(Friday Sermon - July 26, 2019 )

Background and Acceptance of Islam

Hazrat Suhail’s father’s name was Suhail bin Amr and his mother’s name was Fakhta bint Amr. Hazrat Abdullah’s^(ra) brother’s name was Abu Jandal who was younger than Hazrat Abdullah^(ra). Hazrat Abdullah was also known by the title Abu Suhail and belonged to the Banu Aamir bin Loi tribe of the Quraish. Ibn-e-Ishaq has made mention of Hazrat Abdullah bin Suhail^(ra) in his book on Islamic history in reference to the second migration to Abyssinia. When Hazrat Abdullah bin Suhail^(ra) returned from Abyssinia, his father detained him and forced him to abandon his faith. Hazrat Abdullah bin Suhail^(ra) expressed his intention to leave Islam. He stated to his father that he would abandon Islam and subsequently, he travelled with the idolaters to the Battle of Badr. Although he had stated that he would leave Islam, however, his heart was not content with this decision. Nonetheless, he set off for the Battle of Badr alongside the idolaters. Hazrat Abdullah bin Suhail^(ra) travelled to Badr on the expenditure of his father, Suhail bin Amr, and also used his mount. His father had no inclination that he had abandoned their [idolatrous] faith and had in fact accepted Islam once again. When the Muslim army encountered the army of the idolaters of Mecca and both armies were facing each other, Hazrat Abdullah bin Suhail^(ra) returned to the Muslims and presented himself before the Holy Prophet^(sa) before the battle commenced. In this way, Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) participated in the Battle of Badr as a Muslim. At the time of the battle he was 27 years old. Due to this action of his, Hazrat Abdullah’s^(ra) father – Suhail bin Amr – became enraged.

Participation in Battles

Hazrat Abdullah bin Suhail^(ra) participated in all of the battles alongside the Holy Prophet^(sa) including the battles of Badr, Uhud and the Khandaq. During the Conquest of Mecca, Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) sought amnesty for his father from the Holy Prophet^(sa) i.e., to grant him protection. He went to the Holy Prophet^(sa) and said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! Would you grant my father protection?” The Holy Prophet^(sa) replied, “He has been granted safety due to the decree of God Almighty. Therefore, he has been granted protection and he ought to come outside.” The Holy Prophet^(sa) then said to those around him, “Whosoever of you sees Suhail bin Amr, do not look upon him with disdain. I swear on my life, indeed Suhail bin Amr is an intelligent and noble man. Any person with the characteristics that Suhail possesses will inevitably accept Islam.” Hazrat Abdullah bin Suhail^(ra) narrated the entire incident to his father, who responded by saying: “By God! He [i.e., Muhammad^(sa)] was righteous in his youth and even in his old age.” Subsequently, Suhail accepted Islam and after this incident of granting him peace, he would say that God Almighty had bestowed great favours upon his sons through Islam.

Martyrdom: Two Narrations

Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) participated in the Battle of Yamama in 12 AH, during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) and was martyred in this very battle at the age of 38. On one occasion, Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) travelled to Mecca to perform the hajj during his Khilafat. Whilst he was staying in Mecca, Hazrat Abdullah’s father, Hazrat Suhail^(ra) bin Amr came to visit Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra). Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) offered his condolences for the martyrdom of Hazrat Suhail’s son [i.e., Hazrat Abdullah(ra)]. Hazrat Suhail^(ra) replied, “I have heard that the Holy Prophet^(sa) once said that the one who is martyred can intercede for 70 members of his family. I am hopeful that on the Day of Judgement, my son will not begin with anyone before me.” i.e., his hope is that when he passes away, his son would intercede for him.

According to another source, however, it is stated that Hazrat Abdullah^(ra) was martyred in Juwasa, Bahrain, at the age of 88. In Juwasa, Bahrain, there is a fort named “Abdul Qais”, which was conquered by A’la bin Hadhrami in 12 AH, during the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra). (Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 216-217, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 1996) (Al-Isaba Fi Tamyeez Al-Sahaba, Vol. 4, p. 107, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2005) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 272, Abdullah bin Suhail, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008) (Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 2, p. 585, Suhail bin Amr Qarshi, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2008) (Mu‘jamul Buldan, Vol. 2, p. 84, Dar Ihyaa al-Turath al-Arabi, Beirut)