Today’s Enemy is Tomorrow’s Friend

EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST PERIOD Criticizing the deceased does not reach them but hurts the living.” When Ikrima arrived, the Prophet was delighted and hurriedly approached him, causing his shawl to slip from his shoulders in eagerness. After embracing Islam, Ikrima expressed a request to the Prophet, saying, “I have something to ask of you.” The Prophet responded, “Ask, and I will grant it to you.” Ikrima said, “I beseech you to forgive the enmity I held against you, the obstacles I placed in your path, the battles I fought against you, and the slanders I spread about you, whether in your presence or behind your back. Please seek God’s forgiveness for all of these actions.” Immediately, the Prophet prayed for him, saying, “O God, forgive every hostility that Ikrima directed towards me, every effort he made to dim the light of divine guidance, and everything he did to dishonour me, whether in my presence or absence.” Ikrima further declared, “O Messenger of Allah, I swear by God that whatever wealth I previously spent to obstruct the path of God, I will now spend twice as much in the way of God. And the wars I fought to hinder and create obstacles in the way of God, I will now engage in twice as many battles in the way of God.” After he accepted Islam, Ikrima devoted himself to jihad for the cause of God, using his wealth and risking his life. He remained actively engaged in this pursuit until his last breath. Eventually, he met martyrdom, displaying remarkable bravery during the Battle of Yarmouk. (Al-Isti’ab by Ibn Abd al-Barr, Vol. 3, p. 1085)