Suhayb ar-Rumi (RA)
The Early Life of Suhayb Ar-Rumi:
One day, Suhayb’s mother took him and some members of her household to a village called Ath-Thani for a picnic. That same day, the village was attacked.
All of their possessions were seized and a large number of people were taken as prisoners.
Suhayb Ar-Rumi was one of the prisoners and for twenty years, he stayed in the Byzantine lands, where he grew up speaking Greek, the language of the Byzantine Empire.
Return to Makkah:
Suhayb Ar-Rumi eventually managed to escape and headed straight back to Makkah where he became the assistant of one of the aristocrats of Makkah.
In Makkah, he engaged in trade and became very rich.
Suhayb Ar-Rumi Learns about the Prophet:
One day, he returned to Makkah and was told about Muhammad, the son of Abdullah and how he was calling people to believe in Allah alone.
Suhayb Ar-Rumi was told that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stayed in the house of al-Arqam and he was instructed to be careful in order to avoid the Quraysh finding out about his interest in Islam.
Embracing Islam:
Suhayb then went to the house of al-Arqam and found Ammar ibn Yasir there.
The two of them entered the house together and when they listened to what the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had to say, they were both convinced to accept the religion of Islam.
They took their Shahadah and spent the whole day in the company of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The Quraysh Learn About His Acceptance of Islam:
The Quraysh learnt about Suhayb becoming a Muslim and because of this, they began persecuting him.
Persecution from the Quraysh:
Suhayb Ar-Rumi along with Bilal, Ammar ibn Yasir, Ammar’s mother Summayah, Khabbab and many others would be persecuted for accepting the religion Islam.
Suhayb took all the punishment with patience as knew that this was temporary as opposed to the reward of Jannah for the true believers.
Migration to Madinah:
When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ eventually gave permission for the Muslims to migrate to Madinah, Suhayb Ar-Rumi decided to accompany the Prophet and Abu Bakr.
The Quraysh Prevent Suhayb from Leaving:
However, the Quraysh found out about this and placed guards around Suhayb to prevent him from leaving.
Suhayb’s Plan to Escape:
One night, as the guards were asleep, Suhayb ar-Rumi escaped and headed towards Madinah.
When the guards woke up, they realised that Suhayb was gone and they got on their horses and went after him. Eventually, they caught up with him.
Suhayb Ar-Rumi’s Threat to the Quraysh:
Suhayb then held his bow and arrow and said: O men of Quraysh, you know by Allah that I am one of the best archers. By Allah, if you come near me, with each arrow I have, I shall kill one of you. Then I shall strike with my sword.
One of the Quraysh said: By Allah, we shall not let you escape from us with your life and money. You came to Makkah weak and poor and you have acquired what you have acquired.
Suhayb Ar-Rumi Gives Up His Wealth to be with the Prophet:
Suhayb then said: What would you say if I left my wealth? Would you get out of my way?
The Quraysh agreed with his proposal and Suhayb ar-Rumi then described the exact place in his house in Makkah where he had left the money.
Upon hearing this, the Quraysh allowed Suhayb Ar-Rumi to migrate to Madinah.
Reunion with the Prophet:
When Suhayb Ar-Rumi reached Quba, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ witnessed him approaching and he was very happy to see him.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: you have made a very profitable transaction.
Suhayb was shocked by what the Prophet had to say and he replied: By Allah, no one has come before me to you, O Messenger of Allah and only Jibril could have told you about this.
Allah revealed an Ayat in the Quran about this incident, where He says: ‘And there are those who would dedicate their lives to Allah’s pleasure. And Allah is Ever Gracious to His servants.’ (Quran, 2:207)
Suhayb During the Caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab:
Towards the end of Umar’s Caliphate, after he was stabbed by Abu Lu’lu’, Umar ibn al-Khattab instructed: Let Suhayb lead the people in Salah.
Honour of Leading the Prayer:
Suhayb was then given the honour and responsibility of leading the Muslims in prayer.
Hadith on Suhayb Ar-Rumi:
When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ heard that Suhayb Ar-Rumi had sacrificed all of his wealth to be alongside him, he said three times: Your transaction has been fruitful.
Suhayb Ar-Rumi once narrated an incident: I came to the Prophet and in front of him there was some bread and dates. The Prophet said: come and eat, so I started to eat some of the dates. Then the Prophet said: Are you eating dates when you have an inflammation in your eye? I said: I am chewing from the other side. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ then smiled. (Ibn Majah)