Ubaydullah ibn Abbas (rta) – the Ideal ‘Donor’ of the Ummah

By

Sadaf Azhar – Hiba magazine team writer

Ubaydullah (rta) was Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) cousin. Ubaydullah means ‘little Abdullah’ – he was the third son of Al Abbas (rta), (the Prophet’s (sa) uncle) and Lubabah (rta).

Though the Prophet (sa) died when Ubaydullah (rta) was very young, he had some fond memories of the Messenger (sa). The Prophet (sa) used to arrange the brothers Abdullah, Ubaydullah and Katheer in a line and have them race towards him. They would jump and hug his chest and back and he would hug them back. This was his expression of love for the children in his family, particularly his cousins.

Character and qualities

While Abdullah (rta), the older brother grew up to be one of the most eminent scholars of Islam, Ubaydullah (rta) became a highly successful businessman – he inherited his father’s business acumen. Al Abbas (rta) would sell Oud and exotic spices and Ubaydullah (rta) succeeded him. Ibn Hajar describes him as ‘vast in wealth, vast in his generosity and an extremely astute businessman’.

Imam Adh Dhahabi says: ‘He was a leader, a noble person, extremely generous and praiseworthy.’ From the descriptions of the historians, we know that Ubaydullah (rta) was from the cream of Bani Hashim.

Historians record that ‘the most generous in the Hejaz were three and they coincided-Ubaydullah ibn Abbas (rta), Abdullah ibn Jaffer (rta) and Saeed ibn Al Aas (rta).’

Generosity for the sake of Aakhirah

On one of his journeys, his caravan got lost and ran out of provisions. They came across a Bedouin man whom historians have praised for his hospitality. He only had one pregnant goat which he sacrificed for these strangers. Ubaydullah (rta) pleaded with him not to do so but the Bedouin felt obliged.

When Ubaydullah (rta) returned home, he took with him 500 dinars and returned it to the Bedouin man. One of his servants objected to this disproportionately large amount, but Ubaydullah (rta) replied: “We have given a little of what we had, while he gave away all he had!”

He loved his brother Abdullah (rta), who was the pride of his family. The most generous in disseminating knowledge was Abdullah (rta) and the most generous in sharing wealth was Ubaydullah (rta).

It was said that between the two brothers, they took away all the rewards of Madinah. Ubaydullah (rta) would sponsor all the students of Abdullah (rta) – he would fill the house with trays of bread and meat for all the students. 

The people of Madinah said: “Whoever wants the Dunya or the Aakhirah, go the house of Al Abbas.” The ‘Dunya’ would be given by Ubaydullah (rta) who would fund the worldly needs of the people, and the ‘Aakhirah’ would be earned through learning and Tazkiyah under the tutelage of Abdullah (rta).

Each one of us is given sustenance and talents to use in our unique ways to help our Ummah and earn the Pleasure of Allah (swt).

Later Achievements and death

Ali (rta) appointed Ubaydullah (as) Ameer of Yemen in A.H. 36. He was also appointed Ameer of Hajj for a year or two, while Abdullah (as) was the Mufti of Hajj.

Ubaydullah (rta) is famous for narrating only a single Hadith about divorce and remarriage from which the Fatwa of Tahleel is derived.

The two brothers named their sons after each other and you find them mentioned often in the chains of narration of Hadith.

Ubaydullah (rta) died in 87 and is buried in Jannat al Baqi, Madinah, forever known as the ideal ‘Donor’ for the Ummah.