Yusuf Circle Sheffield

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.

Reflections (S11) Surah [76:20]: “a Majestic Kingdom”. This refers to the constant descending of the Angels (a.s) and their giving of Salaam to the dwellers of Paradise. The residents of Paradise will have the height of Adam (a.s), the beauty of Yusuf (a.s), the heart of Yaqoob (a.s), the age of Eesa (a.s) and the tongue of the Messenger ﷺ. Surah [4:122]: “and whose word is more truthful than Allah’s?” (سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى) Paradise awaits - the question is are you willing to work for it?

Reflections (S9) The Messenger ﷺ: “Al-Kawthar is a river in Paradise whose banks are of gold and it flows over pearls. Its water is whiter than milk and sweeter than honey”. Paradise: The Messenger ﷺ: “The climes of Paradise are temperate - neither too cold nor too hot”. Surah [76:13]: “Never seeing scorching heat or bitter cold”. Surah [76:14]: “and their fruits will be placed totally under their command”. Whenever you desire fruit, the branch will lower itself and you will take what you wish. The branch then retracts. Thus, if you desire something in Paradise just think about it!

Reflections (S8) The Day of Judgment: Abu Zharr رضي الله عنه: “Even the stone will be asked why it broke the man’s finger”. The Messenger ﷺ: “and ants will settle their scores with other ants”. The goblet of Kawthar - the blessed drink the Muslims will recieve on The Day of Judgement. The Messenger ﷺ: “By Him سُبْحَانَهُ وتَعَالَى in Whose Hand is my soul! Whoever of you stretches out his hand will get the goblet of Kawthar. The blessed water will keep him from ever having to relieve himself again or break wind again”.

Reflections (S7) The Messenger ﷺ: “A believer is able to walk in his grave 70 feet all around, in lush green fields. The brightness is like the moon’s on the 14th night”. The Messenger ﷺ: “Beware of urinating in graveyards, for it brings about leprosy”. Discussion regarding passing rewards onto the deceased: Aisha رضي الله عنها observed itikaaf and freed a slave and passed this reward onto her brother Abdul Rahman Ibn Abu Bakr رضي الله عنهم who had passed away.

Reflections (S6) The Messenger ﷺ: “Bury your deceased amongst the pious, for proximity to the evil doers pains the deceased”. Many claim: “Where you are buried has no effect”. This is an incorrect statement. We do not have to look far to refute this claim, Umar رضي الله عنه asked Aisha رضي الله عنها if he could be buried next to The Messenger ﷺ and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. Musa (a.s) asked to be buried a stones throw away from Baytul Maqdis. One must supplicate that he be buried in a virtuous place.