Yusuf Circle Sheffield

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S5) Surah [42:11]: “There is nothing like Him” (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى). Sufyan at-Thawri (r.h) said The Best Judge to Judge us is Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. He’d (r.h) prefer to be judged by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى over his own father. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى is The Most Merciful, The Most Just. We love to the see creation: the full moon, the still night, the blooming flowers, the rays of sunshine scattered through the scenery - what then when we see The Creator? سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. The residents of Paradise will see Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى - may we be amongst these chosen souls. The Messenger ﷺ: “My Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى educated me, and what a beautiful education He سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى gave”.

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S4) Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى is Ash-Shakoor, Appreciative of even the little. He سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى accepts our works from us no matter how small. The Messenger ﷺ said whoever eats a meal or has a chilled drink and says ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ, then Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى will be pleased with him. Those who sincerely say: “La Ila Ha Il Allah” will show no fright at the time of death, nor in the grave nor on the last day. Such is the Mercy of our Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى.

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S3) Do non Muslims receive rewards for their good deeds? Hakeem Ibn Hizaam رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger ﷺ if he would be rewarded for the good deeds he رضي الله عنه did in the days of jahilliya. The Messenger ﷺ said: “You became a Muslim along with the good deeds you had already done”. Imam as-Sindee (r.h) said the good deeds of disbelievers are held in suspension until they embrace Islam. If they don’t embrace Islam, the deeds are lost. Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم recited Surah [57:28] and said the people of the book recieve 2x the rewards if they embrace Islam. Such is the Mercy of our Lord سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. The believer is rewarded for his good deeds in this life and in the next, whereas the disbeliever is rewarded in this life only.

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S2) The highest level of patience you can bear is that when you’re struck with a calamity, you act like the day before it struck, I.e you remain unphased. May Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى make us amongst this level. Sufyan Ibn Uyayna (r.h) mentions that what we dislike is better for us than what we like, for when we dislike something we make dua. Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. The Messenger ﷺ said Dua is the bone marrow of worship. He who does not make dua is arrogant. We are always in need of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى. We are tested by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى so that we may turn to Him سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, so that our sins may be forgiven and so that our ranks are elevated. The best of us are tested the most. So Glad tidings, O you who shows patience through the storm!

Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى Mercy (S1) An agnostic once walked through a field which had watermelons growing. He sat under a cherry tree and said: “How can God exist if things are misplaced? Such a large tree that bears small fruits and such a small bush that bears large fruits”. [i.e the watermelons]. A cherry fell from the tree and hit his head. He then reflected and said: “God definitely exists”. Surah [56:72]: “Is it you who produce its trees, or is it We Who do so?”. The righteous show joy at the beginning of calamities, just as the normal person shows joy during times of ease. A smooth sea never made a seasoned sailor.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S55) - Final session Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was now in his 90s, he fell ill and passed away from this illness. At ~94 years old, in ~32 A.H, during Uthmaan’s رضي الله عنه caliphate, Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه passed away. (There is a difference regarding the exact year, the range is from 30-34 A.H. The strongest view is 32 A.H). Thus passed away the cousin and father in law of the Messenger ﷺ, the father of Umm Habeebah, Yazeed and Muawiya رضي الله عنهم, the one promised Paradise twice upon the loss of his sight, the shaykh and sayed of the Quraysh, the one who saw many miracles, the brave preacher on the plain of Yarmook, the blessed companion of the Messenger ﷺ: Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه. Uthmaan رضي الله عنه performed his رضي الله عنه Janazah and Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was buried in the blessed graveyard of al-Baqee.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S54) The plague of Amwaas, 18 A.H: Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was now ~80. His son Yazeed رضي الله عنهم was martyred here. Umar رضي الله عنه appointed Muawiya رضي الله عنه as the governor of Syria. Umar رضي الله عنه had great love and respect for Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه. Umar رضي الله عنه once summoned Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه and gave him a cushion to sit on. Umar رضي الله عنه said: “The Messenger ﷺ told us when a noble person comes to you, honour him”. When Umar رضي الله عنه was martyred, Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was ~86 years old, making him 23 years older than Umar رضي الله عنهم.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (53) A fabricated report in the books of history accuses Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه and some other Makkans of cowardice and treachery. The truth is that Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه fought bravely and he encouraged his son Yazeed رضي الله عنهم to be steadfast. The Muslims fought defensively for the first 4 days. After this, there was a turning point and on the 6th day the Muslims were victorious. ~4,000 Muslims were martyred. ~70,000 Romans were killed. Thus, for every Muslim martyr, ~17-18 Romans were killed. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه thus had lost both his blessed eyes. One during the lifetime of the Messenger ﷺ and one during the battle of Yarmook. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى has Said: “If I take away the eyesight of a slave of Mine and he shows patience and seeks My reward, I will reward him with nothing less than Paradise”. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه thus now resided in Madinah. He رضي الله عنه was in his mid 70s.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S52) On the 4th day, Abu Sufyaan’s رضي الله عنه name appears again: This day was known was the day of lost eyes, decapitated heads and severed hands. The Romans shot a large barrage of arrows at the Muslims. The arrows blocked out the sun. ~700 Muslims lost an eye. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was also struck, losing his remaining eye. Ikrimah, his son Amr and his uncle Haarith رضي الله عنهم were martyred at this battle. Many noble and courageous women also stepped forward to fight and defend, including Khawla and Umm Hakeem رضي الله عنهم.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S51) Abu Sufyaan’s رضي الله عنه participation in the Battle of Yarmook, 14 A.H: It was during Umar’s رضي الله عنه reign that this battle took place. The main commander was Khalid Ibn al-Waleed رضي الله عنه. The Muslims were split into 4 battalions: The right was led by Amr Ibn al-Aas رضي الله عنه, the right middle by Shurahbeel Ibn Hasana رضي الله عنه, the left middle by Abu Ubaydah رضي الله عنه and the left by Yazeed Ibn Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنهم. Abu Sufyaan fought behind his son رضي الله عنهم. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was in his mid 70’s here. There was ~1,000 companions رضي الله عنهم present at this battle, 100 were Badris رضي الله عنهم. The Battle lasted 6 days.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S50) Some of the chiefs of the Quraysh رضي الله عنهم came to see Umar رضي الله عنه. Umar رضي الله عنه spoke to Suhayb, Bilal and Ammar Ibn Yasir رضي الله عنهم first (they were the elite companions and Badris رضي الله عنهم). One of the chiefs رضي الله عنه said: “He [رضي الله عنه] has chose these slaves over us?”. Suhayl Ibn Amr رضي الله عنه then said: “They are Badris, we can never catch them up. The only thing we can do now is Jihad”. Suhayl رضي الله عنه then left to Shaam for Jihad and never returned. He رضي الله عنه was martyred by the plague of Amwaas. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه took these words to his blessed heart. He رضي الله عنه then made preparations for Jihad as well.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S49) During the Era of the Khilaafur Raashideen رضي الله عنهم: The Messenger ﷺ passed away ~11 A.H. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was ~73 years old. He رضي الله عنه resided in Madinah, even though he used to be the chief of the Quraysh. Such was his رضي الله عنه love for the Messenger ﷺ. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه thought that the successor of the Messenger ﷺ should be from a prominent Quraysh tribe. He رضي الله عنه speaks to Ali and Abaas رضي الله عنهم. All the Companions رضي الله عنهم knew that the most worthy to succeed amongst them was Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. They رضي الله عنهم pledged to him رضي الله عنه. Abu Sufyaan and his sons Yazeed and Muawiya رضي الله عنهم were loyal to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. They fought at the battle of Yarmook.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S48) The destruction of the idol Al-Laat: Al-Laat was the idol of the Thaqeef. Al-Laat was a righteous man who used to mix saweeq for the pilgrims. When he passed away, the people would remain by his grave and ended up eventually worshipping him. A delegation of the Thaqeef tribe came to Madinah to accept Islam. The Messenger ﷺ sent Mugheera Ibn Shu’ba, Khalid Ibn al-Waleed and Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنهم to destroy the idol. A Masjid was built over the spot where the idol was destroyed. The Masjid is named Masjid Abdullah Ibn Abaas رضي الله عنهم.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S47) Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه is given the glad tidings of Paradise: The Muslims launched a siege against the disbelievers. It was here where Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was struck in the eye by an arrow. The Messenger ﷺ said to Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه: “I can supplicate so that you may be healed. Or, Paradise can be yours”. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه replied: “Let it be Paradise”. The Spoils were distributed. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was given 100 camels and 40 Ookiya of silver. He رضي الله عنه asked what about his sons Yazeed and Muawiya رضي الله عنهم. They رضي الله عنهم recieved similar.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S46) The Banu Hawazeen descended into Hunayn to attack the Muslims. They gathered more men, their force was ~20,000. They brought their women and children as well. The Muslims numbered ~12,000. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was ~70 years old here. His sons Yazeed and Muawiya رضي الله عنهم were also present. The disbelievers set a trap in the valley. The Messenger ﷺ was at the front with his mule. Abaas رضي الله عنه and Abu Sufyaan Ibn al-Haarith رضي الله عنه were also with him ﷺ.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S45) Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه jokes with the Messenger ﷺ. The Messenger ﷺ smiles. Onto Abu Sufyaan’s رضي الله عنه first campaign with the Messenger ﷺ: The battle of Hunayn. When Makkah was conquered, the Messenger ﷺ stayed there for 10 days. The Banu Hawazeen were a tribe ~30 miles away from Makkah, they defied the authority of the Messenger ﷺ. The Messenger ﷺ tells Ali, Zubayr and Miqdaad رضي الله عنهم to intercept a letter.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S44) Abu Sufyaan’s wife, Hind رضي الله عنهم, also embraced Islam on this special day. Hind رضي الله عنها pledged to the Messenger ﷺ using a cloth. The Messenger ﷺ didn’t touch the hands of women. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was from Banu Umayya. This tribe had Companions such as Uthmaan Ibn Affaan and Sa’eed Ibn al-Aas رضي الله عنهم who were extremely generous. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه requested 3 things from the Messenger ﷺ

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S43) All the idols were destroyed and there was now constant worship around the Ka’ba. At night, the Muslims (رضي الله عنهم) continuously performed Tawaf and uttered the Takbeer and Tahleel. Upon seeing this blessed scene, Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه said to his wife, Hind رضي الله عنها: “Do you not see that this is all from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى?”. Hind رضي الله عنها replied: “Yes indeed, this is certainly from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى”.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (42) Khalid’s رضي الله عنه division رضي الله عنهم was attacked by a group of the Quraysh who didn’t want to go down without a fight. Khalid رضي الله عنه acted in defence. With the conquest of Makkah, the Ka’ba was now cleansed of the idols surrounding her. The Messenger ﷺ pointed at the idols with his blessed staff and they fell. The Messenger ﷺ then went inside the Ka’ba with some companions رضي الله عنهم and prayed. The Messenger ﷺ forgives the Quraysh. He ﷺ recited Surah Yusuf (a.s): Verse 92. He ﷺ said the same words as his brother Yusuf (a.s), when he (a.s) forgave his brothers. The Messenger ﷺ told Bilal رضي الله عنه to climb the Ka’ba and give the Azaan

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S41) Whilst entering the city on the evening of the Conquest of Makkah, Sa’ad Ibn Ubadah رضي الله عنه said: “Today is a day of slaughter!”. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه related these words to the Messenger ﷺ. He ﷺ said: “No, today is a day of mercy”. When Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه saw all these faces he didn’t recognise (رضي الله عنهم), he رضي الله عنه said to the Messenger ﷺ: “O Messenger (ﷺ) of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى), you have preferred these people over your own?”. The Messenger ﷺ replied: “This is the result of your people’s actions. These people [رضي الله عنهم] believed in me when you all called me a liar. They supported me when you expelled me”. Thus the peaceful conquest of Makkah took place. The Quraysh went into the safe zones. The Messenger ﷺ entered Makkah with humility, showing no pride nor boasting.