عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ أَبِي جَهْل
رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl
Son of Abu Jahl · Fought them for twenty years · Died in Syria
may Allah be pleased with him
Quraysh — Banu Makhzum · Makkah and Syria, up to about 13 AH
The son of the man who led the persecution, and a commander against the Muslims from Badr onwards. He fled when Makkah fell; his wife went after him with an amnesty and brought him back.
Known for
His father was Abu Jahl
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have told the Companions not to abuse the dead father in front of the living son.
He commanded against the Muslims at Uhud and afterwards
He fled when Makkah was taken, and his wife brought him back
She obtained an amnesty for him and went after him herself.
He was killed fighting in Syria
His story in moments
Short episodes from his life, in order. Read one at a time.
Life & legacy
Against them
Ikrimah was the son of Amr ibn Hisham, whom the Muslims called Abu Jahl and who was the leading figure of the opposition in Makkah until he was killed at Badr.
Ikrimah fought at Badr, where his father died. He commanded a wing of the Makkan cavalry at Uhud, and was in the field against the Muslims through the years that followed.
When Makkah was taken in 8 AH he was among the small number excluded from the general amnesty. He fled for the coast.
Afterwards
His wife, Umm Hakim, accepted Islam and asked for an amnesty for him. It was given. She then went after him herself and brought him back, which is set out in the moment below.
He accepted Islam and was employed afterwards, and went with the armies into Syria. He was killed there in the early campaigns.
The sources do not agree on which engagement, and the record does not name one.
How the sources describe him
He was never half-hearted, before or after
He seems to have been trying to pay something back
Connect
People around him
Alongside
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺCompanion
He fought him for years, was given amnesty at the opening of Makkah, and accepted Islam.
Of the same clan, Banu Makhzum. Both commanded Quraysh's cavalry against the Muslims before accepting Islam, and both fought in Syria afterwards.
Full timeline
- 2 AH
Fights at Badr, where his father is killed
- 3 AH
Commands a wing of the Makkan cavalry at Uhud
- 8 AH
Flees at the opening of Makkah, and is brought back
- The sources differ approximate, reports differReports name Yarmuk and Ajnadayn, and give 13 and 15 AH.
Killed in the campaigns in Syria
Part of
Sources & review
In reviewBased on the listed sources. See something to correct? Tell us.
As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyahالسيرة النبوية
Classical biography · Ibn Hisham, from the recension of Ibn Ishaq
Kitab at-Tabaqat al-Kabirالطبقات الكبرى
Classical biography · Ibn Sa'd
Tarikh ar-Rusul wa'l-Mulukتاريخ الرسل والملوك
Classical history · Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari
Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz as-Sahabahالإصابة في تمييز الصحابة
Classical biography · Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani
Siyar A'lam an-Nubalaسير أعلام النبلاء
Classical biography · Shams ad-Din adh-Dhahabi
Companions of the Prophet
Modern biography · Abdul Wahid Hamid
SahabaMate editorial summary
Editorial summary
References follow the citation detail available in the source material.
Notice an error?
If something looks wrong or missing, send a correction and we’ll check it against the listed sources.
Notice an errorWant to remember what you learn about the Sahabah?
Pro adds Smart Review, the full Sahaba Album, adaptive quizzes, learning paths, a Mistake Notebook and personalised daily sessions across both apps.