Abdullah ibn Jahsh (ra)
The Prophet's ﷺ cousin; first expedition commander (Nakhla).
Hijri d. 3 AH CE d. 625 CE
A cousin of the Prophet ﷺ and the first Companion appointed amir (commander) of an expedition — leader of Sariyya Nakhla.
Identity & lineage
Of Banu Asad, allied to Banu Hashim; a cousin of the Prophet ﷺ (his mother Umayma bint Abd al-Muttalib) and brother of Zaynab bint Jahsh and of Abu Ahmad. An early Muslim and Muhajir.
Role in the Seerah
The Prophet ﷺ handpicked him to lead 8 Muhajirun to Nakhla with a sealed letter opened only after two days. Reading the order, he told his men: “Whoever wants martyrdom, come with me; whoever wishes may return” — expecting no easy outcome so near Makkah. The expedition brought the first killing and captures in Islam and occasioned Q 2:217 (see Sariyya Nakhla (The Nakhla Expedition)).
Death
Martyred at Uhud (3 AH), alongside his uncle Hamzah. (Beyond this source.)
Cross-references
Sariyya Nakhla (The Nakhla Expedition) · Muhammad ﷺ · The Battle of Badr · The Muhajirun (the Emigrants) · Jihad (and the Legislation of Fighting) · Seerah Timeline
Sources
- S006 — Yasir Qadhi Seerah EP 035–036. Ibn Ishaq, al-Waqidi, Ibn Sa’d.