Early Life
What rare skill did Abu Ubayda have as a young man growing up in Mecca?
He could fluently read and write (literacy).
What was the name of Abu Ubayda's very first major war?
The Battle of Badr.
Which Caliph promoted Abu Ubayda to be the top commander of the army in the north?
Caliph Umar.
Who traveled all the way from the capital city to do a surprise inspection on Abu Ubayda's house?
Caliph Umar.
What was the name of the terrifying, deadly sickness that broke out in his army camp in 639 CE?
The Plague of Amwas.
Which close friend originally introduced Abu Ubayda to?
Abu Bakr.
Who did Abu Ubayda shockingly have to face on the enemy side at the Battle of Badr?
His own biological father (Abd Allah).
What region of the Middle East was Abu Ubayda sent to command and govern?
The Levant (or Syria).
What did Caliph Umar fully expect to see when visiting the wealthy Governor of Syria?
A grand palace (filled with silk rugs and gold decorations).
Why did Caliph Umar send a secret letter with a fake emergency order to Abu Ubayda?
To trick him into leaving the camp to save his life.
What special title did the Prophet Muhammad give him because of his perfect honesty?
Amin al-Ummah / The Trustworthy of the Nation
At the Battle of Uhud, what role did Abu Ubayda perform to protect the wounded Prophet?
A human shield.
Which famous, undefeated general did Abu Ubayda replace as the head of the army?
Khalid ibn al-Walid.
Instead of a mansion, what kind of room did Abu Ubayda actually live in?
A tiny, basic mud room.
What reason did Abu Ubayda give in his letter for refusing to leave the plague zone?
He refused to abandon his ordinary soldiers just to save his own skin.
What was the name of the powerful Meccan tribe that Abu Ubayda was born into?
The Quraysh tribe.
Why did Abu Ubayda actively spend hours running away from his attacker at Badr?
He wanted to protect his parent and avoid a family clash.
Instead of using heavy force or catapults, what was Abu Ubayda's preferred style of winning cities?
Peace talks, diplomacy, and fair deals.
What three physical items were the only things hanging on the wall of his empty room?
A sword, a shield, and a leather water bag.
Instead of quarantining in a safe tent, what did the general do every day for the sick men?
He handed out food and personally nursed the sick.
According to Skit 1, what did the Quraysh Nobleman threaten to take away if Abu Ubayda didn't leave Islam?
His wealth and high social status.
Where did his father finally trap him with zero escape routes left?
Against a solid rock wall.
According to Skit 3, what did the Jerusalem Leader hand over to Abu Ubayda because they trusted his word?
The keys to the city.
: What did Caliph Umar do when he sat on the hard floor and realized how poor the governor chose to live?
He broke down crying
How old was Abu Ubayda when he passed away alongside his regular soldiers?
58 years old.