Abu Sufyan
Abu Sufyan and Muhammad (pbuh) had
many things in common. They were
cousins. The Prophet’s father,
Abdullah, and Abu Sufyan’s father, Al-Haris, were brothers. The two were the same age, and they looked
like each other. They grew up together
and even lived in the same family for some time.
Abu Sufyan was Muhammad’s (pbuh)
foster brother as well. Halime was
their wet-nurse. In their childhood
they were very good friends. For these
reasons Abu Sufyan should have been one of the first to accept Islam. But he was not. He became a great enemy of the Prophet and Islam.
Abu Sufyan was one of the best
fighters and horsemen of the Qureish tribe.
He was also one of their important poets. He used his skill with words against the Prophet. He said mean and ugly things about Muhammad
(pbuh).
For twenty years Abu Sufyan refused to
accept Islam. He did everything in his
power to harm the Muslims. Shortly before Mecca was conquered, Abu Sufyan began
to worry. He saw that the Muslims were
stronger than the pagans. He wondered
what would happen to his family and himself.
One day he told his wife and
children, “Get ready to leave
Mecca. Muhammad is about to come
here. The Muslims will kill me.”
“No,” answered his wife.
“It’s time for you see that everyone is accepting Islam. It’s time for you to do the same and stop
being an enemy of Islam.”
His family had always wanted him to
become a Muslim. A short time later Abu
Sufyan realized they were right.
Finally after twenty long years he accepted Islam. Abu Sufyan decided to go and tell the
Prophet immediately .
Calling his servant, he said, “Prepare
some camels and a horse.” He took his
son Jafar and started towards Ebva, a place between Mecca and Medina. The Prophet and his troops were there.
When he got close to Ebva, Abu Sufyan
covered his face. He was afraid. If any of the soldiers recognized Abu
Sufyan, they might kill him before he reached the Prophet. He didn’t follow the main road. He knew there would be soldiers on it.
When Abu Sufyan reached Ebva, he saw
the Prophet among some soldiers. He
uncovered his face and walked towards Muhammad (pbuh). When the Prophet saw Abu Sufyan, he turned
his face. Abu Sufyan walked to the side
the Prophet’s face was turned. Muhammad
(pbuh) turned his face to the other side.
Abu Sufyan walked to that side.
He did this several times. But
it was of no use.
Abu Sufyan thought the Prophet’s
companions would be happy to learn he was a Muslim. But
when they
saw Muhammad (pbuh) turn his face away from Abu Sufyan, they did the same.
When Abu Bekir saw him, he turned his
face. Omar gave him a cold look and
turned his face, too. Omar told one of
the Ansar who Abu Sufyan was.
The man from Ansar walked up to Abu
Sufyan. He said in a loud voice, “Hey
enemy of God. You have acted very badly
towards our Prophet and other Muslims.
You are famous everywhere as an enemy of Islam.” The others around him looked angrily at Abu
Sufyan.
Just then Abu Sufyan saw his uncle,
Abbas. He ran to him and said, “Uncle,
I thought Muhammad (pbuh) would be happy that I have become Muslim. I am his cousin. Please talk to him.”
“No, I won’t,” said his uncle. “As long as Muhammad (pbuh) turns
his face from you, I won’t help you.”
“Then
who can I turn to for help?” asked Abu Sufyan.
Abbas replied, “I can do nothing for you.” Hearing this, Abu Sufyan felt desperate and
alone. He had no one to turn to. A little later he saw his cousin, Ali. He asked for his help. But he got the same answer.
Abu Sufyan went to see his uncle,
Abbas, again. He asked his uncle to at
least stop the man of Ansar from calling him names. “Describe that man to me,”
said Abbas. Abu Sufyan described him.
“That’s Nuayman,” said his uncle. Abbas sent him this message:
“Nuayman, Abu Sufyan is the Prophet’s cousin. He is the son of my brother. Today Muhammad (pbuh) is angry with him. But one day his anger will pass. Stop insulting him.”
After that Nuayman left Abu Sufyan alone.
A short time later the Muslim troops
reached Jahfe, about a four-day journey from Mecca.
Abu Sufyan sat at the door of the Prophet’s tent. His son, Jafer stood beside him. When the Prophet passed by, he turned his
face again.
After this had happened several times, Abu Sufyan said, “If
Muhammad (pbuh) doesn’t look at me, I’m going to take Jafer and wander in the
desert until we die of hunger and thirst.”
The Prophet heard about Abu Sufyan’s
decision. The next time he saw his
cousin, he looked at him. When the
Prophet entered Mecca, Abu Sufyan was with him. He never left Muhammad’s (pbuh) side.
Later, the pagan Arabs put together a
huge army at the Battle of Heneyn. They
wanted to wipe out Islam and all Muslims.
When Abu Sufyan saw them, he thought
to himself, “Today I’m going to fight my best for Islam. I’m going to make up for all the bad I did
to Muslims
in the past. I’m going to do everything
possible to please God and His Prophet.”
The Muslims and the pagans fought
fiercely. But there were more pagans
than Muslims. Some of the Muslims began
to leave the battlefield. The Prophet continued fighting the pagans with all
his strength. He stayed in the middle
of the battlefield like an immovable mountain.
Abbas stood beside the Prophet holding the reins of his mule. Abu Sufyan jumped off his horse and ran to
defend the Prophet.
Muhammad (pbuh) saw how bravely Abu
Sufyan was defending him. He asked
Abbas, “Who is this?”
“He is your brother and cousin, Abu Sufyan,” said Abbas. “Don’t be angry with him anymore, Rasulullah.”
“All right,” said the Prophet.
“May God forgive him for all the bad things he has done to me in the
past.”
Abu Sufyan felt like he was
flying. Muhammad (pbuh) had finally
forgiven him! He kissed the Prophet’s
foot. “Brother! Keep fighting,”
exclaimed Muhammad (pbuh).
The Prophet’s words gave Abu Sufyan
great courage. He attacked the pagans
like a lion. Other Muslims joined
him.
They defeated the enemy Arabs at Heneyn.
After the Prophet had forgiven him, Abu Sufyan spent a contented
life. Because he was ashamed of his
past actions, he never looked the Prophet in the eyes. He always kept his head bowed when he was
with Muhammad (pbuh).
Abu Sufyan was sorry for his past
mistakes. He spent all his time
reciting and studying the Qur’an.
Once when the Prophet saw Abu Sufyan
entering the masjid, he said to his wife Aisha, “Do you know this man?”
Aisha said, “No, Rasulullah, who is he?”
“He’s my cousin, Abu Sufyan,” replied the Prophet. “He’s the
first to enter the masjid and the last to leave.”
When Muhammad (pbuh) died, Abu Sufyan
was deeply grieved. He recited a
beautiful elegy full of sadness and sorrow.
During the caliphate of Omar, Abu
Sufyan understood that he was about to die.
He dug his own grave. Three days
later when Abu Sufyan was dying, he said to his wife and children, “Don’t cry
for me. I have not committed any sins
since I became Muslim.” Then he passed
away.
Omar led the burial prayer.
All the Muslims felt a great loss at Abu Sufyan’s death.