Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl’s Acceptance of Islam
The incident of Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl’s acceptance of Islam as mentioned in the narration of Sunan al-Nasai is different to the account mentioned in the books of Islamic history. As I have mentioned before, Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl was among those whom the Holy Prophet (sa) ordered to be killed during the Conquest of Mecca. Ikrimah and his father used to cause much pain to the Holy Prophet (sa) and severely persecuted the Muslims. When he discovered that the Holy Prophet (sa) had ordered for his execution, he fled towards Yemen. His wife pursued him after having accepted Islam and reached Ikrimah at the coast as he was about to board a ship. According to one account, she found him after he had already boarded the ship. She stopped him saying, “O son of my uncle! I have come to you from that person who unites people the most, who is the most pious and who is most well-wishing among the people. Do not put yourself in ruin for I have sought security on your behalf.” Thereupon he returned with his wife, accepted Islam and he did so in an exceptional manner.
According to one narration, when Ikrimah came before the Holy Prophet (sa), he said, “O Muhammad (sa)! My wife has informed me that you have granted me amnesty.” The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, “You speak the truth. Indeed, you have been given amnesty.” Thereupon Ikrimah said, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, He has no partner and that you are His servant and Messenger” and then lowered his head out of embarrassment. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “O Ikrimah! I shall grant you whatever you ask of me, so long as I have the power to bestow it.” He replied, “Pray for my forgiveness for every transgression I committed against you.” Upon this the Holy Prophet (sa) supplicated, “O Allah, forgive Ikrimah for all the transgressions he committed against me, or forgive him for all his evil deeds.” Then the Holy Prophet (sa) stood up brimming with joy and covered Ikrimah in his own cloak, saying, “Welcome, o ye, who has come to us in a state of faith and having migrated.”
Ikrimah was later counted among the most eminent companions. Ikrimah’s acceptance of Islam was also a fulfilment of that prophecy which the Holy Prophet (sa) narrated to his companions. He had seen in a dream that he was in paradise, where he saw a bunch of grapes which looked very pleasing to him. The Holy Prophet (sa) enquired, “Who is this for?” It was said that it was for Abu Jahl. This was displeasing to the Holy Prophet (sa) and troubled him greatly. The Holy Prophet (sa) said, “None shall enter paradise except a believer, so how can this be for Abu Jahl?” Later, when Ikrimah accepted Islam, this pleased the Holy Prophet (sa) greatly and he interpreted that the bunch of grapes referred to Ikrimah.
(Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 3, Bab Dhikr Maghaziyah, Ghazwat Fath Makkah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2002], 132-133.)