ABSTRACT
Mu'tazilite theologian and metaphysician from al-Basra (q.v.). His thought was imbued with Aristotelian concepts and termin ology. He stands at the beginning of the formal development of kalām (q.v.) and had a profound impact on the thought both of his own age and that of succeeding generations through his disciples, whether or not they agreed with him. (See Aristotelianism, Islamic; Mu'tazila.) Abu '1-Qasim See Muhammad (1); al-Qāsim. Abu Sufyān (died c. 32/653) A member of the 'Abd Shams (q.v.) of the tribe of Quraysh (q.v.). His fuller name was Abu Sufyān b. Harb b. Umayya. The Prophet Muhammad married his daughter Umm Habība (q.v.). Abū Sufyān was prominent in the opposition to Muhammad and fought against the Prophet, for example, at the Battle of Uhud. However, in 8/630, when Muhammad led the final march on Mecca (q.v.), Abū Sufyān accepted him and embraced Islam. His son Mu'āwiya (q.v.) was the first ruler of the Umayyads (q.v.). (See Uhud, Battle of) Abū Tālib (died c. AD 619) Uncle of the Prophet Muhammad whose guardian he became on the death of 'Abd al-Muttalib b. Hāshim (q.v.). Muhammad is said to have gone on trading expeditions with him. As head of the clan of Hāshim (q.v.) he was able to give Muhammad some protection while the latter was in Mecca (q.v.). The succession of Abu Tālib by Abū Lahab (q.v.) as clan chief had grave repercussions for Muhammad. Abu Tālib was also the father of the 4th khalifa (q.v.), 'Alī b. Abī Tālib (q.v). Abu 'Ubayda b. al-Jarrāh (c. AD 581-18/639) Early Muslim general. He fought at the Battle of Uhud and, after Muhammad's death, he won the Battle of Yarmūk against the Byzantines in 16/ 637. He died of plague in Syria. Abu 'Ubayda was one of the ten companions of the Prophet Muhammad who was promised Paradise. (See al-'Ashara al-Mubashshara; Uhud, Battle of the; Yarmuk, Battle of) 18
