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| sahaba | |
| 560 births | |
| 650 deaths | |
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Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith (sometimes called '''Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harb''') was a third cousin and foster-brother of Muhammad . He was one of Muhammad's staunchest opponents. FAMILY Al-Harith was the leader of the Banu Umayyah clan of the Quraish tribe and chieftain of the entire Quraish tribe, and was one of the most powerful and influential men in Mecca during the Muhammad's lifetime. His daughter Ramlah Bint Abu Sufyan married Muhammad . His father, Harb Ibn Umayya , went by the name of Harb ibn Sakhr ibn Umayya. Abu Sufyan was married to Hind Bint Utbah . Shi'ite sources report Abu Sufyan having illicit relations with the mother of Amr Ibn Al-A'as , whereas Sunni Muslims neither confirm nor deny this. Abu Sufiyan's grand-father was ''Umayya'' for whom the Umayyad dynasty is named, and his great-grand father was ''Abd Shams''. His great-grandfather's brother was Hashim the great-grandfather of Muhammad . During their childhood and youth they were very close to each other. However, despite their strong relationship, Abu Sufyan completely rejected to embrace Islam for many years. One of Abu Sufiyan's sons was Muawiyah I who established the Umayyad dynasty of Caliph s. Muawiyas sister was Umm Habiba Bint Abu Sufyan . ABU SUFYAN AND OPPOSITION TO ISLAM When Prophet Muhammad made public his call for Islam and warned people about the danger of continuing in their existing state of disbelief, injustice and immorality, Abu Sufiyan's position of power made him an enemy of Muhammad , who he viewed as a threat to his power. What was once a relation of love and brotherhood turned into a relation of resistance and opposition. At that time Abu Sufyan was one of the most promoted fighters and horsemen of the Quraysh tribe and also one of their best poets. He used both his sword and tongue in the battle against Prophet Muhammad and his mission. He participated in all the battles the Quraish fought against Prophet Muhammad . He composed and recited verses attacking and vilifying Prophet Muhammad . His three other brothers namely Nawfal, Rabiah and Abdullah, had all embraced Islam except him. The Quraish persecuted people who accepted Islam. Even Abu Sufiyans own daughter was not spared from punishment when she accepted Islam. She was thus one of the first Muslims sent to Abyssinia for refuge. The enmity between the Quraish and early Muslims reached such a high pitch that many battles were fought between the two parties. PEACE TREATY AND LATER LIBERATION OF MECCA Eventually the 2 parties would make peace, the Treaty Of Hudaybiyya which would eventually be broken by Banu Bakr , allies of the Quraish, who attacked Banu Khuza'a , allies of the Muslims. This led to the Conquest Of Mecca by the Muslim army, who took the city peacefully and spared those within.Muslims believe it was round about the 8th year after the Hijrah, just before the Islamic liberation of Makkah that Abu Sufyan's position began to shift. He began to reconsider his hostile position against Prophet Muhammad and his family convinced him that he was wrong in all what he was doing. Eventually he accepted Islam. He later recalled how he came about to accept Islam: : ''I got up and said to my servant, Madhkur, "Get ready a camel and a horse for us." I took my son Jafar with me and we galloped with great speed towards al-Abwa between Makkah and Madinah. I heard that Mohamed camped there. As I approached the place, I covered my face so that no one could recognize and kill me before I could reach Prophet Mohamed and announce my acceptance of Islam directly to him. I proceeded slowly on foot while advance groups of Muslims headed towards Makkah. I avoided their path out of fear that one of the Prophet's companions would recognize me. I continued in this fashion until I saw Prophet Mohamed on his mount. Coming out into the open, I went straight up to him and uncovered my face. He looked at me and recognized me. But, he turned his face away. I moved to face him once again. He avoided looking at me and again turned away his face. This happened repeatedly.'' Prophet Muhammad and his companions completely rejected to talk or even look at Abu Safyan for days. Until Prophet Muhammad reached ''al-Jahfah'' (about 4 days journey from Makkah). Abu Sufyan sat down at the door of the tent of Prophet Muhammad and his son ''Jafar'' stood beside him. But still Prophet Muhammad rejected to look at him. The situation became too much for Abu sufyan and he said: : ''"By God, either and told him: "Teach your cousin how to perform wudu and about the Sunnah. Then bring him back to me." When Ali returned, the Prophet said: "Tell all the people that the Messenger of God is pleased with Abu Sufyan and that they should be pleased with him.'' Abu Sufyan said in his version of conquest of Mecca: : ''The Prophet then entered Makkah and I too entered in his entourage. He went to the Sacred Mosque and I also went, trying my best to remain in his presence and not separate from him on any account.'' CONVERSION TO ISLAM A NON-MUSLIM VIEW The logic of Abu Sufyan's acceptance of Islam is believed to be more of a political one than a serious change of heart or sudden spiritual enlightenment. Upon his defeat, Abu Sufiyan found it politically right to accept Islam. LIFE AS A MUSLIM Little is known of his life and times as a muslim except a few stories related by others from his time and after.One of which is his contributions during the Battle Of Hunayn in which the Pagan Arabs put together an unprecedented force against Prophet Muhammad. Abu Sufyan narrated: : ''The Prophet went out to confront them with a large number of his companions. I went out with him and when I saw the great throngs of mushrikin, I said: "By God. Today, I shall atone for all my past hostility towards the Prophet. Peace be on him, and he shall certainly see on my part what pleases God and what pleases him."'' : ''When the two forces met, the pressure of the Pagan Arab tribes on the Muslims was severe and the Muslims began to lose ground. Some even began to desert and it seemed that a terrible defeat stared us in the face. However, the Prophet stood firm in the thick of battle astride his mule "Ash-Shahba" like a towering mountain, wielding his sword and fighting for himself and those around him... I jumped from my horse and fought beside him. God knows that I desired martyrdom beside the Messenger of God. My uncle, al-Abbas, took the reins of the Prophet's mule and stood at his side. I took up my position on the other side. With my right hand I fended off attacks against the Prophet and with my left I held on to my mount.'' : ''When the Prophet saw my devastating blows on the enemy, he asked my uncle: "Who's this?" "This is your brother and cousin. Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith. Be pleased with him. O Messenger of God." "I have done so and God has granted forgiveness to him for all the hostility he has directed against me." My heart soared with happiness and wept. He turned towards me and said: "My brother! Upon my life! Advance and strike!". The words of the Prophet spurred me on and we plunged into the positions of the mushrikin until they were routed and fled in every direction.'' After the battle of Hunayn, Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith stayed in the company of the noble Prophet Muhammad. It is said that Abu Sufyan regreted for what he had done to harm Prophet Muhammad and his mission. In another episode Prophet Muhammad is said to have seen him entering the mosque and asked his wife Aisha: "Do you know who is this, Aisha?". She replied: "No, O Messenger of God." "This is my cousin. Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith. See, he is the first to enter the masjid and the last to leave. His eyes do not leave his shoelace." Muslims also believe that when Prophet Muhammad sent his message to Heraclius , Abu Sufyan was at that time in Syria close to Heraclius on a business trip. He is said to have been called to his court and the dialogue between the two regarding Muhammad and his being the Messenger of God is a very famous one amongst muslims although there seemed to be no Roman sources that verify such an encounter. During the caliphate of Umar , Abu Sufyan felt his end drawing near. One-day people saw him in ''al-Baqi'' the cemetery not far from the Prophet's mosque where many followers are buried. He was digging and fashioning a grave. They were surprised to see him doing that. After three days Abu Sufyan was lying on his death bed. His family gathered around him weeping but he said: "Do not weep for me. By God, I did not commit any wrong since I accepted Islam." He then died. |
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