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Thereupon, the glorious verse was revealed: "And of mankind is he who sell himself, seeking the
pleasure of Allah And Allah is full of kindness to (His) slaves "(2:201).
Indeed, Suhaib had paid all his fortune - the fortune he spent all his youth to gather - in return for
his faithful soul. He never felt it was an unjust bargain. Money, gold, the whole world, nothing of that
sort was worthwhile as long as he kept his faith, the sovereignty of his conscience, and the determination
of his fate.
The Prophet loved him very much. Besides being pious and God-fearing, he was a cheerful and
jovial person. The Prophet (PBUH) saw him once eating dates when there was an inflammation in one of
his eyes. The Prophet (PBUH) asked him cheerfully, "Do you eat dates when there is inflammation in
one of your eyes?" He answered, "What's wrong with that? I eat them with the other eye!" He was a
generous donor, spending all his stipend from the treasury (Bait Al-Maal) in the cause of Allah, helping
the needy, aiding the sorrowful, feeding the needy, the orphans, and the captives with the best food.
His extreme generosity attracted the attention of `Umar, who said to him, "I can see you feeding
people too much, to the extent that you are spending lavishly." Suhaib answered him, "I've heard the
Prophet (PBUH) say, "The best of you is the one who feeds (others)."
The life of Suhaib was filled with an abandance of merits and great situations. To be chosen by
`Umar lbn Al-khattab to lead the prayer was another merit to be added.
When the Commander of the Faithful was attacked while leading the Muslims in Fajr Prayer and
felt his end was coming nearer and nearer, he began to advise his companions. His last words were, "Let
Suhaib lead people in prayer".
On that day Umar chose six of the Companions and entrusted them with the choice of the new
caliph. The Caliph of the Muslims was the one who led the prayers. In those days following the death of
the Commander of the Faithful until the new caliph was chosen, who was to lead the Muslims in prayer?
`Umar would slow down a thousand times before choosing someone especially in these moments,
while his pure soul was passing away to meet Allah. If he chose, then there was no one more eligible
than the chosen. He chose Suhaib.
He chose him to lead the Muslims in prayer until the next caliph came to carry out his duties.
He chose him, despite the Roman accent obvious in his language. This choice was a divine blessing
upon the pious worshipper Suhaib Ibn Sinaan.