Amr ibn Hisham

Amr ibn Hisham
عَمْرو بْنِ هِشَام
Personal details
Bornc. 570
Mecca, Hejaz
Diedc. 13 March 624
Badr, Hejaz, Arabia
Spouse(s)Mujalidya bint Amr
Arwa bint Abi al-As
ChildrenIkrima
ParentHisham ibn al-Mughira (father)
Military service
AllegianceMushrikites
Years of service624
Battles/wars

Amr ibn Hisham (Arabic: عَمْرو بن هِشَام, romanizedʿAmr ibn Hishām; also known as Abū Jahl (أبو جهل) (literally "father of ignorance) or Abu al-Hakam ('Father of Wisdom') [1] c. (570 – 13 March 624) was the Meccan Qurayshi polytheist leader of the Mushrikites known for his opposition to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was the most prominent flag-bearer of opposition towards Islam.

A prominent head of the Makhzum clan, Amr was known as Abu al-Hakam ('Father of Wisdom') among pre-Islamic Arabs. After Muhammad started preaching monotheism, Amr opposed him and often physically attacked early Muslims. He persecuted many Muslim converts, including Sumayya, and Yasir ibn Amir. His cruel torture methods towards Muslims made Muhammad give him the title Abu Jahl ('Father of Ignorance') and Firawn al-Umma ('Pharaoh of the nation').

Following the migration to Medina, Amr gathered a large army of polytheists to attack Medina and kill Muslims. On 13 March 624, the Battle of Badr took place, in which Amr was a major leader. In the battle, Amr was fatally wounded by Mu'awwidh ibn Amr and Mu'ādh ibn 'Amr and eventually killed by Abd Allah ibn Masud.

  1. ^ Abu Jahl. Juan Cole.

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