The Orator Comes Home

When the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah in 8 AH, Suhayl shut himself in his house and sent his son 'Abdullah to ask for safe conduct for him. The Prophet ﷺ gave it, saying, "He is safe by the protection of Allah." He told the Muslims not to stare at Suhayl with hostility if they met him, and added that Suhayl had intelligence and honour, and that someone like him would not remain unaware of Islam.

When 'Abdullah brought this news to his father, Suhayl said, "By Allah, he has been kind when he was small and when he was great." He came out and stood with the Muslims. He was present at Hunayn with the Prophet ﷺ, and was among those given a gift of 100 camels from the spoils to soften his heart.

Later in life he regretted how long he had stayed away from the truth. It is reported that he prayed, fasted and gave in charity much, and wept when the Qur'an was recited, saying that he hoped these would offset his earlier opposition. The words of the Prophet ﷺ about him at Badr had come true: this was a position that no one could blame.