Suhayl ibn Amr facts for kids

Suhayl ibn ʿAmr (Arabic: سهيل إبن عمرو), also known as Abū Yazīd, was an important leader of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. He lived at the same time as the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Suhayl was known for being a very good speaker, and his tribe respected his opinions a lot. People called him the Khatib, which means orator or public speaker, of his tribe.

The Suhayl ibn Amr mosque, named after him.

Suhayl's Family Life

Suhayl was the son of Amr ibn Abd Shams and Uzza bint Sufyan. Both of his parents belonged to the powerful Quraysh tribe.

Suhayl was described as a tall, handsome man with fair skin. He had a small cleft on his lower lip.

He was married three times and had several children. Some of his children, like Abdullah and Abu Jandal, became well-known figures in early Islamic history.

Suhayl and Early Islam

Suhayl was one of the main leaders in Mecca when Islam first began. He was involved in important duties, like helping to feed pilgrims who visited Mecca.

In 620, when Prophet Muhammad returned from Ta'if, Suhayl was among the leaders who refused to offer him protection.

Later, in 622, the Quraysh tribe found out that some people from Medina had promised to support Muhammad. Suhayl and others chased after the Medinans and captured one of their leaders, Sa'd ibn Ubadah. Sa'd was later released after his allies in Mecca helped him.

The Battle of Badr

In 624, Suhayl and his son Abdullah joined the Quraysh army heading towards Badr. This was where Muhammad's army was waiting. Before the Battle of Badr began, Suhayl's son, Abdullah, left the Quraysh side and joined the Muslims.

During the battle, Suhayl was captured and became a prisoner. Some people suggested that Prophet Muhammad should hurt Suhayl to stop him from speaking against Islam. However, Muhammad refused, showing kindness and mercy. Suhayl was brought to Medina as a prisoner.

Eventually, Suhayl's ransom was paid in camels, and he returned to Mecca.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

Suhayl played a very important role in making the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in 628. This was a peace agreement between the Muslims and the Quraysh.

During the signing, Suhayl insisted that Prophet Muhammad be referred to as "Muhammad, son of Abdullah" in the treaty, rather than "Prophet Muhammad." This was because the Quraysh did not accept his prophethood at that time.

While the treaty was being written, Suhayl's other son, Abu Jandal, appeared. Abu Jandal said he was a Muslim and wanted to go to Medina. Suhayl reminded Muhammad about the treaty's terms, which stated that no Meccans would be allowed to leave for Medina. Muhammad agreed, and Abu Jandal had to return to Mecca with his father.

Conversion to Islam

Suhayl later joined Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl in Mecca's last stand against Muhammad. However, their resistance was quickly defeated. When Muhammad entered Mecca as a conqueror, Suhayl, along with many others, converted to Islam. Prophet Muhammad gave him a gift of a hundred camels to show kindness and encourage his new faith.

After the death of Prophet Muhammad, Suhayl helped to calm the Muslims in Mecca. He also fought alongside the Muslims in the Battle of Yarmuk.

Suhayl's Death

Suhayl ibn Amr passed away in 639. He died from a widespread illness called the Plague of Amwas. This happened in Imwas, a small village located near Jerusalem in Palestine.