The Reply That Stopped Abu Sufyan
Zayd was captured at the treachery of Raji’ and sold to Safwan ibn Umayya to be executed in revenge for his father at Badr. At the place of execution Abu Sufyan asked him:
“Would you be delighted, O Zayd, that Muhammad were here in your place — to be struck down — and you released to your family?”
Zayd replied:
“By Allah, I would not tolerate even a thorn pricking the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to be set free.”
Abu Sufyan said: “I have not seen anyone love a man as the companions of Muhammad love Muhammad.” 1 Seerat-e-Mustafa · Vol 2 · pp. 77–78 — Idris Kandhlawi — Zayd ibn al-Dathinna's reply to Abu Sufyan at his execution.
2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 507–509 — Kandhlawi — Zayd ibn al-Dathinna at Raji'; the exchange with Abu Sufyan.۞
Life Timeline
4 AH / Raji'
Captured at Raji'; sold to Safwan in revenge for his father at Badr
4 AH
Replies to Abu Sufyan; martyred
References
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Zayd ibn al-Dathinna at Raji'; Abu Sufyan's exchange and Zayd's reply Vol 1 · pp. 507–509
- Seerat-e-Mustafa — Idris Kandhlawi — Zayd ibn al-Dathinna's Raji' martyrdom; the iconic Abu Sufyan exchange Vol 2 · pp. 77–78