Life-of-Muhammad

Life of Muhammad sa 167reason to regret this because the Prophet sa , having comeback to Mecca, had decided to leave it again for Medina.‘IKRIMA ra BECOMES MUSLIMOf those who had been excepted from the generalamnesty, some were forgiven on the recommendation ofthe Companions. Among those who were thus forgivenwas ‘Ikrima ra , a son of Abu Jahl. ‘Ikrima's ra wife was aMuslim at heart. She requested the Prophet sa to forgivehim. The Prophet sa forgave. At the time ‘Ikrima ra wastrying to escape to Abyssinia. His wife pursued him andfound that he was about to embark. She reproved him."Are you running away from a man as gentle and soft asthe Prophet sa ?" she said.‘Ikrima ra was astonished and asked whether shereally thought the Prophet sa would forgive him.‘Ikrima's ra wife assured him that even he would beforgiven by the Prophet sa . In fact she had had word fromhim already. ‘Ikrima ra gave up his plan of escaping toAbyssinia and returned to see the Prophet sa . "Iunderstand from my wife that you have forgiven evenone like me," he said."Your wife is right. I have really forgiven you," saidthe Prophet sa .‘Ikrima ra decided that a person capable of forgivinghis deadliest enemies could not be false. He, therefore,declared his faith in Islam. "I bear witness that God isOne and has no equal and I bear witness that you areHis Servant and His Messenger sa ." So saying, ‘Ikrima rabent his head in shame. The Prophet sa consoled him. "‘Ikrima ra ," said he, "I have not only forgiven you, but asproof of my regard for you, I have decided to invite youto ask me for anything I can give."‘Ikrima ra replied, "There is nothing more or better Ican ask you for than that you should pray for me to Godand ask for His forgiveness and whatever excesses andenormities I have committed against you."