Umayya ibn Khalaf () (died 13 March 624) was an Arab slave master and the chieftain of the Banu Jumah of the Quraysh in the seventh century. He was one of the chief opponents against the Muslims led by Muhammad. Umayya is best known as the master of Bilal ibn Rabah, a slave he tortured for embracing Islam who eventually became the first mu'azzin.
Family
Umayyah ibn Khalaf was a son of Khalaf ibn Habib ibn Wahb ibn Hudhafah ibn Jumah and he was a brother of Ubay ibn Khalaf. He married three times: By his wife, Safiya bint Ma'mar ibn Habib, he had some sons: Safwan, Ahyah, and Salamah. By his wife, Karima bint Ma'mar ibn Habib, he had some sons: Walid (who was slain at Badr), Rabi'ah, Muslim, Ma'bad and Mas'ud. By his wife, Layla bint Habib al-Tamimiyya from B. Tamim, he had a daughter, named al-Taw'ama bint Umayyah.
Opposition to Islam
Umayyah was involved in the pagan religious ceremonies of Mecca, where he distributed perfume in the square of the Kaaba.
After Muhammad began to preach against idolatry, Umayyah became a staunch opponent of the new teaching. He used to slander Muhammad, and it is about him that Allah revealed Surah Humaza: "Woe to the slanderer and backbiter". He subjected his slave Bilal ibn Rabah to torture for having adopted Islam. He forced Bilal to lie on hot desert sand and pinned him down with a heavy stone on his chest. When Bilal still refused to denounce Islam, a heavy person was to jump on the stone. Bilal kept repeating, "Ahad! Ahad!" (One God! One God!)
Friendship with Abd al-Rahman
Ummayah had a very close and dear friend named Abdu Amr. Their friendship was strained when Abdu Amr converted to Islam. Abdu Amr changed his name to Abd al-Rahman and later emigrated to Medina. Not only that, but to Ummayah's chagrin and dismay, Abdu Amr then gave his sister in marriage to Bilal ibn Rabah, a black man who had previously been Ummayah's slave. All of these events caused pain and dismay, but in tribal societies at that time, ties of childhood friendship were extraordinarily strong and lasting. Ummayah retained affection and a sense of duty towards his old friend, which was reciprocated. Because of their friendship, the two friends formed a written agreement, according to which Abdul Rahman was to protect Umayah's property and family in Medina, while Umayyah would protect Abd-al-Rahman's property and family in Mecca. While drafting the document, when Abd al-Rahman was referred to by his new (Islamic) name, Umayyah protested, saying "I do not know any Ar-Rahman" and requested that the pre-Islamic name, "Abdu Amr," be used. It is another measure of the reciprocity of affection between them that Abd al-Rahman yielded, and was referred to as "Abdu Amr" in the document.
Friendship with Sa'd
Umayyah was also an good friend of Sa'd ibn Mua'dh, the leader of the Bani Aus . When Umayyah was in Medina on his way to Syria, he used to stay with Sa'd and when Sa'd was in Mecca, he used to stay with Umayah.
Prior to the Battle of Badr, Sa'd visited Mecca once to perform his Umrah with Umayyah, when they came across Abu Jahl. They had an argument, and as it became heated, Sa'd threatened Abu Jahl with stopping the Meccan trade route to Syria and informed Umayyah that his life was threatened by Muhammad.
Battle of Badr
In the build-up to the battle of Badr, Umayyah received a visit from his childhood friend Sa'd, who had become a Muslim, emigrated to Medina, and was close to Muhammad. Sa'd had come to Mecca supposedly for Umrah ("minor" pilgrimage), but also to make Umayyah beware. Sa'd told Umayyah in no uncertain terms that Muhammad had an antipathy for Umayyah, that his life was in danger from the Muslims, including Muhammad, and that he should expect no mercy from either Muhammad or the Muslims in case he falls into their hands. The reason for this enmity and antipathy was Umayyah's former slave that Bilal, who had by now become a favorite with Muhammad, was heavily tortured by Umayyah to prior to his emancipation.