Suhayb
Suhayb ibn Sinan (; 35 BH–38 AH), also known as Suhayb the Roman (, "Ṣuhayb ar-Rūmīy"), was a prominent companion of Muhammad. After the assassination of caliph Omar, Suhayb led the entire Muslim community for three days and is therefore sometimes called 'caretaker caliph'. Initially a slave in the Byzantine Empire, Suhayb was an ethnic Arab from Banu Nimr bin Qasit, a sub-tribe of the larger Rabī'a ibn Nizar. He remained a slave for twenty years until he met Muhammad and became a Muslim. After Omar was fatally injured, he appointed Suhayb as the head of the Muslims until  the next caliph was elected. His brief intermediate period ended after Uthman being elected. Suhayb died in 38 AH and is buried at the al-Baqi. He is viewed as the Muslim forerunner of the Romans. Early life. Suhayb was born in 35 BH in Mesopotamia. He was an ethnic Arab. His father was Sinan ibn Malik who governed the city of al-Uballah on behalf of the Persian emperor. Malik had several children. Suhayb's mother belonged to the Banu Tamim tribe. When his father was the governor, Suhayb was barely five years old. He grew up heavily Romanized , speaking Greek and could not speak Arabic fluently. Suhayb spent his boyhood and his youth as a slave. For about twenty years he stayed in Byzantine lands. Career. Slavery. One day Suhayb's mother took him to a village called Thani for a picnic. That day Thani was attacked by Byzantine soldiers who killed the guards and took a large number of children, including Suhayb as slaves. Suhayb was taken to one of the slave markets of the Byzantine Empire, thereafter he passed from one master to another, remaining for about twenty years in Byzantine lands as a slave. At  the first opportunity Suhayb escaped from bondage and headed for Mecca, which was considered a place of asylum. There, people called him "al-Rumi", meaning "the Roman", because of his captivity, including of his Roman accent. He became the representative of an aristocrat in Mecca, Abdullah ibn Judan, engaging in trade and becoming quite wealthy. Acceptance of Islam and escape to Medina. One day he was told that Muhammad was calling people to a new religion in the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam. After meeting with him, he was convinced of the truth of his message and  pledged fealty to Muhammad. The ruling tribe of Quraish soon learned of Suhayb's acceptance of Islam and began harassing him. When Muhammad gave permission for his followers to migrate to Medina in 622, Suhayb resolved to accompany Muhammad and Abu Bakr, but the Quraish discovered his intentions and placed guards over him to prevent him from leaving Mecca and taking the wealth he had acquired through trade. After the departure of Muhammad and Abu Bakr, Suhayb continued to bide his time, unsuccessfully attempting to escape several times. One night, Suhayb feigned stomach problems and went out repeatedly as if  responding to calls of nature. His captors became relaxed and Suhayb quietly armed himself, readied a mount and headed for Medina. When his captors realized Suhayb was gone they left in pursuit and eventually caught up with him. Seeing them approach, Suhayb clambered up a hill and holding his bow and arrow, he shouted: "Men of Quraish! You know, by God, that I am one of the best archers and my aim is unerring. By God, if you come near me, with each arrow I have, I shall kill one of you. Then I shall strike with my sword." The  men responded "By God, we shall not let you escape from us with your life and money. You came to Mecca weak and poor and you have acquired what you have acquired.." "What would you say if I leave you my wealth?" interrupted Suhayb. "Would you get out of my way?" "Yes," they answered. Suhayb described the place in his house in Mecca where he had left the money, and they allowed him to go. When Suhayb reached Quba, just outside Medina, Muhammad saw him approaching and said, "Your transaction has been fruitful, O Abu Yahya. Your transaction has been  fruitful." He repeated this three times. Suhayb's face beamed with happiness as he said: "By God, no one has come before me to you, Messenger of God, and only Jibril could have told you about this." Following the death of Omar. After the Second Rashidun Caliph, Omar ibn Khattab was attacked by Piruz Nahavandi, Suhayb was appointed by Omar to lead the Muslims until the Third Rashidun Caliph was elected. Suhayb led the Muslim community for three days, with his brief intermediate period ending after Uthman being elected. During Suhayb's leadership, he was also responsible for leading Muslims  in their prayers. Death. According to some sources, Suhayb died in 38 AH, and was buried at al-Baqi in Hejaz.