ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of Aisha in the History of Islam (volume 3) Abu Sufyan in the Time of Two Caliphs May God kill them for not abandoning their rancor against the Muslims. Az-Zubayr Ibn 'Asakir, the great historian of Damascus, writes: One day Abu Bakr, during the period of his rule, spoke harshly to Abu Sufyan. His father, Abu Quhafah, said: "O Abu Bakr! Why did you speak in such a tone to Abu Sufyan?" Abu Bakr answered: "O father!

For the sake of Islam, God has granted eminence to some families and abased others. My house is one of those which found eminence, and his is one with debasement!" At the time when 'Umar ibn al-Khattab had visited Mecca on pilgrimage, he was informed that Abu Sufyan was building a house, and the stones he had heaped for it on the water-course had exposed the city to the danger of a torrent.

'Umar accompanied the complainants to Abu Sufyan's house and ordered him himself to carry the stones back to where they belonged. Then he raised his arms heavenward and said: "O God! I praise you for enabling me to issue a command to Abu Sufyan, chief of the Quraysh in the middle of the city of Mecca, and making him obeys me!" Historians have written: One day 'Umar, as caliph, was passing along one of the streets of Mecca, and noticed that it was filthy.

He ordered the people to clean the front part of their houses. A few days later again he found the streets dirty. He picked up his whip in anger, and hit Abu Sufyan on the head. The incident of the whipping of Abu Sufyan, chief of the Quraysh, was reported to his wife, Hind. This heiress of pagan times, remembering the time of material power and magnificence, said: "O 'Umar!

By God, if you were to whip him in former times, the city of Mecca would have trembled under your feet!" 'Umar answered: "You are right. But for the sake of Islam God has given dignity to one group and has abased another." 64 We saw how Islam had given eminence to one group and abjectness to Abu Sufyan. Consequently in his heart much rancor and hostility were nested towards Islam and the Muslims; a rancor which revealed itself in his words from time to time.

'Abd Allah ibn az-Zubayr says: "I was present with my father in the battle of al-Yarmuk, but I was too small to fight. During the battle I noticed a group on a hill not participating in the combat. I went towards them and saw Abu Sufyan and some Quraysh chiefs assembled here.