Abu Jandal ibn Suhayl

Abu Jandal ibn Suhayl ibn Amr (died ca. 18–20 AH) was a Companion whose dramatic story became one of the most emotionally charged episodes in the Treaty of Hudaybiyah. He was the son of Suhayl ibn Amr, the Qurayshi negotiator of the treaty, and had embraced Islam before his father and been imprisoned by Quraysh for it.

When the Treaty of Hudaybiyah was being finalized between the Prophet ﷺ and Suhayl ibn Amr, Abu Jandal escaped from his chains and dragged himself before the Prophet's delegation with chains on his legs, calling for protection. The treaty stipulated that Muslims who came from Mecca to Medina would be returned — a clause that had just been signed when Abu Jandal appeared. Suhayl demanded his return.

The Prophet ﷺ, bound by the treaty he had just made, told Abu Jandal to return patiently and that Allah would provide relief. This was one of the hardest moments for the Companions, who could not understand why the Prophet would send a clearly persecuted Muslim back. Abu Jandal wept bitterly. Omar ibn al-Khattab was among those most distressed by this decision.

The relief the Prophet had promised came in the form of the Abu Basir episode — a series of events that led to Quraysh eventually waiving the clause. Abu Jandal was among those who escaped to the coast and joined the group led by Abu Basir. He eventually joined the Muslim community freely and participated in the subsequent campaigns, including the Conquest of Mecca and later battles. He died in Syria during the early conquest period.