Men Around The Messenger
He was born surrounded by comfort and luxury. His father was the
governor of A1 Uballah and its ruler on behalf of the Persian king, and was one
of the Arabs who emigrated to Iraq long before Islam. In his palace on the bank
of Euphrates, next to Mosul, the child lived happily and comfortably.
One day the country was
attacked by the Romans (Byzantine) who captured a large number and enslaved the
boy Suhaib Ibn Sinaan.
He was taken by slave
traders until finally his long journey ended in Makkah. There he was sold to
'Abd Allah Ibn Jud'aa after having spent his childhood and most of his youth in
Roma lands, where he adopted their language and dialect.
His master was so amazed by
his intelligence, energy, an sincerity that he emancipated him and set him
free, giving him the privilege to trade with him.
One day . . . let his friend
'Ammaar Ibn Yaasir tell us what happened on that day: I met Suhaib Ibn Sinaan
in front of the door of Daar Al-Arqam when the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi
Wassalam) was there. I asked "What do you want?" He answered,
"And what do you want?" I said, "I want to meet Muhammad (Sallalaho
Alyhi Wassalam) to hear what he is saying.”
He said, "I want the
same." We both entered and met the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam), who
invited us to embrace Islam, and we converted. We stayed as we were till
evening. Secretly he went out.
Thereupon, Suhaib got to
know his path to Daar Al- Arqam. He got
to know his path to guidance and light, but also to difficult sacrifice and
great redemption. Entering through that wooden door which separated Daar
Al-Arqam and what was inside from the outer world, was not just crossing
a threshold, but crossing of a whole world of limitations. An old world, with
all that represented it- religion, manners, customs and life - crossing it
towards a new world with all that represented it
- religion; manners, customs, and life.
Crossing the threshold of
Daar Al-Arqam, a threshold not wider than one foot, meant, in reality, to cross
an ocean of terror, wide and expanding. Stepping over such an obstacle, such a threshold
meant the beginning of an era full of great responsibilities.
As for the poor, the
stranger, the enslaved, stepping over Daar Al-Arqam's threshold meant
exceptional, extraordinary sacrifices.
Suhaib, our hero, was a
stranger; 'Ammar Ibn Yaasir, his friend whom he met in front of the door, was a
poor man. Why did they go voluntarily to face terror and, moreover, do their
best when they met with it in combat?
It was the call of faith,
which could not be resisted. It was the good character of Muhammad (Sallalaho
Alyhi Wassalam), the scent of which filled the hearts of the reverent with love
and guidance. It was his new, shining magnificence. Dazzling minds were fed up
with the old, its mis-guidance and bankruptcy. Above all, it was Allah's mercy,
bestowed upon whomever He wishes, His guidance and protection bestowed on
whomever turns to Him.
* * *
Suhaib holds a position in
the ranks of the faithful. He held a high position among the persecuted and
tortured. He held, a high position among the generous and self-sacrificing.
He frankly described his great loyalty to his responsibilities as a Muslim
who had pledged allegiance to the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam) and d
under Islam's standard: I was present in every situation witnessed by the
Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam). I was present at every pledge called by
him. I was present in every detachment organized by him. The Prophet (Sallalaho
Alyhi Wassalam) never took part in a raid, at the beginning of the period or the end, without
my being on his right or left. Whenever the Muslims feared a danger facing
them, I was there in the front, am whenever they feared it in the rear, I was
there at the back. I never lf the Prophet (Sallalaho
Alyhi Wassalam) stay in a position between me and the foe until he (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam) met Allah.
It
was a dazzling image of extraordinary faith and great loyalty. Ever since the
first day he received Allah's light and put his hand into the Prophet's, Suhaib
(May Allah be pleased with him and with all his Companions) was imbued with
such outstanding, faith.
From that day, his
relationship towards people and the world let alone himself, acquired a new
dimension.
From that day, his character
turned into a firm, humble and devoted one, subduing events and braving various
types of horror.
He
went on - as already mentioned - bravely and courageously shouldering all his
responsibilities, never lagging behind whenever there was danger or a situation
to be encountered. His passionate love and ardent desire were not directed
towards gain and spoils but rather towards sacrifice and ransom; not towards the
greed of life but rather towards the passion of danger and self-sacrifice.
He began the days of his
noble redemption and great loyal with the day of his Hijrah. On that day he
abandoned all his wealth all his gold which he had gained by successful trade
during the long years he lived in Makkah. He abandoned all his fortune, all
that 1 owned in a split second, the glory of which was never stained by the
doubt or retreat.
When the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam) intended to emigrate, Suhaib
knew that and he was supposed to be the third one of the three: The Prophet, Abu
Bakr, and Suhaib.
However, the Quraish decided to prevent the Prophet's emigration, Suhaib fell into one of their traps and was thereby hindered for
some time from emigrating, while the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam) and his
companion set out accompanied by Allah's blessing.
Suhaib
disputed, talked, and argued until he got rid of his persecutors. He mounted
his camel and sped across the desert. However, the Quraish sent its hunters to
follow him. When they reached him, Suhaib had hardly seen them before facing
them and shouting from a near distance, "O people of Quraish, you know
that I am the best marksman. By Allah, you cannot reach me before I shoot each
of my arrows with my bow, then I will strike you with my sword until it falls
down. Come on, if you like to try. Or if you like, I will tell you where my
money is, and so leave me alone."
They agreed to take his money
saying, "You came to us as a poor wretch. Your money increased in our land
and among us you claimed high rank and now you want to escape together with
your money?"
He
guided them to the place where he had hidden his fortune, then they left him
alone and returned to Makkah.
Strangely
enough, they believed his words without doubt, without precaution. They did not
ask him to prove his honesty, nor did they ask him to swear. This situation
granted him a great honor, which he deserves as an honest and truthful man.
Alone but happy, Suhaib
continued his journey until he reached the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam)
at Qubaa'.
When Suhaib came into view, the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam) was
sitting surrounded by his Companions. As soon as the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi
Wassalam) saw him, he called to him cheerfully, "O Abu Yahia! A profitable sale! A profitable sale!"
Hereupon, the glorious verse was revealed: < And of mankind is he
who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah And Allah is Full of
kindness to (His) slaves > (2:201).
Indeed, Suhaib had paid all his fortune - the fortune he spent all his
youth to gather - in return for his faithful soul. He never felt it was an
unjust bargain. Money, gold, the whole world, nothing of that sort was
worthwhile as long as he kept his faith, the sovereignty of his conscience, and
the determination of his fate.
The
Prophet loved him very much. Besides being pious and God-fearing, he was a
cheerful and jovial person. The Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam) saw him once
eating dates when there was an inflammation in one of his eyes. The Prophet (Sallalaho
Alyhi Wassalam) asked him cheerfully, “Do you eat dates when there is inflammation
in one of your eyes?” He answered, “What's wrong with that? I eat them with the
other eye!”
He was a generous donor, spending his entire stipend from the treasury
(Bait Al-Maal) in the cause of Allah, helping the need; aiding the sorrowful,
feeding the needy, the orphans, and the captives with the best food. His extreme generosity attracted the
attention of 'Umar, wt said to him, "I can see you feeding people too
much, to the extent the you are spending lavishly." Suhaib answered him,
"I've heard the Prophet (Sallalaho Alyhi Wassalam) say, "The best of
you is the one who feeds (others).
* * *
The life of Suhaib was filled with an abundance of merits of great
situations. To be chosen by 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab to lead the prayer was
another merit to be added. When the
Commander of the Faithful was attacked when leading the Muslims in Fajr Prayer
and felt his end was coming nearer and nearer, he began to advise his
companions. His last words were, "Let Suhaib lead people in prayer."
On that day 'Umar chose six of the Companions and entrusted them with
the choice of the new caliph. The Caliph of the Muslims was the one who led the
prayers. In those days following the death of the Commander of the Faithful
until the new caliph was chosen, who was to lead the Muslims in prayer?
'Umar would slow down a
thousand times before choosing someone especially in these moments, while his
pure soul was passing away to meet Allah. If he chose, then there was no one
more eligible than the chosen. He chose Suhaib.
He chose him to lead the
Muslims in prayer until the next caliph came to carry out his duties. He chose
him, despite the Roman accent obvious in his language. This choice was a divine
blessing upon the pious worshipper Suhaib Ibn Sinaan.