Biography of Abdullah ibn Jahs [radiyallahu anh]

Abdullah ibn Jahsh [radiyallahu anh] was the cousin of the Messenger of Allah [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] through his paternal aunt. He was also the brother of Zaynab bint Jahsh [radiyallahu anha], one of the Mothers of the Believers. He was appointed as the commander of the first-ever military expedition (sariyya) in Islam. After permission for migration to Madinah was granted, he became the second Companion to emigrate. 

He embraced Islam along with his two brothers and participated in both migrations to Abyssinia. Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] established a bond of brotherhood between him and Asim ibn Thabit [radiyallahu anhuma]. 

Abdullah fought in the battles of Badr and Uhud. At Uhud, he fought with great valor and was martyred in his forties. His body was mutilated by the enemy, with his nose and ears cut off, and he was buried in the same grave as his uncle, Hamza [radiyallahu anh]. 
May Allah be pleased with him. Here are some glimpses from his blessed life. 

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Abdullah ibn Jahsh embraced Islam just before the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] began preaching in the house of al-Arqam. When the Prophet permitted the emigration to Madinah, Abdullah set out with his family and tribe, leaving behind one of the finest homes in Makkah. 

One day, the polytheists Utbah ibn Rabi‘ah and Abu Jahl passed by his abandoned house. Utbah remarked, 
“Abdullah’s home has become a desolate ruin; it mourns its owners with sorrow.” 
Mockingly, Abu Jahl placed his hand on the wall and said, 
“Who is Abdullah ibn Jahsh that such a beautiful house should mourn his absence?” 
They then took possession of the property and its contents for their own use. 

When Abdullah, who was now in Madinah, learned of what had happened, he informed the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam]. The Prophet responded, 
“O Abdullah! Would you not prefer that, in place of that house in Makkah, Allah grants you a home in Paradise?” 
“Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” he replied. 
“Then indeed, Allah will grant it to you,” the Prophet said. 

The First Military Mission 

Having endured severe persecution in Makkah with unwavering patience, Abdullah ibn Jahsh was now living peacefully in Madinah, receiving support from his brothers among the Ansar. One day, the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] gathered his Companions and informed them he would be sending a few of them on a military assignment. Those selected would be Islam’s first soldiers. 

He then said: 
“I shall soon hand this banner to the one among you who shows the greatest endurance in hunger and thirst.” 
The banner was given to Abdullah ibn Jahsh. Along with it, the Prophet handed him a sealed letter and instructed him to open it only after two days of travel and to proceed according to its instructions. 

After traveling for two days, Abdullah opened the letter. It read: 
“When you read this command, set out for the region of Nakhlah, between Makkah and Ta’if. Observe the Quraysh and report back on their movements.” 
Upon reading this, Abdullah declared aloud: 
“We hear and obey the Messenger of Allah!” 

He then turned to his companions and said: 
“The Messenger of Allah has dispatched me to Nakhlah to observe the Quraysh. He instructed me not to compel any of you. Whoever among you is ready to risk martyrdom, let him come with me. Whoever is not, let him return to Madinah without fear of blame.” 
All the companions stood up and said, 
“We have heard and obeyed the Messenger of Allah!” 
Thus, they set out toward Nakhlah. 

Upon reaching the designated area, they encountered a Qurayshi trade caravan returning from the markets. The caravan was carrying goods such as dried grapes and dates to be sold in Makkah. The Muslims began to deliberate among themselves. One said: 
“There are four men with the caravan. If we attack them now, we will have fought during the sacred months, which is forbidden. Today is the last day of the sacred month. If we attack, we risk the wrath of all the Arab tribes. But if we wait, they will enter the sanctuary, and we will lose the opportunity altogether.” 

After consulting, they decided to attack. They killed one of the four, captured two, and the fourth escaped back to Makkah. On their return, although no Qur’anic verse regarding the distribution of spoils had yet been revealed, Abdullah set aside one-fifth of the booty for the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam], as was later ordained. 

Upon their return to Madinah, they informed the Prophet of what had occurred. However, the Prophet did not approve of their action, as it had taken place during the sacred month. He refused the spoils and said: 
“By Allah, I did not command you to fight. I only instructed you to observe and report on the Quraysh.” 

Hearing this, Abdullah and his companions were filled with deep regret and feared they had disobeyed the Prophet and doomed themselves. Meanwhile, the Quraysh spread propaganda among the Arab tribes, saying, 
“Muhammad and his followers have shed blood during the sacred months and shown no regard for their sanctity.” 

The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on Abdullah. However, shortly thereafter, the following ayah was revealed: 

“They ask you concerning fighting during the sacred months. Say, ‘Fighting therein is a grave offense. But averting others from the path of Allah, disbelief in Him, preventing access to al-Masjid al-Haram, and expelling its people are greater sins in the sight of Allah. And persecution is worse than killing.’” (Al-Baqarah, 217) 

The Prophet rejoiced upon the revelation of this ayah and accepted the booty as spoils of war. The prisoners were later released in exchange for ransom. 

The Day of Uhud 

Abdullah ibn Jahsh displayed great courage on the Day of Uhud. His valor was narrated by his companion Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas [radiyallahu anh], who said: 

“During the thick of the battle, as fighting grew fierce, Abdullah came to me, took my hand, and led me behind a large rock. He said, 
- Let us each make a prayer: you supplicate, and I will say ameen. Then I will supplicate, and you say ameen. 
I agreed and prayed: 
- O Allah! Let a strong enemy confront me. Let me fight him fiercely, slay him, and return safely as a victorious warrior. 
Abdullah said ‘Ameen.’ 
Then he prayed: 
- O Allah! Let a powerful enemy face me. Let me fight him for Your sake. Then let him kill me, cut off my nose and ears. When I appear before You drenched in blood, and You ask, ‘O Abdullah, where are your nose and ears?’ I will say, ‘O Lord! I sinned much with them and was ashamed to bring them before You. So I sacrificed them for Your sake and returned to You covered in dust.’ 
I said ameen to his prayer because I had promised to do so.” 

They then returned to the battlefield and continued fighting. Abdullah charged into the enemy ranks, longing for martyrdom. After sustaining multiple wounds from arrows and swords, he was martyred. The polytheists gathered around his body and mutilated it, severing his nose and ears. 

When the battle ended, the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] saw his body among the martyrs. He wept and buried him beside his beloved uncle Hamza [radiyallahu anhuma]. 

May Allah be well pleased with him.