The Islam of Hazrat Ikrimah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)

Hazrat Ikrimah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the son of Abu Jahl, the arch-enemy of Islam. In the beginning days of Islam, Hazrat Ikrimah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had supported his father, Abu Jahl, in opposing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Muslims. However, in the Battle of Badr, Allah Ta‘ala destroyed Abu Jahl. After his father’s death, Ikrimah continued to fight against the Muslims, until the Conquest of Makkah Mukarramah. When Makkah Mukarramah was conquered and Allah Ta‘ala blessed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with open victory, then many of the kuffaar embraced Islam.

On that occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) declared general amnesty and safety for the people of Makkah Mukarramah. However, there were certain individuals who were excluded from this amnesty, as they had caused great harm to Islam and the Muslims. Among these people was Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl. Realising that his life was in danger, he fled from Makkah Mukarramah, heading towards Yemen.

Ikrimah’s wife was an intelligent woman named Ummu Hakeem. She had embraced Islam on the day of the conquest. She came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and addressed him saying, “O Rasul of Allah! Your cousin, Ikrimah, feared that you will kill him, hence he has fled to Yemen to save his life. Please grant my husband, Ikrimah, amnesty!” At her request, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) granted him amnesty saying, “I have granted him amnesty with the protection of Allah, so no person who finds him should harm him.”

In the interim, Ikrimah had boarded a boat. While aboard the boat, a very strong wind began to blow and the sailors of the boat feared drowning. Out of fear, Ikrimah began to supplicate to the idols of the Quraish – Laat and Uzzaa to save him. Hearing this, the sailors said to him, “Call out to one god, as your different gods cannot help you at this time in the middle of the ocean!”

Ikrimah asked them, “How should I call out to one god?” They replied, “Say ‘Laa ilaaha illallah’!” Ikrimah was most surprised and said, “It is this very same kalimah which I am fleeing from, but it seems that all the people, Arabs and non-Arabs and even the sailors at sea understand that there is no way out from danger besides turning to Allah and asking Him for safety.” He understood that this is an indication towards the deen of Muhammad being the true deen. It was then that Allah Ta‘ala changed the heart of Ikrimah. He said to himself, “If it is only tauheed (i.e. bringing imaan in Allah and accepting Islam) that can save me in the sea, then it will be this tauheed that will be able to save me on land.”

Ikrimah then made dua to Allah Ta‘ala saying, “O Allah! I pledge to You that if you save me today from this calamity which I am in, then I will go to Muhammad and place my hand in his hand (i.e. I will embrace Islam)! I am certain that if I do so, he will forgive me and treat me in a noble manner!”

Hazrat Ummu Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had set out to look for her husband and found him on the coast of Tihaamah. She said to him “I have come to you from such a person who is the best of all people at joining family ties and showing kindness. There is no person better than him. Please – do not cast yourself into destruction, whereas I requested him to grant you amnesty and he did so! I have embraced Islam. If you also embrace Islam and accept the amnesty of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then I will remain your wife. If you do not embrace Islam, then our relationship will be over!”

Ikrimah was overjoyed and asked, “Did you really acquire amnesty for me?” She replied, “Yes! I spoke to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and he granted you amnesty!” Hearing this, Ikrimah and his wife, Hazrat Ummu Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anha) set out towards Makkah Mukarramah. During their journey, Ikrimah wished to be intimate with his wife. However, she refused and said to him, “We cannot have the intimacy of husband and wife while you are a disbeliever, and I am a Muslim.” Ikrimah immediately understood and accepted saying, “Indeed, this matter which causes you to refrain from being intimate with me is undoubtedly an important matter (i.e. it is extremely important for me to embrace Islam now for us to continue our relationship as husband and wife)!”

After embracing Islam, Hazrat Ummu Hakeem’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) condition totally changed, and she firmly held onto Islam with her dealings with her husband and others. She also adorned the hijaab and niqab and veiled herself from the eyes of strange men..

Before their arrival in Makkah Mukarramah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) of the arrival of Ikrimah saying, “Ikrimah, the son of Abu Jahl, is soon to arrive and embrace Islam. When he comes, then do not taunt him for the wrongs of his father, as speaking ill of the dead only causes pain to the living, and does not benefit the deceased.”

When Ikrimah and his wife, Hazrat Ummu Hakeem (radhiyallahu ‘anha), arrived at the home of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), she sought permission to enter while she was clad with the niqaab. When permission was granted, she entered and informed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that Ikrimah had arrived. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was extremely happy, and he woke up so quickly, out of being extremely happy, that the shawl on his mubaarak body had fallen.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) embraced Ikrimah, welcomed him, and said to him, “Welcome to the one who came riding on a conveyance making hijrah (from Yemen to Makkah to embrace Islam)!” Ikrimah addressed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! My wife, Ummu Hakeem, had informed me that you granted me amnesty. Is this true?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, she spoke the truth. You have been granted amnesty from my side.”

Ikrimah then asked, “O Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! What is this religion you are inviting towards?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “I am inviting you to testify that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah, and that I am the Rasul of Allah, and I am inviting you to establish salaah, and discharge zakaat.” In this way, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned to Ikrimah the various injunctions and teachings of Islam.

Hearing the beautiful teachings of Islam, Ikrimah exclaimed, “By Allah! What you are inviting me towards is nothing but the truth, and that which is most excellent and beautiful! By Allah – even before you invited towards this deen which you are inviting to, you were always the one among us who was the most truthful in speech and the best in showing kindness!”

Saying this, Ikrimah recited the kalimah and embraced Islam. In some narrations, it is mentioned that Ikrimah felt greatly ashamed over his past wrongs that he had perpetrated against Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Islam, and thus he said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “I am reciting this kalimah and speaking these words to you while my head is lowered out of shame before you.” Hearing him recite the kalimah and embrace Islam, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was greatly pleased.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him, “If you ask me for anything today, which I am able to give a person, I will give it to you.” Immediately, Hazrat Ikrimah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to make dua for him that Allah Ta‘ala forgives him for all his past enmity and hostility which showed to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Muslims, and for all the campaigns and battles in which he had fought against them. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus made dua for his forgiveness. Hazrat Ikrimah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was extremely happy and thanked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

He then asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “What is the best action, in your knowledge, for me to carry out in my life?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) told him to recite the kalimah and strive in jihaad.

With deep remorse in his heart over his past, he said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “O Rasul of Allah – I take an oath in the name of Allah Ta‘ala that whatever money I spent in my life to stop people from the path of Allah, I will now spend double that amount for the sake of Allah in deen, and all the fighting I carried out against the path of Allah, I will now carry out double that amount of fighting in the path of Allah.”

Hazrat Ikrimah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thereafter devoted himself to jihaad. During the khilaafah of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he played a major role in fighting against those who turned apostate in Oman and Yemen. After the fitnah of apostasy had been eradicated, he went to Shaam where he continued to fight in jihaad until Allah Ta‘ala eventually blessed him with martyrdom.

(Sunan Nasai #4067, Usdul Ghaabah 4/67, Taarikh Dimashq 41/63-64, Sharhuz Zurqaani 3/424, Al-Muntazam 4/155-156)