Amr ibn Hisham عَمْرو بْنِ هِشَام | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 570 Mecca, Hejaz |
| Died | c. 13 March 624 Badr, Hejaz, Arabia |
| Spouse(s) | Mujalidya bint Amr Arwa bint Abi al-As |
| Children | Ikrima |
| Parent | Hisham ibn al-Mughira (father) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Mushrikites |
| Years of service | 624 |
| Battles/wars | |
Amr ibn Hisham (Arabic: عَمْرو بن هِشَام, romanized: ʿAmr 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.