When the Muhaajireen arrived in Madeenah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) established the bond of brotherhood among the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum). He paired Hazrat Sa’d bin Rabee’ (Radiyallahu Anhu) with Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf (Radiyallahu Anhu). Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu) honoured this brotherhood with exceptional generosity, going far beyond what anyone could have expected.
Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu) said to his muhajir brother, Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf (Radiyallahu Anhu), “I am among the wealthiest of the Ansar. I will divide my wealth between us, giving you half of it. I have two wives, choose whichever of them you prefer, and I will divorce her. When her Iddah ends, you may marry her. Also choose whichever of my two gardens you wish.”
Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf (Radiyallahu Anhu) replied, “May Allah bless you in your family and in your wealth. I have no need for your wife or your garden. I did not accept Islam for this!” Instead, he asked Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu) to direct him to the marketplace so that he could engage in trade and earn through his own effort. (Saheeh Bukhaari #2048, #2049 & #3781 and Al-Mu’jamul Kabeer #5407)
A few years later, during the Battle of Uhud, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) asked the Sahabah (Radiyallahu Anhum), “Who will bring me news of Sa’d bin Rabee’ (Radiyallahu Anhu), for I had seen twelve spears aimed at him?” One Sahabi responded, “I will, O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)”. (According to various narrations, a few Sahaabah carried out this task, viz. Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka’b,Hazrat Zayd bin Thabit and Hazrat Muhammad bin Maslamah [Radiyallahu Anhum Ajma'een]).
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) instructed, “If you see him, convey my salaams to him, and tell him that the Messenger of Allah is inquiring about him.”
The Sahabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) moved among the martyrs calling out Hazrat Sa’d’s (Radiyallahu Anhu) name repeatedly. Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu), however, did not respond immediately, being in the throes of death. When the Sahabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) said, “Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has sent me to you”, Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu) faintly replied, “I am among the deceased”.
Eventually, the Sahabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) found Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu), who lay in the throes of death. His body bore seventy wounds from spears, swords, and arrows. The Sahabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) conveyed to him the message of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), passing on his salaams and inquiring about his condition.
Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu) responded, “Convey my Salaams to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and upon you as well. Also convey to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam): ‘O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)! May Allah reward you, on our behalf, with the best reward He has ever granted a Nabi for his Ummah. I perceive the fragrance of Jannah!’” He further stated, “I have been speared twelve times.”
He then instructed the Sahabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) to convey a message to his people, the Ansaar (Radiyallahu Anhum): “There is no excuse before Allah for any of you if harm reaches Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) while there is an eye among you that still blinks (i.e. remains alive)!” After delivering these words, Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu) breathed his last.
The Sahabi (Radiyallahu Anhu) returned and informed Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) of what had occurred. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) praised Hazrat Sa’d (Radiyallahu Anhu), saying: “May Allah have mercy upon him. He wished well for Allah and His Messenger, both in life and death.” (Muwatta Imaam Maalik #1691, Mustadrak Haakim #4906, Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 2, pg. 445 and Usdul Ghabah vol. 2 pg. 294)
Hazrat Sa'd (Radiyallahu Anhu) left behind two daughters. (Sunan Abi Dawood #2892) On one occasion, Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) visited Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) who had spread out a cloth for a young girl to sit on. The girl was one of Hazrat Sa’d’s (Radiyallahu Anhu) daughters. When Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) asked about her identity, Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) replied, “She is the daughter of a man who was better than both of us.” When Hazrat Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) asked him who he was referring to, Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) replied, “A man who passed away during the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and had prepared his abode in Jannah, while you and I remained (in this world).” (Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaa-id #15685 and Mustadrak Haakim #6553)