- Banu Taym
- Banu Zuhrah
- Banu Hashim
- Banu Adi
Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (RA), one of the ten companions promised Paradise (Ashara Mubashara), belonged to the Banu Zuhrah clan of the Quraysh tribe. The Banu Zuhrah were known for their honorable status and were closely connected to the Prophet’s (ﷺ) family—the Prophet’s (ﷺ) mother, Aminah bint Wahb, was from Banu Zuhrah, making Sa’d (RA) and the Prophet (ﷺ) maternal cousins. Sa’d (RA) accepted Islam at age 17, making him one of the earliest converts. His conversion was notable because his mother, Hamnah, swore to neither eat nor drink until he renounced Islam, but he remained steadfast, and the revelation of the Qur’anic verse “And We have enjoined upon man goodness to his parents…” (29:8) provided guidance. Sa’d (RA) was the first to shoot an arrow in defense of Islam and participated in all major battles. His military prowess earned him command of the Muslim forces at the Battle of Qadisiyyah, where he defeated the Sassanian Persian Empire. The Prophet (ﷺ) made a famous supplication for him: “O Allah, grant his arrow always be true, and answer his prayer.” Sa’d’s (RA) prayers were indeed known to be accepted. He later served as governor of Kufa and was among the six companions appointed by Hazrat Umar (RA) to select the next caliph. His long life saw him witness the growth of Islam from its early struggles to a vast empire. His Banu Zuhrah lineage connected him to the Prophet (ﷺ) through maternal ties, reinforcing the bonds among early Muslim leaders. He passed away in 55 AH at the age of approximately 80, leaving a legacy of military leadership, piety, and devotion to Islam.
