An Early Muslim
Utbah ibn Ghazwan was among the earliest to accept Islam — Umar رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُHazrat Umar ibn al-Khattabرَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُSecond Caliph; al-Farooq, who expanded the Islamic state called him one of the first of the Muhajirun “for whom Allah has decreed Paradise.” He took part in the early expeditions, including that of Nakhla. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 2 · pp. 158–159 — Kandhlawi — Umar names Utbah among the first Muhajirun for whom Allah decreed Paradise; sets him over Basra.
Governor and Preacher
Umar رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُHazrat Umar ibn al-Khattabرَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُSecond Caliph; al-Farooq, who expanded the Islamic state appointed him governor of Basra, and there he delivered a famous sermon on the fleeting lowliness of the world — that it had “announced its end” and what remained of it was but the dregs in a vessel — recalling how he had been one of seven with the Prophet ﷺ who had nothing to eat but the leaves of trees until their mouths were sore. 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 3 · pp. 494–496 — Kandhlawi — Utbah's sermon on the lowliness of the world and the days of eating tree-leaves with the Prophet. He died on the road returning from Makkah.
Life Timeline
Among the earliest Muslims
Sent on the expedition of Nakhla
Governs Basra; his sermon on the world
Dies on the road from Makkah
References
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Umar calls Utbah one of the first Muhajirun for whom Allah decreed Paradise; sets him over Basra Vol 2 · pp. 158–159
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Utbah's sermon on the lowliness of the world; eating tree-leaves with the Prophet ﷺ Vol 3 · pp. 494–496