Abu Sufyan ibn Harb

The Long Foe

Abu Sufyan was the chief of Banu Umayya and for years the foremost opponent of Islam — commander of the Quraysh at Uhud and the Trench. Even so, when he had once heard the Prophet ﷺ reciting Surah Fussilat, his wife Hind mocked the encounter and Abu Sufyan answered: “By Allah — he is neither a magician nor a liar.” 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 103–104 — Kandhlawi — Abu Sufyan hears the Prophet recite Surah Fussilat and acknowledges he is no magician or liar. Before Heraclius in Syria, asked under oath about the Prophet’s ﷺ lineage, his followers, and his honesty, he testified truthfully — out of shame at being caught in a lie before his fellow merchants. 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 152–155 — Kandhlawi — Abu Sufyan's testimony before Heraclius about the Prophet ﷺ.

The Conquest of Makkah

At the conquest of Makkah, Abu Sufyan was caught by night near Marr az-Zahran and brought before the Prophet ﷺ on al-Abbas’s mule. Umar pressed for his execution; Abbas secured him amnesty. The next morning he embraced Islam — and the Prophet ﷺ honoured him by proclaiming: “Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe.” 3 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 183–185 — Kandhlawi — Abu Sufyan brought to the Prophet under Abbas's protection at the conquest; the proclamation about his house. 4 Seerat-e-Mustafa · Vol 1 · pp. 478–481 — Idris Kandhlawi — Abu Sufyan's conversion at Marr az-Zahran.

An Eye in the Path of Allah

At Ta’if an arrow from Sa’id ibn Ubayd ath-Thaqafi struck his eye. The Prophet ﷺ offered to restore it by du’a, or to give him Paradise in its place — and Abu Sufyan chose Paradise. 5 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 494 — Kandhlawi — Abu Sufyan loses his eye at Ta'if; the Prophet offers du'a or Paradise; he chooses Paradise. He lived into the reign of Uthman, and died in Madinah.