Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 1 of 3

444 THE LIVES OF THE SAWAH (~ol-I)
Hadhrat Suhayl bin Amr %;C-j came and sat with Hadhrat Umar WZ%!% in a
manner that he was between the two of them. Thereafter, the first among those
to migrate to Madinah started arriving. (As each one of them arrived,) Hadhrat
Umar said, "Move aside, 0 Suhayl! Move aside, 0 Haarith!" In this
manner, Hadhrat Umar ?&Wj moved the two of'them further from himself. As
the Ansaar started coming to Hadhrat Umar B,W, he moved the two men
further in a like manner until they were behind everyone.
When the two men left the presence of Hadhrat Umar BWj, Hadhrat Haarith
bin Hishaam !&W!% said to Hadhrat Suhayl bin Amr !2X5@!3, "Did you see how
we were treated?" Hadhrat Suhayl ?&m replied, "Dear man! We should not
blame Hadhrat Umar $@!Z$i@j, but should blame ourselves. When those people
were invited to accept Islaam, they were quick to do so while we procrastinated."
When the Muhaajireen and Ansaar had left Hadhrat Umar 5!,W, the two men
approached him and said, "0 Ameerul Mu'mineen! We noticed what you did
today and realise that is was due to our own shortcomings. However, is there any
way in which we could gain the status we have not been able to achieve?"
Hadhrat Umar @W5 said to them, "I know of no other way but in that
direction." He then pointed'towards the Roman borders (where the Muslims were
waging Jihaad against the Romans). The two men then left for Shaam, where they
both passed away. ('1
The Statement of Hadhrat Suhayl bin Amr @Gm
to the Leaders over Whom Hadhrat Umar %XZWj
had Given preference to the Early Muhaajireen
Hadhrat Hasan *3%XllSj narrates that several persons came to the door of
Hadhrat Umar %k@i&j. Amongst them were Hadhrat Suhayl bin Amr i@3@&&,
Hadhrat Abu Sufyaan bin Harb 4%$!3&!$j and other prominent leaders of the
Quraysh W,Wj. Hadhrat Umar w5's doorkeeper came out and allowed
inside those Sahabah W W who participated in the Battle of Badr such as
Hadhrat Suhayb $E4&j, Hadhrat Bilaal w4&& and Hadhrat Ammaar !ZW.&6.
Hadhrat Hasan W&lGj says, "I swear by Allaah that Hadhrat Umar 3W had
himself participated inthk Battle of Badr. He loved those who participated in the
Battle of Badr and always advised others to show preference to them.
Abu Sufyaan %3w said, "I have never before seen a day like today! He allows
these slaves to enter without paying any attention to us sitting there." Hadhrat
Hasan 'i2G&lGj narrates fhrther by saying, "Hadhrat Suhayl bin Amr W.W responded
to him. What an excellent and intelligent man he was! He said, '0 people! By
Allaah! I see the expressions on your faces. If you are angry, be angry with
yourselves. You were also invited to accept Islaam when these people were
invited. However, they were quick to respond while you procrastinated. Listen
well! I swear by Allaah that the virtue (of accepting Islaam early) by which they
(1) Ibn Asaakir, as quoted in mnzul Urnmaal(Vol.7 Pg.136). Ibn Abdil Birr has also quoted it in his
Isti'aab (Vol.2 Pg.111).