His name was Amr and father's name was Aas. He belonged to the clan Banu Sehm from the tribe of Quraish. His father was the chief of the tribe and a great trader. He was born in Makkah 47 years before the migration. He grew up in Makkah, became a merchant with his father, and went on various business trips. At the same time, he kept meeting with people from different countries, due to which his experience and wisdom increased. He learned to read and write for business. He also learnt to fight and horse riding in his childhood. He used to say: Soldiering and riding is the art of my ancestors and I consider it the greatest skill of all human beings. Before the conquest of Makkah, in 8 Hijri, he embraced Islam along with Hazrat Usman Bin Abi Talha and Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed.
The Prophet (s) was very happy when these three converted to Islam and said:
''The people of Makkah have given their beloved sons to you.''
Because of the courage and bravery of Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas , the Holy Prophet assigned him different duties in different battles. In the battle of Zaat-ul-Salasil, he was sent as a chief over two hundred Mujahideen and achieved a glorious success.
Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas had extensive experience in diplomacy. Before and after embracing Islam, he actively participated in diplomatic campaigns. The Holy Prophet took advantage of his ability and sent him as an ambassador to Oman. The Holy Prophet sent him to Oman where he met the ruler of that time, invited him to convert to Islam and gave him the invitation sent by the Holy Prophet. It inspired the ruler so much that he embraced Islam. Even during the period of Khilafat-e-Rashida, he met the Roman and Iranian delegations as the representative of the Islamic Caliphate. His diplomacy has been prominent in all periods.
He got the news of the demise of the Holy Prophet while he was in Oman and he returned to Madina after hearing it. It was not long since he came here that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique gave him the command of the army and sent him to Palestine. He played a prominent role in this expedition, as well as in the conquest of the western region of the Jordan River. He also took part in the war of Ajnadin and Yarmouk, but his real achievement is the conquest of Egypt. When Hazrat Umar came to Syria, Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas met him in private and sought permission to attack Egypt. Hazrat Umar allowed him. He gave four thousand men belonging to a tribe of Yemen under his command, and he ordered the Mujahideen to leave for Yemen instantly. They entered the border of Egypt and conquered the city of Areesh first and then Beish and then Farsa and Balbas. Then he had a great fight with the Roman commander in chief of Egypt, Theodor. Many Romans were killed and the Muslims were victorious. Muslims conquered the city of Babul in 20 Hijri and in 21 Hijri, they took over the city of Iskandariya after a great bloodshed.
He established the institutions of justice and set rules and regulations for taxes and founded the city of Fustat the name of which was changed to Cairo in 4th century Hijri. Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas showed his bravery and courage and his leadership skills by conquering a great country like Egypt within the short time span of two years. A lot of Egyptias were so much impressed by his good behaviour that they converted to Islam.
Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas was a great administrator. He was a pious man. He was an eloquent speaker, an able orator, a politician and a military leader. He was fond of literature and poetry. One of his famous sayings is that: The harm caused by the death of a thousand worthy men is far less than the harm caused by an unworthy man being in power.
The Messenger of Allah used to trust Amr bin al-Aas in his military campaigns and valued him a lot. In fact, he used to pray to Allah Almighty for mercy and grace on him.
The Holy Prophet , said about Hazrat Amr bin al-Aas:
Translation
''Amr bin Al-Aas is from among the righteous of the Quraish.'' (Jami at-Tirmidhi: 3845)
Thirty-nine (39) Hadiths have been narrated from Amr bin al-Aas. He died in 43 Hijri in Egypt.
