Abu Dharr Al Ghifari (RA) was a Black Arab Sahaba who was known for his faithfulness, curiosity, and concern for the poor. His full name was Jundab bin Junadah from the Tribe of Ghifar. In the age of Jahiliya (Ignorance), the Ghifar tribe was infamous for banditry and alcohol consumption as well as worshiping idols. But Abu Dharr (RA) shunned these tribal norms even before embracing Islam and was an introvert and loner throughout his life.
One day a fellow tribesman began talking about a man he saw in Makkah who was enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. The man Abu Dharr’s fellow tribesman was speaking about was our Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This stirred Abu Dharr’s curiosity as he (RA) wanted to gain more knowledge of our Nabi (SAW) and so, Abu Dharr (RA) decided immediately to travel to Makkah.
Reaching Masjid Al Haram at night, Abu Dharr (RA) lay down. Hazrat Ali (AS) seeing he was a stranger asked Abu Dharr to stay the night at his (AS) home. In the morning, Abu Dharr (RA) leaves Hazrat Ali’s (AS) home to return to the Haram to gather more information about the Prophet (SAW). Again, at nightfall, Hazrat Ali (AS) approaches Abu Dharr and said: “Isn’t it time that a man knows his house?” And so, for a second night, Abu Dharr stays at Hazrat Ali’s (AS) place.
On the third night, however, Ali (AS) asked him: “Aren’t you going to tell me why you came to Makkah?” Abu Dhar (RA) replied that he would only if Ali (AS) promises him to keep his secret about why he (RA) is visiting Makkah and thus, Syedina Ali (AS) agreed. Abu Dharr (RA) said: “I came to Makkah from a distant place seeking a meeting with the new Prophet and to listen to some of what he has to say.” Syedina Ali (AS) assured Abu Dharr (RA) that he would take him to meet the Prophet (SAW) in the morning.
Hazrat Ali (AS) took Abu Dharr (RA) the next morning to meet our Nabi (SAW). Abu Dharr (RA) greeted the Prophet (SAW), “As-Salaamu Alayka Yaa Rasulullah, (Peace be on you, O Messenger of Allah),” and our Nabi (SAW) replied, ” Wa Alayka Salaamullahi Wa Rahmatuhu Wa Barakaatuhu (And on you be the peace of Allah, His mercy and His blessings).”
Abu Dharr (RA) was therefore the first person to greet the Prophet (SAW) with the greeting of Islam. Subsequently, the greeting spread and came into general use.
In this exchange with our Nabi (SAW), Abu Dharr (RA) asked the Prophet (SAW) to present Islam to him which he (SAW) did, resulting in Abu Dharr (RA) accepting Islam immediately. Then our Nabi (SAW) directed Abu Dharr (RA) not to publicly announce his acceptance of Islam as this would endanger his life but to return to his village and wait for his message to join them. However, Abu Dharr (RA) was from a brave tribe and announced his conversion at the Kaaba, which is also a first. This led to the Quraish beating him to death but Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib (RA), the uncle of the Prophet (SAW) saved him.
Abu Dharr (RA) went back to the Prophet (SAW) and when he (SAW) saw his condition, he (SAW) said, “Didn’t I tell you not to announce your acceptance of Islam?” “O Messenger of Allah,” Abu Dharr (RA) said, “It was a need I felt in my soul and I fulfilled it.” The Prophet (SAW) commanded Abu Dharr (RA), “and tell them what you have seen and heard. Invite them to Allah. Maybe Allah will bring them good through you and reward you through them. And when you hear that I have come out in the open, then come to me.”
When Abu Dharr (RA) returned to his people, his brother asked him what happened and so Abu Dharr explained to his brother that he accepted Islam which led to his brother also accepting Islam. Then the two brothers invite their mother and she also accepts Islam. Due to the efforts of Abu Dhar and his family members, many of the Ghifar tribe became Muslims and established the congregational Prayer among them. Just imagine this tribe of bandits enters the fold of Islam which teaches us a valuable lesson not to withhold Islam from anybody as we never know who will embrace Islam and when.
Abu Dharr (RA) dedicated himself to the truth and held himself accountable to the truth. Many hadiths report how Abu Dharr (RA) would ask questions to the Prophet (SAW) whenever they were together. As Muslims, these interactions introduce us to many virtues that we can try to practice in our lives. This hadith is an example, The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said to Abu Dharr, “O Abu Dharr, shall I not tell you of two qualities that are easy on your back and heavier on the scale of good than others?” Abu Dharr said, “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said, “You must have good character and observe long periods of silence. By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, no one can behave with deeds more beloved to Allah than these two.” (Shu’ab al-Iman 4591)
Another famous hadith involving Abu Dharr (RA) is the time he (RA) asked our Nabi (SAW) how can the poor Sahaba compete with the wealthy ones in giving charity. The Prophet replied, “Abu Dharr, should I not teach you phrases by which you acquire the rank of those who excel you? No one can acquire your rank except one who acts like you.’ He said, why not, Allah’s Messenger (SAW)? He said: ‘Exalt Allah say: “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Most Great) after each prayer thirty-three times; and praise Him say: “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times; and glorify Him say: “Subhan Allah” (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times; and end it by saying, “La ilâha illallâhu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yomeetu wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadeer.” (There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the Kingdom, to Him praise is due and He has power over everything.) Your sins will be forgiven, even if they are like the foam of the sea.’” (Abu Dawud 1499)
The death of the Prophet (SAW) was a big blow for Abu Dharr (RA) knowing that he lost his guide of knowledge. Overcome with grief, Abu Dharr (RA) decided to leave Madinah for the Syrian desert residing there during the caliphate of Abu Bakr Siddique (RA) and Umar ibn Khattab (RA).
During the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (RA), he stayed in Damascus but felt dismayed seeing the Muslims’ interest in obtaining worldly and material wealth, as Abu Dharr (RA) saw the hardships of the Muslims during the early days of Islam. Therefore, Uthman (RA) asked him to come to Madinah. However, Abu Dharr (RA) witnessed the same at Madinah like Damascus and so, Uthman (RA) ordered that he (RA) should go to Rubdhah, a small village near Madinah. There he (RA) stayed far away from people and lived an austere life. In the year 32 AH (652 CE), the ascetic Abu Dharr (R.A.) passed away and his burial is in Al-Rabadha, Saudi Arabia.
