Uqbah ibn Amir

Uqbah ibn Amir was a companion of Muhammad and well known member of the early Muslim community.

He participated in the battle of Uhud and in all the military engagements thereafter. He also fought in the Battle of Damascus in 634. In recognition for his services, the Muslim commander Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah, despatched Uqbah to Medina to convey the liberation of Damascus to Umar ibn al-Khattab.

Uqbah was also one of the commanders of the Muslim forces that took Egypt. For three years he was the governor of Egypt after which he received orders from the caliph Muawiyah to mount a naval expedition to the island of Rhodes.

He memorized numerous hadith on the subject of jihad and became a specialist in their narraton. Uqbah also left a Mushaf of the Quran written in his own hand, which existed until recently in Egypt in the well-known mosque named after him.

After becoming ill he died in Cairo and was buried at the foot of the Muqattam hills.