Abdullah ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Sarh

A scribe of the revelation in Medina who apostatised and fled to Mecca; the Prophet declared his blood lawful on the conquest day, but he hid with his foster-brother Uthman ibn Affan, who brought him seeking safety. The Prophet pardoned him, he became Muslim and his Islam was good, and he held the governorship of Egypt under Umar and Uthman ¹.

Ibn Ishaq relates that Abdullah ibn Sa'd had written for the Messenger of God, then apostatised into polytheism and joined Quraysh; on the conquest day his killing was ordered, so he fled to Uthman ibn Affan — his foster-brother — who hid him until he brought him to the Prophet after the people had settled, saying: Messenger of God, accept Abdullah's pledge. The Prophet was long silent, then accepted his pledge ¹.

Then the Prophet said to his companions: "was there no wise man among you to go to this one when he saw me withhold from his pledge, and kill him?" They said: Messenger of God, we cannot know what is in your mind — why did you not signal us with your eye? He said: "it is not fitting for a prophet to have treacherous eyes" ².

Abdullah returned to Islam and did well, took part in the conquests, and Umar ibn al-Khattab then Uthman ibn Affan appointed him over Egypt ².