One of the first Muslims to accept Islam among the People of Al-Madinah was ‘Ubadah bin As-Samit (RA).
‘Ubadah was born in Al-Madinah and was from the Tribe of Khazraj. He was described as being tall, dark (asmar) and handsome.
‘Ubadah was one of those who took the pledge with the Prophet (SAWS) on the 2nd night of ‘Aqabah before the Prophet (SAWS) and the Muslims in Makkah had migrated to Al-Madinah. He was one of the first 12 people of Al-Madinah to accept Islam. He later participated with the Prophet (SAWS) in all of the major campaigns including Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. He was also one of the scribes who wrote down the Qur’an.
During the government of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab when Egypt was conquered, ‘Ubadah led a delegation to visit the Coptic leader Al-Muqawqis. Seeing that ‘Ubadah was black, Al-Muqawqis said, “Take this black man (aswad) away from me and have someone else come speak to me!” The Muslims replied, ““This black man is the best of us in knowledge and wisdom. He is our leader, the best of us, and has been appointed over us. We all refer to his opinions, and our leader has appointed him over us and ordered us not to go against him.” He replied to the delegation, “How can you accept this black man as the best among you? Rather he should be the least among you!”
‘Ubadah then spoke to Al-Muqawqis in which he was troubled by being addressed by a black man and even more of his words, which emanated from the Prophetic Sunnah.
During the government of ‘Uthman bin Affan, ‘Ubadah spoke about problematic issues, which he witnessed in Syria. His speech upset the Governor of Syria Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan. Mu’awiyah wrote to ‘Uthman, “Surely ‘Ubadah is the most troublesome in Syria to me and its people.” ‘Ubadah was then sent to ‘Uthman in which ‘Ubadah responded to Mu’awiyah’s accusations by saying, “The Prophet (SAWS) said, ‘Torrential will be your affairs after me when men recognize what is wrong, but it will not be disliked for themselves what they recognize. So do not obey whoever disobeys nor send astray people from your Lord.’”
‘Ubadah later moved to Jerusalem where he was buried at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa during the government of Mu’awiyah bin Abi Sufyan.