Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) dream about Hazrat Abu Sufiyan (ra)

In historical accounts, we find a dream of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) mentioned in relation to the Conquest of Mecca. It is mentioned that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) related his dream to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! I saw a dream in which I saw you; we had reached close to Makkah. A female dog came towards us barking and when we went near to her, she lay down on her back and milk started to flow from her.” Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “Their harm has been removed and we will soon derive benefit. They will call on their relationship to you and seek refuge with you and you will soon meet some of them.” This is how the Holy Prophet (sa) interpreted the dream. The Holy Prophet (sa) said, “Hence, if you find Abu Sufyan, do not kill him!” Following this, the Muslims found Abu Sufyan and Hakim bin Hizam at Marr Al-Zahran.

(Imam Al-Baihaqi, Dala’il al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 5 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1988], p. 48)

Ibn Uqbah relates, “When Abu Sufyan and Hakim bin Hizam were returning [to Mecca], Hazrat Abbas (ra) said to the Holy Prophet (sa), ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! I am doubtful in relation to Abu Sufyan’s acceptance of Islam. (The manner in which Abu Sufyan agreed to obey the Holy Prophet (sa) and how he accepted Islam has previously been mentioned. Nevertheless, Hazrat Abbas (ra) said) You should call him back until he has understood the teachings of Islam and seen Allah’s army with you.’”

In another narration, Ibn Abi Shaybah relates, “When Abu Sufyan was about to return, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said to the Holy Prophet (sa), ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! If you command us then we will stop Abu Sufyan on route.’”

In yet another narration, Ibn Ishaq relates, “When Abu Sufyan was returning, the Holy Prophet (sa) said to Hazrat Abbas (ra), ‘Stop him (that is, Abu Sufyan) in the valley.’ Hence, Hazrat Abbas (ra) caught up with him and stopped him. Upon this, Abu Sufyan said, ‘O Bani Hashim! Are you deceiving me?’ Hazrat Abbas (ra) replied, ‘The people of the Prophet do not deceive!’”

According to another narration, he replied, “We do not deceive. However, you should wait here until the morning and until you see the army of Allah and what Allah has prepared for the disbelievers.” Hence, Hazrat Abbas (ra) kept Abu Sufyan in this valley until the next morning.

(Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 5, Fi Ghazwat al-Fath al-A’zam [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], p. 218)

With regards to when the Muslim army was passing in front of Abu Sufyan, it is written in “Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad” that the contingent of the Holy Prophet (sa), dressed in green, passed in front of Abu Sufyan. This consisted of Muhajirin and Ansar and there were many banners and flags. Every tribe of the Ansar had its banner and flag and they were clad in iron, that is, they were clad in armour and chain-mail. Only their eyes could be seen. Every so often Hazrat Umar (ra) would say at the top of his voice, “March slowly so that your first division [of the army] remain connected with the last division.” It is said that this contingent contained 1,000 soldiers clad in armour. The Holy Prophet (sa) passed his banner to Hazrat Sa‘d bin Ubadah (ra) and he stayed at the forefront of the army. When Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) reached Abu Sufyan, he called out to him saying, “Today is a day of bloodshed. Today that which is prohibited shall be made permissible. Today the Quraish shall be humiliated.” Thereupon Abu Sufyan said to Abbas (ra), “O Abbas, it is your duty to protect me today.”

Thereafter, the other tribes passed by and the Holy Prophet (sa) then appeared, mounted on his camel named “Qaswah”. He came whilst speaking to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Usaid bin Hudair (ra) who were to each side of him. Hazrat Abbas (ra) said to Abu Sufyan that this was the Holy Prophet (sa).

(Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 5 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], pp. 220-221)