Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (r.a.) is of those who became a Muslim through the assistance and encouragement of Abu Bakr (ra)… He had accepted the religion of Islam with ease; however, the challenge had started afterwards…

When Hadhrat Sa’d became a Muslim and started praying in his house, his mother Hammah fell into big grief…

Hammah was an idolator. But not just any idolator, she was of the fanatics! Nothing could have been worse than her son becoming a Muslim, her son was performing salat in her house! She was frantic!

After exhausting all other options, she eventually decided to approach her son with another plan:

“My son, didn’t you claim that your Allah commands you to show respect to and obey your parents?”

“Yes mother?”

“Then I order you to renounce Islam and worship the idols, until you do I will neither eat nor drink!

“Do whatever you like!”

Hamma went to the Kaaba, rubbed her hands against the idols Saf and Naila, made her oath and sat beside the idols…

They brought her food and water, she neither ate nor drank anything. After two days and two nights of starving herself, she feebly fainted by the idols… Finally, her son Sa’d went up to her and said:

“Mother, I swear by Allah that even if you had a hundred lives and you lost each one of them, I will still not renounce the religion of the Rasul! So, whether you choose to eat or not eat, it is up to you, this is all I have to tell you…”

After this Hamma was forced to break her oath and start eating again… Upon this incident the following verse was revealed:

And We have enjoined upon man to be kind to his mother and father... But if they bid you to associate with Me that which goes against your knowledge, then do not obey them! To Me is your return... I will inform you of (the meanings of) your deeds.[1]

To exemplify the devotion of Hadhrat Sa’d (r.a.) to our Master and his lineage, Hadhrat Ali (ra), I’d like to share the following letter that Sa’d wrote to Muawiyah after the martyrdom of Hadhrat Uthman, which had a polarizing effect on the Muslims. Muawiyah created provocation and unrest among the believers and sent letters to the companions of the Rasul (saw) in attempt to pull them to his side…

Upon receiving one of these letters from Muawiyah, Sa’d was deeply saddened and immediately wrote a reply:

“O Muawiya;

You have been afflicted with a disease for which there is no cure! 

Even if Abu’l Hasan Ali invites me in person I will never take action for your cause, let alone you!

How dare you demand something that even Ali couldn’t reach…!?

Ali, whose single conversation was more meaningful and worthy than your entire life!

You could never live up to the station of Ali!”