Looking to the Future

EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST PERIOD to me, despite being a messenger of God.” The Prophet then offered Umar a valuable lesson. He said, “Perhaps Suhail bin Amr will stand in a position where you cannot condemn him.” (Al-Waqidi, Kitab al-Maghazi, Vol. 1, p. 107) As a result, Suhail bin Amr was allowed to return to his homeland unharmed. In an extraordinary display of generosity, the Prophet released Suhail bin Amr despite having complete control over him as a prisoner of war from the Battle of Badr (2 AH). However, Suhail bin Amr did not cease his antiIslamic activities. He continued to incite the people of Makkah and launched an attack on Madinah with an army of three thousand, resulting in the devastating Battle of Uhud (3 AH). During the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH) signing, Suhail bin Amr compelled the Prophet to erase the word “Prophet of God” from the written agreement and imposed unilateral terms dictated by the Quraysh. Then, with the help of God, Makkah was conquered in 8 AH, and Suhail bin Amr was among those who were in a state of disbelief. However, despite his proven crimes, the Prophet did not inflict any punishment upon him. On the contrary, he instructed his Companions to treat him with gentleness. The Prophet said, “Anyone encountering Suhail bin Amr should not glare at him with sharp eyes. In my experience, Suhail is undoubtedly a man of intellect and honour. And a man like Suhail cannot remain ignorant of Islam.” (Al-Sirah Al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 2, p. 226)