5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

How great it is! I wonder who they are?” One of his companions said, “This is, by Allah, the Khuza’ah tribe, and they are excited about war!” Abu Sufyan replied, “Khuza’ah is too feeble and too small in number to have this many fires lit and to have such a huge encampment.” Abu Sufyan got closer and closer to the camp, until he fell into the hands of a group of Muslim guards who captured him and decided to take him to the Prophet . Meanwhile, as al-‘Abbas was riding his mule, he saw Abu Sufyan and his companions who had just been captured by the Muslim horsemen. Abu Sufyan came forward frightened and began to follow al-‘Abbas as his followers followed after him, being guarded by the Muslim horsemen from behind. Al-‘Abbas moved swiftly with Abu Sufyan to see the Messenger of Allah , and each time they passed by a fire, the Muslims asked, “Who is this person?” When they saw al-‘Abbas mounted on the Prophet’s mule, they said, “It is the uncle of the Messenger of Allah  on his mule.” Al-‘Abbas continued to move on in a hurry in case anyone spotted Abu Sufyan, until they passed by ‘Umar bin al-Khattab’s fire. He said,“Who is this person?” as he got up to see for himself. When he noticed Abu Sufyan on the back of the horse, he The art of discussion screamed, “Abu Sufyan! The enemy of Allah! Praise be to Allah who landed you in our hands without there being any pact or treaty!” However, al-‘Abbas prevented him from harming Abu Sufyan. ‘Umar hurriedly made his way to the Messenger of Allah , as did al-‘Abbas who eventually arrived before ‘Umar. He jumped off the mule and ran to the Messenger of Allah . ‘Umar followed closely behind and said, “O Messenger of Allah! This is Abu Sufyan! Allah has landed him into our hands without any pact or treaty! Allow me to strike his neck!” Abu Sufyan had harmed the Muslims much. He was the leader of the pagans in the battle of Uhud and Ahzab. He was known for oppressing, killing and torturing the Muslims. Yet, here he was, finally captured by the Muslims! Al-‘Abbas said, “O Messenger of Allah, I have granted him security.” Al-‘Abbas then sat down and began to whisper something in the Prophet’s ears, whilst ‘Umar kept saying, “O Messenger of Allah! Strike off his neck!” When ‘Umar persisted, al-‘Abbas turned to him and said, ‘Take it easy, O ‘Umar! If he was from the men of Banu ‘Adiy bin Ka’b, you wouldn’t have suggested that!” Meaning, if he was from your relatives, you would not have suggested what you did, but since you knew that he was from Banu ‘Abd Manaf, you had no qualms about suggesting what you did. ‘Umar realised that he was about to enter into a dispute which they could ill afford to have at this stage. Moreover, what benefit was there in even bothering to discuss the absurd notion The art of discussion that if the person was from Banu Ka‘b he would have been eager for him to accept Islam whereas if he wasn’t from them then he would not have been as eager? ‘Umar said very calmly, “Take it easy, O ‘Abbas! By Allah, the fact that you became a Muslim the day you did is more beloved to me than for my own grandfather to become a Muslim. This is because I know for a fact that your embracing Islam was more beloved to the Messenger of Allah  than his, if he were to do so.” When al-‘Abbas heard this from ‘Umar, he fell silent and the discussion ended, even though, it was quite possible for ‘Umar to continue arguing by saying, “What do you mean?! Are you doubting my intention? Do you know what is in my heart? Why are you being tribalistic?” But he didn’t say any of this. They were all far above this to fall for the devil’s plot. Thereafter, ‘Umar and al-‘Abbas fell silent. Meanwhile, Abu Sufyan was standing and waiting for the Messenger of Allah  to pass a judgement concerning his case. The Prophet  said, “Take him with you, O ‘Abbas, to your tent, and bring him back to me in the morning.” Al-‘Abbas took him to his tent where Abu Sufyan spent the night. When Abu Sufyan woke up the next morning and saw the people getting ready for the prayer and making ablution, he said to al-‘Abbas, “What is wrong with everyone?” Al-‘Abbas said, “They have heard the call to prayer so they are getting ready to pray.” When the time for prayer came, they lined up in rows and the Messenger of Allah  led them in prayer. When Abu Sufyan The art of discussion saw them bowing as the Prophet  bowed and prostrating as the Prophet  prostrated, he was amazed at their obedience and compliance. When the prayer ended, al-‘Abbas came to take Abu Sufyan to the Messenger of Allah .