Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah

Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah — his real name Amir ibn Abdillah — of the Banu Fihr of Quraysh, was one of the very first Muslims and one of the ten promised Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ gave him a title no one else received: 'the trustee (amin) of this community.' He later commanded the conquest of Syria and died in the plague of Amwas in year 18 of the Hijra.

Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah belonged to the Banu Fihr of Quraysh and was one of the very first to embrace Islam.

On the day of Uhud, when two rings of the Prophet's ﷺ helmet had driven into his cheek, it was Abu Ubayda who removed them — with his teeth, losing two of his own rather than hurt the Messenger of God.

But his most resplendent title came from a word of the Prophet ﷺ: 'Every community has its trustee (amin); and the amin of this community is Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah.' No one else received this name.

Under the caliphate of Umar, he was the supreme commander of the conquest of Syria. Invested with immense authority, he remained famous for his humility and austerity. Umar said that had he still been alive, he would have designated him as his successor.

He died in the plague of Amwas, in Syria, in year 18 of the Hijra — refusing to abandon his men.

Abu Ubayda is not named in the Quran; he is part of the Forerunners praised in general terms (9:100). He is one of the ten promised Paradise (Tirmidhi no. 3747). His title 'amin of this community' is reported by Muslim (from Anas) and by Ibn Kathir. His command in Syria and his death in the plague of Amwas belong to historical narrative.

Abu Ubayda embodies trust (amana): he was given armies and conquests, and drew from them neither pride nor wealth. To be the 'amin' of a community is to carry its burden without ever turning it to personal gain — the highest of fidelities.

Les tout premiers croyants parmi ceux qui ont émigré[38] et ceux qui leur ont apporté leur soutien[39], ainsi que ceux qui ont fidèlement suivi leur voie, sont entièrement satisfaits d’Allah qui Lui-même est satisfait d’eux. Il leur a préparé des jardins traversés de rivières où ils demeureront à jamais. Voilà le bonheur suprême.

9:100