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The Reliable Diplomator of the Prophet's Envoy
Ubadah bin Shamit or complete Abul Walid Ubadah bin ash-Shamit bin Qais al-Anshari al-Khazraji, is one of the leading Companions of the Prophet from among the Banu Khazraj. Ubadah was one of the leaders of the Anshar people in Baiat Aqabah I.
During the hijrah in Medina, Ubadah was paralleled by Abu Martsad al-Ghanawi of the Muhajireen. Ubadah participated in the wars of Badr, Uhud, and all the wars of the time of Prophet Muhammad. At the expulsion of the Banu Qaynuqa, Ubadah acted as a bodyguard and drove the group of Banu Qaynuqa up to Dhubab.
Ubadah was one of the commanders who led the Arab Muslim army in the conquest of Egypt. The events of Egypt prove that he is a man who has high skills especially to become a master diplomat.
He was then sent as a judge (kadi) to the Palestinian territories. He was also one of the compilers of the Qur’an during the time of Prophet Muhammad. He narrated 181 hadiths, 6 of which were agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim.
Ubadah bin Shamit died in Ramlah at the age of 72 during the Caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan. He married Umm Haram bint Milhan al-Anshariyyah and left several descendants.
Umar bin Khattab once appointed Ubadah bin Shamit as a teacher to teach religious lessons to the people of Sham along with Abu Darda and Muadz bin Jabal.
The task was given because Ubadah was one of the five companions of Ansar who studied the Qur’an during the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Ubadah bin Shamit's full name is Ubadah bin Shamit bin Qais al-Anshari al-Khazraj. He was once called Abu Walid, a beautiful face and a tall and large body.
In Great Figures of Islam Through History by Sheikh Muhammad Sa’id Morsi, published by Pustaka Al-Kautsar, Ubadah describes 181 hadiths. Among them there is a hadith in which the Prophet SAW said: “There is no prayer except for the person who reads Al-Fatihah.” (Silver Bukhari)
Another hadith narrated Ubadah, which is about the priority of Tawhid. In the hadith, the Prophet said, “Who said:
Then God will enter it into Heaven through one of the eight gates of Heaven that he wills.” (Surday and Muslim HR)
Another hadith narrated by Ubadah bin Shamit;
“Have told us Ya’qub has told us my father from Ibn Ishaq has told me ‘Ubadah bin Al Walid bin ‘Ubadah bin Ash Shamit from his father, Al Walid from his grandfather, ‘Ubadah bin Ash Shamit he was one of the leaders, he said; The Prophet Shallallahu’alaihiwasallam invited us to fight and ‘Ubadah is one of the twelve people who are committed to the first ‘aqabah who encourage women to listen and obey both when difficult or happy, when enterprising or lazy, do not oppose something that has been mastered experts, tell the truth wherever we are and do not fear reproach people for carrying out the commandments of Allah”.
Has told us Suraij bin An Nu’man has told us Husyaim from Al Mughirah from Asy Sya’bi, that ‘Ubadah bin Ash Shamit said: I heard the Prophet Shallallahu’alaihiwasallam said: “Not a man who is wounded in his body and gives it up unless Allah will take away his sin as he has given.”
Ubadah bin Shamit was a partner who participated in the liberation of Egypt and played a strategic role in the liberation process. He was also strongly opposed to Muawiyah's rule when Muawiyah led Syria as Governor.
Muawiyah said to Ubadah: “For God's sake, I won't let you rule any territory forever.” This was then known by Umar bin Khattab, then Umar sent a letter to Muawiyah which contained: “You do not have authority over Ubadah bin Shamit.”
Ubadah was the first to become a judge in Palestine during the reign of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan. He died in Ramallah, Palestine on the 24th of Hijri.
One of the problems faced by Ubadah bin Shamit is when he faced the problem of racism which has been the main problem of mankind for thousands of years ago.
Not only about religion, but also about the color of the skin, nasab is often used as a benchmark for the height of a person's degree. White is higher than black. The employer is higher than the slave.
In the history of Islam, especially in the process of the conquest of Egypt, there has begun to appear contempt for the black race. Bad luck also befell black people, they were looked upon so badly that it was as if they deserved to be sold as slaves.
At that time Amr ibn Ash sent 10 messengers to negotiate with King Muqauqis, the ruler of Egypt. The delegation was headed by Ubadah bin Shamit, who was also a representative. Ubadah himself is an Ansar figure who participated in several important events with the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
The story of Ubadah bin Shamit who was mocked by the king of Egypt is recorded by Wahbah Zuhaili in his Ubadah bin Shamit Sahabi Kabir wa Fatih Mujtahid.
In Wahbah, he is described as Ubadah bin Shamit, who shows a calm, intelligent and firm attitude and refrains from denying faith and belief. Although he was confronted by a great king of Egypt.
When Ubadah bin Shamit faced King Muqauqi, the king looked surprised to see a dark-skinned figure with a looming posture. Then he said, “Keep that black man away from me, so that someone other than him can come and talk to me.”
Muqauqis replied: “How do you want this black man to be the best of you?”.
The advisors replied: “Really, even though he is a black man, as you can see, he is the best of his position among us, he is also the best in mind and vision, he is also the best, and we have no problem with his blacks”.
Then Muqauqis said: “Come here, black man, and speak softly. Truly, I fear your darkness, if your words are harsh, it increases.
According to Wahbah Zuhail, the skin color of Ubadah bin Shamit is not actually black, but brown, he is a handsome man It only looks black because at that time he traveled far.
Negotiations continued, Ubadah bin Shamit explained the mission of the Muslim army fighting to conquer Egypt. He said that he and his friends do not want wealth or political power, but jihad in the way of Allah.
Therefore, they did not care whether to get a little or a lot of booty because that was not the goal.
Ubadah bin Shamit explained that the world is sufficient just to meet the needs of his life, especially on the way, if not starving. Because for us, prosperity in the world is nothing more than enjoyment in the hereafter. That is their view of life.
Hearing Ubadah bin Shamit's explanation, King Muqauqis was shocked. If the way of thinking shown by Ubadah is applied, this army has great potential to control the entire region.
Then the Muqauqis feared that the Muslim army would be in danger because the enormous Roman army would soon enter Egypt.
According to Muqauqis, the Muslim forces were exhausted and must have been exhausted and starved when they stayed outside the area for several months.
Therefore, he offered to send the Muslim soldiers home and not continue the liberation.
In return, each soldier received two dinars, the commander a hundred dinars, and the caliph a thousand dinars. With his propaganda, he advised Ubadah bin Shamit to seize the opportunity before it was too late.
But Ubada bin Samith's decision remains unanimous. He stuck to the three options given to him. The three choices of the Egyptians were to convert to Islam, where things and obligations were the same as other Muslims, make peace and continue to embrace their religious teachings by paying taxes, or if not both, by making peace, war as the last road. Its leader, Amr bin Ash, asked him not to give any other choice but to do so.
Ubadah bin Shamit dismissed questions about claims that Muslim forces had been exhausted. According to him, the power of Islam is in the opposite situation.
If the Roman army came, instead of being afraid, Ubadah would be happy if so. Jihad is more open. Even the death of Muslim soldiers is not to be feared because heaven awaits them.
King Muqauqis has yet to make a decision on the three options put forward. Then he asked “Is there no other offer other than the previous three options?”.
“No,” said Ubadah, raising his hand.
After discussing with his colleagues, Muqauqis decided not to choose anything that Ubadah bin Shamit offered.
After deliberating alot, the two sides then did not find a meeting point, but rather argued. Muqauqis and his soldiers rushed to the rescue, his troops could not resist the attack of the Muslim forces.
And in the end, he decided to reconcile and pay taxes, like the second option offered by Ubadah bin Shamit.
Based on this story, Ubadah was named one of the best exponents in the history of Islamic politics. Most Egyptian scholars claim that Egypt was liberated by a peace treaty.
Ubadah bin Shamit's role was significant, especially as he was believed to be a Muslim diplomat to consult with King Muqauqis. His wisdom and thoroughness in making decisions and his elegant attitude cannot be separated from his deep understanding of Islamic teachings. Wallahua’lam!
