Abū Dharr al-Ghifāri, Jūndab s/o Jūnādah s/o Qays, was the fourth or fifth person converting to Islam. His honorary title was “Masīh-ul-Islam”. His mother, Ramlah and father belonged to “Banū Ghifār”. He had a swarthy face, husky and strong body and congested beard. He was a pioneer in asceticism, veracity, knowledge and actual truthfulness. He used to tell the truth clearly and bravely without any fear from the remonstrance of reproachers.
Abū Dharr was a monotheist before Islam and he never apotheosized idols and he did not worship anyone but Allāh. When he heard about the prophetic mission of Mohammad, peace be upon him, he set out for Makkah to know more about him. After few days he could meet the beloved prophet. After staying some time in Makkah, he returned to his tribe for preaching Islam. The prophet PBUH told him: “Go back to your people and invite them to Islam.” He did so. First of all his brother, mother and a half of his tribe embraced Islam. The second half of his tribe believed in Islam after the migration of the prophet to Madinah.
Abū Dharr lived among his tribe some years making himself busy with worship and invitation to Allāh. After the Battles of Badr, Ohod and the Trench, he migrated to Madinah. He was accompanying the prophet PBUH and learnt and narrated many Hadiths.
Abū Dharr had a great skill in Hadith science. Despite being hermit, taciturn and very careful in narrating Hadith, there are 281 Hadiths reported by Abū Dharr. 12 of these Hadiths narrated by Būkhari and Muslim unanimously, 2 by Būkhari, 7 by Muslim separately. Sayyidana Ali, who himself was a learned man said: Abū Dharr has obtained as much knowledge as people cannot seek. He fulfilled the bowl of his knowledge and closed its mouth and (except few things) he did not disclose.
One of the famous Hadiths reported by Abū Dharr which contains the prophetic advice to him, is as following: My beloved advised me to seven things: 1. He ordered me to love poor people and get close to them; 2. He told me to look at he who is below you (worldly); 3. Do not ask anyone for anything; 4. Keep contact with your close kin even if they cut relations with you. 5. Tell the truth even if it is bitter. 6. On the path of Allāh do not fear the reproving of any blamer; 7. Read “” a lot, because these words are from the treasure of the empyrean.
Naturally Abū Dharr was an eremite man who loved to be recluse, thus the Messenger of Allāh titled him “Masīh-ul-Islam”. After the death of the prophet Muhammad PBUH, he stayed in Madinah, but his heart was full of chagrins due to separation from the beloved prophet, peace be upon him. During the caliphate of Abū-Bakr As-Seddiq he did not accept any official responsibility; because the Last Messenger of Allāh had advised him to not accept any responsibility and emirate, even responsibility of guarding assets of any orphan.
After the death of Abū-Bakr, he was fully heart-broken and sad; Madinah was a dark heavy place for him. So he left Madinah to Shaam/Levant seeking any hermitage. He used to invite people for more worship and good deeds. Looking people’s competition for luxury means and leisure made him annoyed. He used to invite towards piety and devoutness forbidding from collecting wealth and stockpiling. He called them to simplicity making their hearts free of the affection of money and wealth. He donated his all assets to poor people and call others to do so.
Abū Dharr passed his last part of the life in Rabadhah where he passed away in 32 Hijri. When he passed away, a caravan of the companions including Abdūllāh bin Mas’oud was passing through Rabadhah. They took part in the funeral ceremony and burial of him.