Stop.
Learn about the Companions, the scholars, and those of high standing.
A new challenge: Who am I?
I am one of the Companions from the people of Makkah.
I was the orator of the Quraysh, their most eloquent speaker, and one of their nobles before Islam.
I fought in the ranks of the Quraysh at the Battle of Badr.
I was taken prisoner.
Then, I ransomed myself.
When the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, intended
to perform the 'Umrah in the sixth year of the Hijrah,
he set out toward Makkah.
The Quraysh prevented him.
So he stayed at al-Hudaybiyah,
exchanging envoys with the Quraysh
to seek permission for him and the Muslims to perform the 'Umrah and visit the Sacred House.
The Quraysh then sent me to negotiate with the Prophet, peace be upon him,
regarding the postponement of the 'Umrah
and the establishment of a peace treaty between the Quraysh and the Muslims.
When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, saw me, he said,
"Your matter has been made easy."
When the Muslims advanced to conquer Makkah,
I feared for my life.
So my son secured a guarantee of safety for me from the Prophet, peace be upon him.
I came to him and embraced Islam at his hands.
Thereafter, I went out with the Muslims to the Battle of Hunayn.
On that day, the Prophet, peace be upon him, gave me one hundred camels from the spoils of the battle
to reconcile my heart.
My Islam became sincere.
I subsequently became frequent in prayer, fasting, and charity,
until my complexion grew pale and changed.
I would weep profusely whenever I heard the Qur'an.
After the death of the Prophet, peace be upon him,
the Arabian Peninsula was in turmoil.
Chaos spread throughout its regions,
and many apostatized from the religion of Islam.
Makkah was not exempt from this.
I had no choice
but to stand and deliver an eloquent sermon to the people of Makkah,
the content of which resembled the sermon of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him,
which he delivered to the Ansar on the day of Saqifah.
Through it, the Quraysh remained steadfast in Islam.
With the beginning of the Islamic conquests,
I went out with all my family to participate in the Islamic conquest of the Levant.
On the day of Yarmouk, I was
a commander of one of the Muslim battalions in the battle.
I remained in the Levant
until death overtook me during the Plague of 'Amwas
in the eighteenth year of the Hijrah.
So, who am I?
The best of generations in stance and example,
who followed the Messenger whenever he strove.