Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl

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After a while a believing immigrant comes here 
Ikrima is coming. His father in front of him 
do not curse, for cursing the dead hurts the living
and does not reach the corpse.
Muhammad Rasulullah

Welcome, immigrant rider!
Mr. Ikrimani, the Prophet 
were greeted with these words.

He was from the most prestigious and wealthy household of the Quraysh tribe, and at the age of thirty, when the Prophet of Mercy began to proclaim his call for guidance and truth. Sa'd ibn Abu Waqqas, the son of the prominent nobles of Makkah, Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr, and other high-ranking youths had all the factors to make him a believer. If it weren’t for his father, maybe the job would be what we expected ?!
- Who do you think is the father who prevents his child from the Truth?
He was Abu Jahl, the greatest tyrant in Makkah, the bearer of the banner of polytheism, who took an active part in the test with his torture and deceitfulness when the faithfulness of the believers was tested by Allah (swt). , passed the exam with a bright face).
You know who the father is. Now meet the child: He is Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl al-Makhzumi, one of the famous riders and famous heroes of the Quraysh.

Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl, following his father's command, became hostile to Muhammad. He was fiercely hostile to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He delighted his father immensely with his aggression against Islam and Muslims.
On behalf of the father Lot and Uzza (idols worshiped by the Quraysh), who were at the head of the polytheism campaign on the day of Badr, we will return to Mecca only after defeating Muhammad, but before returning we will celebrate three days in Badr to celebrate the victory. We slaughter camels, drink wine, have fun, sing to mothers-in-law and play dancers. ” In this war, Ikrima was his right hand man.
Lot and Uzza did not answer Abu Jahl's prayers because they did not hear anything… They did not help the hypocrites in the battle because they are weak…
The polytheist was killed in this battle. His son Ikrima saw with his own eyes that he was covered in blood, screaming and dying in the agony of a dog, but today's defeat deprived him of the opportunity to take the body and bury it in Mecca. The polytheists, who had fled in order to save their lives, left the body of the Quraysh in Badr. The Muslims threw him into the well of Qalib, along with many other martyrs, and covered him with dust.

From that day on, Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl's attitude towards Islam changed dramatically. While his former enmity was due to his blind following of his father, now his heart began to beat with a desire to take revenge on the Muslims. Therefore, Ikrima, with a number of mourners like himself, sought to intensify the fire of enmity towards Muhammad in the hearts of the polytheists, and avenged those who had perished in Badr. As a result, the battle of Uhud took place.
Ikrima was one of the first to take part in this battle. In Badr, the mourning women, who had lost their loved ones, set out for Uhud behind the ranks, stirring up the courage of their husbands, playing the daf (a percussion, circle-like instrument), and encouraging if any soldier thought of fleeing. Behind them was Ikrima's wife, Umm Hakim.
Khalid ibn Walid was on the right wing of the Quraysh army, and Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl was on the left wing. It was mainly through the services of these two commanders that the polytheists prevailed over Muhammad and his Companions. The leader of the Quraysh, Abu Sufyai, said with complete satisfaction:
"It's Badr!" He said.

In the Battle of the Trench, the polytheists besieged Medina for several days. Without any action, Ikrima's patience bowl, which was just tired of waiting, filled up. He found a narrower part of the ditch, jumped on his horse, and crossed over to the side of the Muslims. Several horsemen followed him. Among them, Amr ibn Abduwud al-'Amiri was the victim of his own courage. But Ikrima barely escaped.

On the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Quraysh, realizing that they would not be able to resist Muhammad, gave way to the Muslims. In fact, the announcement of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the reason for their decision. He commanded the commanders, "Do not touch the people of Makkah, but use weapons against those who carry weapons."
But Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl, with some of his companions, opposed the decision of the Quraysh and sought to obstruct the path of the great army. In a small clash that lasted only a few minutes, Khalid ibn Walid corrected their situation. the fugitive fled, and the rest bit the ground. One of the survivors of his horse's gallop was Ikrima.

Then Ikrima realized that he had lost everything….
The city of Mecca, where he grew up, was subjugated to the Muslims. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forgave all the animosities of the Quraysh, but listed a few by name and ordered them to be killed even if they were found under the curtains of the Ka'bah. Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl was at the top of the list of death row inmates. So he secretly left Mecca. seeking a quieter refuge, he set out for Yemen.

Ikrima's wife, Umm Hakim, went with her wives, led by Hind bint Utba (Abu Sufyan's wife), to pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). In the presence of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat two blessed wives, his daughters Fatima and the wives of Bani Abdulmuttalib. Wearing the niqab Hind (he killed Hamza ibn Abdulmuttalib, the uncle of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) on the day of Uhud, tore his stomach and covered his face in embarrassment by cutting off his ears and nose):
- Praise be to Allah, the Messenger of Allah, who declared the religion he chose for himself. I ask you to be kind, reminding us that we are relatives. I am a woman who believes in the oneness of Allah and confirms that you are the true Messenger. Then he took off his mask and introduced himself, - Hind bint Utba.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
'O Messenger of Allah,' Hind continued, 'I used to wish that your house was the most ruined house on earth. Now I want the dearest home to be yours.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, 'Faith will increase even more.' Then Umm Hakim stood up. Expressing his Islam, he asked:
'O Messenger of Allah, Ikrima fled to Yemen for fear of killing you. Peace be upon him, may Allah bless you.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, 'He is alive.'
Umm Hakim accompanied the Roman slave and set off at once. As they entered the desert, the slave tried to seduce the mistress. The woman, hoping for him with false promises, asked them for help when they reached a neighborhood of Arabs. They tied the slave. imprisoned.
The woman searched for her husband and finally met him in the Tihoma region, on the Red Sea coast. Ikrima was asking a Muslim sailor to take him to the other side of the sea.
"I'll miss you," said the sailor.
"How can I be sincere?"
- Say, "Ashahadu alla ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh."
"I'm avoiding saying that myself!"
To Umm Hakim Ikrima, who arrived before their argument was over:
"O my cousin, I am coming before the best, the best, the noblest man. I am coming before Muhammad ibn Abdullah." I asked him for peace for you. He saved you.
"Did you talk to him?" Ikrima asked.
"Yes, I did." He saved you. She repeated this, and finally persuaded her husband to return. On the way, the Roman told the slave what he had done. Ikrima killed a slave as he was passing through that neighborhood without converting to Islam.
At one of the stops where he stopped for leisure, Ikrima wanted to join his wife, but his wife refused and insisted.
"I am a Muslim, you are a polytheist," he said.
Ikrima was surprised:
"You never said the same thing before." Suddenly you have completely changed.
As they approached Makkah, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to his Companions:
'Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl, a devout emigrant, will come here soon. Do not curse your father in front of him, for cursing the dead hurts the living and does not reach the dead.
Indeed, Ikrima and his wife soon entered the meetings of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not even put on his cloak for joy.
When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat down, Ikrima asked:
"O Muhammad, Umm Hakim said, 'Did you save me?'
"Yes, you are safe," said the man.
"What are you calling, Muhammad?" Ikrima asked again.
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"There is no god but Allah, and I urge you to testify that Muhammad is also a servant of Allah, the Messenger of Allah, to perform the prayer perfectly, and to pay the zakat on time," he said, listing all the pillars of Islam.
- God's right; the way you call is completely true, and everything you command is good. You were the most loyal and noble man among us even before you started this call, ”Ikrima said, extending his hand and declaring his faith. - I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and you are the true Messenger of Allah.
Then he said:
"O Messenger of Allah, teach me the best word."
'You have just said it,' said the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 'Ashhadu alla ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.
Ikrima asked:
"What else?"
The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: I say in the testimony of Allaah and those who are present here that I am a Mujahideen Muslim.
Ikrima recited the words he had just learned. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Ask me anything you want today." I will definitely give if I can.
"Ask Allah to forgive me for all the hatred I have said to you and for all the bad things I have said to you," the new Muslim begged.
"Lord, forgive all his hatred for me, all his actions to extinguish the light you like, all the open and secret inappropriate words he has said to me."
Ikrima's face shone with joy:
- O Messenger of Allah, I swear that I will double my pension to prevent people from the path of Allah, to spend it in the way of Allah, to give up the struggle against Islam, and to mobilize all my energy and wealth in the struggle for the path of Islam. .

* * *

From that day onwards, a warrior, who was famous in battles, who prayed at night, fasted during the day, and read the Book of Allah in mosques with love, joined the ranks of the callers. He would often press the mushaf on his face while reciting, and would say, "The book of my Lord is the word of my Lord." His eyes would tear up.

Ikrima kept his promise to the Messenger of Allah. He took part in all the jihads after his conversion to Islam, took part in all the military expeditions.
As much as the thirsty man rushed into the cold water in the scorching heat, so Ikrima went out to the Yarmuk expedition with the same zeal. He jumped off his horse at a time when the Muslims were in dire straits. breaking the scabbard of his sword, he entered the Roman army. Seeing this, Khalid ibn Walid said:
"Oh, Ikrima, don't do that, go back to the body." Your death will be a great loss for the Muslims, ”he shouted.
"Leave me alone, Khalid." You are one of the leading Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), but I know my father and I was very hostile to him. Behold, today is the time to wash away my past sins. I fought the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in several battles. Now, will I run away from the Romans ?! It will never happen! Cried Ikrima. Then he addressed the Muslims: "Who will swear allegiance to fight to the death?"
Ikrima's uncle, Harith ibn Hisham, Zirar ibn Azwar, and four hundred other Muslims pledged allegiance. They defended Khalid's fustat (camp for the commander-in-chief) and drove out the advancing enemy.
At the end of the Yarmouk campaign, which brought another victory to the Muslims, three severely wounded mujahideen lay on the battlefield. They were Harith ibn Hisham, Ayyash ibn Abu Rabia and Ikrima ibn Abu Jahl. Horis, his throat dry, whispered and asked for water. When they handed him the water, he saw Ikrima, who was thirsty and clung to his tongue, and said, "Give it to him." Ikrima also pointed to Ayosh, whose lips were dry, thirsty a little farther away without taking water. Ayyosh died before he could drink the water. Unable to satisfy their thirst, the previous two mujahideen followed their brothers to the garden. May Allah be pleased with them all. Let him give them the water of the Kavsar Pool, which they do not know at all what thirst is after a sip. May Firdavs enjoy the gardens of paradise.

Taken from Dr. Abdurahman Rafat al-Basha's book The Story of the Faithful Companions (Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 1997).