Story of Hazrat Suhayb Embraces Islam
Suhayb and Ammar (radiyallahu anhu) became Muslims at the same time. The Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) 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. Suhayb (radiyallahu anhu) also suffered very much at the hands of his masters, like other poor Muslims of the time. At last he decided to migrate to Madinah. The Quraysh would not tolerate this and, soon after his departure, a party went in pursuit to bring him back to Makkah (Mecca). A the party drew near, he told 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 come close to me and, when I finish all my arrow, 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 Maddah and my two women slaves, instead of me.” And they agreed. He told them where his money was, and they allowed him to go to Madinah. For such people was revealed the following ayah of the Quran to Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam):
“And of mankind is he who would buy himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah, and Allah has compassion on His bondsmen” {al-baqarah 207}.Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was at that time at Quba, When he saw Suhayb (radiyallahu anhu) coming, he said: “A good bargain , Suhayb!”
Suhayb (radiyallahu anhu) narrates: “Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was eating dates at that time. I also joined him in eating. One of my eyes was sore. He said, ‘Suhayb, you are eating dates when your eye is sore.’ ‘But I am eating them from the side of the other eye, which is not sore, O Rasulullah; I replied. Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was highly amused with my reply.”
Suhayb (radiyallahu anhu) was very generous and he spent his money on others most lavishly. ‘Umar (radiyallahu anhu) once told him that he was rather extravagant. He replied: “But I spend only where it is right.”
When Umar (radiyallahu anhu) was about to die, he expressed the wish that his funeral salah be led by Suhayb (radiyallahu anhu).
Source: Fazail e Amal