Abu Dhar al-Ghifaaree (r.a)

The following is a homework assignment for Grade 7 

He was Abu Dharr Jundub ibn Junadah al-Ghifaaree (r.a). He was one of the early converts to Islam. He was probably the 5th Muslim from among the freeborn men to become Muslim.

During his early life, he achieved fame as a daring raider. The Ghifaar tribe to whch he beloved lived in the Waddan valley. The Makkan caravans, laden with their many goods and riches, had to pass through this valley, and Abu Dharr used to lead the youths of his tribe in raids on the trade caravans. The tribe members lived by what these caravans gave in return for protection. If they refused to pay the price, Abu Dharr with his company of youths would attack them and cause great damage.

Abu Dharr (r.a), the Seeker of the Truth
With all this, Abu Dharr (r.a) appears to have been a seeker of the truth from his early youth. He may well be classed together with those righteous men who prayed to the One God and were known before Islam as al-Hunaffaa (plural of Haneef).

When he heard about the description of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) and especially his excellent Ride to this valley of Makkah and try to find out the truth about this man who claims to be a prophet - who receives news from above the Heavens; listen to what he says and come back to me." So his brother set off to Makkah, went to the Prophet (s.a.w) and listend to him attentively. Upon his return, he said to Abu Dharr, "I have seen him enjoining good conduct and saying something that is certainly not poetry."
 character, he was greatly impressed and intrigued. So he said to his brother, "

Abu Dharr's thirst for the truth was not satisfied, so he decided to go and see the Prophet (s.a.w) in person. When he arrived at Makkah, he went straight to the Ka'bah - where travelers from faraway places often went to find shelter. He searched for the Prophet (s.a.w) but no one responded to his call. Eventually a young boy in his teens came around. He was Ali ibn Abee Talib (r.a) who took interest in Abu Dharr and invited him to Darr al Arqam, the first study center of Muslims in Makkah.

Abu Dharr need only meet the Prophet (s.a.w) in person and hear a few ayaat of the Qur'an from him that he immediately accepted Islam. The Prophet (s.a.w) advised him to go back and call his tribe to Islam. Abu Dharr (r.a) said, "By Him in whose Hand my soul is, indeed I will proclaim my conversation among the idol worshippers loudly." Abu Dharr then returned to the Ka'bah and called out at the top of his voice, "I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w)."

The people of Makkah fell upon him like hungry hounds and beat
him very brutally. When Al-Abbas, the Prophet's uncle (s.a.w) saw Abu Dharr being punished, he rushed to his rescue and said to ward off the mob, "Woe to you! Don't you know that he belongs to the tribe of Ghifaar, and that that your business road to Syria passes through his city!" The next day Abu Dharr did the same thing and was beaten badly by the Makkan crowds. It was only Al-Abbas who was able to save him.

Abu Dharr (r.a) eventually went back home, within a short time, with his courage and outspokenness, he converted all the other members of his Ghifaar tribe to Islam. Later, he joined the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in Medina after migration after the Battle of the Trench. He died in Rabadhah, near Madinah in 32 A.H.










Questions

A. Fill in the Blanks:
1. Before Islam, Abu Dharr achieved his fame through ______________. 
2. From his early youth, Abu Dharr was __________________________. 
3. Abu Dharr went to Makkah to find ____________________________. 
4. The first center of learning for early Muslims in Makkah was ________. 

B. Answer the following questions:
1. How did the members of the Ghifaar tribe earn their living?
2. Why was Abu Dharr impressed by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)?
3. What caused Abu Dharr (r.a) to become a Muslim? 
4. Give two examples of Abu Dharr's courage and determination (r.a).