Sakhr ibn Harb, (Arabic: صخر بن حرب ) more commonly known as Abu Sufyan, was a leading man of the Quraish of Mecca and a staunch opponent of Muhammad but later adopted Islam. He used to be a very loyal pagan, but saw his cruel ways, and decided to choose Islam. Arabic can mean: From or related to Arabia From or related to the Arabs The Arabic language; see also Arabic grammar The Arabic alphabet, used for expressing the languages of Arabic, Persian, Malay ( Jawi), Kurdish, Panjabi, Pashto, Sindhi and Urdu, among others. ... Quraish (Arabic: ‎ translit: ) is the Meccan tribe that the Islamic prophet Muhammad belonged to before he received the revelations of Islam. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Family

Ancestry

Abu Sufyan was born 560 CE as a son of Harb ibn Umayya. Abu Sufiyan's grand-father was Umayya, after whom the Umayyad dynasty was named, and his great-grand father was Abd Shams ibn Abd Manaf, brother to Muhammad's great-grandfather Hashim. This person is among the Sahabas ancestors Harb means war His father was Umayya ibn Abd Shams He was the father of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb See also Family tree of Harb ibn Umayya Sahaba External links Shia links http://al-islam. ... This person is among the Sahabas ancestors Umayya ibn Abd Shams is whom the clan of Banu Umayyad is named. ... The Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the grandest architectural legacies of the Umayyads. ... Abd Shams ibn Manaf (Arabic: عبد شمس بن عبد مناف) was a prominent member of the Quraish tribe of Mecca in modern-day Saudi Arabia. ... Hashim (died ca. ...

Women and children

There are several sources that state that Abu Sufyan had sexual relations with several women^{[citation needed]} prior to becoming a Muslim. Those hadith are not restricted to any particular source, but can be found in Shi'a, Sunni and Mutazilite sources. While Sunnis tend to question or reject those hadith ^{[citation needed]}, Shi'a and Mutazilite are prone to quote from those sources. Shia Islam ( Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite or Shiite) is the second largest Islamic denomination; some 20-25% of all Muslims are said to follow a Shia tradition. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Mutazili (Arabic المعتزلة) is an extinct theological school of thought within Islam. ...

Abu Sufyan was married to Hind bint Utbah, who in 602 ^{[citation needed]} gave birth to Muawiyah I, who would later establish the Umayyad dynasty of caliphs. Hind bint Utbah (هند بنت عتبة) was an Arabic woman who lived in the late 6th and early 7th centuries CE; she was the wife of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, a powerful man of Mecca, in western Arabia. ... Mu‘āwīyah ibn Abī Sufyān (Arabic: )‎ (602-680) was the founder of the Umayyad dynasty of caliphs. ... The Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the grandest architectural legacies of the Umayyads. ... For main article see: Caliphate First of all, this system is invalid and is unlawful Islamicly. ...

However, controversial Muslim sources quoted by Shi'a and Mutazili scholars, but rejected by Sunnis state that the marriage to Muawiyah's mother was arranged since Hind bint Utbah was engaged in a Nikah Ijtimah; thus, the genetic bond between Abu Sufyan and Muawiyah is disputed.^[1] Nikah Ijtimah (English: Combined marriage ) is a form of polyandry that existed in the Pre-Islamic period in the Arabian peninsula. ...

Abu Sufyan also had relations with his kinswoman Saffya bint abi al-A'as, who bore him a daughter called Ramlah. Against her father's wished, Ramlah converted to Islam and migrated to Abyssinia with her husband. Later, after Ubayd-Allah had converted to Christianity, she moved to Medina and became one of Muhammad's wives, better known as "Umm Habiba" When Abu Sufyan heard about the marriage he commented, “this stallion will not be hit on the nose...” a phrase meaning that the husband is suitable for the bride (an unsuitable stallion trying to mate with a mare would be hit on the nose, hence the phrase).^[2] She later played an important role in his father's diplomatic attempts at reaching a settlement with Muhammad. Saffya bint abi al-Aas was daughter of Abu al-As ibn Umayyah. ... Ramlah bint Abu Sufyan aka Umm Habiba, the daughter of Abu Sufyan. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... In 615 CE a number of Sahaba, the Muslims who originally converted in Mecca, migrated to Ethiopia, seeking refuge from persecution. ... He was Zaynab bint Jahsh brother and married to Ramlah ibn Abu Sufyan aka Umm Habiba Ramla. ...

According to some sources, he was rumored to have a relation with Layla bint Harmalah, the mother of Amr ibn al-A'as, sources quoted by Shi'a and Mutazili scholars,^[3] but rejected by Sunnis^{[citation needed]}. Layla bint Harmalah also known as (Arabic: ) was the mother of the prominent Sahaba Amr ibn al-Aas. ... ˤAmr ibn al-ˤĀs (Arabic: عمرو بن العاص) (born c. ...

Abu Sufyan is also considered the father of Ziyad ibn Abihi. Ziyad was an illegitimate child and Abu Sufyan never recognized him during his life-time, but in 664, his son Mu'awiyah controversially recognised Ziyad as a brother.^[4] Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan was born in Taif to a member of the Banu Fuqaim, of unknown parentage. ...

Biography

Opposition to Islam

Abu Sufyan was the chieftain of the Banu Abd-Shams clan of the Quraish tribe, which made him one of the most powerful and well respected men in Mecca. Abu Sufyan viewed Muhammad as a threat to Mecca's social order, a man aiming for political power and a blasphemer of the Quraish gods. Banu Abd Shams (Arabic: بنو عبد شمس) refers to a clan within the Meccan Quraishi tribe. ... Quraish (Arabic: ‎ translit: ) is the Meccan tribe that the Islamic prophet Muhammad belonged to before he received the revelations of Islam. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

When the Quraish issued several acts of persecution to dissuade conversion to Islam, Abu Sufyan's daughter Ramlah was among those emigrating to Abyssinia for refuge. In 615 CE a number of Sahaba, the Muslims who originally converted in Mecca, migrated to Ethiopia, seeking refuge from persecution. ...

Military conflict with Muhammad

After Muhammad had migrated to Medina in 622, Quraish confiscated the belongings of the Muslims. Muslims were seen as a threat to the caravans coming from Syria to Mecca. In 624, Abu Sufyan was the leader of such a caravan and as a Muslim force moved to intercept him, he called for help from the Quraish. This resulted in the Battle of Badr, which ended in a Muslim victory. Abu Sufyan however managed to bring his caravan home to Mecca. The death of most Quraish leaders in the battle left him the leader of Mecca. Events Hijra - Muhammad and his followers withdraw from Mecca to Medina - year one of the Islamic calendar. ... Events Justus becomes Archbishop of Canterbury. ... Combatants Muslims of Medina Quraish of Mecca Commanders Muhammad, Hamza, Ali Amr ibn Hishām† Strength 313 1000 Casualties 14 killed ~70 killed 40-70 captured The Battle of Badr (Arabic: ), fought March 17, 624 AD (17 Ramadan 2 AH in the Islamic calendar) in the Hejaz of western Arabia...

Subsequently he was the military leader in the Meccan campaigns against Medina, such as the Battle of Uhud in 625 and the Battle of the Trench in 627, but could not attain final victory. Combatants Muslims Quraysh-led Coalition Commanders Muhammad Abu Sufyan Strength 700 3,000 Casualties 70 dead 22 The Battle of Uhud was fought on 23 March, 625, between a force from the small Muslim community of Medina, in what is now north-western Arabia, and a force from Mecca, the... Events October 27 - Pope Boniface V succeeded by Pope Honorius I. Births Adamnan, abbot of Iona Empress Wu Zetian of China Deaths Pope Boniface V Category: 625 ... Combatants Muslims Quraysh-led Coalition Commanders Muhammad Abu Sufyan ibn Harb Strength 3,000 10,000 Casualties only few few hundreds or more The Battle of the Trench or Battle of the Ditch (Arabic غزوة الخندق), also known as or Battle of Confederates (Arabic غزوة الاحزاب) was an attack by the non-Muslim Ahzab... Events April 11 - Paulinus, a Roman missionary, baptizes King Edwin of Deira December 12 - Battle of Nineveh: Byzantine Emperor Heraclius defeats the Persians Births Deaths November 10 - Justus, Archbishop of Canterbury Categories: 627 ...

Eventually the two parties would agree to an armistice, the Treaty of Hudaybiyya in 628, which allowed Muslims to make the pilgrimage to the Kaaba. Treaty of Hudaybiyya (628) In the name of Allah. ... Events Khusro II of Persia overthrown Pippin of Landen becomes Mayor of the Palace Brahmagupta writes the Brahmasphutasiddhanta Births Deaths Empress Suiko of Japan Theodelinda, queen of the Lombards Categories: 628 ...

Muslim Conquest of Mecca

When the armistice was violated in 630 by allies of the Quraish, Muhammad moved towards conquering Mecca. Abu Sufyan, sensing that the balances were now tilted in Muhammad's favour and that the Quraish were not strong enough to hinder the Muslims from conquering the city, travelled to Medina, trying to restore the treaty. During his stay, he was repulsed by Ali and by his own daughter Ramlah, who now was one of Muhammad's wives. Though Muhammad refused to reach an agreement and Abu Sufyan returned to Mecca empty handed, these efforts ultimately ensured that the conquest occurred without battle or bloodshed. Events Muhammad captures Mecca (January). ... Muhammad in a new genre of Islamic calligraphy started in the 17th century by Hafiz Osman. ...

Muhammad assembled an army of approximately 10,000 men and marched towards Mecca. Again Abu Sufyan travelled back and forth between Mecca and Muhammad, still trying to reach a settlement. According to the sources, he found assistance in Muhammad's uncle Al-Abbas, though some scholars consider that historians writing under the rule of Abbas' descendants, the Abbasid dynasty, had exaggerated Abbas' role and downplayed the role of Sufyan, who was the ancestor of the Abbaside's enemies.^[5] Al-Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib (c. ...

On the eve of the conquest, Abu Sufyan adopted Islam. When asked by Muhammad, he conceded that the Meccan gods had proved powerless and that there were indeed "no god but God", the first part of the Islamic confession of faith. When asked about the second part, the prophethood of Muhammad, Abu Sufyan still expressed some doubt but eventually yielded to threats, issued according to different sources by either Abbas or Umar. Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib was an uncle of Muhammad Abbas I of Egypt, egyptian pasha (1813-1854) Abbas I of Safavid aka Abbas the Great, persian Shah (1557-1629) Abbas II of Egypt aka Abbas Hilmi Pasha, egyptian khedive (1874-1944) Abbas Mirza, Prince of Persia, (1789-1833) Abu... For other uses, see Umar (disambiguation). ...

Later life

After the conquest of Mecca, Abu Sufyan fought as one of Muhammad's lieutenants in the subsequent wars. During the Siege of Taif, he lost an eye and a testicle. According to Muslim tradition, he asked Muhammed to put his eye ball back in, to which Muhammad replied: "Which would you prefer: An eye (the word for eye and water spring in arabic are the same) in heaven or shall I pray to Allah that he brings it back?", at which point Abu Sufyan preferred an eye in heaven and threw it away.^[6] The Siege of Taif is the name of a battle where the prophet Muhammad participiated in the year 630 CE. See also Islam Muhammad Categories: | | | ...

When Muhammed died in 632, Abu Sufyan was in charge of Najran^[7]. He offered his help to Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law Ali to make him Caliph, but Ali refused.This was because Abu Sufyan insisted Ali to rise against Abu Bakr, tempting him with property and men. Ali refused as he knew that Abu Sufyan's aim was to cause chaos in the muslim nation.^{[citation needed]} Events Abu Bakr becomes first caliph or Successor of the Prophet, leader of Islam Abu Bakr defeats Mosailima in the Battle of Akraba. ... Najran is a province of Saudi Arabia, located in the south of the country along the border with Yemen. ... For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ... The Succession to Muhammad concerns the different viewpoints and beliefs that are held in relation to the succession to the leadership of the Muslim community, or ummah, after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. ...

Abu Sufyan also fought in the Battle of Yarmouk in 636, in which he lost his second eye.^[8] This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Events April 20 - Battle of Yarmuk - Byzantine Empire loses Syria to the Arabs The Arabs invade Persia Rothari marries queen Gundeparga, becomes king of the Lombards city of Basra Iraq founded by caliph Omar on a canal. ...

Abu Sufyan died at the age of ninety in 650 at Medina. His kinsman Uthman, who had become the third Caliph in 644 led the prayer on him. Events Arab conquest of Persia, establishment of Islam as state religion Hindu empire in Sumatra Croats and Serbs occupy Bosnia Khazars conquer Great Bulgarian Empire in southern Russia building of St. ... This article is about the city in Saudi Arabia. ... For other uses of the name, see Uthman (name). ... For main article see: Caliphate First of all, this system is invalid and is unlawful Islamicly. ... The Tang dynasty of China begins invasion of Koguryo. ...

Legacy

Abu Sufyan's son Muawiyah became the founder of the Umayyad dynasty, the first Muslim dynasty which ruled the Islamic realm for a century from 661 to 750. The Courtyard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, one of the grandest architectural legacies of the Umayyads. ...

Sunni view him as an upright Sahabi, since they view all Sahaba as upright. The fact that Abu Sufyan fought for the Muslims and sacrificed his eyes in battle is held as further evidence for his uprightness. Sunnis hold that since Caliph Uthman led Abu Sufyan's funeral prayer, he could not have been a hypocrite. (See Sahih Bukhari 2:23:359) They also cite Muhammad himself, who didn't call Abu Sufyan as an infidel when the latter accepted Islam and by offering him the choice between having an eye in heaven or on earth, supposed that Abu Sufyan would enter heaven. Sunnis have a very positive view of the Sahaba, honouring them greatly and beliving it to be a Muslim obligation to love them. ...

Shi'a have a very dim view of both his personality and life. Shi'a view him as a hypocrite that managed to infiltrate Islamic ranks and be included among the Muslims.^[9] Munafiq is a term in Islam used to describe a hypocrite, who while outwardly practicing the forms of Islam, inwardly conceals (perhaps even unknowingly) kufr; considered worse than a kafir. ...

References

Al-Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib (c. ... Abu Sufyan ibn Harb was the leader of the Banu Abd Shams clan of the Quraish tribe, and was the chieftain of the entire Quraish tribe, making him one of, if not the most powerful men in Mecca during the lifetime of Muhammad. ... Abu Sufyan ibn Harb was the leader of the Banu Abd Shams clan of the Quraish tribe, and was the chieftain of the entire Quraish tribe, making him one of, if not the most powerful men in Mecca during the lifetime of Muhammad. ... The Complete History - (Arabic: Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh) is a classic Islamic History book written by Ali ibn al-Athir, Composed in ca. ... Izz ad-Dīn Hassan Karam pour Athīr (1160–1233), was a 13th century Iranian/Persian historian born in Cizre in Northern Kurdistan province. ... Ziyad ibn Abi Sufyan was born in Taif to a member of the Banu Fuqaim, of unknown parentage. ... Philip Khuri Hitti was a western scholar of Islam. ... The Complete History - (Arabic: Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh) is a classic Islamic History book written by Ali ibn al-Athir, Composed in ca. ... Izz ad-Dīn Hassan Karam pour Athīr (1160–1233), was a 13th century Iranian/Persian historian born in Cizre in Northern Kurdistan province. ...

External links

• Ramlah bint Abi Sufyan bio
• Muawiyah I bio
• Abu Sufyan ibn Harb approaches Muhammad's uncle
• http://theology101.org/isl/bukhari/bh4/bh4_223.htm