Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl was an important early Muslim leader and companion of Muhammad. As the son of Abu Jahl, Ikrimah was at first, one of the chief Mecca opponents to Muhammad.
Ikrimah got deeply attached to Islam after Muhammad forgave the people of Mecca, although he had in his power to kill them. He was moved by the merciful conduct of Muhammad, especially at the conquest of Mecca, when he forgave most of the people who had unanimously agreed to murder him, aside from nine of the worst offenders, whose execution he ordered, though some of these were later commuted.
After Muhammad's conquest of Mecca in 630, Ikrimah became a convert to Islam and an important civil and military leader in the early Islamic state. Abu Bakr sent Ikrimah against Musaylamah, in Yamamah. Ikrimah was the husband of Umm Hakim. He died in the Battle of Yarmouk during the conquest of Syria.
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"Similar happened to Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl when he fled from the Messenger of Allah after the conquest of Mecca, and headed for Ethiopia. He set across the sea to go to Ethiopia but a stormy wind arose. The people said to one another, "None can save you except Allah alone." Ikrimah said to himself, "By Allah, if none can benefit on the sea except Allah then no doubt none can benefit on land . O' Allah! I promise You that if You bring me safely out of this, I will go and put my hand in the hand of Muhammad and surely, I will find him full of pity, kindness and mercy." They came out safely and were delivered from the sea. Then Ikrimah went to the Messenger of Allah, and declared his Islam, and he became a good Muslim, may Allah be pleased with him."