The Companion Abu Dharr al-Ghifari

Introduction to Abu Dharr al-Ghifari and His Lineage

The most well-known opinion is that Abu Dharr al-Ghifari’s real name was Jundub ibn Junadah ibn Qays ibn ‘Amr ibn Malil ibn Sa’ir ibn Haram, from the Banu Ghifar tribe, and this is considered the most authentic version. However, several other names have also been attributed to him: some said his name was Burayr ibn Abdullah, others said Burayr ibn Junadah, Barirah ibn Ashriqah, Jundub ibn Abdullah, or Jundub ibn Sakan.

Another account states his full lineage as Jundub ibn Junadah ibn Sufyan ibn Ubayd ibn Haram ibn Ghifar ibn Malil ibn Dumrah ibn Bakr ibn ‘Abd Manat ibn Kinanah ibn Khuzaymah ibn Mudrikah from the Ghifar tribe. His mother was Ramlah bint al-Waqi’ah al-Ghifariyyah, and both parents were from the Ghifar tribe, which is a branch of the Banu Kinanah.

Abu Dharr’s Embrace of Islam

Before Islam, Abu Dharr was known as a highway robber and was extremely brave. When he heard of Islam, he traveled to Mecca to meet the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), having already been touched by the light of faith. Notably, even before embracing Islam, he used to pray to God and said that he worshipped "the God of the sky," praying in the direction that he felt guided toward. He had been praying this way four years before accepting Islam.

Before going to see the Prophet himself, Abu Dharr sent his brother to investigate Muhammad’s message. When his brother returned, he reported that Muhammad was calling people to good character. Still unsatisfied, Abu Dharr went himself and met the Prophet, who invited him to Islam, and he accepted. The Prophet then instructed him to return to his tribe, saying: “Return to your people and inform them until my command reaches you”. However, Abu Dharr insisted on publicly announcing his Islam to the Quraysh, saying: “By the One in whose hand is my soul, I will shout it among them!”

He did declare his Islam publicly, and the Quraysh beat him until Abbas intervened, warning them that he belonged to the Ghifar tribe. The next day, he repeated his declaration and was beaten again until Abbas again stopped them. Abu Dharr is considered one of the earliest converts to Islam, some even say he was the fourth person to accept Islam. He returned to his tribe until the Prophet migrated to Medina. By the time Abu Dharr joined him, the battles of Badr, Uhud, and the Trench had already passed, so he did not participate.

Abu Dharr as a Caller to Islam

Abu Dharr actively called people to Islam. As recorded in authentic traditions, he invited his brother Anis and then his mother to Islam. He then began preaching to his tribe. He said:

“We carried ourselves until we came to our people, Ghifar. Half of them embraced Islam, led in prayer by Aymā’ ibn Rahadah al-Ghifari, their chief. The other half said: ‘When the Messenger of Allah arrives in Medina, we will become Muslim.’ And when the Prophet arrived in Medina, the remaining half accepted Islam”.

Physical and Moral Characteristics of Abu Dharr

Physical Traits

Abu Dharr was a tall man with a lean build, though some accounts say he was bulky. He had a dark complexion, with white hair and beard, and his beard was thick.

Moral Qualities

Abu Dharr was known for his deep knowledge, some even compared his scholarship to that of Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud. He was fearless in speaking the truth and always promoted virtue and condemned vice. He was known for his honesty in both speech and action. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said about him:

“Neither the earth has carried, nor the sky has shaded a man more truthful and loyal than Abu Dharr, who resembles Jesus, son of Mary”.

He was also known for his asceticism. He viewed worldly indulgences as a trial and considered renouncing them a blessing. He once vowed to live his life in this way until he met God.

Despite his courage, the Prophet once advised him: “O Abu Dharr, I see you as weak, and I love for you what I love for myself. Do not become a leader over two people and do not manage the wealth of an orphan”. Scholars interpreted this as the Prophet showing mercy and care for Abu Dharr, knowing that he didn't believe in saving wealth and would likely give it away without considering how to prioritize its use.

Abu Dharr was closely mentored by the Prophet due to his early conversion and long companionship. The Prophet taught him everything revealed to him by Gabriel and Michael, including what to say after every prayer to equal the reward of one who spends wealth in God's cause:

“Glorify Allah after every prayer 33 times, praise Him 33 times, and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ 33 times, concluding with: ‘La ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulk walahul-hamd, wahuwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer’”.

Notable Incidents from Abu Dharr’s Life

Abu Dharr made many sacrifices for the sake of Islam. He was among the first to recite the Qur’an aloud in Mecca. He witnessed several events with the Prophet and carried the flag in the Battle of Hunayn. He was also the first to greet the Prophet with the Islamic greeting of peace, saying:

“Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah”,

to which the Prophet replied:

“And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah”.

He was among the free men who served the Prophet sincerely.

Famous Sayings of Abu Dharr

• On abandoning worldly life: “O people, I advise you sincerely. Pray at night for the loneliness of the grave. Fast in this life to escape the heat of the Day of Resurrection. Give in charity for fear of the difficult Day of Judgment”.
• On asceticism: “Renunciation of the world is not by forbidding what is lawful or wasting wealth, but it is to trust more in what is with God than what is in your hand, and to prefer the reward of calamity if it brings you closer to God, rather than to wish the calamity never happened”.
• On wealth: “The man with two dirhams will face a more severe reckoning on the Day of Judgment than the one with a single dirham”.

Death of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari

Abu Dharr spent his final days in isolation in a place called al-Rabadha. When he began to show signs of death, his wife cried, fearing they had no shroud or people nearby to help bury him. He reassured her, reminding her of the Prophet's promise that he would die in an isolated land, yet a group of believers would witness his passing.

He told her to watch the road. As she did, a group of travelers appeared. She signaled them, and when they learned that it was Abu Dharr, the Companion of the Prophet, they were deeply moved. They greeted him, and he welcomed them warmly, sharing with them the Prophet’s words. He asked that none of them who held a leadership role (like a governor or commander) should shroud him. A man from the Ansar wrapped him in two garments and one of Abu Dharr’s own, and he was buried by this group, including Hujr ibn Adi and Malik al-Ashtar. Abu Dharr passed away in the year 32 AH (approximately 652 CE).