Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) brought the message of Islam in 23 years. During that short period, many children grew up seeing him, following him, and emulating him.  One of the children who grew up in the company of Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) was the young commander over great men and young sahabah, Usamah bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him).

Who is Usamah’s father?

Usamah bin Zaid ( may Allah be pleased with him) was the son of Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him), the adopted son of Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). He was a slave boy given to Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) from Khadeejah bint Khuwailid (may Allah be pleased with her). Prophet Muhammad freed him and adopted him. He was most beloved by Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). He was so brave that he joined most of the battle during his lifetime.

Who is Usamah’s mother? 

Usamah bin Zaid was given birth by Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her), the black slave girl of  Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). He freed her when he was a young man. Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her)took care of Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) when he was young, and he treated her like his own mother. Umm Aiman (May Allah be pleased with her) was a brave lady. She accepted Islam during an earlier time of Islam. Her first husband divorced her due to her conversion to Islam and migrated twice to Abyssinia and Madinah.

How was Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) treatment towards Usama?

Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) was born 7 years before Hijra. His birth brought great joy to Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) was treated like his own grandson. He was given an expensive gown by Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). He has always observed Prophet Muhammad’s bravery leading the Muslim army to the battlefield.

What was Usama’s best character?

Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) was a person with high intelligence, piety, and bravery. He was refused by Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) to join the army in the Battle of Uhud because of his age. He was only 11 years old during that time. The first battle that he joined was the Battle of Khandaq at the age of 15. He was among the few who remained on the battlefield during the campaign of Hunain. Many Muslims fled from the battlefield. In Battle of Mutah, he witnessed his own father, Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) being killed. Zaid bin Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him) was the commander of the Muslim army in that battle.

Commander of the Muslim Army

Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) was elected as commander of the Muslim army at the young age of 19 years old, in the Battle of Tabuk.  He became the commander over the great sahabah, such as Umar and Abu Bakr ( may Allah be pleased with them). Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) chose him due to his intelligence, piety, and bravery.  Umar bin al Khattab ( may Allah be pleased with him) used to greet him, “My commander.” He was also a dutiful son towards his mother. 

Usama Bin Zaid has been mold to be a brave sahabi since young by his brave parents and Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). They led him by example. His surrounding has also been a contributing factor to shape his distinctive character.  May Allah make us brave parents that can mold our younger generation to be the next commander of the Muslim army like Usama bin Zaid  (may Allah be pleased with him), Ameen.

Click here to learn about other young sahabah, Anas Bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him).

Who is Zaid Bin Harithah?