Suhaib (ra) bin Sinan

The name of Hazrat Suhaib’s (ra) father was Sinan bin Malik and his mother’s name was Salama bint Qaeed. Hazrat Suhaib(ra) was from Mosul.

Hazrat Suhaib’s father, or his uncle, was the governor of Ubullah for the Chosroes. Ubullah is a city on the banks of the Tigris River, which later came to be known as Basra. The Romans attacked that region and took Hazrat Suhaib (ra) as a prisoner when he was a child.

According to Abul Qasim al-Maghrabi, Hazrat Suhaib’s (ra) actual name was Umairah, but the Romans named him “Suhaib”. 

*(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 169-170, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2017) (al-Isabah Fi Tamyeez al-Sahabah, Vol. 4, pp. 33-34, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2001) (Mu‘jamul Buldan, Vol. 1, p. 99, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut)*

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Introduction

Hazrat Suhaib (ra) had a deep reddish complexion; he was neither tall, nor short and had thick hair. 

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 41, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2016)*


Appearance

He grew up among the Romans and had a speech impediment. A man named Kalb bought him from the Romans and took him to Mecca. Abdullah bin Jud‘an then bought him and set him free. Hazrat Suhaib (ra) remained with Abdullah bin Jud‘an in Mecca until Abdullah’s death and it was around this time that the Holy Prophet (sa) was divinely commissioned by God Almighty.

According to one narration, the children of Hazrat Suhaib (ra) have reported that when Hazrat Suhaib (ra) reached the age of maturity, he fled the Roman Empire and came to Mecca where he became a confederate of Abdullah bin Jud‘an and remained with him until Abdullah’s death. 

*(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 170, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2017)*

Regarding Hazrat Suhaib (ra), Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states:

“One of the slaves was Suhaib (ra). He was captured and brought from the Roman Empire. He was a slave of Abdullah bin Jud‘an who later set him free. Suhaib (ra) also believed in the Holy Prophet (sa) and endured various kinds of hardships as a result of this.” 

*(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 6, p. 443)*

A Roman Slave 

Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has mentioned this whilst refuting the allegation of the disbelievers, which has been mentioned in the Holy Quran, in that they would allege that the Holy Prophet (sa) composed the Quran with the help of slaves or other people. One answer to this allegation is that these very slaves faced hardships and persecution due to their conversion to Islam. Thus, did these slaves help the Holy Prophet (sa) in order to be afflicted by hardships? Moreover, they not only helped him secretly, but they also helped him openly as well and then endured all the hardships and persecution with steadfastness.

Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has explained that this allegation was completely baseless. It was the faith of those believers in the Holy Prophet (sa) and God Almighty that kept them steadfast. They learnt Islam from the Holy Prophet (sa) and believed in the revelation from Allah the Almighty. Nonetheless, this was the background to the aforementioned extract. 

*(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 6, pp. 441-443)*

Refuting an Allegation

Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) states, “I met Suhaib (ra) at the door of Dar-e-Arqam. The Holy Prophet (sa) was also present there. I asked Suhaib (ra), ‘What is your intention?’ Suhaib (ra) asked me, ‘What is your intention?’ I replied, ‘I want to go to Muhammad (sa) and listen to his words.’ Hazrat Suhaib (ra) said, ‘This is also my intention.’” Hazrat ‘Ammar (ra) states, “Both of us then went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and he preached the message of Islam to us. So, we both accepted Islam. We spent the entire day there until the evening. Then, we left in secret.”

Hazrat Ammar (ra) and Hazrat Suhaib (ra) accepted Islam after more than 30 people had accepted Islam. 

*(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 171, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2017)*

Hazrat Anas (ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet (sa) stated:

“Four people have excelled others in accepting Islam. I [i.e. the Holy Prophet (sa)] am first to accept amongst the Arabs. Suhaib (ra) is the first to accept amongst the Roman people. Salman (ra) is the first to accept from amongst the people of Persia. Bilal is the first to accept amongst the people of Abyssinia.” 

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 39, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2016)*

Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Mas‘ud relates:

“The first seven individuals who professed to be Muslims were: the Holy Prophet (sa) to whom the law was revealed, Abu Bakr (ra), Ammar (ra) and his mother Sumayyah (ra), Suhaib (ra), Bilal (ra) and Miqdad (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa) was protected through his paternal uncle, Abu Talib and Allah the Almighty protected Abu Bakr (ra) through his tribe”…

It is further narrated:

“Hazrat Suhaib (ra) was among those believers, who were considered to be weak and was tortured in Mecca because of his belief. These believers also had to go through many hardships. According to one narration, Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) would be tortured to such an extent that he would have no recollection of what was happening. The same was the case with Hazrat Suhaib (ra), Hazrat Abu Fa‘id (ra), Hazrat Aamir (ra) bin Fuhaira and other companions. The following verse was revealed in relation to these companions:

ثُمَّ اِنَّ رَبَّکَ لِلَّذِیْنَ ہَاجَرُوْا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوْا ثُمَّ جٰہَدُوْا وَصَبَرُوْا اِنَّ رَبَّکَ مِنْ بَعْدِہَا لَغَفُوْرٌ رَّحِیْمٌ

‘Then, surely, thy Lord – to those who fled their homes after they had been persecuted and then struggled hard in the cause of Allah and remained steadfast – aye, surely, after that thy Lord is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’ [Surah al-Nahl, Ch.16: V.111]” 

*(al-Isabah Fi Tamyeez al-Sahabah, Vol. 3, p. 34, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2001)*

Acceptance of Islam & Persecution

According to one narration, the last individuals to migrate to Medina were Hazrat Ali (ra) and Hazrat Suhaib (ra) bin Sinaan, who migrated in the middle of Rabi‘ al-Awwal [third month in the Islamic calendar]. The Holy Prophet (sa) was staying in Quba and had not yet set off for Medina. 

*(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 172, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2017)*

In one narration, it is mentioned that when Hazrat Suhaib (ra) set off to migrate towards Medina, a party of idolaters pursued him. He subsequently dismounted, emptied his quiver and said, “O party of the Quraish! You know that I am among your most skilful archers. By Allah! You will not be able to reach me until I fire all of my arrows at you. I will then fight you with my sword until I am left empty handed. Therefore, you may do as you please. If it is my wealth you desire, I will tell you where it is and you may then leave my path.” These people replied in the affirmative.

Hence, Hazrat Suhaib (ra) told them [where his wealth was] and when he presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa), the Holy Prophet (sa) said that this deal had been profitable for Abu Yahya”, i.e. it had been beneficial for him.

The narrator says that upon this, the following verse was revealed:

وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یَّشْرِیْ نَفْسَہُ ابْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللّٰہِ وَاللّٰہُ رَءُوْفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

“And of men there is he who would sell himself to seek the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is Compassionate to [His] servants.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.208) 

*(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, pp. 171-172, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2017)*

According to one narration, Hazrat Suhaib (ra) went to the Holy Prophet (sa) after migrating from Mecca to Medina. At the time, the Holy Prophet (sa) was in Quba and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Umar (ra) were with him. At the time they all had fresh dates in front of them, which were brought by Hazrat Kulthum (ra) bin Hidam. On the way, Hazrat Suhaib (ra) contracted an eye infection (he had an ailment of the eye), but was also suffering from starvation and tiredness due to the journey. When Hazrat Suhaib (ra) rushed towards the dates, Hazrat Umar (ra) said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah, look at Suhaib (ra); he has an eye infection and is eating the dates”. The Holy Prophet (sa) replied in a lighthearted manner saying, “You are eating the dates despite your eye infection?”, i.e. he had swollen eyes with tears running down. Hazrat Suhaib (ra) submitted, “I am eating whilst using the side of my eye which is healthy”. Upon hearing this, the Holy Prophet (sa) smiled. Hazrat Suhaib (ra) turned to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and said, “You promised me that you would take me with you in the migration, but you went without me.” He then turned to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah, you also promised to take me along with you on the migration, but you also left without me. The Quraish captured me and detained me, so I had to buy my freedom and that of my family by giving up my wealth.” The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, “This was a very beneficial deal indeed.”

Thereafter, God Almighty revealed the verse:

وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ یَّشْرِیْ نَفْسَہُ ابْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللّٰہِ وَاللّٰہُ رَءُوْفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

“And of men there is he who would sell himself to seek the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is Compassionate to [His] servants.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.208)

Hazrat Suhaib (ra) said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah, I took with me one mudd [approximately 0.5kg] of flour as provisions for my journey, which I had prepared at Abwah until I reached you.” 

*(al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra li ibn Sa‘d, Vol. 3, p. 172, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2017)*

This was all he had to eat on this journey.

In this regard, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) writes:

“Suhaib (ra) was a prosperous merchant and in Mecca he was considered a reputable person, but despite the fact that he was wealthy and was no longer a slave, the Quraish continued to beat him even after his release to the extent that he would pass out. When the Holy Prophet (sa) left Mecca and migrated to Medina, Suhaib (ra) also wanted to migrate, but the Meccans stopped him from doing so. They said that he was not permitted to take the wealth he had earned in Mecca with him. Suhaib (ra) offered to surrender all his property and earnings and asked whether they would then let him go. The Meccans accepted the arrangement. Suhaib (ra) handed everything over to them and reached Medina empty-handed and met the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) said to him, ‘Out of all the transactions you have ever made, this was the best.’ In other words, he previously used to earn money by trading goods, but this time he traded money in return for his faith.” 

*(Dibacha Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwarul Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 194-195)*

Migration to Medina

After Hazrat Suhaib (ra) migrated from Mecca to Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Harith (ra) bin Simmah. Hazrat Suhaib (ra) participated in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq and all other battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa). 

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 39, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2016)*

Bond of Brotherhood

Hazrat Aaiz (ra) bin Amr narrates that Hazrat Salman (ra), Hazrat Suhaib (ra) and Hazrat Bilal (ra) were sat amongst a group of people when Abu Sufyan bin Harb walked past. They said to him, “Allah the Almighty’s sword has not yet struck the necks of His enemies.” Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said, “Is this how you speak about the leaders and chieftains of the Quraish?” The Holy Prophet (sa) was informed of this incident, to which the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “O Abu Bakr (ra)! Perhaps you have angered them. If this is the case, then you have also angered God Almighty.” Therefore, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) went back to those people and said, “O my brethren, perhaps you are aggrieved because of me.” To this they replied, “No, O Abu Bakr (ra), may Allah grant you forgiveness.” 

*(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 6, p. 885, Hadith A‘idh bin Amr, Alamul Kutub, Beirut, 1998)*

His Status in the eyes of the Holy Prophet (sa)

Hazrat Suhaib (ra) relates:

“Whatever battle the Holy Prophet (sa) was present in, I too participated. Whatever pledge of allegiance the Holy Prophet (sa) took, I too was there. Whatever expedition the Holy Prophet (sa) sent forth, I too was part of it. Whatever battle the Holy Prophet (sa) departed for, I was alongside him. I was to his right or to his left. Whenever the people perceived a threat from in front, I would go ahead and when they sensed danger from behind, I would go behind them. I never allowed the enemies to get through me and to reach the Holy Prophet (sa), up until he departed from this world” i.e. until the Holy Prophet (sa) passed away. 

*(al-Isabah Fi Tamyeez al-Sahabah, Vol. 3, p. 35, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2001)*

In his advanced years, Hazrat Suhaib (ra) would gather people around him and mention interesting incidents of his achievements in battle. 

*(Siyar as-Sahabah, Vol. 2, p. 268, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Darul Ishaat, Karachi)*

Participation in Battles

Hazrat Suhaib (ra) was not a native speaker, i.e. his language [Arabic] was not as eloquent as the Arabs.

Zaid bin Aslam relates from his father, “I went with Hazrat Umar (ra) until he entered the garden of Hazrat Suhaib (ra) in Aliya. When Hazrat Suhaib (ra) saw Hazrat Umar (ra) he said ‘Yannaas, Yannaas’. Hazrat Umar (ra) thought he was saying ‘al-nas’ [people] so he said what has happened to him that he is calling people.” The narrator then says, “I replied by saying that he was calling his servant whose name was Yuhannas and he called him in this way due to the impediment in his speech.” After that, they discussed certain matters and Hazrat Umar (ra) said, “O Suhaib (ra), I see only three short-comings in you. If they were not present in you, I would not give any person superiority over you. I see that you associate yourself with the Arabs, whereas your language is foreign, you say that your appellation is Abu Yahya, which is the name of a prophet and you excessively spend out of your wealth.” Hazrat Suhaib (ra) replied, “As for what you said about me wasting money, the truth is that I spend only where it is required and not unnecessarily. Regarding my appellation, it was the Holy Prophet (sa) who gave me the title of Abu Yahya, therefore I shall never renounce it. As for my affiliation with the Arabs, the Romans had enslaved me when I was young, so that is why I learnt their language, but I belong to the tribe of Namir bin Qasit.”

Hazrat Umar (ra) had great love for Hazrat Suhaib (ra) and thought very highly of him. When Hazrat Umar (ra) sustained an injury, he mentioned in his will that Hazrat Suhaib (ra) would lead his funeral prayer and he would also lead the Muslims in prayer for three days until members of the electoral committee chose the Khalifa.

Discourse with Hazrat Umar (ra)

Hazrat Suhaib (ra) passed away in the month of Shawwal 38 AH, but according to some, he passed away in 39 AH. At the time of his demise, Hazrat Suhaib (ra) was 73 years of age, whilst according to other narrations, he was 70 years old and was buried in Medina. 

*(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 3, p. 41, Suhaib bin Sinaan, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2016)*

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