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Samura ibn Jundab

سَمُرَة بن جُنْدَب

Samurah ibn Jundab

Biography

Samurah ibn Jundab al-Fazārī was raised among the Aws of Madinah after his father's early death; his mother remarried an Anṣārī man who became his guardian. At the Battle of Uḥud (3 AH), he was fourteen years old and was also turned away in the Prophet's age-review of the army.

When he heard that Rāfiʿ ibn Khadīj (also fourteen) had been allowed to stay on account of his archery skill, Samurah immediately protested to the Prophet : 'O Messenger of Allah, if you will allow Rāfiʿ, then allow me too, I am stronger than he is and have beaten him in wrestling many times!' The Prophet had the two wrestle; Samurah pinned Rāfiʿ and was granted entry alongside him.

Samurah ibn Jundab later became a Companion known for aḥādīth and served as a governor in Basrah during the caliphate of Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān. He is also the narrator of various prophetic reports on Islamic law.

Significance

Fourteen-year-old who challenged Rāfiʿ ibn Khadīj to a wrestling match before the Prophet ﷺ to win his place at Uḥud; won the match and was permitted to fight. Later a Companion known for aḥādīth and governance in Basrah.

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