Suhaib al-Rumi: His Life, Personality and Activities

Abstract

Suhaib b. Sinan was the son of the family who governed the city of Ubulla, Iraq, in the reign of the Sasanid Empire. He was named alRumi after he was captured and enslaved by Byzantines in the course of the Byzantine-Persian conflict. He had already been one of the close friends of the Prophet Muhammad before his prophethood. This companionship had lasted until the Prophet’s demise. Suhaib, one of the earliest seven Muslims, was tortured by the infidels. In return of his leaving all his wealth to the infidels, he was allowed to migrate to Madina. He was involved in all the battles. When the Caliph Umar was assasinated, he had appointed Suhaib as the imam and he carried on doing this until the new caliph to be elected. In short, Suhaib al-Rumi was one of the eminent personalities who was acquainted with various cultures in the early Islam.