in awe of him. If I had died back then, I would have wished to be of the inhabitants of Paradise. Then after that I was tested with command and with material things. I do not know if they were for me or against me.

“Then he raised his sight to the sky in awe, calling upon his Lord, the Merciful, the Magnificent, saying, “Allah, I am not innocent, so forgive me. I am not mighty, so help me. And if Your mercy does not come to me, I will surely be of those destroyed.”

And he continued in his yearning and his prayers until his spirit ascended to Allah and his last words were, “There is no god but Allah.”

May Allah forgive Amr Ibn Al-As and grant his Jannah for what he has done for the sake of Islam,

Dua