Yusuf Circle Sheffield

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S20) Some of the martyrs of Uhud (رضي الله عنهم): Hamza, Musab Ibn Umayr, Yamaan, Sa’ad Ibn Rabee, Hanzala رضي الله عنهم. The disbelieving Quraysh were going to return to finish their mission after Uhud. The Messenger ﷺ and the Companions رضي الله عنهم were at a place called Hamraa al-Asad, which is ~8 miles away from Madinah. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه asks for a message to be conveyed to the Messenger ﷺ.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S19) The Messenger ﷺ sees the mutilated bodies of the martyrs رضي الله عنهم. He ﷺ sees his beloved uncle Hamza’s رضي الله عنه body cut open. The Messenger ﷺ: “O Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, how I would have loved to have been left there with them [رضي الله عنهم] at the foot of the mountain”. 70 Companions رضي الله عنهم were martyred at Uhud. The Messenger ﷺ went to visit their graves.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S18) 22 disbelievers were killed at Uhud. 70 Companions رضي الله عنهم were martyred. As Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was leaving he said next year at Badr we will fight again. The Messenger ﷺ told Ali رضي الله عنه to make sure the disbelievers are leaving, and that they don’t plan a surprise attack on Madinah. ~70 men رضي الله عنهم went with Ali رضي الله عنه.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S17) After the battle, Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was looking for the body of the Messenger ﷺ but did not find it. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه tells Khalid Ibn al-Waleed رضي الله عنه to go mount Uhud as Khalid رضي الله عنه saw the Messenger ﷺ ascending it. The Martyrs رضي الله عنهم bodies were mutilated by Hind رضي الله عنها and other Qurayshi women. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه did not order Hind رضي الله عنها to do this, he turned his face away from this. Hind’s رضي الله عنها family was killed at Badr. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه goes to the base of mount Uhud and enquires if the Messenger ﷺ is still alive, or if Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهم were still alive.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S16) On the day of Uhud, the Messenger ﷺ supplicated: “O Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, curse Abu Sufyaan, Haarith Ibn Hishaam and Safwaan Ibn Umayya”. (رضي الله عنهم). Surah [3:128] was revealed [It is not for you whether He (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى) forgives or punishes them]. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى showed Mercy to all 3 of these blessed souls رضي الله عنهم and they all embraced Islam. The Messenger ﷺ supplicated that if he curses someone and they don’t deserve it, may it be converted to a blessing. The Messenger ﷺ fell into a ditch at Uhud. He ﷺ supplicated: “O my Lord (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى), forgive my people for they do not know what they are doing”.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S15) Out of the 50 archers رضي الله عنهم, around 7-9 remained firm. Khalid Ibn al-Waleed رضي الله عنه took this opportunity to attack. ~200 horses charged towards the archers رضي الله عنهم. Amr Ibn Qameeya struck the Messenger ﷺ and he ﷺ fell into a ditch. Musab Ibn Umayr رضي الله عنه jumped to defend the Messenger ﷺ and he رضي الله عنه was martyred. Utbah Ibn Abi Waqaas threw a rock at the Messenger’s ﷺ face, breaking his blessed lower teeth.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S14) The Messenger’s ﷺ force consisted of ~700 men. It was initially ~1,000, but Abdullah Ibn Ubay, the Munafiq, broke off. The battle of Uhud took place. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه had a close call. Hanzala رضي الله عنه knocked Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه off his horse and they duelled. Hanzala رضي الله عنه was about to deliver a fatal blow. Shadaad Ibn al-Aswad struck Hanzala رضي الله عنه fatally. Hanzala رضي الله عنه was martyred and was washed by the Angels (a.s).

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S13) Zainab رضي الله عنها passed away ~8 A.H. Her ghusl was done by Sawdah, Umm Salamah, Umm Ayman and Umm Atiyyah رضي الله عنهم. She رضي الله عنها had 2 children with Abu al-Aas رضي الله عنه, they were Ali and Umamah رضي الله عنهم. Onto the battle of Uhud: ~3,000 men from the opposing side marched to Uhud. The Messenger ﷺ was informed of this and he ﷺ said let’s fight a defensive battle.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S12) When Zainab رضي الله عنها was preparing to migrate, Hind رضي الله عنها found out. Hind asked Zainab رضي الله عنهم if she was migrating. Zainab رضي الله عنها said no, I have no intention. Hind رضي الله عنها said: “O my cousin, do not do (or say) this. Do not let disputes between men get in the way of us women. If you need anything I have it”. Zainab رضي الله عنها was attacked whilst migrating. Due to these injuries, she رضي الله عنها miscarried a child she was bearing. She رضي الله عنها later died due to these injuries, thus is a martyr. When Zainab رضي الله عنها was injured, She رضي الله عنها was taken care of by Hind رضي الله عنها. Hind رضي الله عنها had not yet embraced Islam.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S11) Ali رضي الله عنه captures Amr Ibn Abu Sufyaan and the grandson of Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu’ayt at Badr. Sa’ad Ibn an-Nu’maan رضي الله عنه was an elderly companion who went to perform Umrah and was captured. Zainab رضي الله عنها uses her mother Khadija’s رضي الله عنها necklace to pay the ransom for her husband Abu al-Aas رضي الله عنه who was captured as a prisoner at Badr. He wasn’t a Muslim at this point.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S10) After Badr, the Quraysh wanted vengeance. Many of their notables were killed and 70 were taken as prisoners of war. The Chiefs were killed so Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was made the new chief. Abu Sufyaan’s رضي الله عنه son Hanzala was killed at Badr. His other son, Amr, was taken as a prisoner. Hind’s رضي الله عنها father, Utbah Ibn Rabee, her uncle, Shaybah Ibn Rabee and her brother, Waleed Ibn Utbah, were killed at Badr. Surah [8:38]: “Tell the disbelievers that if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist, then they have an example in those destroyed before them”.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S9) Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه sent a message to the Quraysh that their caravan was going to be attacked. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه brilliantly travels near the coast for safe passage. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه informs the Quraysh that they no longer need to come and that the caravan is safe. Abu Jahl said no, we will go out and camp at Badr for 3 days. The Bedouins will respect us for it! Indeed, the whole world remembers Badr. The disbelievers were humiliated. The greatest battle in history took place. The Angels (a.s) were present. 313 (a.s) blessed souls were on the field. Father vs son, uncle vs nephew. Jibraaeel (a.s) arrived on his horse, Hayzoom. This was it!

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S8) The Messenger ﷺ returns to Makkah from Ta’if. al-Muth’im Ibn Adee offers protection to the Messenger ﷺ whilst he ﷺ performs Tawaf. The Messenger ﷺ said: “If Muth’im asked me to release the prisoners of Badr, I would have done so”. Never forget when someone does good for you. The build up to Badr: The Quraysh had taken the belongings of the believers رضي الله عنهم. A large caravan with ~1,000 camels lead by Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was coming from Syria. The intention of the Muslims رضي الله عنهم was go to for the caravan, not for battle.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S7) When the Quraysh were struggling, the Messenger ﷺ sent wealth to them. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه said: “I have never seen anyone with a more sublime character than Muhammad”. (ﷺ). Khadija رضي الله عنها passed away and so did Abu Talib. The Messenger ﷺ and Zayd Ibn al-Haaritha رضي الله عنه go to Ta’if. Stones were thrown at the Messenger’s ﷺ feet, this caused his feet to bleed. Zayd Ibn al-Haaritha رضي الله عنه recieved many injuries to his head.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S6) The persecutions increase: The Quraysh boycotted the believers. This lasted ~3 years. Hishaam Ibn Amr Ibn al-Haarith would get a camel loaded with supplies and sneak it to the Muslims. Once, Hishaam was caught. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه intervened and said let him go, he only wishes to aid his family. The Messenger ﷺ supplicates and the Quraysh then went though a famine. It lasted ~1 year. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه goes to the Messenger ﷺ and asks him to supplicate to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى to end this.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S5) Abu Sufyaan and Abaas رضي الله عنهم go on a business trip to Yemen. This was in the early period of Prophethood. They meet a Rabbi and they talk about the Messenger ﷺ. An interesting exchange takes places. Abaas رضي الله عنه asks Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه if he now believes in the Messenger ﷺ. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه says: “I won’t believe in him [ﷺ] until I see horses high up on mount Kadaa”. Years later, at the conquest of Makkah Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه sees horses high up on mount Kadaa!

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S4) Abu Jahl once slapped Faatima رضي الله عنها. She told her father ﷺ. The Messenger ﷺ tells her to tell Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه. (Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه at this point hadn’t embraced Islam). Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه took Faatima’s رضي الله عنها hand and told her to hit Abu Jahl as he hit her! Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه said if he tries to harm you, I am here. Faatima رضي الله عنها then slapped Abu Jahl. The Messenger ﷺ made the dua: “O Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى, never forget this deed of Abu Sufyaan”. (رضي الله عنه). Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه hears the Messenger ﷺ reciting the Qur’an.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S3) After 3 years the message was now spread publicly. The Messenger ﷺ was 43 and Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was 53. The Messenger ﷺ famously went to mount Safa and called to the people. What was Abu Sufyaan’s رضي الله عنه reaction? The other chiefs treated the Messenger ﷺ harshly, however Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه did not. He didn’t accept the message straight away, but didn’t attack the Messenger ﷺ.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S2) Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه narrates a business trip he and Umayya Ibn Abu al-Salt went on to Syria. They encounter a village of Christians and discuss Religion - the priests mention the final Messenger ﷺ. Umayya thought he would’ve been the final Prophet himself, but the priest said the final Prophet ﷺ will be from the Quraysh. Umayya was from Ta’if. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه returns to Makkah and sees the Companions رضي الله عنهم being persecuted.

Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb رضي الله عنه (S1) His name: Sakhr Ibn Harb Ibn Umayya Ibn Abd Shams Ibn Abd Manaf رضي الله عنه. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was the chief of Banu Umayya. This tribe was second to Banu Hashim. The Messenger ﷺ and Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه were 3rd cousins. Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه was one of those who could read and write. He رضي الله عنه was ~10 years older than the Messenger ﷺ. When the Messenger ﷺ began preaching privately in the first 3 years, his business transactions remained with Abu Sufyaan رضي الله عنه. There was a trusting relationship between them.