Suhaib RA's Coming Into Islam

Suhaib RA and Ammar bin Yasir RA became Muslims at the same time. The Prophet SAW was staying at Arqam's place, when they both came separately with the same intention of embracing Islam and met each other at the door of the house. Suhaib RA also suffered very much at the hands of his persecutors, like other poor Muslims of that time. At last he decided to emigrate to Madinah. The Quraysh would not tolerate this and, soon after his departure, a party went in pursuit to bring him back to Makkah.

As the party drew near, he shouted towards them:

"You know that I am a better archer than all of you. So long as I have a single arrow left with me, you will not be able to approach me and, when I finish all my arrows, I shall fight you with my sword, as long as it is in my hand. If you like you can get my money which I have left in Makkah and my two women slaves, in lieu of me."

And they agreed. He told them the whereabouts of his money, and they allowed him to proceed to Madinah. At this, Allah revealed the following verse of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad SAW:

"And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah has compassion on His bondsmen." (Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayat 207)

The Prophet SAW was at that time at Quba. When he saw Suhaib RA coming, the Prophet SAW remarked:

"A good bargain, Sohaib!"

Suhaib RA narrates:

"The Prophet SAW was eating dates at that time. I also joined him in eating. One of my eyes was sore. He (the Prophet Muhammad SAW) said, "Sohaib! you are taking dates when your eye is sore." (and) I replied: "But I am taking them by the side of the other eye, which is not sore, 0, Prophet of Allah". The Prophet (SAW) was much amused with my retort."

Suhaib RA was very generous and he spent his money on others most lavishly. Umar Al-Khattab RA once told him that he was rather extravagant.

He replied:

"But I spend only where it is right."

When Umar RA was about to die, he expressed the wish that his Janazah Solat be led by Suhaib RA.