Friday, July 4, 2008
HE WAS born surrounded by comfort and luxury. His father was the governor of Al Uballah and its ruler on behalf of the Persian king and was one of the Arabs who emigrated to Iraq long before Islam.
In his palace on the bank of Euphrates, next to Mosul, the child lived happily and comfortably.
One day the country was attacked by the Romans (Byzantines) who captured a large number and enslaved the boy Suhaib lbn Sinan.
He was taken by slave traders until finally his long journey ended in Mekah. There he was sold to 'Abdullah lbn Jud'an, after having spent his childhood and most of his youth in Roman lands, where he adopted their language and dialect.
His master was so amazed by his intelligence, energy, and sincerity that he emancipated him and set him free, giving him the privilege to trade with him. He became a successful merchant.
One day.. . let his friend 'Ammar Ibn Yasir tell us what happened on that day:
"I met Suhaib lbn Sinan in front of the door of Darul Arqam when the Prophet peace be upon him was there.
We both entered and met the Prophet who invited us to embrace Islam, and we converted. We stayed as we were till evening. Secretly he went out."
Thereupon, Suhaib got to know his path to Darul Arqam. He got to know his path to guidance and light, but also to difficult sacrifice and great redemption. Entering through that wooden door, which separated Darul Arqam and what was inside from the outer world, was not just crossing a threshold, but crossing of a whole world of limitations.
An old world, with all that represented it — religion, manners, customs and life — crossing it towards a new world with all that represented it — religion, manners, customs, and life. Crossing the threshold of Darul Arqam, a threshold not wider than one foot, meant, in reality, to cross an ocean of terror, wide and expanding.
Stepping over such an obstacle, such a threshold, meant the beginning of an era full of great responsibilities. As for the poor, the stranger, the enslaved, stepping over Darul Arqam's threshold meant exceptional, extraordinary sacrifices. It was the call of faith, which could not be resisted. It was the good character of Muhammad, the scent of which filled the hearts of the reverent with love and guidance.
Dazzling minds were fed up with the old, its misguidance and bankruptcy. Above all, it was Allah's mercy, bestowed upon whomever He wishes.
Ever since the first day he received Allah's light and put his hand into the Prophet's, Suhaib (May Allah be pleased with him and with all his Companions) was imbued with such outstanding faith.
From that day, his character turned into a firm, humble and devoted one. He began the days of his noble redemption and great loyalty with the day of his Hijrah. On that day he abandoned all his wealth, all his gold which he had gained by successful trade during the long years he lived in Mekah. Alone but happy, Suhaib did his journey until he reached the Prophet at Quba' nearby Madinah.
When Suhaib came into view, the Prophet was sitting surrounded by his Companions. As
soon as the Prophet (PBUH) saw him, he called to him cheerfully, "O Abu Yahia! A profitable sale! A profitable sale!"
Thereupon, the glorious verse was revealed: "And of mankind is he who sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah And Allah is full of kindness to (His) slaves". (translation of surah Al-Baqarah: 201).
Indeed, Suhaib had paid all his fortune — the fortune he spent all his youth to gather — in return for his faithful soul. He never felt it was an unjust bargain.
Money, gold, the whole world, nothing of that sort was worthwhile as long as he kept his faith, the sovereignty of his conscience, and the determination of his fate.
Men around the Messenger
In his palace on the bank of Euphrates, next to Mosul, the child lived happily and comfortably.
One day the country was attacked by the Romans (Byzantines) who captured a large number and enslaved the boy Suhaib lbn Sinan.
He was taken by slave traders until finally his long journey ended in Mekah. There he was sold to 'Abdullah lbn Jud'an, after having spent his childhood and most of his youth in Roman lands, where he adopted their language and dialect.
His master was so amazed by his intelligence, energy, and sincerity that he emancipated him and set him free, giving him the privilege to trade with him. He became a successful merchant.
One day.. . let his friend 'Ammar Ibn Yasir tell us what happened on that day:
"I met Suhaib lbn Sinan in front of the door of Darul Arqam when the Prophet peace be upon him was there.
We both entered and met the Prophet who invited us to embrace Islam, and we converted. We stayed as we were till evening. Secretly he went out."
Thereupon, Suhaib got to know his path to Darul Arqam. He got to know his path to guidance and light, but also to difficult sacrifice and great redemption. Entering through that wooden door, which separated Darul Arqam and what was inside from the outer world, was not just crossing a threshold, but crossing of a whole world of limitations.
An old world, with all that represented it — religion, manners, customs and life — crossing it towards a new world with all that represented it — religion, manners, customs, and life. Crossing the threshold of Darul Arqam, a threshold not wider than one foot, meant, in reality, to cross an ocean of terror, wide and expanding.
Stepping over such an obstacle, such a threshold, meant the beginning of an era full of great responsibilities. As for the poor, the stranger, the enslaved, stepping over Darul Arqam's threshold meant exceptional, extraordinary sacrifices. It was the call of faith, which could not be resisted. It was the good character of Muhammad, the scent of which filled the hearts of the reverent with love and guidance.
Dazzling minds were fed up with the old, its misguidance and bankruptcy. Above all, it was Allah's mercy, bestowed upon whomever He wishes.
Ever since the first day he received Allah's light and put his hand into the Prophet's, Suhaib (May Allah be pleased with him and with all his Companions) was imbued with such outstanding faith.
From that day, his character turned into a firm, humble and devoted one. He began the days of his noble redemption and great loyalty with the day of his Hijrah. On that day he abandoned all his wealth, all his gold which he had gained by successful trade during the long years he lived in Mekah. Alone but happy, Suhaib did his journey until he reached the Prophet at Quba' nearby Madinah.
When Suhaib came into view, the Prophet was sitting surrounded by his Companions. As
soon as the Prophet (PBUH) saw him, he called to him cheerfully, "O Abu Yahia! A profitable sale! A profitable sale!"
Thereupon, the glorious verse was revealed: "And of mankind is he who sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah And Allah is full of kindness to (His) slaves". (translation of surah Al-Baqarah: 201).
Indeed, Suhaib had paid all his fortune — the fortune he spent all his youth to gather — in return for his faithful soul. He never felt it was an unjust bargain.
Money, gold, the whole world, nothing of that sort was worthwhile as long as he kept his faith, the sovereignty of his conscience, and the determination of his fate.
Men around the Messenger