Suhaib al-Rumi (RA): The Man Who Purchased Islam With Everything

Suhaib ibn Sinān ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه), famously known as Suhaib al-Rumi (RA), was not Roman by birth, despite the epithet. He was originally an Arab, born in al-Uballah, a town near al-Anbar in Iraq, along the Euphrates River. His father was a local chief appointed by the Persian emperor. He was born in luxury and was living a happy and comfortable life.

When Suhaib was still a small child, his mother took him out for a picnic on the river side. On the same day, raiders from the Byzantine (Roman) frontier attacked the region and captured many people, including him. He was taken from Iraq to Byzantine lands, where he grew up enslaved. There, he learned Greek, absorbed Roman culture, and lost proficiency in Arabic for many years. He was passed through slave markets until eventually he reached Makkah. The account of his reaching to Mecca are varied. Some suggest that he escaped to Mecca, hoping to find asylum there. Others suggest that he was sold as a slave to a Meccan Merchant.

Whatever was the reason, but he was destined to be in Mecca when Prophet ﷺ started preaching Islam in Mecca.

In Makkah, he started living with ʿAbdullāh ibn Judʿān, a wealthy noble who felt amazed at the sharpness of Suhaib’s (RA) intellect and honestly, so he offered Suhaib to work with him. Suhaib became fluent in Arabic again, but his accent remained influenced by his upbringing — thus the title “al-Rumi” (the Roman).

He grew into a sharp-minded, cheerful, and generous man. His experience of hardship made him deeply empathetic and warm toward others. In Makkah, he began working as a merchant, and through honesty and hard labor he became wealthy.

Meeting the Prophet ﷺ and Accepting Islam

When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ began calling to Islam, Suhaib heard about it from the earliest whispers. He met the Prophet ﷺ at Dār al-Arqam, where the first Muslims secretly gathered.

Ibn Ishāq narrates:

“Suhaib and ʿAmmār ibn Yāsir met at the door of Dār al-Arqam. They asked one another: ‘What do you intend?’ Each answered: ‘I intend to go to Muhammad and listen to him.’ So both entered and embraced Islam.”

Suhaib was thus among the very earliest believers, accepting Islam when it was dangerous to do so.

Persecution in Makkah

Suhaib’s social position did not protect him. He was neither from Quraysh nor from a powerful clan, and thus became one of the many early Muslims tortured for their faith.

He never hid his faith despite the persecution. Quraish beat him badly, tied him over the hot sand and starved to the point of incoherence. Even though he was a wealthy merchant, unlike Bilal (RA) , who was still a slave during the early days of Islam, his wealth did not help from persecution as he did not have any tribal protection.

He remained steadfast through all his hardship, finding comfort in the Prophet’s ﷺ promises to the oppressed:

“Paradise is for the patient.”

Hijrah: Suhaib Gives Away His Wealth for Allah

When Muslims began migrating to Madinah, Suhaib was prevented from leaving. Quraysh monitored him, knowing he was wealthy. When the Prophet ﷺ and Abū Bakr escaped, Suhaib tried to follow — but Quraysh caught him outside Makkah.

They told him “You came to us as a poor wretch. Your money increased in
our land and among us you claimed high rank and now you want to escape together with your money?”

He stood his ground alone and said:

“You know that I am one of the best archers among you. By Allah, you will not reach me until I have shot every arrow I have, and struck down many with my sword. If you wish, I will tell you where my wealth is hidden — then let me go.”

Quraysh accepted, and Suhaib gave up his entire fortune to secure freedom for the sake of Allah.

When he reached Madinah exhausted and empty-handed, the Prophet ﷺ welcomed him with joy and said:

“Your trade has profited, O Suhaib! Your trade has profited!”

This verse was then revealed:

“And of mankind is he who sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah And Allah is full of kindness to (His) slaves “: Surah-Bakarah 201

Life in Madinah: Brotherhood, Worship, and Devotion

Upon arriving in Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ paired Suhaib in brotherhood with Ḥārith ibn Ṣimmah of the Ansār. Suhaib lived a simple life, often donating his earnings to those in need.

He occupied himself with Long nights of prayer, Generous charity, Fasting frequently and Studying Qur’an and sunnah.

He was known for deep spiritual sincerity — weeping easily when hearing Qur’an recited. He took part in every battle and every expedition during the life of Prophet ﷺ .

His Close Relationship With ʿUmar ibn al-Khattāb (RA)

Suhaib maintained a lifelong close bond with ʿUmar (RA). Before his death, ʿUmar appointed a council to choose the next caliph and instructed:

“Suhaib shall lead the Muslims in prayer during these days.”

This was a tremendous honor and sign of trust.

When ʿUmar was dying from his wounds, Suhaib stood beside him and wept. ʿUmar responded:

“Do not weep, O Suhaib! Should you weep for me, when the Messenger of Allah died before me?”

Suhaib led the funeral prayer for ʿUmar, one of the most significant roles given to any companion.

His Character: Generosity and Joy in Faith

Suhaib was known for extravagant generosity. He fed people constantly, regardless of their wealth or status. When someone criticized him, saying he spent too much to give food to others, Suhaib responded:

“The Messenger of Allah said: The best of you is he who feeds food and spreads peace. That is what I do.

He was joyful and warm in his interactions, often joking kindly with children and comforting the poor.

Once he was eating some dates cheerfully while one of his eyes had inflammation. Umar (RA), jokingly mentioned it to Prophet ﷺ who asked him cheerfully,”Do you eat dates when there is inflammation in
one of your eyes?” He answered, “What’s wrong with that? I eat them with the other eye!”

Yet behind his cheerfullness and kindness was a heart of profound strength — a man who had survived kidnapping, enslavement, torture, poverty, and loneliness — but never lost his faith.

His Role After the Prophet ﷺ

After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, Suhaib remained in Madinah as one of the respected elders of the Muslim community. He participated in the governance discussions and supported the caliphates of Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmān (RA).

He taught:

• Qur’anic recitation
• Hadith
• Humility and patience
• Steadfastness in trials

Many of the younger generation, including Ḥasan al-Baṣrī, admired him and narrated from him.

Death and Legacy

Suhaib lived to an old age in Madinah. He passed away around 38 AH (c. 658 CE), during the caliphate of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān (RA).

He had no children, but he left behind a legacy of faith that has been preserved for fourteen centuries.

The scholars agree:

Suhaib was among the earliest believers, among the bravest in faith, and among the most generous and sincere people in Islam.