Anas bin Malik narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke about four forerunners. He said: “I am the forerunner of Arabs; Suhaib is the forerunner of Romans; Bilal is the forerunner of Habsha and Salman is the forerunner of Persia.” Thus he predicted the spread of Islam in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Arab world.
It was a great honor bestowed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) on these three foreigners who accepted Islam in the early days during the time of turbulence.
When Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab was attacked and wounded, he declared, if I die, Suhaib will lead prayers and he will be the leader until a new caliph is elected.
Thus was Suhaib ibn Sinaan, a foreigner in Hijaz who could not speak Arabic fluently.
Suhaib (587-658AC) was the son of Sinaan bin Malik, an Arab governor of Persian Empire of Al Uballah in Iraq. The city was on the banks of the Euphrates, which was later merged with Basra. Suhaib’s father was from Nemr and mother from Tamim tribe. Suhaib with his parents lived lavishly in a palace. When he was five, one day the family went to a village named Al-Thani to enjoy life in the countryside.
The village was raided by Byzantine soldiers. They plundered the village, killed the guards and took women and children as slaves. Suhaib was one of them. They sold him in the Roman slave market. Suhaib lost the family and all contacts with his people and place. As he grew up he was sold again and again at higher prices. Suhaib was intelligent, hardworking and honest. He learned trading and also their Greek language which he spoke fluently instead of Arabic.
He heard clergies saying that the time had come for a new prophet to appear in Arabia. This made him eager to return to his land. One day he got the chance and escaped toward Makkah. There he met Abdullah bin Jadaan. Another report says he was sold as a slave to Abdullah who later freed him.
In Makkah, Suhaib started a business and soon became rich. It was when he first heard about Islam. He was told that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was meeting people secretly at Dar Arqam. He went there and found his friend Ammar bin Yasir also present.
They heard passages from the Holy Qur’an and embraced Islam. It is said they were among the first 10 to embrace Islam. They spent the whole day in the company of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and left at night under cover of darkness.
The news about Islam spread and new Muslims including Bilal, Yasir, Khabbab, Ammar and Suhaib were imprisoned and tortured severely. Sumayyah, the mother of Ammar was tortured to death. She is regarded as the first martyr of Islam. Suhaib spent over 10 years in Makkah enduring torture and hardships. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) decided to migrate to Madinah with Abu Bakr, Suhaib wished to join them but the pagans of Makkah put him under house arrest.
After departure of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), Suhaib managed to leave at night leaving all his wealth buried in the house. He rushed toward Madinah on his mount with a sword and bow in hand. The guards later realized and rushed behind him. They got him on the way. Suhaib climbed a hillock and addressed the guards, “You know I am one of the best archers. If you come near me, By God, I shall kill one of you. Then I shall fight with my sword.” The guards’ leader said, “By God, we shall not let you escape with your life and your wealth...”
Suhaib got a clue, he wanted the company of the Prophet (peace be upon him) at every cost. He said, “Would you get out of my way if I give you my wealth?” “Yes,” they replied. Suhaib told them the place in his house where he had buried the wealth and they allowed him to go.
He rushed toward Madinah and reached Quba. When the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) saw him, he was overjoyed and greeted Suhaib saying, O Abu Yahya. “Best deal, most profitable deal” he repeated it three times. Suhaib’s face beamed with happiness. “By God, no one has come before me to you, it is only JibriI, from Almighty Allah, who could have told you about this.”
A verse in the Holy Qur’an indicated toward this incident. “And of mankind, is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is full of kindness to (His) slaves.” (Qur’an, 2:207)
Suhaib lived in Madinah helping the poor and feeding the destitute. He lived during the caliphates of Abu Bakr and Umar (May Allah be pleased with them). When Caliph Umar was stabbed during Fajr prayer by a slave called Abu Lolo, he nominated six persons to decide who would lead the caliphate. Those were Uthan ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi Taleb, Talha, Zubair ibn Al-Awwam, Abdur Rahman ibn Awf and Saad ibn Abi Waqas.
He declared that Suhaib will lead prayers until a new caliph was selected within three days.
Suhaib’s appointment by Umar showed how people from a wide variety of backgrounds were integrated and honored in Islam. To eradicate the wall between Arabs and non-Arabs the Prophet (peace be upon him) once said: “Your Lord is One. Your ancestor is one. Your religion is one. Take heed. Arabism is not conferred on you through your mother or father. It is through the tongue (Arabic language), so whoever speaks Arabic, he is an Arab.”
Suhaib stands as a symbol of equality in Islam.
He lived in Madinah for more than 30 years. He narrated a few Hadiths from Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). He passed away at the age of over 70 in 658AD and was buried in Jannatul Baqie. May God elevate his rank. Ameen.
Suhaib Rumi, imam of the Ummah
