Beziehung zum Propheten ﷺ
The Prophet received Suhayb with the famous words 'Suhayb has profited! Suhayb has profited!' — a declaration of joy at his ultimate sacrifice. The Prophet loved Suhayb for his absolute sincerity and lack of attachment to the world. Scholars also understand Quran 2:207 to be partly revealed in Suhayb's honor, making him one of a very small group of companions commemorated in the Quran by their deeds.
Wichtige Lebensereignisse
Captured as a child by Byzantines and raised in Roman territories
Accepted Islam very early among the first believers
Surrendered all his wealth to the Quraysh to be allowed to emigrate
Led prayers in Medina during interregnum after Umar's assassination
Died in Medina
Vollständige Biografie
Suhayb ibn Sinan, known as Suhayb al-Rumi (the Roman), was one of the earliest converts to Islam and one of the most remarkable figures in the story of the first Muslim community. He was born into an Arab family in the region of the Euphrates, near what is now Iraq, where his father served as a governor under the Persian Empire. As a young child, he was captured by Byzantine (Roman) forces during a raid and raised as a slave in the Byzantine territories, which is why he was called "al-Rumi" — he had grown up speaking Byzantine Greek and had adopted some Byzantine mannerisms.
He eventually escaped or was freed and made his way to Mecca, where he entered into a client relationship with the Banu Tamim and prospered in trade. He accepted Islam very early, at a time of severe persecution, making him among the ranks of the first believers who sacrificed enormously for their faith. He endured torture and persecution at the hands of the Quraysh with remarkable patience.
The most celebrated episode in Suhayb's life occurred when he decided to emigrate to Medina. The Quraysh confronted him and told him he could not leave with the wealth he had accumulated in Mecca, since he had arrived there poor. In one of the most memorable acts of sacrifice in early Islamic history, Suhayb offered to give them every penny of his wealth in exchange for his freedom to emigrate. He said: "If I give you all my wealth, will you let me go?" They agreed, and he surrendered everything. When the Prophet heard this, he said: "Suhayb has profited! Suhayb has profited!" — meaning that by sacrificing worldly wealth for faith, Suhayb had made the greatest transaction imaginable.
The Quran is understood by scholars to have referred to Suhayb in the verse: "And among mankind is he who sells his soul in exchange for the pleasure of Allah" (Quran 2:207). This honor of having a Quranic verse revealed about one's sacrifice places Suhayb among an elite group of companions.
Suhayb participated in all the major battles and remained a devoted companion throughout his life. After the assassination of Umar ibn al-Khattab, it was Suhayb al-Rumi who led the prayers in Medina while the consultation to choose a new caliph was taking place — a remarkable honor for a man who had once been a foreign slave. He died in Medina in 659 CE.
Berühmte Zitate
"I sold everything I had for the love of Allah and His Messenger — and I would do it again without hesitation."
Lektionen für dein Leben
True freedom is not the possession of wealth but the liberation of the soul from all attachments other than Allah.
The willingness to sacrifice everything for faith is the highest expression of sincerity.
A man's origins — whether slave, Roman, or Arab — mean nothing before Allah; only taqwa elevates.
Wie du ihnen ähnlich wirst
Möchtest du in den Fußstapfen von Suhayb al-Rumi wandeln? Beginne mit diesen praktischen Schritten aus ihrem Leben.
- 1
True freedom is not the possession of wealth but the liberation of the soul from all attachments other than Allah.
- 2
The willingness to sacrifice everything for faith is the highest expression of sincerity.
- 3
A man's origins — whether slave, Roman, or Arab — mean nothing before Allah; only taqwa elevates.