Hadhrat Uqbah bin Aamir explains the manner in which he accepted Islam.
He says; “When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) came to Madinah Munawwarah, I was busy tending to my flock of goats. As soon as I received the news of his coming, I immediately left my flock and hastened to meet him.”
After taking bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) on the hands of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), Hadhrat Uqbah bin Aamir Al-Juhanee (radiyallahu anhu) returned to his flock on the outskirts of Madinah. Not long thereafter, the attraction to learn directly at the feet of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) overpowered him and he gave up tending to goats. He moved into the city of Madinah, living in Masjidun Nabawi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), in order to be close to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).
Uqbah (radiyallahu anhu) made a firm resolve to stay close and attach himself to the messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), not knowing that a decade later, he would become one of the great scholars and conquerors of Islam. Uqbah (radiyallahu anhu) had an intense passion for seeking Deeni knowledge and he became a master in all the Islamic sciences. Allah Ta’ala had blessed him with a melodious voice with which he would recite the Qur-aan Shareef, leaving many listeners in tears.
Uqbah (radiyallahu anhu) participated alongside Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in Uhud and all the succeeding battles. He was an extremely skilled archer who showed great courage in the conquest of Damascus. As a reward for his heroic achievements, the Ameer of the Muslim army, Hadhrat Abu Ubaydah bin Jarraah (radiyallahu anhu), gave him the task of conveying the glad-tidings of victory to Ameerul Mu’mineen, Umar bin Khattaab (radiyallahu anhu). He rode non-stop for eight days and nights, from one Friday to the next, until he reached Madinah Munawarah where he passed on the message of victory. He was also one of the generals who conquered Egypt and he governed Egypt for three years under the rule of Hadhrat Muaawiya (radiyallahu anhu). So great was his passion for Jihaad that he memorised all the Ahaadeeth pertaining to Jihaad and he used to recite it to the Muslims as a form of encouragement in the different expeditions. During his free time, he used to practise archery in preparation for battle.
When the time of his death drew near, Hadhrat Uqbah (radiyallahu anhu) called his sons and gave them his final wasiyyat (parting advice) saying, “My beloved sons, I forbid you from three things, so be sure to stay away from them. Never accept any Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) without being sure of its authenticity. Never incur any debts, even if you are dressed in worn-out clothing. Do not compose poetry lest it distracts your hearts from the Qur-aan Majeed.” The only possessions which he left behind were seventy bows, each with a quiver and arrows. He had made a bequest that all of it should be used in the path of Allah.