Some people are always in search of the truth, particularly when they feel that the way of life they have been used to among their people does not provide social satisfaction. When they arrive at the truth, they feel that it is too precious to be left hidden. They want all people to share in its benefits. They declare it in the face of opposition and adversity. They may suffer for doing so, but they are normally prepared to take things head-on and bear pressure and hardship. One such person who lived in Arabia in the early days of Islam was Abu Dharr Al-Ghifari. His pursuit of the truth landed him in much trouble.
Abu Dharr belonged to the major Arabian tribe of Ghifar. He heard of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his new faith, but the news he received was only sketchy. He, therefore, said to his brother: “Go to the valley of Makkah and learn for us what this man claiming to be a prophet who receives divine revelations is after.” His brother did what Abu Dharr told him and went back to report on his findings. He said to Abu Dharr: “The man advocates sound morality and recites speech that is unlike poetry.”
Far from satisfied with his brother’s report, Abu Dharr carried some food and water, and went to Makkah, where he sat at the Sacred Mosque. He looked for the Prophet whom he did not know, feeling that it was better that he should not ask about him. When the night approached, he lied down. Ali ibn Abi Talib passed by and saw him. He said to him: “The man seems to be a stranger here?” When Abu Dharr confirmed that, Ali took him home with him.
The Arabs at the time were very hospitable. A stranger was offered food and lodging as a guest for three days, without being asked his business. Therefore, neither Ali nor Abu Dharr spoke that night about the latter’s purpose in visiting Makkah. In the morning, Abu Dharr carried his food and water and went again to the Mosque, but the Prophet did not see him that day. In the evening, he again lied down, and Ali shortly passed by. He said to him: “Is it not right that the man should come home?” He again took him home and did not ask him why he came to Makkah. He did the same thing again on the third day.
When the customary three days of hospitality were over, Ali said: “Is it not appropriate that you should let me know why you have come to Makkah?” Abu Dharr said: “I will, if you give me your word of honor that you will help and guide me.” When Abu Dharr explained the purpose of his visit, Ali said: “The man is truthful: he is God’s messenger. When we go out in the morning, you follow me. If I see anything that may cause you trouble, I will pretend that I am relieving myself by the roadside. When I walk on, follow me and enter the house I enter.” This was how Abu Dharr met the Prophet for the first time. When he listened to the Prophet and the Qur’an, Abu Dharr did not hesitate to declare himself a Muslim. He stayed for sometime with the Prophet learning about Islam.
When it was time for Abu Dharr to leave, the Prophet said to him: “Go back to your people and tell them about Islam, until you receive communication from me.” Abu Dharr said: “By Him who holds my soul in His hand, I will shout the word of truth loud in their midst.”
Abu Dharr went to the Mosque and, raising his voice as loud as he could, said the declaration: “I bear witness that there is no deity other than God, and that Muhammad is God’s Messenger,” (Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah; wa ashhadu anna Muhammad-an rasool Allah.) A number of people rushed to him and beat him up until he fell down. Al-Abbas, the Prophet’s uncle came to his help. He bent over him and shouted to those who assaulted him: “Do you not know that he belongs to Ghifar, where you pass through when you travel to Syria for trade?” Realizing that their action could spell trouble for them on their trips for trade, they left Abu Dharr alone. What Al-Abbas said referred to the traditions that prevailed in Arabia at the time. Had Abu Dharr been killed as a result of this assault every man in his tribe of Ghifar would feel responsible to avenge his killing. The easiest way would be to attack a trade caravan that belonged to the Quraysh. This would give the added advantage of looting the caravan, and would cause economic chaos for the Quraysh in the short run.
Al-Abbas counseled Abu Dharr that it was wrong for him to do what he did. Abu Dharr, however, would not be deterred. He did the same thing the following day, and again the unbelievers assaulted him badly. It was Al-Abbas who again saved him, blaming his people for jeopardizing their relations with the Ghifar tribe. There are other versions of how Abu Dharr was assaulted, one of which suggests that the assault was before he met the Prophet, and it was only because he inquired about the Prophet. The unbelievers realized that he wanted to meet the Prophet and listen to his message, so they beat him up badly. He could only escape by hiding under the covers of the Kaaba. He stayed there for 15 days before he was able to meet the Prophet.
Whichever version we take, we gain the same impression of Abu Dharr: A man seeking the truth, realizing that idol worship was not a religion worthy of the name. He was eager to learn about the new faith, advocated by the Prophet Muhammad. He would risk assault in order to meet the Prophet and listen to him directly. Then when he accepted Islam and was fully convinced of its truth, he was keen to declare it among the Quraysh people, caring nothing for what might happen to him. One report mentions that he said to the Prophet that he preferred to make the fact that he was a Muslim public. The Prophet said to him: “I fear that they may kill you.” He said: “I will do it, even if they kill me.” When the Prophet saw him after he was assaulted, he told him that he should not have done it. Abu Dharr said: “It was an urge I felt, and I responded to it.” He stayed with the Prophet for sometime further.
Abu Dharr’s trip to Makkah must have taken place at the height of the persecution of Muslims in the city. Otherwise, Abu Dharr would not have felt the need to conceal his purpose, and not to reveal it to his host until he received a pledge of help. Moreover, the unbelievers’ reaction to his declaration tells us that the tension was at its highest in the city at the time. For a single stranger to defy all this and shout loud that he had become a Muslim required great courage. Thus was Abu Dharr: A man always eager to uphold the truth, caring nothing for his own safety as long as he supported a just cause.
