Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) - The First Archer
Learn about Sa'd (RA), one of the earliest Muslims and a skilled archer.
Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the earliest companions to accept Islam. He was only seventeen years old when he embraced Islam. His mother was very upset and tried to force him to leave Islam by threatening to starve herself. Sa'd was devoted to his mother, but he refused to leave Islam. He told her: 'O mother, by Allah, if you had a soul in your body and it came out, I would not leave my religion.' His mother eventually gave up. The Prophet ﷺ said about Sa'd: 'This is my maternal uncle. Let no one show me his uncle.' This showed the Prophet's love and respect for Sa'd. Sa'd (RA) was known for his skill in archery. At the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet ﷺ handed him arrows and said: 'Shoot, may my father and mother be my ransom for you.' This was one of the greatest compliments the Prophet ever gave — offering his parents as ransom for someone. Sa'd (RA) later led the Muslim army to victory against the Persians at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah. He was also one of the ten companions promised Paradise by the Prophet ﷺ.
Qur'an Verses
وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ وَهْنًا عَلَىٰ وَهْنٍ
Wa wassayna al-insana bi-walidayhi hamalathu ummuhu wahnan 'ala wahn
Translation: And We have enjoined upon man the care of his parents. His mother carried him with weakness upon weakness.
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Shoot, Sa'd, may my father and mother be my ransom for you.' The Prophet also said: 'This is my maternal uncle. Let no one show me his uncle.'
Explanation
The Prophet ﷺ gave Sa'd an extraordinary compliment — offering his own parents as ransom for him. This shows Sa'd's importance and the Prophet's deep love for him, especially for his skill in archery at Uhud.
Standing firm in faith, even against family pressure, is essential. Sa'd (RA) refused to abandon Islam despite his mother's threats, and became one of the greatest warriors and archers in Islam.
- 1.What was Sa'd known for?
- 2.What did the Prophet say about Sa'd's archery?
- 3.What did Sa'd's mother try to do?
1. What was Sa'd's defining quality?
2. Did the Prophet offer his parents as ransom for Sa'd?
3. Was Sa'd brave?
4. What did Sa'd's mother try to do?
5. What was Sa'd's role at Uhud?
6. What does 'Amm' mean?
7. Was Sa'd one of the ten promised Paradise?
8. What lesson do we learn from Sa'd?
9. What does 'Rami' mean?
10. Was Sa'd skilled in warfare?
11. Was Sa'd a military leader?
12. Did Sa'd conquer Persia?
13. What did the Prophet call Sa'd?
14. What did the Prophet say when handing Sa'd arrows?
15. Did Sa'd leave Islam for his mother?
16. What battle did Sa'd lead against the Persians?
17. What was Sa'd known for?
18. How old was Sa'd when he accepted Islam?
19. Did Sa'd care for his mother?
20. Was Sa'd among the earliest Muslims?
21. Is standing firm in faith important?
22. At which battle did Sa'd's archery impress the Prophet?
23. Did the Prophet ﷺ love Sa'd?
24. What do we learn from Sa'd?
25. Did Sa'd stand firm in his faith?
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