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ABU SUFYAAN IBN AIHAARITH
From Darkness to Light!
Here is another Abu Sufyaan, a different one than Abu Sufyaan Ibn Harb. His story is one of being
guided after straying from the path of truth, a story of love after hatred, happiness after suffering. It is the
story of Allah's infinite mercy and how it opened the gates to someone seeking Allah's refuge after a long
journey full of hardship and suffering.
Can you imagine, lbn Al-Haarith spent 20 years in a continuous fight against Islam! Twenty years
from the beginning of the revelation until the Day of the Conquest. During this whole period Abu
Sufyaan was encouraging the Quraish and their allies, attacking the Prophet (PBUH) by means of satires,
never absent when a battle or fight was fought. His three brothers, Nawfal, Rabii'ah, and `Abd Allah,
converted to Islam before him.
The Abu Sufyaan whom we are talking about was the cousin of the Prophet (PBUH), as he was the
son of Al-Haarith Ibn `Abd Al Muttalib. Furthermore, he was the foster brother of the Prophet (PBUH),
having been suckled for a few days by Haliimah Al Sa'diyah, the Prophet's wet-nurse.
One day destiny called him to meet his happy fate. He called his son Ja'far and said to his men that
they were both going to travel. "Where to, Ibn Al-Haarith? What is your destination?" "To the Messenger
of Allah (PBUH) to submit ourselves to Allah, Lord of the Worlds."
With a repenting heart he began to ride his horse. At a place called Al-Abuwaa', he could see a great
army approaching. Soon he realized that it was the Prophet (PBUH) moving forward to enter Makkah.
He began to search for a way out. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) had allowed the Companions to shed
Abu Sufyaan's blood because of his long continuous fight against Islam, a fight in which he used his
sword as well as his tongue.
If anyone in the approaching army saw him, he would no doubt take revenge. Therefore Abu
Sufyaan had to find a clever way which would enable him to meet the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) first
before any Muslim could see him. He disguised himself, hiding all his features, then took his son and
walked a while until he could clearly see the Prophet (PBUH), who at that moment was approaching
amidst a large number of the Companions.
Suddenly, Abu Sufyaan threw himself between the Prophet's hands, removing his disguise. As soon
as the Prophet (PBUH) recognized him, he turned his face. Abu Sufyaan turned and approached him
from another direction, in vain; the Prophet turned his face again. Abu Sufyaan and his son Ja'far both
shouted, "We bear witness that there is no god but bear witness that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah." They came nearer saying, "O Prophet, no reproach!" The Prophet (PBUH) replied,
"No reproach shall be upon you, Abu Sufyaan." Then the Prophet (PBUH) handed him over to `Aliy Ibn
Abi Taalib and said to him, "Teach your cousin ablution, the Sunnah and take him away right now."
`Aliy took him and soon returned. The Prophet (PBUH) told `Aliy, " Tell people that the Prophet
(PBUH) is pleased with Abu Sufyaan, so be pleased with him."
It was nothing more than a moment which Allah blessed in order to close a period of suffering,
misery, hardship, and error while opening the gates of infinite mercy.
He nearly converted to Islam when, during the Battle of Badr, while fighting on the side of the
Quraish, he saw something that confused his mind.
During that battle Abu Lahab stayed behind, sending Al-'Aas Ibn Hishaam in his place. Abu Lahab
was waiting eagerly to hear the news when the shocking defeat was announced. He was sitting near the