Abdullah ibn Suhayl

Abdullah ibn Suhayl is an early companion of the Prophet Muhammad who emigrated to Medina using a clever tactic at the Battle of Badr. He is also the son of the famous Qurayshite statesmen, Suhayl ibn Amr and brother of Abu Jandal ibn Suhayl.

Biography

Abdullah had become a Muslim before the Battle of Badr, but did not have a way to join the Muslims in Medina. Leaving Mecca and being openly Muslim was difficult for Abdullah because of the powerful influence of his father and his esteemed place in Quraysh. Abdullah concocted a plan to switch sides and join forces with the Muslims at Badr. He rode to Badr with his the rest of the pagan Quraysh and his father and waited until the two forces camped close enough to each other that they were both within eyesight of each other. With the Muslim camp so close, Abdullah escaped to the side of the Prophet and fought alongside them the next day.

His relatively early conversion to Islam and his participation in the Battle of Badr as a Muslim places him in the esteemed position of the Sahabah. He is said to have emigrated to Ethiopia in the first migration. Abdullah ibn Suhayl also participated in the Battle of Uhud, the Battle of the Trench, and the Battle of Yamama.

Death

Abdullah was martyred at the Battle of Yamama at 38 years old in 632 CE.