Suhail bin Amr
(d. 18 AH), a notable figure in Mecca and its eloquent orator, embraced Islam on the day of the conquest of Mecca. He passed away as a warrior in the plague of Amwas during the Islamic campaign in the Levant.
Personal Biography:
Abu Yazid Suhail bin Amr bin Abdul Shams bin Abdul Wad bin Nasr bin Hasl bin Amir bin Luay bin Ghalib, a distinguished orator of the Quraysh and one of their nobles before Islam. Suhail fought in the ranks of the Quraysh in the Battle of Badr, was captured, and later ransomed. When Prophet Muhammad intended to perform Umrah in the 6th year of Hijrah, the Quraysh prevented him, and Suhail was sent as an envoy to negotiate peace terms.
Upon the Muslims' conquest of Mecca, Suhail, fearing for his life, sent his son Abdullah to seek protection from Prophet Muhammad, who granted it. Suhail embraced Islam on that day. He later joined the Muslims in the Battle of Hunayn, where Prophet Muhammad rewarded him with a hundred camels from the spoils of war. Suhail remained devout in his worship, emphasizing prayer, fasting, and charity.
After Prophet Muhammad's death in the 11th year of Hijrah, the Arabian Peninsula faced turmoil and apostasy. Mecca was not immune, as some sought to exploit the situation and break away from Muslim authority. Suhail delivered a compelling speech, reminiscent of Abu Bakr's address at the Saqifah, stabilizing Mecca's commitment to Islam.
With the commencement of Islamic conquests, Suhail, along with his family, except for his daughter Hind, participated in the campaigns in the Levant. During the Battle of Yarmouk, he led one of the Muslim battalions. Suhail continued his service in the Levant until his death in the Amwas plague at Marj al-Suffar in the 18th year of Hijrah.
Sincerity after the conquest: Suhail’s role in the Islamic campaigns
After converting to Islam, Suhail joined the Muslim forces at the Battle of Hunayn, and was given one hundred camels as a gesture of trust from the Prophet Muhammad. His commitment to worship and acts of kindness became a symbol of his new faith. In the chaos that followed the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Suhail's eloquence and persuasive skills played a crucial role in stabilizing Mecca, suppressing dissent, and ensuring the city's continued loyalty to Islam.
Suhail bin Amr had three marriages, and he fathered three sons and two daughters:
1. From his marriage to Fakhtah bint Amir:
- Abdullah bin Suhail
- Abu Jandal bin Suhail
- Utbah bin Suhail
2.From his marriage to al-Hanfa' bint Abu Jahl:
- Hind bint Suhail
3. From his marriage to Fatimah bint Abdul Aziz:
- Suhaila bint Suhail
Suhail's lasting influence and spiritual spirit
Suhail bin Amr's life is a beacon of inspiration, embodying the principles of Islamic spirituality, humility and sincerity. As we reflect on his journey, we remember the lasting legacy left by individuals who, like Sohail, navigated the complexities of faith, leadership, and societal change with grace.