The Martyrdom of Umair bin Abi Waqas RA

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Umair RA was a slave of Abil Lahm and was very young. Every person in those days, regardless of age, was eager to strive in the Path of Allah . 'Umair RA requested Nabi SAW to permit him to fight in the battle of Khaiber. His master also recommended him very strongly. Nabi SAW permitted him and gave him a sword, which 'Umair RA hung around his neck. Now the sword was big for his size and he had to drag it with him. He fought in the battle till it ended in victory.
As 'Umair RA was a minor and a slave, he was not allowed to a full share in the booty. However, Nabi SAW gave him a share as a very special case. 'Umair RA was so eager to fight in the battle and sought recommendations for it although he knew that he will not get any share from the booty. What could be his motive other than the reward of the Hereafter, as promised by Allah and reported by Nabi SAW.

Sa’d bin Abi Waqqaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates the following:

I noticed my brother, ‘Umair bin Abi Waqqaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), attempting to remain hidden before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) inspected us for the departure to Badr. I thus asked him, “What is the matter, O my brother?” He replied, “I fear that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will see me and regard me to be too small. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will thus send me away, whereas I deeply desire to join the expedition as it is possible that Allah Ta‘ala will bless me with martyrdom.”

My brother thereafter came before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) regarded him to be too small to join the expedition to Badr. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus sent him away saying, “Go back.” However, ‘Umair (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) began to cry (out of disappointment as he wished to join the expedition and be blessed with martyrdom). Seeing him cry, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) allowed him to join the expedition.

On account of his tender age, I had to tie knots in the strap of his sword (as the sword was too big for him). He was thereafter martyred in the Battle of Badr. His age, at the time, was sixteen, and the disbeliever who killed him was ‘Amr bin ‘Abdi Wudd.

(Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 3, pg. 149)