Utbah ibn Rabi'ah

Utbah ibn Rabi'ah was one of the senior leaders of the Quraysh and the father of Hind bint Utbah — who later married Abu Sufyan. He was known as a man of reason and political acumen among the Meccans, and he attempted on at least one occasion to negotiate with the Prophet ﷺ rather than simply oppose him. The most famous exchange was when Utbah came to the Prophet ﷺ and offered him wealth, leadership, and a cure for whatever affliction made him claim prophethood — if only he would stop his preaching. The Prophet ﷺ remained silent while Utbah spoke, then asked: 'Have you finished?' He then recited the opening of Surah Fussilat (41), beginning with the Quran's description of itself. When Utbah reached the verse of prostration, the Prophet ﷺ prostrated. Utbah returned to the Qurayshi leadership changed — telling them: 'I heard something unlike anything I have ever heard. It is not poetry, nor magic, nor sorcery. O Quraysh, listen to me and leave this man alone. If he prevails over the Arabs, his glory is your glory. If he is overcome by the Arabs, they will rid you of him.' They rejected his counsel and called him bewitched. At the Battle of Badr, Utbah was one of the three Meccan champions who came forward for single combat. He was killed by Hamza, Ali, and Ubaydah ibn al-Harith. His daughter Hind had his liver eaten after Uhud — one of the most notorious acts of the Seerah.