The Story of Hazrat Ikramah ibn Abi Jahal

Who from amongst us do not recognise this name? Abu Jahal Amr
ibn Hishaam, the one was made chief by his people even though he
had not attained puberty.
It is true to say that he was the leader amongst his people, noble,
obeyed, possessor honour and leadership.
He had buried himself in the sands of disbelief and if he wished he
could have definitely revived it with the Noor of Imaan. He deserved
the curse instead of contentment.
Abu Jahal was equivalent to Fir`aun in this Ummat. He lived in
Makkah as an enemy to Allah and His Rasul . He attempted to kill
Rasulullaah several times. He saw the signs and miracles, but the
mental perception had blinded the sight. He then became a disciple
of Shaitaan.
Nabi and his companions saw harms and hardships upon his
hands, many times. Rasulullaah desired for his Islam and one day
made Dua and said: “O Allaah, Strengthen Islam with either Amr
ibn Hishaam or Umar ibn Khattab.”
Allah had answered the dua of His Nabi and the better of the two
men was Hazrat Umar ibn Khattab who then accepted Islam. The
more evil of the two was Abu Jahal. He then continued in his
hostility.
Verily he was a person who suggested the war in Badr in order to
punish the Muslims. His Shaitan had definitely deceived him that
soon he will defeat Nabi and his companions. Then all of a sudden
he was killed stained with his blood.
He said before his death: “For who is the sphere/field today? Then it was said: “For Allah and His Rasul .“
He then departed cursing the Muslims whilst disbelieving so much
so that Nabi said: “Verily the Firaun of this Ummah is worse than the Firaun of Musa u”
True, verily the Firaun of Hazrat Musa u brought Imaan before his death even though Allah did not accept it from him. As for the Arab Firaun, he died a kaafir swearing Allaah and His Rasul .
In this evil abode filled with hatred for Islam and Rasulullaah .
Hazrat Ikramah , the one who saw his father go out of his way for
the war with the Muslims. He saw his people being defeated in Badr.
He returned to Makkah without a father like how he had went and
definitely left his father there thrown on the ground so that the
Muslims will cast him in the well without mourning over him
cursing him until his grave the one which he was buried in it.
As for on the day of Uhud, the set up was a little different, the
Qur`aish had come out with its horse and pride
Hazrat Ikramah was with the travelling army together with
Hazrat Khaalid ibn Waleed the one who was the leader upon the
Hazrat Ikramah was not alone, instead he took his wife Umme
Hakeem with him who was hitting the daff with Hazrat Hind bint
Utbah and singing poems saying:
The men were eager and Hazrat Ikramah rode his horse, his
shaitaan and hatred leading him to fight Allah and His Rasul He was directing his attention to the place of death of his father with
the swords of the Muslims in Badr. Until the battle ended with
assistance not complete for the mushrikeen since they
averted in front of the attack of the Muslims and fled to Makkah.
Regarding Khandaq, it was the battle of the troops
Hazrat Ikramah was then one of the thousands united which came
to surround the city of Rasulullaah .
But they were grieved when they saw a huge trench, the likeness of
which had not been seen before. They gradually learnt that they did
not know what they were doing.
The siege was long and Hazrat Ikramah could not tolerate it and
then came out with Amr ibn Wud inviting the Muslims to a one on
one combat. Hazrat Ali came out until he cut of the head of Amr
ibn Wud. He threw it at the mushrikeen which then placed fear in the
soul of Hazrat Ikramah making him run like a frightened mouse
leaving his spear and other things. Hazrat Ali took it as a gift for
Rasulullaah .
Allah honoured Islam and the Muslims. They then conquered
Makkah, however the matter did not pierce from some of the
skirmishes.
Hazrat Ikramah definitely stood and with him was Safwaan ibn
Umayyah and Suhail ibn Amr in order to fight with the Muslims.
And with them was also a man named Hamaas ibn Qais from the
Banu Bakr.
When his wife saw him she said to him: “O Hamaas ibn Qais, what
are you counting?”
He said: “I am counting Muhammad r and his companions.” She then said: “No By Allaah, You will not refrain from Muhammad
and his companions.”
He then said to her: “Rather soon we will kill them, and he will be a
servant for you from amongst them.”
Hazrat Ikramah and his companions gathered at a place named
Khandamah. They intended to fight the Muslims, but Rasulullaah
charged them with his sword Hazrat Khaalid ibn Waleed All and Hammas who was with them were defeated. He then entered his house and locked the door. Thereafter he recited a couplet saying: “Verily if you had witnessed the day of Khandamah when Safwaan and Ikramah fled and it confronted us with uncontested swords which were cutting every assistant and skull.” Hazrat Ikramah fled and Rasulullaah considered his blood as void with nine others When Hazrat Ikramah t came to know of this, their escape was fixed for Yemen.
During those moments Hazrat Umme Hakeem his wife had
accepted Islam and asked for protection from Rasulullaah for
Hadhrat Ikramah . He then said to her: “He is granted safety.”
Hazrat Umme Hakeem came out returning her husband back to
Makkah. With her was a roman slave. This slave saw after a distance
and his seclusion with her an opportunity in attempting to seduce
her. However it was not long until they came to a shore of the sea.
Here she found fate mocking Hazrat Ikramah. Verily Hazrat Ikramah had said to one sailor: “Take me to Yemen and I will give you whatever you want.” The sailor said: “No until you are sincere.” Hazrat Ikramah then said: “And how do I show my sincerity?” He said: “That you bear witness that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Rasul of Allaah r.”
Hazrat Ikramah t then said: “This is the god of Muhammad, the
One he is inviting us towards Him.”
Hadhrat Ikramah t knew that there was no god worthy of worship
besides Allaah Ta`aala and turned his back. He then saw his wife
who said: “I came to you from the side of the best of people, the most
merciful of people, the most righteous of people, from the sided of
Rasulullaah r. I sought protection for you from him. Then he granted
you protection. Do not destroy yourself. Then return, verily you are
safe.”
She informed him about the matter regarding the roman slave and
that she sought assistance with some of the Arabs. They then assisted
her and she continued with him until now. Before the return to
Makkah, along the way, Hadhrat Ikramah t stopped the roman slave
and killed him. He intended to be alone with his wife.
She said: “O Ikramah, verily you are a mushrik and I am a Muslim.
Allaah has definitely prohibited me for you.” The arrow of the words
had inflicted the heart of Hadhrat Ikramah t. She then made him cry
and the thoughts in his head were contradicting each other.
In Makkah, Rasulullaah r stood between his companions saying to
them: “Verily Ikramah ibn Abu Jahal will soon come to you all as a
believer and muhaajir (one who migrated) do not curse his father.
Verily the cursing of the dead harms the living. And it will not reach
the dead.” When Hadhrat Ikramah t reached, Rasulullaah r then said to him:
“Welcome to the migrating rider. and stood up to him and spread his cloth for him. And welcomed him the best of welcomes.”
Hadhrat Ikramah t then said: “It has reached me that you have
granted me protection O Muhammad r?” He said: “Yes, verily you are safe.”
Hadhrat Ikramah t then said: “Then to what are you inviting?”
Rasulullaah r replied: “To the worship of Allaah alone without
ascribing any partners to him, establish Salaah, giving Zakaat,
Fasting in the month of Ramadaan, and making Hajj.”
Hadhrat Ikramah t then said: “By Allaah, You are not inviting except
to the truth and are only commanding to do good.” Thereafter he
spread his hands and testified that there is none worthy of worship
besides Allaah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allaah r.
Hadhrat Ikramah t said: “O Rasulullaah r: “Verily, I am asking you
to forgive me for every enmity, I directed it to you, for every travel in
which you were placed, whether it was a place I met you in or
whether in words I said in your presence or behind you back.”
Rasulullaah r made dua for Hadhrat Ikramah t and said: “O Allaah,
forgive him for every enmity he directed to me, and for every
distance in which he travelled to a place intending to extinguish your
Nur. And forgive him for whatever he obtained from scorning at me
in my presence and behind my back.”
Hadhrat Ikramah t then said: “However, By Allaah! O Rasulullaah r!
I will not leave any expenditure I will not spend on you except that I will give its likeness in the path of Allaah. After his Islaam he took an oath saying: “No, By the One who saved me in the battle of Badr, He was being grateful to his Rabb that he was not killed on the day of Badr and continued to live until his Rabb had honoured him with Islaam. How often he would hold the Quraan crying saying: The Book of my Rabb… The Book of my Rabb” During the battle of Yarmouk there was fierce fighting and the Romans doubted that they will inflict defeat upon the Muslims. The harmful ion had attacked Hadhrat Ikramah t. He was saying: “Get away from me O Khaalid ibn Waleed, leave me, I am making amends for what was in the past with me and my father. I definitely have fought Rasulullaah r and will flee from the Romans today. No By Allaah, it will never be like this.” He shouted saying: “Who will make a contract with me upon death?” His uncle, Hadhrat Haarith ibn Hishaam and Darraar ibn Al-Auzar t stood up. They both made a contract with him. And with them were four hundred Muslims who entered the hazardous battle until they inflicted defeat upon the Romans. And Allaah had assisted his army and honoured them. Hadhrat Ikramah t remained thrown to the ground due to the effects of seventy wounds which were placed in his chest. And next to him was Hadhrat Haarith ibn Hishaam t, and Hadhrat Ayaash ibn Abi Rabeeah t. Hadhrat Haarith t asked for water so that he would drink
it. He then saw Hadhrat Ikramah t panting due to thirst. He then
said: “Give it to Ikramah.” Ikramah then saw Ayaash thirsty. He then said: “Give him the water.” When they gat close to Hadhrat Ayaash
t, he suddenly separated from the world.
They returned to Hadhrat Ikramah t and Hadhrat Haarith t quickly,
but they both found that the two of them had preceeded them both to
Jannah so that they will drink from the waters and rivers of Jannah.