Ikrimah Ibn Abu Jahl RA: An Inspiring Story
Ikrimah ibn ʿAmr ibn Hishām (known as Abū Jahl) RA was born into the powerful Quraysh clan of Banū Makhzūm. His father, Amr ibn Hishām, known infamously as Abū Jahl, was one of the fiercest opponents of the Prophet ﷺ, called “the Pharaoh of this Ummah” by the Prophet (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3857). Raised amidst tribal pride and staunch devotion to idol worship, ʿIkrimah inherited his father’s leadership qualities, eloquence, and courage — as well as his initial hostility toward Islam.When Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began preaching monotheism, ʿIkrimah saw Islam as a threat to the Qurayshi order and fought vigorously to preserve the old traditions. He joined his father in persecuting early Muslims and became a prominent figure among the Quraysh leaders opposing the Prophet ﷺ. But his life journey represents one of the most striking transformations in early Islamic history — from a fierce adversary of Islam to a noble warrior of faith and martyrdom.
In the Battles Against the Muslims
ʿIkrimah’s RA name appears among the leading warriors in the major battles against the Prophet ﷺ. At the Battle of Badr (2 AH), he fought alongside his father. When Abū Jahl was slain, ʿIkrimah vowed revenge against the Muslims.
He commanded a cavalry unit at the Battle of Uhud (3 AH) and played a decisive role in attacking the Muslims from behind, causing confusion in their ranks. He was also one of the commanders at the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq, 5 AH), attempting to breach the trench around Madinah but failing due to the Muslims’ strong defense.
Conversion to Islam
When the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah victoriously in 8 AH, Ikrimah Ibn Abu Jahl RA feared punishment for his years of hostility and fled toward Yemen, planning to escape by sea. During the voyage, a violent storm arose, and the sailors urged everyone to call sincerely upon Allah alone for deliverance. At that moment, realization dawned upon ʿIkrimah RA — that only Allah, not the idols, had true power. He prayed earnestly and vowed that if he survived, he would embrace Islam.
Allah saved him, and he returned to Makkah. His wife, Umm Ḥakīm bint al-Ḥārith (RA) — who had already accepted Islam — interceded with the Prophet ﷺ on his behalf. She brought him before the Prophet ﷺ, who received him with remarkable gentleness.
According to Ibn Hishām, when ʿIkrimah RA reached the Prophet ﷺ, he said:
“O Muḥammad, this one who flees from you comes to you returning, testifying that there is no god but Allah and that you are the Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet ﷺ welcomed him warmly and forgave his past enmity (Ibn Hishām 4/60).
ʿIkrimah then pledged loyalty and faith, promising: “By Allah, I shall spend in the path of Allah twice as much as I spent against Him, and I shall fight in His cause with all my might.” (Ibn Saʿd, al-Ṭabaqāt 4/134).
The Prophet ﷺ forgave him and prayed for him:
“O Allah, forgive ʿIkrimah for all his past enmity and every act of hostility he committed against me.”
His Participation in Battles After Islam
True to his word, ʿIkrimah (RA) became one of the bravest Muslim warriors. He fought in the Battle of Ḥunayn (8 AH) shortly after his conversion, standing firm when many initially fled. Later, he also participated in the Battle of Ṭā’if and subsequent campaigns (Ibn Saʿd 4/135).
During the caliphate of Abū Bakr (RA), ʿIkrimah played a major role in the Ridda Wars against the apostates. He was appointed a commander of Muslim forces and sent against Musaylimah the Liar. Ibn Kathīr narrates in al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah (6/324) that Abū Bakr first instructed ʿIkrimah to remain near Yamāmah until reinforcements arrived, but his eagerness led him into battle prematurely. Despite initial setbacks, he regrouped and later fought valiantly under Khālid ibn al-Walīd (RA) in the decisive battle.
He also participated in the campaigns in Syria under Abū Bakr and later ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA).
His Martyrdom at the Battle of Yarmūk
The most defining moment of ʿIkrimah’s life came at the Battle of Yarmūk (15 AH) against the Byzantine Empire. The Muslim army, though outnumbered, fought with immense courage. ʿIkrimah (RA) threw himself into the thick of battle, fighting with the determination of a man seeking martyrdom.
According to al-Wāqidī and Ibn Saʿd, he declared: “I fought the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in every place; shall I flee from the Romans today? This shall never be!” He then broke through the enemy lines with 400 men until most of them were martyred (Ibn Saʿd 4/136).
He sustained fatal wounds and was carried from the battlefield along with his cousin al-Ḥārith ibn Hishām (RA) and Dhirār ibn al-Azwar (RA). Water was brought to them, but each man deferred drinking to the other, saying, “Give it to him.” By the time it returned to ʿIkrimah, he had already passed away. This moving incident is recorded in al-Iṣābah of Ibn Ḥajar (3/293) and al-Ṭabaqāt (4/136).
Thus, the man who once stood among the fiercest enemies of Islam attained martyrdom in one of its greatest victories.
His Legacy and Character
ʿIkrimah (RA) is an example of how Islam transforms hearts. From being the son of the “Pharaoh of this Ummah,” fighting against Muslims in their darkest hours, he became one of the bravest defenders of the faith. His promise to expend twice as much effort for Islam as he did against it was fulfilled.
The Prophet ﷺ’s clemency at the Conquest of Makkah allowed enemies like ʿIkrimah to become allies and heroes of the Ummah. Ibn Ḥajar writes: “He was noble, brave, and steadfast after Islam, and he was martyred at Yarmūk, may Allah be pleased with him.” (al-Iṣābah 3/293).
