IS THERE RACISM AMONGST MUSLIMS?
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
IS THERE RACISM AMONG MUSLIMS? ANALYSING THE LIVES OF 3 IMPORTANT SAHABAH IN ISLAM (RA):
- BILAL IBN RIBAH
- SALMAN AL-FARSI
- SUHAIB AR-RUMI
Many Muslims are supporting the protest “Black Lives Matter”, but we should look at racism on 3 different aspects:
- Racism in Islam
- Racism among Muslims
- The seerah of 3 sahabah who were not Arabs
- Bilal Ibn Ribah
- Salman Al-Farsi
- Suhaib Ar-Rumi
- HOW ISLAM ADDRESSES RACISM
Allah Addressed mankind in surah 49 verse 13:
“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [i.e. one of the Muttaqun (pious – see V.2:2)]. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”
“The believers are nothing else than brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.” 49: 10
“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.” (Quran 30:22)
“See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and We produce therewith fruits of varying colours, and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black. And of men and Ad-Dawab (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and cattle, in like manner of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving.” (Quran 35:27-28).
“And among His Signs is this, that He created you (Adam) from dust, and then [Hawwa’ (Eve) from Adam’s rib, and then his offspring from the semen, and], – behold you are human beings scattered!!” (Quran 30:20).
When prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) made his migration to Madinah from Makkah (hijrah), the first sermon is about unity and spreading salam:
Abdullah ibn Salam (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated,
When the prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) arrived for the first time in Madinah, I went with everyone to see him. When I saw him, I knew his face was not that of a liar. The first words he said were:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ وَصِلُوا الأَرْحَامَ وَصَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِسَلاَمٍ ”
O People, spread salaam, feed the hungry, maintain your kin relationships, and pray at night while others are sleeping. With this, you shall enter Paradise in peace.” (al Bukhari)
In the last sermon of prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon Him), our beloved prophet declared vehemently in his last sermon خطبة الوداع, Khutbatu l-Wada’:
“…All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves….”
The Companion, Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), related that the Prophet SallAllahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“I saw in my dream many black sheep gathering together with white ones.’ He was asked, ‘What is the interpretation of this dream O Prophet of Allah?’ He said: ‘Non-Arabs will share in your Deen (The word translated as religion is “Deen”, which in Arabic commonly refers to a way of life) and your lineage.’ The Companions exclaimed, ‘The non-Arabs!’ The Prophet SallAllahu alayhi wa sallam then said: ‘If Iman (faith) was tied to a star, it would have been claimed by men from the non- Arabs.’” (Haakim)
Who will enter the Kaba first with the Prophet (Year 629)
Ponder this: when the Muslims conquered Makkah, victorious after years of persecution, then war with the non-believing Quraysh, the Prophet went straight to the Kaba.
This was the height of the victory of Islam. He brought some other Muslims with him. He could have chosen only Muslims from the Quraysh, people of his own ethnic and tribal background. He also could have chosen only Arabs or only those of the old noble classes.
But two of the people who entered the Kaba with the Prophet were Bilal ibn Rabah and Zaid ibn Haritha. Bilal, an African and a former slave. Zaid was also not of high status from the tribal Quraysh point of view. Then entered a Qurayshi, Abdullah bin Omar, may Allah be pleased with all of them.
On this day of victory, success and happiness was for all Muslims, no matter who they were or where they come from.
This black man is our leader (Year 634)
When the Muslims conquered Egypt at the time when Omar ibn al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was Khalifa, a Muslim leader who happened to be a black man named Ubaydah ibn Thamit, took a party of the Muslims to meet Muqawqis, the Christian leader of Egypt.
When the Muslims came to Muqawqis, with Ubaydah in the lead, Muqawqis was frightened by the colour of his skin.
‘Get this black man away from me and bring someone else,’ he demanded. The Muslims refused. They insisted that Ubaydah was the best among them and was their leader who they obeyed and whose judgment they deferred to. They told Muqawqis that the colour of a person does not matter to them. Finally Muqawqis had no choice but talk to the leader of that Muslim delegation.
These Muslims were practicing an Islamic principle that individual character is the base of preference not color of skin.
The Conquests of Jerusalem – a Study in Contrasts
Jerusalem and its surrounding territory were and remain holy to Muslims, Christians and Jews. It was during the Caliphate of Omar ibn al-Khattab (634-635) that Muslims first gained leadership of this territory. May Allah be pleased with him.
The Muslim reaction to this victory is something to remember.
Omar entered Jerusalem in humility. He walked in with not he, the Caliph, but his servent comfortably riding on a camel. They had been taking turns walking and riding.
At one point, the Christians asked him to pray in their church but he declined. He refused saying that he is afraid that in the future Muslims could use it as an excuse to take over the Church for building a Masjid.
The Christians gave the key of the Church of Resurrection to Muslims to be responsible for its safety. This key is still with the Muslims today.
In contrast, during the Crusades (1095 until 1291) European Christians attacked and occupied this holy land. They oppressed the Muslims, the local Christians and the Jews. These Crusaders killed over 200,000 innocent civilians.
It was in response to this horrific oppression and the need to free the area of Crusader control that Sultan Salah el Deen Ayyubi (Saladin) liberated Jerusalem from them in 1187.
His arrival brought relief for the local Christian population, who helped him, after the oppression they suffered at the hands of their co-religionists, the Crusaders.
Not only did Salah el Deen treat the Crusaders with kindness, and ensured that Muslim and non-Muslims live in peace and harmony with each other.
One particular story about him recounts that some Muslim soldiers were besieging a Christian fortress. Many Christians were seeking shelter inside, including a young couple who was planning to get married, but whose plans had been stopped by the fighting. They decided to get married anyway, even though they were trapped inside the castle.
Salah el Deen was in charge of the Muslim troops at this time. When he heard about the wedding, he ordered his soldiers not to attack the castle where the couple was staying, so that they could enjoy peace and quiet. In return for this respect, the bride’s mother sent out trays of food, so Salah el Deen and the Muslim army could share in the wedding celebrations.
Indeed the best period of peace and justice for all in Jerusalem has been the period when Muslim were in control.
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- HOW DO MUSLIMS IN 2020 DEAL WITH RACISM
It is alarming to see that in 2020, while Islam is a perfect religion and way of life for all of humanity, Muslims in Muslim countries still fail to practise what has been taught in Islam. On a personal level I have been subjected to racist taunts and abuse in Muslim countries sadly.
There is actually a systemic practice of racism in many Middle Eastern countries. Though it may not reflect some of the values of many of the amazing Muslims, it does reflect that racism is blatantly carried out in some of these countries:
- In Saudi Arabia, nurses and those in medical field are paid according to which country they come from, even though they are holding exactly the same position. So, those in America and so-called western countries would be paid more than countries like the Philippines, India, etc. I saw the salary scale myself and I was shocked at how systemic racism was carried out in the open.
- In countries like the Emirates, it has been reported that trains have different carriages for different races, almost like an apartheid system.
- Since the announcement that Qatar will be hosting the World Cup in 2022, the number of foreigners who died building the football stadiums and who do not receive proper medical aid are alarming.
- With the Covid-19 pandemic, where many construction industries in the Middle East face shutdown, the number of foreigners who were in the construction industry who were suffering in these counties as they were stranded without proper care and maintenance is very shameful
- As a human rights and immigration solicitor, I myself encountered many domestic workers who were mistreated by employers from the Middle East. They were low paid/not paid, worked from 5 am to 12 midnight, treated like slaves, ate left over food, locked in the hotels, etc. Some ran away from their employers in London.
- When I was on holidays in Malaysia, many taxi drivers were complaining to me how arrogant the Arabs were in Malaysia.
In general, the Muslims are not living up to the expectations of what Allah and Islam expect them to behave. I am not surprised that, among our many shortcomings, this systemic, racist behaviour of Muslims led Allah to bring us this Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that we reflect on our shortcomings, seek Allah’s Forgiveness sincerely and come back to the right path. May Allah Forgive us and Relieve us of this pandemic.
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Who were some of the well known non-Arab sahabah who inshaAllah we should try to emulate?
Anas bin Malik narrated that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) spoke about 4 front runners. He (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said: “I am the frontrunner of the Arabs, Suhaib is the frontrunner of the Romans, Bilal is the frontrunner of the Habsha, and Salman is the frontrunner of Persia.”
Thus he (Peace and Blessings be upon him) predicted the spread of Islam in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Arab world.
It was therefore a great honour bestowed by the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) on these foreigners who accepted Islam in the early days during the time of turbulence.
- BILAL IBN RABAH (RA)
Whenever we talked about racism in Islam and how it was reflected in the time of prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him), every single Muslim would always know this name. This amazing story on how a black slave eventually become one of the most prominent companions of prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) should be the model story on how Islam teaches us that there should be no racism in this world and that everything must be based on merits.
Bilal (RA) was a black slave originally from Habasha (Ethiopia). He was born in 680 CE in Makkah. Both his parents, Rabah and Hamamah, were slaves and Bilal too served as slave to a woman close to Umayyah ibn Khalaf, who was a staunch enemy of Islam.
Before Islam, Bilal was no more than a slave who tended herds of camels for his master for a handful of dates. Had it not been for Islam, it would have been his fate to remain a slave, wandering among the crowd until death brought an end to his life and caused him to perish in the profoundest depths of forgetfulness.
However, his faith proved to be true, and the magnificence of the religion which he believed in gave him, during his lifetime and in history, an elevated place among the great and holy men of Islam. Indeed, many human beings of distinction, prestige, or wealth have not obtained even one-tenth of the immortality which Bilal the Abyssinian slave gained.
Indeed, the black colour of his complexion, his modest lineage, and his contemptible position among people as a slave did not deprive him, when he chose to embrace Islam, of occupying the high place which his truthfulness, certainty, purity, and self-sacrifice qualified him for. For him, all this would not have been on the scale of estimation and honour except as an astonishing occurrence when greatness is found where it could not possibly be.
The news of Muhammad’s SAW call began and reached his ears when people in Makkah began to talk about it and when he began listening to the discussions of his master and his guests, especially Umayah lbn Khalaf, one of the elders of the Bani Jumah, of which Bilal was one of the slaves. How often did he hear Urnayah talking to his friends for some time and to some persons of his tribe. Many times they talked about the Messenger with words that were overflowing with anxiety, rage, and malice!
Bilal, on the other hand, was receiving between those words of insane fury and rage the attributes of this new religion. He began to feel that they were new qualities for the environment which he lived in. He was also able to receive during their threatening, thunderous talks their acknowledgement of Muhammad’s nobility, truthfulness, and loyalty. Yes indeed, he heard them wondering and amazed at what Muhammad came with. They said to one another, ‘Muhammad was never a liar, magician, or mad, but we have to describe him this way until we turn away from him those who rush to his religion.’
He heard them talking about his honesty and loyalty, about his manliness and nobility, and about his purity and composure of his intelligence. He heard them whispering about the reasons which caused them to challenge and antagonize him: First, their allegiance to the religion of their fathers; Second, their fear over the glory of the Quraish which was bestowed upon them because of their religious status as a centre of idol worship and resort in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula; Third, the envy of the tribe of Bani Hashim that anyone from them should claim to be a prophet or messenger.
One day Bilal Ibn Rabah recognized the light of Allah and heard His resonance in the depths of his good soul. So he went to the Messenger of Allah and converted to Islam. It did not take long before the news of his embracing Islam was spread. It was a shock to the chiefs of the Bani Jumah, who were very proud and conceited. The devils of the earth sat couched over the breast of Umayah Ibn Khalaf, who considered the acceptance of Islam by one of their slaves a blow that overwhelmed them with shame and disgrace.
Bilal gave a profound lesson to those of his age and every age, for those of his religion and every religion, a lesson which embraced the idea that freedom and supremacy of conscience could not be bartered either for gold or punishment, even if it filled the earth. He was stripped naked and laid on hot coals to make him renounce his religion, but he refused.
The Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and Islam made this weak Abyssinian slave a teacher to all humanity in the art of respecting conscience and defending its freedom and supremacy. His torturers used to take him out in the midday heat when the desert turned to a fatal hell. Then they would throw him naked on its scorching rocks and bring a burning hot rock, which took several men to lift from its place, and throw it onto his body and chest. This savage torture was repeated every day until the hearts of some of his executioners took pity on him. Finally, they agreed to set him free on condition that he would speak well of their gods, even with only one word that would allow them to keep their pride so that the Quraish would not say they had been defeated and humiliated by the resistance of their persevering slave.
But even this one word, which he could eject from outside his heart and with it buy his life and soul without losing his faith or abandoning his conviction, Bilal refused to say. Instead he began to repeat his lasting chant: “Ahad, Ahad” “One… One!’ His torturers shouted at him, imploring him, ‘Mention the name of Al-Laat and Al-‘Uzza.’ But he answered, ‘One . . . One’ They said to him, ‘Say as we say.’ But he answered them with remarkable mockery and caustic irony, ‘Indeed my tongue is not good at that.’
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq went to them while they were torturing him and shouted at them, ‘Are you killing a man because he says, ‘Allah is my Lord?” Then he shouted at Umayah lbn Khalaf, ‘Take more than his price and set him free.’ It was as if Umayah were drowning and had caught a lifeboat. It was to his liking and he was very much pleased when he heard Abu Bakr offering the price of his freedom, since they had despaired of subjugating Bilal. And as they were merchants, they realized that selling him was more profitable to them than his death.
They sold him to Abu Bakr, and then he emancipated him immediately, and Bilal took his place among free men. When As-Siddiq put his arm round Bilal, rushing with him to freedom, Umayah said to him, ‘Take him, for by Al-Laat and Al-‘ Uzza if you had refused to buy him except for one ounce of gold, I would have sold him to you.’ Abu Bakr realized the bitterness of despair and disappointment hidden in these words. It was appropriate not to answer, but because they violated the dignity of this man who had become his brother and his equal, he answered Umayah saying, ‘By Allah, if you had refused to sell him except for a hundred ounces, I would have paid it.’ He departed with his companion to the Messenger of Allah, giving him news of his liberation, and there was a great celebration. Umar ibn Khattab (RA) called him Saydina (our leader). Bilal became one of the most trusted companion of prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him). He was the first freed slave to embrace Islam and was one of the very first people to become a Muslim.
During the incident and epic journey of Isra’ Mi’raj prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him), above the seven heavens, heard the footsteps of someone in Paradise. That was the sound of the future. He (Peace and Blessings be upon him) asked Jibril (AS) – whose footsteps were those? Jibril (AS) responded “those were the footsteps of Bilal, your companion.” When the prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) returned to Makkah, he (Peace and Blessings be upon him) asked Bilal what he did in order for his footsteps to be heard in Paradise. Bilal (RA) responded that after he did the wudhu he would perform 2 rakaat.
Abu Hurairah RA reported: The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said to Bilal RA, “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e., one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in Jannah.” Bilal RA said: “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make Wudu’ (or took a bath) in an hour of night or day, I would immediately perform Salat for as long as was destined for me to perform.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
So, subhanallah, this establish the sunnah which is continuous until today. On this basis, Bilal (RA) would also get the reward if anyone of us now would do 2 rakaat of sunnah prayer after wudhu.
After the Hijrah of the Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him), Bilal (RA) participated in all the battles such as Badr, Uhud, Khandaq. In the battle of Badr he killed his own former master, the staunch enemy of Islam, Umayah.
The Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him) chose Bilal (RA) to be one of his distinguished companions clearly showed how race and culture had nothing to do with your prominence in Islam. It is based purely on merit.
When Abdullah bin Ziyad (RA) told prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) of his dream on the adhan, the prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) appointed Bilal (RA) to do the adhan, NOT because he was black or to show that Islam does not recognise racism, but it was purely because of merit, as Bilal (RA) had such a beautiful voice.
It was Bilal, who had shouted thirteen years before while the torture was destroying him, ‘Allah is One… One.’ He was chosen by the Messenger that day to be the first muezzin in Islam. With his melodious soul-stirring voice, he filled the hearts with faith and the ears with awe when he called:
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, Come to Prayer, Come to Prayer, Come to Success, Come to Success, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, None has the right to be worshipped except Allah.
Umar ibn Khattab (RA) immediately rushed to the prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and informed him (Peace and Blessings be upon him) that he had exactly the same dream with the exact same words. Therefore, the adhan is first established to call the Muslim to prayer, and Bilal (RA) earned the honour of being the very first Muslim to call to the prayer. The prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) appointed Bilal (RA) as the Muazzine Rasul (Calling to prayers on behalf of the Messenger).
The days went by and Makkah was conquered. The Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him) entered it, thankful and saying, ‘Allah is the Greatest,’ at the head of 10,000 Muslims. He headed for the Kabah immediately, this holy place which the Quraish had crowded with idols amounting to the number of days of the year. ‘The truth has come and falsehood has vanished.’
Ever since that day, there has been no Uzza, no Laat and no Hubal. Man will not bow to a rock or idol after today. People will worship no one with all his conscience but Allah, Who has no likeness, the One, Most Great, Most High. The Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him) entered the Kabah accompanied by Bilal. He had hardly entered it when he faced a carved idol representing Ibrahim AS prophesying with sticks.
The Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him) was angry and said, ‘May Allah kill them. Our ancestor never did prophesy with sticks. Ibrahim was not a Jew or Christian, but he was a true Muslim and was never a polytheist.’ Then he ordered Bilal to ascend to the top of the mosque and call to Prayer, and Bilal called the Adhaan. How magnificent was the time, place, and occasion!
Life came to a standstill in Makkah, and thousands of Muslims stood like motionless air, repeating in submissiveness and whispering the words of the Adhaan after Bilal while the polytheists were in their homes hardly believing what was happening.
Bilal lived with the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings be upon him), witnessing all the battles with him, calling to Prayer and observing the rites of this great religion that took him out of darkness to light and from servitude to freedom. The stature of Islam along with the stature of Muslims was elevated. Every day Bilal was getting closer to the heart of the Messenger of Allah, who used to describe him as ‘one of the inhabitants of Paradise.’
Bilal was among the Ashab Al-Suffa. The Ashab Al-Suffa is the term given to the companions who stayed at the verandah, next to the mosque of the prophet (Masjid Nabawi) in Madinah after the hijrah. They studied religious science there. Since Bilal had the honour of being among the Suffa, he collected many hadiths of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him). Some 20 scholars formed part of the Ashab Al-Suffa such as Osama Bin Zaid, Bara Bin Azeb and Abdullah Bin Omar.
When King Najashi of Habasha sent 3 spears as gift to prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him), he (Peace and Blessings be upon him) gave one each to Umar (RA), ‘Ali (RA) and Bilal (RA).
But Bilal remained just as he was, noble and humble, always considering himself ‘the Abyssinian who only yesterday was a slave.’ One day he was proposing to two girls for himself and his brother, so be said to their father, ‘ I am Bilal and this is my brother, two slaves from Abyssinia. We were astray and Allah guided us. We were two slaves and Allah emancipated us. If you agree on us marrying your daughters, all praise is to Allah; if you refuse, then Allah is the Greatest.’
The Messenger (Peace and Blessings be upon him) passed away to Allah, well pleased and well pleasing, and Abu Bakr As-Siddiq took the command of the Muslims after him. Bilal went to the caliph (successor) of the Messenger of Allah and said to him, ‘O Caliph of the Messenger of Allah, I heard the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) say, ‘The best deed of a believer is jihad in the cause of Allah.’
Abu Bakr said to him, ‘So what do you want, Bilal?’ He said, ‘I want to defend in the cause of Allah until I die.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘And who will call the Adhaan for us?’ Bilal said, with his eyes overflowing with tears, ‘I will not call the Adhaan for anyone after the Messenger of Allah.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘Stay and call to Prayer for us, Bilal.’ Bilal said, ‘If you emancipated me to be for you, I will do what you want, but if you emancipated me for Allah, leave me to Whom I was emancipated for.’ Abu Bakr said, ‘I emancipated you for Allah, Bilal.’
The narrators differ. Some of them believe that he travelled and remained fighting and defending. Some others narrate that he accepted Abu Bakr’s request to stay with him in Medina. When Abu Bakr died and Umar succeeded him, Bilal asked his permission and went to Syria.
Anyhow, Bilal vowed the remaining part of his life to fight in the cause of Islam, determined to meet Allah and His Messenger having done the best deed they love.
His melodious, welcoming, awe-inspiring voice did not call the Adhaan anymore, because whenever he uttered in his Adhaan, ‘I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,’ memories would stir him, and his voice would vanish under his sadness while the tears cried out the words.
His last Adhaan was during the days Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, when he visited Syria. The Muslims entreated him to persuade Bilal to call one Adhaan for them. The Commander of the Faithful called Bilal when it was time for Prayer and pleaded with him to make the Adhaan. Bilal ascended and did so. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings be upon him) who were with the Commander of the Faithful while Bilal was calling the Adhaan wept as they never did before, and Umar the most strongly.
Bilal died in Syria, fighting in the cause of Allah just as he had wanted. Beneath the dust of Damascus, today there lies the body of one of the greatest men of humankind in standing up for the creed of Islam with conviction.
Source: Khalid, Khalid Muhammad, Men Around the Messenger, Islamic Book Service, 2004
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- SALMAN AL FARSI
This is a story of a seeker of Truth, the story of Salman the Persian, gleaned, to begin with, from his own words:
I grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia in the village of Jayyan. My father was the Dihqan or chief of the village. He was the richest person there and had the biggest house.
Since I was a child my father loved me, more than he loved any other. As time went by his love for me became so strong and overpowering that he feared to lose me or have anything happen to me. So he kept me at home, a veritable prisoner, in the same way that young girls were kept.
I became devoted to the Magian religion so much so that I attained the position of custodian of the fire which we worshipped. My duty was to see that the flames of the fire remained burning and that it did not go out for a single hour, day or night.
My father had a vast estate which yielded an abundant supply of crops. He himself looked after the estate and the harvest. One day he was very busy with his duties as dihqan in the village and he said to me:
“My son, as you see, I am too busy to go out to the estate now. Go and look after matters there for me today.”
On my way to the estate, I passed a Christian church and the voices at prayer attracted my attention. I did not know anything about Christianity or about the followers of any other religion throughout the time my father kept me in the house away from people. When I heard the voices of the Christians I entered the church to see what they were doing. I was impressed by their manner of praying and felt drawn to their religion. “By God,” I said, “this is better than ours. I shall not leave them until the sun sets.”
I asked and was told that the Christian religion originated in Ash-Sham (Greater Syria). I did not go to my father’s estate that day and at night, I returned home. My father met me and asked what I had done. I told him about my meeting with the Christians and how I was impressed by their religion. He was dismayed and said:
“My son, there is nothing good in that religion. Your religion and the religion of your forefathers is better.”
“No, their religion is better than ours,” I insisted.
My father became upset and afraid that I would leave our religion. So he kept me locked up in the house and put a chain on my feet. I managed however to send a message to the Christians asking them to inform me of any caravan going to Syria. Before long they got in touch with me and told me that a caravan was headed for Syria. I managed to unfetter myself and in disguise accompanied the caravan to Syria. There, I asked who was the leading person in the Christian religion and was directed to the bishop of the church. I went up to him and said:
“I want to become a Christian and would like to attach myself to your service, learn from you and pray with you.”
The bishop agreed and I entered the church in his service. I soon found out, however, that the man was corrupt. He would order his followers to give money in charity while holding out the promise of blessings to them. When they gave anything to spend in the way of God, however, he would hoard it for himself and not give anything to the poor or needy. In this way he amassed a vast quantity of gold. When the bishop died and the Christians gathered to bury him, I told them of his corrupt practices and, at their request, showed them where he kept their donations. When they saw the large jars filled with gold and silver they said.
“By God, we shall not bury him.” They nailed him on a cross and threw stones at him. I continued in the service of the person who replaced him. The new bishop was an ascetic who longed for the Hereafter and engaged in worship day and night. I was greatly devoted to him and spent a long time in his company.
(After his death, Salman attached himself to various Christian religious figures, in Mosul, Nisibis and elsewhere. The last one had told him about the appearance of a Prophet in the land of the Arabs who would have a reputation for strict honesty, one who would accept a gift but would never consume charity (sadaqah) for himself. Salman continues his story.)
A group of Arab leaders from the Kalb tribe passed through Ammuriyah and I asked them to take me with them to the land of the Arabs in return for whatever money I had. They agreed and I paid them. When we reached Wadi al-Qura (a place between Madinah and Syria), they broke their agreement and sold me to a Jew. I worked as a servant for him but eventually he sold me to a nephew of his belonging to the tribe of Banu Qurayzah. This nephew took me with him to Yathrib, the city of palm groves, which is how the Christian at Ammuriyah had described it.
At that time the Prophet was inviting his people in Makkah to Islam but I did not hear anything about him then because of the harsh duties which slavery imposed upon me.
When the Prophet reached Yathrib after his hijrah from Makkah, I was in fact at the top of a palm tree belonging to my master doing some work. My master was sitting under the tree. A nephew of his came up and said:
“May God declare war on the Aws and the Khazraj (the two main Arab tribes of Yathrib). By God, they are now gathering at Quba to meet a man who has today come from Makkah and who claims he is a Prophet.”
I felt hot flushes as soon as I heard these words and I began to shiver so violently that I was afraid that I might fall on my master. I quickly got down from the tree and spoke to my master’s nephew.
“What did you say? Repeat the news for me.”
My master was very angry and gave me a terrible blow. “What does this matter to you’? Go back to what you were doing,” he shouted.
That evening, I took some dates that I had gathered and went to the place where the Prophet had alighted. I went up to him and said:
“I have heard that you are a righteous man and that you have companions with you who are strangers and are in need. Here is something from me as sadaqah. I see that you are more deserving of it than others.”
The Prophet ordered his companions to eat but he himself did not eat of it. I gathered some more dates and when the Prophet left Quba for Madinah I went to him and said: “I noticed that you did not eat of the sadaqah I gave. This however is a gift for you.” Of this gift of dates, both he and his companions ate.
Salman then looked at the prophet’s back and he (Peace and Blessings be upon him) lowered his cloak so Salam could see the mark on his back. Realising this was the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him), Salman fell to his knees , kissed the prophet’s feet and started to cry. He accepted Islam.
The Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) listened to Salman’s story and heard that his owner would free him in exchange for 300 planted palm trees and 1,600 silver coins. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) urged his companions to contribute generously
Salman was released from slavery by the Prophet who paid his Jewish slave-owner a stipulated price and who himself planted an agreed number of date palms to secure his manumission. After accepting Islam, Salman would say when asked whose son he was:
“I am Salman, the son of Islam from the children of Adam.”
Salman was to play an important role in the struggles of the growing Muslim state. At the battle of Khandaq, he proved to be an innovator in military strategy. He suggested digging a ditch or khandaq around Madinah to keep the Quraysh army at bay. When Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Makkans, saw the ditch, he said, “This stratagem has not been employed by the Arabs before.”
Salman became known as “Salman the Good”. He was a scholar who lived a rough and ascetic life. He had one cloak which he wore and on which he slept. He would not seek the shelter of a roof but stayed under a tree or against a wall. A man once said to him:
“Shall I not build you a house in which to live?” “I have no need of a house,” he replied. The man persisted and said, “I know the type of house that would suit you.” “Describe it to me,” said Salman. “I shall build you a house which if you stand up in it, its roof will hurt your head and if you stretch your legs the wall will hurt them.”
Later, as a governor of al-Madain (Ctesiphon) near Baghdad, Salman received a stipend of five thousand dirhams. This he would distribute as sadaqah. He lived from the work of his own hands. When some people came to Madain and saw him working in the palm groves, they said, “You are the amir here and your sustenance is guaranteed and you do this work!”
“I like to eat from the work of my own hands,” he replied. Salman however was not extreme in his asceticism. It is related that he once visited Abu ad-Dardaa with whom the Prophet had joined him in brotherhood. He found Abu ad-Dardaas wife in a miserable state and he asked, “What is the matter with you.”
“Your brother has no need of anything in this world,” she replied.
When Abu ad-Dardaa came, he welcomed Salman and gave him food. Salman told him to eat but Abu ad-Dardaa said, “I am fasting.”
“I swear to you that I shall not eat until you eat also.”
Salman spent the night there as well. During the night, Abu ad-Dardaa got up but Salman got hold of him and said:
“O Abu ad-Dardaa, your Lord has a right over you. Your family has a right over you and your body has a right over you. Give to each its due.”
In the morning, they prayed together and then went out to meet the Prophet, peace be upon him. The Prophet supported Salman in what he had said.
As a scholar, Salman was noted for his vast knowledge and wisdom. Ali said of him that he was like Luqman the Wise. And Kab al-Ahbar said: “Salman is stuffed with knowledge and wisdom–an ocean that does not dry up.” Salman had a knowledge of both the Christian scriptures and the Quran in addition to his earlier knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion. Salman in fact translated parts of the Quran into Persian during the life-time of the Prophet. He was thus the first person to translate the Quran into a foreign language.
Salman, because of the influential household in which he grew up, might easily have been a major figure in the sprawling Persian Empire of his time. His search for truth however led him, even before the Prophet had appeared, to renounce a comfortable and affluent life and even to suffer the indignities of slavery. According to the most reliable account, he died in the year thirty five after the hijrah, during the caliphate of Uthman, at Ctesiphon near Baghdad.
- SUHAIB AR RUMI
About 20 years before the start of the Prophet’s mission, that is about the middle of the sixth century CE, an Arab named Sinan Ibn Malik governed the city of al-Uballah on behalf of the Persian emperor. The city, which is now part of Basrah, lay on the banks of the Euphrates River.
Sinan lived in a luxurious palace. He had many children and was particularly fond of one of them who was then barely five years old, named Suhaib. He was active and alert and gave much pleasure to his father.
One day Suhaib’s mother took him and some members of her household to a village called ath-Thani for a picnic. What was to be a relaxing and enjoyable day turned out to be a terrifying experience that was to change the course of young Suhaib’s life forever.
That day, the village of ath-Thani was attacked by a raiding party of Byzantine soldiers. The guards accompanying the picnic party were overwhelmed and killed. All possessions were seized and a large number of persons were taken prisoners. Among these was Suhaib Ibn Sinan.
Suhaib was taken to one of the slave markets of the Byzantine Empire, the capital of which was Constantinople. Thereafter he passed from the hands of one slave master to another.
For about 20 years he stayed in Byzantine lands. This gave him the opportunity to get a rare knowledge and understanding of the Byzantine Empire and society. In the palaces of the aristocracy, he saw with his own eyes the injustices and the corruption of Byzantine life. He tested that society and later would say to himself: “A society like this can only be purified by a deluge.”
Suhaib grew up speaking Greek. He practically forgot Arabic. He longed for the day when he would be free again to join his people. At the first opportunity, Suhaib escaped from bondage and headed straight for Makkah. There people called him Suhaib “Ar-Rumi” or “the Byzantine” because of his peculiarly heavy speech and his blond hair. Later, he engaged in trade and prospered and became quite rich.
One day he returned to Makkah from one of his trading journeys. He was told that Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) had begun calling people to believe in Allah alone, commanding them to be just and to do good deeds and prohibiting them from shameful and reprehensible deeds. He immediately enquired who Muhammad was and where he stayed. He was told:
“(He stays) in the house of al-Arqam Ibn Abi al-Arqam. Be careful however that no one of the tribe of Quraysh sees you. If they see you they would do (the most terrible things to you)”
Suhaib went cautiously to the house of al-Arqam. At the door he found ‘Ammar Ibn Yasir and entered together and listened to what Muhammad was saying. They were both readily convinced of the truth of his message.
The light of faith entered their hearts. At this meeting, they pledged fealty to the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him), declaring that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. They spent the entire day in the company of the noble Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him).
Then the familiar pattern of events followed. The idolatrous Quraysh learnt about Suhaib’s acceptance of Islam and began harassing and persecuting him. Suhaib bore his share of the persecution in the same way as Bilal, ‘Ammar and his mother Sumayyah. The punishment was inhuman and severe but Suhaib bore it all with a patient and courageous heart because he knew that the path to Jannah is paved with thorns and difficulties.
When the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) eventually gave permission for his followers to migrate to Madinah, Suhaib (RA) resolved to go in the company of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr. But Quraysh, however, foiled his plans.
After the departure of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr (RA), Suhaib (RA) continued to bide his time, waiting for an opportunity to join them. The eyes of his guards were ever alert and watchful. The only way out was to resort to a stratagem.
One cold night, Suhaib (Peace and Blessings be upon him) pretended he had some stomach problems and went out repeatedly as if responding to calls of nature. His captors said one to another: “Don’t worry. Al-Lat and al-‘Uzza are keeping him busy with his stomach.”
They became relaxed and sleep got the better of them. Suhaib (RA) quietly slipped out as if he was going to the toilet. He armed himself and headed to Madinah. When his captors awoke, they realised that Suhaib (RA) was gone. They got horses ready and set out in hot pursuit and eventually caught up with him. Seeing them approach. Suhaib (RA) clambered up a hill. Holding his bow and arrow at the ready, he shouted: “Men of Quraysh! You know, by God, by God, that I am one of the best archers and my aim is unerring. By God, 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 them responded: “By God, 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.”
“What would you say if I leave you my wealth?” interrupted Suhaib. “Would you get out of my way?” “Yes.” they agreed. Suhaib described the place in his house in Makkah where he had left the money, and they allowed him to go.
He set off as quickly as he could for Madinah cherishing the prospect of being with the Prophet and of having the freedom to worship God in peace. When Suhaib (RA) reached Quba, just outside Madinah where the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) alighted after his Hijrah (emigration), the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) saw him approaching. He was overjoyed and greeted Suhaib (RA) with beaming smiles – “O Abu Yahya, nest deal, most profitable deal”. Suhaib’s face beamed with happiness and he said “By Allah, no one has come before me to you, it is only Jibril , from AlMighty Allah, who could have told you about this.”
A verse in the Qur’an indicated towards 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.” (2:207).
The Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) loved Suhaib (RA) a great deal. He was commended by the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and described as preceding the Byzantines to Islam. In addition to his piety and sobriety, Suhaib (RA) was also light-hearted at times and had a good sense of humour. Suhaib (RA) was also known for his generosity. He was a good example of the Qur’anic verse: “And they give food, for the love of God, to the needy, the orphan and the captive.”(Holy Qur’an, 76:8)
He was selected by ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab (RA) to lead the Muslims in the period between his death and the choosing of his successor.
In the period when there was no Khalifah, Suhaib (RA) was given the responsibility and the honour of leading the Salat and of being, in other words, the head of the Muslim community.
Once during the time of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him), a hypocrite named Qays Ibn Mutatiyah tried to pour scorn and disgrace on sections of the community. Qays had come upon a study circle (halqah) in which were Salman al-Farsi (the Persian), Suhayb Ar-Rumi (the Byzantine) and Bilal al-Habashi (the Abyssinian), may God be pleased with them, and remarked: “The Aws an the Khazraj have stood up in defence of this man (Muhammad). And what are these people doing with him?”
Mu’adh was furious and informed the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) of what Qays had said. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) was very angry. He entered the Mosque and the Call to Prayer was given. He then stood up, praised and glorified God and 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 (i.e. the language of Arabic), so whoever speaks Arabic, he is an Arab.”
Suhaib (RA) stands as a symbol of of equality in Islam. He lived in Madinah for 30 years. He (RA) narrated a few hadiths from the Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him). He passed away at the age of over 70 in 658AD and was buried in Jannatul Baqie. May Allah Elevate his rank.
