Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith
Abu Sufyan al-Mughira ibn al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib al-Hashimi was a notable figure in early Islamic history. He was the brother of Rabi’a and Nufal, and a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), sharing a striking resemblance with him. Additionally, they were brothers through suckling, having been nursed by Halima al-Sa’diya. It is important to note that Abu Sufyan embraced Islam later, following the conquest of Mecca, eventually becoming a revered companion of the Prophet. This article aims to provide further insight into his life and contributions.
Family of Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith
Abu Sufyan had several children, including Ja’far, whose mother was Jumana bint Abu Talib, as well as Abu al-Hayyaj Abdullah, Hafsa, and Jumana, whose mother was Hamida Bint Ghamma bint Humam ibn Al-Afqam. He also had a daughter named Atika, with Umm Amr bint al-Muqawwam ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim as her mother. In addition, there were Umayyah and Umm Kulthum. It is noteworthy that all of his descendants passed away shortly after his death, leaving no surviving heirs.
Abu Sufyan’s Hostility Towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and His Message
Initially, Abu Sufyan was one of the most vocal opponents of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the emerging Islamic faith. He was known for verbally attacking the Prophet and his companions, leveraging his talent as an eloquent poet to express his animosity. He did not shy away from participating in battles against the Prophet and his followers, especially following the migration of the Prophet to Yathrib (Medina).
Embrace of Islam by Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith
Along with his son Ja’far, Abu Sufyan journeyed to Mecca as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led the campaign to conquer the city. They met the Prophet in a place called al-Abwa, having already accepted Islam. However, the Prophet initially turned away from them due to their previous mistreatment of him and the Muslims. Nonetheless, Abu Sufyan persistently sought the Prophet’s acceptance, eventually earning his favor. He then accompanied the Prophet in the battles of Ta’if and Hunayn, demonstrating loyalty during the latter when many Muslims retreated. It is also worth mentioning that the Prophet Muhammad granted him a yearly share of one hundred wasq from the revenues of Khaybar.
Death of Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith
After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Abu Sufyan performed Hajj. During this pilgrimage, a barber shaved his head and attended to a growth on his scalp. He arrived in Medina in 15 AH, where a grave was prepared for him in Al-Baqi’. He fell ill from the condition that had been treated by the barber and passed away four months after the death of his brother Nufal. It is noteworthy that the caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab led the funeral prayer for him, and he was laid to rest in his designated grave.