Umayr ibn Sad al-Ansari

Who is Umayr ibn Sad al-Ansari?

Umayr ibn Sad al-Ansari was a companion of Muhammad. His father died when Umayr was young, leaving him and his mother poor and destitute. His mother eventually remarried to one of the richest men in Medina, Julas ibn Suwayd from the powerful tribe of al-Aws. When he was barely ten years old, Umayr became a Muslim and was known to frequent the mosque despite his young age. In 630 Muhammad announced his intention to lead an expedition to Tabuk against the Byzantine forces. He ordered the Muslims to make the necessary preparations.

Shortly before the army was due to set out, Umayr returned home after performing Salat in the mosque. He was surprised that his stepfather Julas was so slow in preparing for the expedition and at his delay in contributing. Umayr related what he had seen at the mosque - young men who had come to enlist in the army and were turned away because of insufficient means of transport. Julas' response was shocking.

"If Muhammad is true in claiming that he is a Prophet then we are all worse than donkeys."

Umayr could not believe what he had heard and was forced to choose between preserving his relationship with Julas and dealing with his treachery and hypocrisy. The choice was painful, but he went to the mosque and told Muhammad what he had heard from his stepfather. Muhammad then summoned Julas who denied the allegations against him, claiming his stepson had lied.