Name the first person among infidels of Arabia whose gift was accepted by the Holy Prophet (SAW) ?

The correct answer is Abu Sufyan.

In the early years of the mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the relationship between the Muslims and the polytheists (Mushrikeen) of the Quraish was marked by extreme tension and conflict. Under normal circumstances, the Prophet ﷺ would decline gifts from those who were actively hostile toward the faith or those who intended to use the gesture for bribery or manipulation. However, the acceptance of a gift from Abu Sufyan bin Harb stands as a significant historical exception and a milestone in Islamic diplomacy.

Abu Sufyan: A Leader of the Quraish

Abu Sufyan was one of the most powerful and influential leaders of the Quraish tribe in Mecca. For over two decades, he was a primary antagonist of Islam, leading the Meccan trade caravans and later commanding the Quraish forces in major battles like the Battle of Uhud. Despite this fierce opposition, the Prophet ﷺ maintained a level of dignified communication with him, recognizing his status as a tribal chieftain.

The Wisdom Behind the Acceptance

The acceptance of Abu Sufyan's gift was not a sign of compromise, but rather a strategic act of Ta'lif al-Qulub (reconciling of hearts). In the tribal culture of 7th-century Arabia, the exchange of gifts was a powerful social tool. By accepting a gift from a high-ranking "infidel" leader like Abu Sufyan, the Prophet ﷺ signaled that the door to peace and mutual respect was never fully closed.

This specific gesture helped to lower the walls of hostility between the two factions. It demonstrated that while the Prophet ﷺ rejected the idols and the false beliefs of the Quraish, he did not necessarily reject the people themselves. Scholars of Seerah (prophetic biography) note that such actions were instrumental in breaking the psychological barriers that many Meccan leaders had against the message of Islam.

The Gift and Its Impact

While historical sources vary on the exact nature of the physical items sent, the impact of the exchange was undeniable. It allowed for a channel of communication that eventually paved the way for the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and, ultimately, the peaceful Conquest of Mecca in 8 AH.

Abu Sufyan’s wife, Hind bint Utbah, and Abu Sufyan himself were deeply rooted in the Meccan power structure. The Prophet's ﷺ willingness to accept a gift from such a figure showed the Meccans that Islam was a religion of grace and diplomacy, not just of conflict. It reinforced the idea that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was seeking the guidance of his people rather than their destruction.

A Path to Conversion

This initial exchange of a gift is often seen as one of the many "softening" events that led to Abu Sufyan’s eventual conversion to Islam. On the night before the Conquest of Mecca, when Abu Sufyan was brought before the Prophet ﷺ, the mercy he was shown was a continuation of the same spirit of kindness that had been displayed years earlier during the gift exchange. The Prophet ﷺ famously honored him even on that day by declaring: "He who enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe."

For those studying General Knowledge and Islamic History, this event is a crucial reminder that the Prophet’s ﷺ success was built as much on his impeccable social conduct and diplomatic genius as it was on his spiritual message.