Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/66

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Saʾad-ibn-Abi-Wakkâs was one of the first who, following the example of Abu-Bekr, professed el-Islám. According to el-Jannâby, it was through Saʾad that ʾOmar-ibn-el-Khattâb was diverted from a design, which before his conversion he entertained, of assassinating the Prophet; though Abuʾl-Fedâ says it was through Naʾîm-ibn-ʾAbd Allâh, el-Khâm. Saʾad was one of the most successful and celebrated generals ever possessed by the Muslims. He fought valiantly for the Prophet at the battle of Ohod ( 3), and was afterwards invested with a command under Osâma-ibn-Zeid, whom the Prophet just before his death appointed general of the army destined to act against the Greeks in Syria. In 14, Saʾad was constituted Commander-in-Chief of the Muslim army which ʾOmar, the reigning Khalîfah, desired to send into ʾIrâk. In the year 15, he completely routed the Persian army at the famous