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In the early days of Islam, Suhayb (r.a.) crossed paths with Ammar (r.a.) right at the doorstep of Al-Arqam's house, entering that blessed refuge driven solely by a heart athirst for truth. They embraced Islam at the exact same moment, and from that instant forward, they were forged in the fiercest furnace of hardship, oppression, and torture. The environment of tyranny was so severe that the disbelievers could not endure even the thought of Muslims migrating elsewhere to breathe freely; they relentlessly pursued the believers to chain them down and crush them under agony.
When the time for migration arrived, the polytheists gave chase to Suhayb (r.a.) as well. However, Suhayb (r.a.) was not a man to surrender out of cowardice! He drew his bow, checked his quiver, and single-handedly challenged the greedy crowd pursuing him:
"You know very well that I am a better archer than any of you! Not one of you will dare approach me until a single arrow remains in my quiver. When my arrows run out, I will fight you with my sword; and if my sword leaves my hand, you may do as you wish. But if you desire, in exchange for my life, I can disclose the location of all my wealth in Mecca and grant you my two maidservants!"
Blinded by greed and worldly gains, the disbelievers accepted his proposal instantly. In a single breath, Suhayb (r.a.) cast away his entire life savings and the fortune he had accumulated over years, buying his freedom and preserving his faith! It was upon this supreme sacrifice that the following striking verse was revealed:
"And among the people is he who sells himself seeking the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is Kind to [His] servants." (Al-Baqarah, 2:207)
"A Profitable Trade You Have Made, O Suhayb!"
Traversing the harsh desert, Suhayb reached the Quba Mosque, built by the hands of Ammar (r.a.), where the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was staying. Upon seeing him, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) delivered the glad tidings: "A profitable trade you have made, O Suhayb! A profitable trade you have made!"
Suhayb (r.a.) recounts that memorable day: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) was eating dates, and I had an ailment in one of my eyes. I sat down and began eating dates with him. The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.)—teasing me since dates were known in the medical understanding of that era to aggravate eye ailments—asked, 'Are you eating dates while suffering from an eye ailment?' I turned it into a witty remark and replied, 'O Messenger of Allah! I am chewing on the side of my uninfected eye.' He smiled upon hearing my playful response."
The people of that era witnessed firsthand the countless moments of sorrow, joy, resolve, and humility of our Prophet (s.a.w.). Today, our act of loving him and binding ourselves to him with our hearts without ever seeing him physically is exponentially more precious. Indeed, the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself crowned this devotion by stating: "Glad tidings to those who believe in me without having seen me!"
Generosity, Not Extravagance: The Bequest of Umar (R.A.)
Suhayb (r.a.) was a person of such immense generosity that when Umar (r.a.) once remarked to him, "You are being extravagant," he responded, "I never spend fruitlessly; I spend in the way of righteousness." Umar (r.a.), the symbol of absolute justice, held such profound respect and trust in Suhayb (r.a.) that right before his passing, he willed that Suhayb lead his funeral prayer.
It Is Time to Question Ourselves Today
Standing before the stance of Suhayb (r.a.), who surrendered his temporary worldly wealth, savings, and entire existence in the way of Islam without a moment's hesitation: What faith can we claim today while calculating every penny in our pockets and compromising our beliefs for petty interests? The legacy of those who sacrificed their lives and property for the sake of Allah stands as a striking rebuke cast directly into the faces of modern Muslims chasing worldly pleasures!
