Amr ibn Hishām, Arab polytheist
Amr ibn Hisham (Arabic: عَمْرِ ابْنِ هشام, romanized: ʿAmr ibn Hishām; 570 – 13 March 624), known among Muslims as Abu Jahl ('Father of Ignorance'), was a Meccan Qurayshi polytheist leader, known for his opposition towards the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his persecution of early Muslims in Mecca. He was the most prominent flag-bearer of opposition towards Islam.
A prominent head of the Makhzum clan, Amr was known as Abu Hakam ('Father of Wise') among his followers in the pre-Islamic days. After Muhammad started preaching monotheism, Amr opposed him and often used to physically attack Muhammad and his followers. He persecuted many Muslim converts, including Sumayya bint Khabbat, and Yasir ibn Amir. His cruel torture methods towards Muslims made Muhammad give him the title Amr as Abu Jahl ('Father of Ignorance') and Firaun al-Ummah ('Pharoah of the Ummah'). Along with other Meccan polytheists, Amr administered the Kaaba and used to worship there.
Following the Muslims Hegira to Medina, Amr gathered a large army of polytheists to attack Medina and kill Muslims. On 13 March 624, the Battle of Badr took place, in which Amr was a major leader. In the battle, Amr was fatally wounded by Muawwaz ibn Amr and Mu'ādh ibn 'Amr and eventually killed by Abd Allah ibn Masud.