04-14-2003, 06:30 AM
`Amr bin Al-`As (May Allah Be Pleased with Him)
Birth:
`Amr bin Al-`As (may Allah be pleased with him) was born about 50 years before the Hijrah.
Character:
- `Amr bin Al-`As was a smart fellow and one of the well-known resourceful Arabs, and a peerless genius.
- He was one of the most eloquent and speech making Arabs.
- He had exceptional faculties and was characterized by prudence and far insight.
- His father is Al-`As bin Wa’il who was one of the Arab dignitaries and wise men, who lived in the Pre-Islamic period.
- `Amr bin Al-`As had an eventful life, which made his biography the subject of people’s interest for ages.
- Following the first immigration, some Muslims made to Abyssinia to seek shelter with the Abyssinian King Negus, the Quraish tribe decided to get hold of them and to incite Negus against them. They found none to undertake this mission better than `Amr bin Al-`As, because he was a resourceful man who had good relation with Negus. After Negus heard `Amr’s claim and the Muslims’ defense, he was inclined to Islam that he embraced it later.
`Amr’s Conversion to Islam
- When `Amr bin Al-`As failed to convince Negus to hand over the Muslim immigrants and was about to return home, Negus invited him to embrace Islam, explaining the great favor that Allah endowed on Arabs by sending the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Such advice from a king like Negus impressed `Amr bin Al-`As and resulted in his embracement of Islam in 8 A.H.
- `Amr bin Al-`As decided to meet the Prophet (peace be upon him). On his way, he met Khalid bin Al-Walid and `Uthman bin Talhah, who had the same orientation.
- When the three met the Prophet (peace be upon him), both Khalid and `Uthman extended their hands to pledge allegiance to him, while `Amr bin Al-`As withheld his hand. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked: “What is the matter with you, `Amr?” He replied: I shall pledge allegiance on the condition that Allah would forgive my pervious sins. Upon this the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Islam and Hijrah wipe out what was before them.” Thus, `Amr pledged allegiance. Knowing how magnanimous and genius `Amr was, the Prophet (peace be upon him) appointed him the commander of the Muslim army at the Battle of Dhat Al-Salasil.
His Jihad:
- Following the Prophet’s death, `Amr bin Al-`As had a significant role in curbing the rebels in the Riddah Wars during the caliphate of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq.
- During the caliphate of `Umar bin Al-Khattab, `Amr bin Al-`As managed to conquer Palestine and Egypt. The importance of this conquest needs no elaboration. This resulted in securing the coastline of ancient Syria to Muslim armies. Through the conquest of Egypt, the gates of Africa and Spain were opened.
- `Amr bin Al-`As showed resourcefulness and military genius in the conquest of Egypt. This was the subject of even non-Muslim historians’ admiration and appreciation.
- Quotations:
- “Men are of three types: a perfect man, half a man and a null man. As for the first, he is a man with perfect religion and mind. If he intends to do something, he consults the people of sound opinion, thus he will continue to be successful. As for the half-man, he is one whose religion and mind are not perfect. If he wants to do something, he neither consults anyone, nor asks himself which people he should follow and give up his opinion in favor of theirs. Thus, he will be liable to success and failure. As for the null man, he is the one who has neither religion nor mind. He continues to fail throughout. By Allah, I always consult men concerning my affairs, even my servants.”
- In the later part of his life, he used to say: “I experienced three phases of my life, in which I knew myself well: At first I was a disbeliever. If I died then, I would be liable to enter Hell. When I pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace be upon him), I was so shy of him that I never gazed at him. If I died then, people would say: “Hurrah for `Amr! He embraced Islam and his life ended well.” Later, I was indulged in certain matters which I don’t know whether they will be counted for or against me.”
Traits:
- He died in 43 A.H., after a long eventful lifetime.
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