Sa’id ibn Amir (RA)
Sa’id ibn Amir’s Acceptance of Islam:
Sa’id ibn Amir was greatly affected by the martyrdom of Khubayb ibn Adiy, which opened his heart to Islam.
Eventually, he announced his acceptance of Islam, publicly to the Quraysh.
Migration to Madinah:
Sa’id ibn Amir migrated to Madinah and attached himself to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Service Under Abu Bakr and Umar ibn Al-Khattab:
Even after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ passed away, Sa’id ibn Amir continued his service under the two successors, Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab.
Both Abu Bakr and Umar respected Sa’id for his honesty and they would listen and follow his advice when required.
Appointment as Governor of Hims:
Umar ibn al-Khattab appointed Sa’id ibn Amir as the governor of Hims in Syria.
Sa’id ibn Amir’s Poverty and Refusal of Wealth:
A delegation from Hims came to visit Umar ibn al-Khattab in Madinah and the Caliph requested them to write the names of the poor among them so he could relieve their needs.
They prepared a list for him in which the name Sa’id ibn Amir appeared.
Umar ibn al-Khattab asked: who is this Sa’id ibn Amir? They replied: Our Amir (leader).
Umar then asked: Your Amir is poor? They replied: Yes. By Allah several days go by without a fire being lit in his house.
Umar ibn al-Khattab was saddened by this and he cried. He then got a thousand dinars, put it in a purse and said: convey my greetings to him and tell him that Amir al-Mu’minin has sent this money to help him look after his needs.
Sa’id Refuses to Take the Money Given by Umar ibn al-Khattab
The delegation came to Sa’id with the purse but when he found it contained money, he began to push it away, saying: From Allah we are and to Him we shall certainly return.
Sa’id’s wife then asked him: What’s the matter, Sa’id? Has the Khalifah (Umar) died? Sa’id replied: Something greater than that! His wife asked: Have the Muslims been defeated in battle?
Sa’id ibn Amir replied: Something greater than that! The world has come upon me to corrupt my Hereafter and create disorder in my house.
Distribution of the Wealth to the Poor:
Sa’id ibn Amir’s wife replied: Get rid of it!
She helped her husband take the dinars, put them in bags and they distributed this money to the poor.
Complaints Against Sa’id ibn Amir as Governor:
not long after, Umar ibn al-Khattab went to Syria to monitor the conditions of the Muslims.
When he arrived, he asked the residents about what they thought of their Governor and the Syrians complained about four of his actions, each one more serious than the other.
Umar ibn al-Khattab then decided to arrange a meeting with Sa’id ibn Amir to discuss these complaints.
Umar’s Meeting with Sa’d ibn Amir to Discuss the Complaints:
Complaint 1 – He comes out late in the day:
The residents of Syria said: He only comes out to us when the sun is already high.
Umar ibn al-Khattab asked: What do you have to say about this Sa’id?
Sa’id ibn Amir’s Response:
Sa’id remained silent but then replied: By Allah, I really did not want to say this but there seems to be no way out. My family does not have a helper at home so I get up every morning and prepare dough for bread. I wait a little until it rises and then bake for them. I then perform wudu and go out to the people.
Complaint 2 – He does not answer at night:
Umar ibn al-Khattab then asked: What is your other complaint?
The Syrians replied: He does not answer anyone at night.
Sa’id ibn Amir’s Response:
Sa’id said: By Allah, I really would not like to discuss this also but I have left the day for them and the night for Allah, Great and Sublime is He!
Complaint 3 – He misses one day each month:
Umar asked: what is your other complaint about him?
The people said: He does not come out to us for one day in every month.
Sa’id ibn Amir’s Response:
Sa’id replied to this by saying: I do not have a helper at home and I do not have any clothes except what is on me. I wash once a month and I wait for it to dry. Then, I go out in the latter part of the day.
Complaint 4 – He often faints in gatherings:
Umar then asked the residents: Any other complaints about him?
The Syrians said: From time to time, he blacks out in meetings.
Sa’id ibn Amir’s Response:
Sa’id replied to this saying: I witnessed the killing of Khubayb al-Ansari in Makkah. I saw the Quraysh cutting him and saying: would you like Muhammad in your place to which Khubayb replied: I would not wish to be safe and secure among my family while a thorn hurts Muhammad. By Allah, whenever I remember this day and how I failed to come support him, and the fact that I was a Mushrik (associated partners with Allah) and did not believe in Allah. I think only that Allah will never forgive me and I black out.
Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Response:
After listening to all of these explanations, Umar ibn al-Khattab said: Praise be to Allah who has not blunted my ability to assess character.
Sa’id ibn Amir’s Generosity and Care for the Poor:
Umar ibn al-Khattab later sent a thousand dinars to Sa’id to help him out.
Sa’id’s wife then said: Praise be to Allah Who has enriched us out of your service. Sa’id ibn Zayd suggested: Let us spend it on whoever comes to us and we would get something better for it when we are in greater need (on the Day of Judgement).
His wife agreed with this and Sa’id ibn Amir put dinars into small bags and said to a family member: Take this to the widow of so and so and the orphan of that person.
A small piece of gold was left behind which he gave to his wife to spend on her needs.
Respect and Loved For His Kindness:
Poor people loved and respected Sa’id ibn Amir a lot because of his kindness, generosity and sympathy for people.