Abu Sufyaan, Sakhr bin Harb bin Umayyah bin Abd Shams bin Abd Manaaf was a Sahaabah (companion) who had been of the nobility of the Quraysh in pre-Islam. He was the father of Mu’aawiyah RA, the progenitor of the Al-Ummawiyah state. At the onset of Islam, he was one of the leaders of the polytheists who fought against Islam and the Muslims. At the Battle of Uhud and at that of Al-Khandaq, he led the Quraish archers.

The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was married to one of his daughters, Umm Habeebah. She had been one of those who had emigrated to Al-Habashah (Abbysinia). Her husband at that time, ˜Ubaidullah bin Jahish, died as a Christian. When the Quraish violated their agreement with the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), in the year 8 of the hijrah, Abu Sufyaan attempted to apologise for his tribe and renew the agreement and change it, without the attack and conquest of Makkah. He came to Al-Madinah and entered upon his daughter. She was not lenient or forgiving towards him and because he was a polytheist, she would not allow him to sit on the bed of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). He was unsuccessful in his endeavour and returned to Makkah to caution the Quraysh.

He left a second time to parley with the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him). He met him at the Gate of Makkah and stopped with Al-Abbaas (Allah be pleased with him). He saw the sizable army of the Muslims. It was not long before he entered the fold of Islam and returned to Makkah to advise all of its people to become yield to Mohammed (Peace be upon him). He left with the army of the Muslims to Hunain and Huwaazin and gave the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) one hundred camels and forty auqiyah (ounces) of gold that he had gathered in it (of his share).

He was of excellence, after his Islam and took part in the siege of Al-Taâif. At the Battle of Yarmook, first one of his eyes was cut and then the other, whilst he was under the leadership of his son Yazeed. He was stimulated to jihaad (struggle in the cause of Allah) and he called out, Oh, the victory of Allah is near. He stopped at Al-Kuraadees, remembering and said, Allah, Allah, Indeed You gave Islam triumph in the Arab lands and they had assisted disbelief, and the state of Rome, Oh Lord, this day of Your days bestow upon us Your victory. He was older than the Prophet (Peace be upon him) by ten years. ˜Umar bin Al-Khattaab and after him, ˜Uthmaan bin Afaan, respected and ennobled him. He lived to see his sons Yazeed and Muâaawiyah, as governors of Damascus. He died in Al-Madinah in the year 31 A.H., when he was about ninety years old.