Demise of Umme-e-Sa'd (Mother of Sa'd) & The Fulfilment of an Oath
Hazrat Sa‘d’s (ra) mother, Hazrat Amrah (ra) bint Mas‘ud was from among the female companions. She passed away when the Holy Prophet (sa) had left for the Ghazwah of Dumat-ul-Jandal. This Ghazwah took place in Rabi-ul-Awal, 5 AH. Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) accompanied the Holy Prophet (sa) in this Ghazwah. Saeed bin Musayyab relates that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah’s mother passed away when the Holy Prophet (sa) was not in Medina. Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) received the news almost a month later. When he learnt of the news of his mother’s demise, he requested the Holy Prophet (sa) to lead her funeral prayer and the Holy Prophet (sa) led her funeral prayer. Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) relates that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah sought guidance from the Holy Prophet (sa) in regard to an oath his mother had pledged but passed away before she could fulfil it. The Holy Prophet (sa) stated that he should fulfil it for her. Hazrat Saeed bin Musayyab relates that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa) and submitted, “My mother has passed away but she did not leave any inheritance. If I were to offer some Sadaqah [charity/alms] on her behalf, would that grant any benefit to her?” The Holy Prophet (sa) replied in the affirmative. He then submitted, “Which type of Sadaqah do you prefer most?” The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, “to provide water.”
(Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 461-462, Sa‘d bin Ubadah, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1990)
It seems that at the time, there was an extreme shortage of water and there was a great need for it. According to another narration, it is reported that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) dug a well and stated that this well was on behalf of Umme Sa‘d. Allama Abu Tayyab Shams-ul-Haq Azeem Abadi has written in the commentary of Abu Daud that when the Holy Prophet (sa) mentioned to Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) that the greatest form of Sadaqah is to provide water it was because there was a great shortage of water at the time. Also, it could be because out of all things, the need for water is generally required more. He further writes that the reason why the Holy Prophet (sa) considered providing water as the greatest form of Sadaqah was because water is most beneficial in religious as well as worldly needs, and particularly in countries where the climate is hot. It is for this reason that Allah the Almighty has mentioned this favour of His in the following verse:
وَ اَنۡزَلۡنَا مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً طَہُوۡرًا
“and We send down pure water from the sky” [Surah al-Furqan, Ch.25: V.49]
Due to its general need, extreme heat and shortage of supply, water was greatly valued in Medina.
(Aun al-Ma’bud Sharh Sunan Abi Daud, Vol. 3, pp. 65-66, Kitab al-Zakaat, Fi Fadli Siqal Maa, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002)
In fact, even today water is greatly valued and governments are always urging us to take care of it. However, Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) did not just simply dig a well but in fact Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) states that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah was from among the Banu Sa‘idah and when his mother passed away, he was not present at the time. He went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! My mother has passed away and at the time I was not present at the time of her demise. If I offer some Sadaqah on her behalf will this grant her any benefit?” The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, “Yes.” Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) then stated, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! I call you to witness that I will donate my orchard, Mikhraf, on her behalf.”
(Sahih al Bukhari, Kitabul Wisaya, Bab al-Ashaad Fi al-Waqf wa al-Sadaqah, Hadith 2762)
Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah spent very generously and openheartedly in charity and for the needy.