A Cousin Reconciled
Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith was a cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, of Banu Hashim, who had long stood among his opponents. As the Prophet ﷺ marched for the conquest of Makkah, Abu Sufyan came to seek him on the road; turned away at first for his past, he vowed he would wander into the wilderness to die of thirst rather than be refused — and the Prophet ﷺ, moved, admitted him, and he embraced Islam. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 182–183 — Kandhlawi — Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith seeks the Prophet on the road to Makkah and embraces Islam.
Steadfast at Hunayn
His faith was proven at Hunayn: when the Muslim army was scattered in the first onset, Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith was among the very few who stood their ground beside the Prophet ﷺ, with al-Abbas, holding firm while others fled. 2 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 3 · pp. 554 — Kandhlawi — at Hunayn only al-Abbas and Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith remain beside the Prophet. He died in Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ having been well pleased with him.
Life Timeline
Born in Makkah
Cousin of the Prophet ﷺ, of Banu Hashim.
Embraces Islam before the conquest of Makkah
Stands firm beside the Prophet ﷺ at Hunayn
Dies in Madinah
References
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith seeks the Prophet ﷺ on the road to Makkah and embraces Islam Vol 1 · pp. 182–183
- Hayatus Sahaba — Kandhlawi — at Hunayn only al-Abbas and Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith remain beside the Prophet ﷺ Vol 3 · pp. 554