The courage of the silent companion

On a cool evening north of Medina, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sitting with a small caravan. Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali and a few other companions were with him. Suddenly, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Today I will tell you about a man who gave up everything in life to come to the path of Allah, and who secretly embraced Islam and openly conveyed the message of truth—he is Abu Jarr al-Ghifari.”

As soon as this name was heard, a silence like a stream descended around him.

This Abu Jarr—his real name was Jundub ibn Junadah, a member of the Ghifari tribe. The tribe was a powerful clan of the Arabian desert, but they were notorious for robbery, plunder and bloodthirstiness. But despite growing up in this terrible environment, Jundub was different. He was lonely, but thoughtful. Seeing the stars in the night sky, he wondered—“Is all this happening just like that? Is there no controller? Our gods are stones—who cannot even save themselves!”

A hunger for truth was born in his heart. One day, one of his relatives suddenly returned from Mecca and said, “A man in Mecca is claiming to be a prophet—his name is Muhammad. He says that there is no god but Allah.”

Jundub was surprised. Late at night, he sent his brother to Mecca to find out. When his brother returned, he only said one line—“He is not lying, but I am afraid. The Quraysh are against him.”

Jundub kept quiet. A fire started burning inside him. He set out on his own for Mecca. Despite the hardships of the journey, thirst, and fear of death, he reached the Kaaba. But before he could understand anything, he saw that the rich people of Mecca were bursting with a strange excitement. It was as if the man named Muhammad was destroying their pride, insulting their ancestral gods.

Jundub wisely stayed out of sight. He spoke to some of his companions in disguise. One day, Ali ibn Abu Talib saw him and quietly asked, “Are you the man who came in search of the Prophet?”

He nodded. Ali said, “Let us take him.”

Ali took him to the Messenger of Allah.

When Jundub faced the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, there was no arrogance or rhetoric in his voice. He said, “If you want to be a follower of the truth, then know that this is not a comfortable path. It is a path of sacrifice.”

Jundub said, “I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah, and there is no god but Allah.”

That day was one of the most secret but great moments in history. Because, the very next day after this announcement, he stood in front of the Kaaba in public and said, “I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

The infidels of Mecca were shocked. “Who is this man?” They started beating him. Jundub was covered in blood, but his voice did not stop.

Some companions came and saved him.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “O Abu Zar, you are from a people who are of a hard temper. Go, return to your tribe. Call them to Islam.”

Jundub agreed. But his journey did not stop. He returned to the tribe of Ghifār and called out—“I have seen the truth, I have seen the Messenger of Allah. You also believe.”

At first he was called crazy, boycotted, but gradually his family, his tribe, and even the neighboring tribes began to enter Islam.

A man, alone, without being the leader of any army, changed an entire nation with just faith and courage.

His life was not easy. He always spoke the truth, even in front of the caliphs. Once during the time of Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), when the abuse of wealth among the rich began, he openly said—“If you abandon the Sunnah of the Prophet, I will not remain silent.”

He was threatened, sent into exile. He said, “I am willing to die alone in the desert, but I will not hide the truth.”

He spent his last life alone, without any wealth, and on a hot day, death touched him on the edge of the desert.

But even at the time of his death, he said—“O Allah, I know that I was not rich, I was not influential, but I loved Your truth. Bear witness to me.”

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The life of Abu Zar al-Ghifari teaches us—if you know the truth, then stand by it. Let not the fear of society, the pressure of family, or the threat of power—stop speaking the truth.