Aqdam أقدام

Companion of the Prophet ﷺ

سعد بن معاذ

رضي الله عنه

Sa'd ibn Mu'adh

Sa'd ibn Mu'adh ibn al-Nu'man al-Ashhali al-Awsi

Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, chief of the Aws, whose conversion brought his clan to Islam and at whose death the Throne of Allah shook.

  • Sayyid of the Aws
  • Chief of the Ansar
A day in his footsteps
  • KunyaAbu Amr
  • Family and tribeBanu Abd al-Ashhal of the Aws (Ansar)
  • Bornc. 590 CE in Yathrib (approx.)
  • Died5 AH / 627 CE in Madinah, aged around 37
  • Resting placeAl-Baqi cemetery, Madinah
  • Counted amongAnsar

Introduction

Sa'd ibn Mu'adh was chief of the Banu Abd al-Ashhal, part of the Aws of Madinah. He accepted Islam through Mus'ab ibn Umayr in the year before the Hijrah, and his clan followed him, men and women, within a day, according to the biographical accounts.

He fought at Badr and Uhud and defended the Prophet's honour even in Makkah, where he raised his voice against Abu Jahl in front of the Ka'bah. At the Trench he was struck in the arm vein by an arrow, and the Prophet had a tent set up for him in the mosque so he could be close. After the siege, the Banu Qurayzah agreed to his judgment, which the Prophet said matched Allah's judgment.

His wound reopened and he died soon after. The Prophet said the Throne of the Merciful shook at his death, and that his handkerchiefs in Paradise are better than the finest silk in the world. He was buried in al-Baqi.

The story

  1. Before 1 AH

    Accepted Islam through Mus'ab ibn Umayr and brought his clan with him (biographical sources).

  2. 2 AH, Badr

    Took part in the battle of Badr (biographical sources).

  3. Before Badr

    Performed Umrah in Makkah and confronted Abu Jahl at the Ka'bah; told Umayyah that Muhammad had said he would be killed.

    Read the wording
    Sahih al-Bukhari 3632Sahih
    Arabic text

    … مَتْجَرَكَ بِالشَّأْمِ. قَالَ فَجَعَلَ أُمَيَّةُ يَقُولُ لِسَعْدٍ لاَ تَرْفَعْ صَوْتَكَ. وَجَعَلَ يُمْسِكُهُ، فَغَضِبَ سَعْدٌ فَقَالَ دَعْنَا عَنْكَ، فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ قَاتِلُكَ. قَالَ إِيَّاىَ قَالَ نَعَمْ. قَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا يَكْذِبُ مُحَمَّدٌ إِذَا حَدَّثَ. فَرَجَعَ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ، فَقَالَ أَمَا تَعْلَمِينَ مَا قَالَ لِي أَخِي …

    “Be away from me, for I have heard Muhammad saying that he will kill you”

    Grade: Sahih

  4. 5 AH, the Trench

    Hit in the arm vein by an arrow; the Prophet pitched a tent for him in the mosque.

    Read the wording
    Sahih al-Bukhari 463Sahih
    Arabic text

    قَالَتْ أُصِيبَ سَعْدٌ يَوْمَ الْخَنْدَقِ فِي الأَكْحَلِ، فَضَرَبَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَيْمَةً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ لِيَعُودَهُ مِنْ قَرِيبٍ، فَلَمْ يَرُعْهُمْ ـ وَفِي الْمَسْجِدِ خَيْمَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي غِفَارٍ ـ إِلاَّ الدَّمُ يَسِيلُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالُوا يَا أَهْلَ الْخَيْمَةِ، مَا هَذَا الَّذِي يَأْتِينَا مِنْ قِبَلِكُمْ فَإِذَا سَعْدٌ يَغْذُو جُرْحُهُ دَمًا، فَمَاتَ فِيهَا.

    “the Prophet (ﷺ) pitched a tent in the mosque to look after him”

    Grade: Sahih

  5. 5 AH, Banu Qurayzah

    Gave judgment on the Banu Qurayzah, which the Prophet said matched Allah's judgment.

    Read the wording
    Sahih al-Bukhari 3804Sahih
    Arabic text

    … سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ، فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَجَاءَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ قَرِيبًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم" قُومُوا إِلَى خَيْرِكُمْ أَوْ سَيِّدِكُمْ". فَقَالَ" يَا سَعْدُ، إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ نَزَلُوا عَلَى حُكْمِكَ". قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَحْكُمُ فِيهِمْ أَنْ تُقْتَلَ مُقَاتِلَتُهُمْ وَتُسْبَى ذَرَارِيُّهُمْ. قَالَ" حَكَمْتَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ، أَوْ بِحُكْمِ …

    “You have given a judgment similar to Allah's Judgment”

    Grade: Sahih

  6. 5 AH

    Died of his wound; the Throne shook at his death.

    Read the wording
    Sahih Muslim 2466aSahih
    Arabic text

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَجَنَازَةُ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ " اهْتَزَّ لَهَا عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ".

    “The Throne of the most Gracious shook at the death of Sa'd b. Mu'adh”

    Grade: Sahih

A day in their footsteps

5 small, repeatable practices from Sa'd ibn Mu'adh's life. Each comes with the Arabic text and English wording of its source, and links to read the full report.

  1. Standing up for the Prophet's honour

    During an Umrah visit to Makkah, Sa'd would not be silenced when Abu Jahl challenged him for protecting Muhammad and his companions. He warned Abu Jahl that he would disturb Quraysh's Syria trade if prevented from performing tawaf.

    Try this today

    Stand up politely and firmly when the Prophet or the faith is mocked.

    Sit with this

    How do you respond, politely and firmly, when the faith is mocked?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3632Sahih

    … أُمَيَّةُ لِسَعْدٍ لاَ تَرْفَعْ صَوْتَكَ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَكَمِ، فَإِنَّهُ سَيِّدُ أَهْلِ الْوَادِي. ثُمَّ قَالَ سَعْدٌ وَاللَّهِ لَئِنْ مَنَعْتَنِي أَنْ أَطُوفَ بِالْبَيْتِ لأَقْطَعَنَّ مَتْجَرَكَ بِالشَّأْمِ. قَالَ فَجَعَلَ أُمَيَّةُ يَقُولُ لِسَعْدٍ لاَ تَرْفَعْ صَوْتَكَ. وَجَعَلَ يُمْسِكُهُ، فَغَضِبَ سَعْدٌ فَقَالَ دَعْنَا عَنْكَ، فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم …

    “By Allah, if you prevent me from performing the Tawaf of the Ka`ba, I will spoil your trade with Sham”

    Grade: Sahih

  2. A sincere du'a at the end

    Wounded at the Trench, Sa'd prayed that nothing was dearer to him than fighting for Allah against those who rejected His Messenger, and asked to live if a battle remained, and to be taken if it was over. Sincere du'a in illness.

    Try this today

    In illness, make a clear du'a for what you most want for the deen.

    Sit with this

    What would your clearest du'a be if you knew your time was short?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 4122Sahih

    … أَنَّ سَعْدًا قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ أَنْ أُجَاهِدَهُمْ فِيكَ مِنْ قَوْمٍ كَذَّبُوا رَسُولَكَ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَخْرَجُوهُ، اللَّهُمَّ فَإِنِّي أَظُنُّ أَنَّكَ قَدْ وَضَعْتَ الْحَرْبَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ، فَإِنْ كَانَ بَقِيَ مِنْ حَرْبِ قُرَيْشٍ شَىْءٌ، فَأَبْقِنِي لَهُ حَتَّى أُجَاهِدَهُمْ فِيكَ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ وَضَعْتَ الْحَرْبَ …

    “O Allah! You know that there is nothing more beloved to me than to fight in Your Cause against those who disbelieved Your Apostle and turned him out (of Mecca)”

    Grade: Sahih

  3. Seeking treatment and staying near the masjid

    When he was wounded, the Prophet cauterised the vein, and pitched a tent in the mosque to tend him, so he was near to the Prophet and prayer. Sa'd accepted medical treatment and stayed in the masjid environment.

    Try this today

    Seek treatment when ill and stay close to worship.

    Sit with this

    When you are ill, do you seek treatment and stay near worship?

    Sources

    Sahih Muslim 2208Sahih

    قَالَ رُمِيَ سَعْدُ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ فِي أَكْحَلِهِ - قَالَ - فَحَسَمَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِيَدِهِ بِمِشْقَصٍ ثُمَّ وَرِمَتْ فَحَسَمَهُ الثَّانِيَةَ.

    “Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) cauterised it with a rod”

    Grade: Sahih

    Sahih al-Bukhari 463Sahih

    قَالَتْ أُصِيبَ سَعْدٌ يَوْمَ الْخَنْدَقِ فِي الأَكْحَلِ، فَضَرَبَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَيْمَةً فِي الْمَسْجِدِ لِيَعُودَهُ مِنْ قَرِيبٍ، فَلَمْ يَرُعْهُمْ ـ وَفِي الْمَسْجِدِ خَيْمَةٌ مِنْ بَنِي غِفَارٍ ـ إِلاَّ الدَّمُ يَسِيلُ إِلَيْهِمْ فَقَالُوا يَا أَهْلَ الْخَيْمَةِ، مَا هَذَا الَّذِي يَأْتِينَا مِنْ قِبَلِكُمْ فَإِذَا سَعْدٌ يَغْذُو جُرْحُهُ دَمًا، فَمَاتَ فِيهَا.

    “the Prophet (ﷺ) pitched a tent in the mosque to look after him”

    Grade: Sahih

  4. Judging by Allah's law, not by tribe

    The Banu Qurayzah, who had been allies of the Aws, accepted Sa'd's judgment. He did not favour his old allies but ruled according to the revealed law, and the Prophet confirmed his judgment as matching Allah's.

    Try this today

    When you judge between people, put the revealed law above old loyalties.

    Sit with this

    When you judge between people, do old loyalties tip the scale?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3804Sahih

    … سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ، فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَجَاءَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ قَرِيبًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم" قُومُوا إِلَى خَيْرِكُمْ أَوْ سَيِّدِكُمْ". فَقَالَ" يَا سَعْدُ، إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ نَزَلُوا عَلَى حُكْمِكَ". قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَحْكُمُ فِيهِمْ أَنْ تُقْتَلَ مُقَاتِلَتُهُمْ وَتُسْبَى ذَرَارِيُّهُمْ. قَالَ" حَكَمْتَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ، أَوْ بِحُكْمِ …

    “You have given a judgment similar to Allah's Judgment”

    Grade: Sahih

  5. Being honoured by the Prophet

    When Sa'd came riding a donkey, the Prophet told the Ansar to stand for their chief. Sa'd accepted the honour without arrogance and went straight to the task of judgment.

    Try this today

    Honour the people of standing in your community, and accept honour humbly.

    Sit with this

    Whom in your community could you honour, and can you accept honour humbly?

    Source

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3804Sahih

    … سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ، فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَجَاءَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ قَرِيبًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم" قُومُوا إِلَى خَيْرِكُمْ أَوْ سَيِّدِكُمْ". فَقَالَ" يَا سَعْدُ، إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ نَزَلُوا عَلَى حُكْمِكَ". قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَحْكُمُ فِيهِمْ أَنْ تُقْتَلَ مُقَاتِلَتُهُمْ وَتُسْبَى ذَرَارِيُّهُمْ. قَالَ" حَكَمْتَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ، أَوْ بِحُكْمِ …

    “Get up for your chief”

    Grade: Sahih

Virtues

  • The Throne of Allah shook at his death.

    “The Throne of the most Gracious shook at the death of Sa'd b. Mu'adh”

    Arabic text

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَجَنَازَةُ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ " اهْتَزَّ لَهَا عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ".

    Sahih Muslim 2466aSahih

    More sources (1)
    Sahih al-Bukhari 3803Sahih
    Arabic text

    … اهْتَزَّ الْعَرْشُ لِمَوْتِ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ". وَعَنِ الأَعْمَشِ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِثْلَهُ. فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ لِجَابِرٍ فَإِنَّ الْبَرَاءَ يَقُولُ اهْتَزَّ السَّرِيرُ. فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بَيْنَ هَذَيْنِ الْحَيَّيْنِ ضَغَائِنُ، سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ" اهْتَزَّ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ لِمَوْتِ سَعْدِ بْنِ …

    “The Throne (of Allah) shook at the death of Sa`d bin Mu`adh”

    Grade: Sahih

  • The Prophet said his handkerchiefs in Paradise are better than the silk the Companions admired.

    “The handkerchiefs of Sa`d bin Mu`adh (in Paradise) are better and softer than it”

    Arabic text

    قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْبَرَاءَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ أُهْدِيَتْ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم حُلَّةُ حَرِيرٍ، فَجَعَلَ أَصْحَابُهُ يَمَسُّونَهَا وَيَعْجَبُونَ مِنْ لِينِهَا فَقَالَ " أَتَعْجَبُونَ مِنْ لِينِ هَذِهِ لَمَنَادِيلُ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ خَيْرٌ مِنْهَا". أَوْ أَلْيَنُ. رَوَاهُ قَتَادَةُ وَالزُّهْرِيُّ سَمِعَا أَنَسًا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3802Sahih

  • The Prophet told the Ansar to stand for him as their chief when he arrived.

    “Get up for your chief”

    Arabic text

    … سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ، فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَجَاءَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ قَرِيبًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم" قُومُوا إِلَى خَيْرِكُمْ أَوْ سَيِّدِكُمْ". فَقَالَ" يَا سَعْدُ، إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ نَزَلُوا عَلَى حُكْمِكَ". قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَحْكُمُ فِيهِمْ أَنْ تُقْتَلَ مُقَاتِلَتُهُمْ وَتُسْبَى ذَرَارِيُّهُمْ. قَالَ" حَكَمْتَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ، أَوْ بِحُكْمِ …

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3804Sahih

Sayings and moments

  • To Umayyah ibn Khalaf in Makkah: he had heard Muhammad say Umayyah would be killed.

    “I have heard Muhammad saying that he will kill you”

    Arabic text

    … بِالشَّأْمِ. قَالَ فَجَعَلَ أُمَيَّةُ يَقُولُ لِسَعْدٍ لاَ تَرْفَعْ صَوْتَكَ. وَجَعَلَ يُمْسِكُهُ، فَغَضِبَ سَعْدٌ فَقَالَ دَعْنَا عَنْكَ، فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهُ قَاتِلُكَ. قَالَ إِيَّاىَ قَالَ نَعَمْ. قَالَ وَاللَّهِ مَا يَكْذِبُ مُحَمَّدٌ إِذَا حَدَّثَ. فَرَجَعَ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ، فَقَالَ أَمَا تَعْلَمِينَ مَا قَالَ لِي أَخِي الْيَثْرِبِيُّ …

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3632Sahih

  • His judgment on Banu Qurayzah: the fighters to be killed and the women and children taken captive.

    “I judge that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as captives”

    Arabic text

    … سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ، فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَجَاءَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ، فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ قَرِيبًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم" قُومُوا إِلَى خَيْرِكُمْ أَوْ سَيِّدِكُمْ". فَقَالَ" يَا سَعْدُ، إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ نَزَلُوا عَلَى حُكْمِكَ". قَالَ فَإِنِّي أَحْكُمُ فِيهِمْ أَنْ تُقْتَلَ مُقَاتِلَتُهُمْ وَتُسْبَى ذَرَارِيُّهُمْ. قَالَ" حَكَمْتَ بِحُكْمِ اللَّهِ، أَوْ بِحُكْمِ …

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3804Sahih

Words on this page

Ansarالأنصار
"The Helpers": the Muslims of Madinah, from the Aws and Khazraj tribes, who welcomed and sheltered the Prophet ﷺ and the emigrants from Makkah.
Badrبدر
The first major battle between the Muslims and Quraysh, in 2 AH. Those who fought there hold a special rank among the Companions.
Du'aدعاء
Supplication: calling on Allah and asking Him, in any language and at any time.
Hijrahالهجرة
The migration of the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, the starting point of the Islamic calendar.
Ka'bahالكعبة
The cube-shaped House of Allah at the centre of the Sacred Mosque in Makkah, which Muslims face in prayer.
Madinahالمدينة
The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.
Makkahمكة
The city of the Ka'bah, where the Prophet ﷺ was born and revelation began.
Qurayshقريش
The leading tribe of Makkah, to which the Prophet ﷺ belonged, and which opposed him for most of his mission.
Tawafطواف
Walking seven times around the Ka'bah as an act of worship.
Uhudأحد
The mountain outside Madinah where the Muslims fought Quraysh in 3 AH, and where Hamzah and many others were martyred.
Umrahعمرة
The lesser pilgrimage to Makkah, which can be performed at any time of year.

The full glossary

Sources and review

Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com. Each report links to sunnah.com, and, where the numbering matches, to al-Hadees or HadithUnlocked as well. Quran verses link to quran.com, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tanzil. The Arabic is taken from the hadith editions and trimmed around the quoted words, so read the full report at the source before relying on it. Grades are the ones those editions give.

This page is pending scholar review. It was compiled from public sources, and its citations were last checked on 7 October 2026. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us.

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