Abu Sufyan ibn Harb — From the Prophet's Chief Opponent to Late Convert: The Man Who Lost the Culture War, Won a Dynasty, and Complicated Islam's Memory of Itself

Eighteen Years of Opposition

From the Prophet’s first public preaching to the Conquest of Mecca, Abu Sufyan was the organizing force of Meccan resistance. He commanded the Qurayshi army at Uhud (3 AH / 625 CE) — the battle in which Muslim forces initially prevailed, then suffered a reversal. His wife Hind bint Utba mutilated the body of Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle. Abu Sufyan organized the coalition that besieged Medina at the Trench (5 AH / 627 CE).

The Conquest of Mecca

In 8 AH (630 CE), the Prophet advanced on Mecca with an army too large for the Quraysh to resist. Abu Sufyan came out to negotiate. The Prophet’s uncle al-Abbas met him and brought him to the Prophet. He accepted Islam.

The Prophet declared: “Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe.” — one of the amnesties that made the Conquest of Mecca remarkable for its near-absence of violence.

How sincere was this conversion? The Islamic sources are divided. His acceptance came after all strategic resistance had failed. He was given the governorship of Najran. His family prospered under the early caliphates and produced Muawiyah, who established the Umayyad dynasty after the first civil war.

See also: Seerah Hindun Bint Utbah, Seerah Ikrimah Ibn Abi Jahl, Fath Mecca, Seerah Badr, Seerah Umm Habiba