Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Great Sacrifice of Hijrah Performed by Hazrat Suhaib Roomi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)
Hazrat Suhaib bin Sinaan Roomi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who brought imaan in the early days of Islam. He was known as Hazrat Suhaib “Roomi” on account of him having lived in the land of Rome (known as Room in Arabic) before coming to Makkah Mukarramah. He was among the first forty Sahaabah to accept Islam and was also among the Sahaabah who were subjected to relentless torture and merciless persecution by the disbelievers of Makkah Mukarramah.
In regard to the lofty status and eminent virtue of Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once mentioned, “I will be the first of the Arabs to enter Jannah, Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will be the first of the people of Rome to enter Jannah, Bilaal (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will be the first of the people of Abyssinia to enter Jannah, and Salmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) will the first of the people of Persia to enter Jannah.” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #14928)
Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was also blessed to carry out the great ibaadah of performing hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah. In regard to the hijrah of Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), it is reported that when he set out on his journey to Madinah Munawwarah, a group of the Quraish came after him in order to prevent him from leaving Makkah Mukarramah.
On seeing the group coming after him, Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) dismounted from his conveyance, took out his bow and drew out all the arrows from his quiver. He then addressed them saying, “O group of the Quraish! You know that I am among the best of archers among you! I take an oath by Allah that none of you will reach me until I have fired every arrow in my quiver! Thereafter, I will draw my sword, and so long as I hold it in my hand, I will continue to fight you.”
Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then said to them, “If you wish, I will show you where I have kept my wealth and clothing in Makkah Mukarramah. I have also left two slave girls in Makkah. You may take my wealth and slave girls in exchange of leaving me and allowing me to perform hijrah.” Hearing this, the group of the Quraish were satisfied and agreed to the proposal. Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus informed them of the location of his wealth, after which they left him and departed.
Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then continued on his journey. Finally, as he drew close to Madinah Munawwarah, and came to the area known as Harrah, he found Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and a group of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who had come to receive him. On meeting Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) said to him, “What a magnificent bargain and profitable deal you have struck!”
Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not understand what they were referring to and made dua for them saying, “You as well – may Allah Ta‘ala grant you barakah and make you profit in your business transactions, and may He save you from incurring a loss. Nevertheless, why have you said these words to me?”
The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) then told Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that Allah Ta‘ala had informed Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) of the bargain which Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had struck with the disbelievers, sacrificing his wealth in order to fulfil the great ibaadat and obligation of hijrah. Allah Ta‘ala was so pleased with the sacrifice of Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that He revealed the following verse of the Qur’aan Majeed in his honour:
وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنۡ یَّشۡرِیۡ نَفۡسَہُ ابۡتِغَآءَ مَرۡضَاتِ اللّٰہِ ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ رَءُوۡفٌۢ بِالۡعِبَادِ
And among the people is one who sells himself in order to earn the pleasure of Allah, and Allah is Most Kind to His servants. (Surah Baqarah v. 207)
Thereafter, when Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) entered Madinah Munawwarah and met Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) expressed his great happiness with him by exclaiming, “What a magnificent bargain, O Suhaib! What a magnificent bargain, O Suhaib!” (Mustadrak Haakim #5700, Hilyatul Awliyaa 1/151, Tafseer Ibnu Katheer 1/421)
Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) were greatly pleased with Hazrat Suhaib (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and the Muhaajireen for sacrificing everything they had to fulfil the command of Allah Ta ‘ala in making hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah.
May Allah Ta‘ala bless us with the taufeeq of following in their footsteps and also sacrificing our wealth and lives for the upliftment and preservation of deen.
