Conversion

Conversion of Sirma, the Hanif of Madinah

Name: Conversion of Sirma, the Hanif of Madinah
Start: 622
Location: Madinah

~the final weeks or months of his life, around the time of the Hijrah · 1 AH

What happened

Sirma was the only hanif known to have lived in Madinah, a man who, from his youth, openly rejected the idolatry of his people just as the hanifs of Makkah did. He briefly considered Christianity but rejected it as unconvincing, and settled instead on the way of Ibrahim AS, observing practices such as ghusl after intercourse and after menses, and composing poetry that praised monotheism and denounced idolatry. He spent years living among the Quraysh in Makkah searching for the truth, without finding it, before returning to Madinah. By the time the Prophet ﷺ emigrated to Madinah, Sirma was over 100 years old and in the final weeks or months of his life.

Outcome: Sirma embraced Islam and passed away shortly afterward.

Significance

Held up as an example that sincerity in seeking the truth is rewarded: Sirma's long life is described as having been stretched out by Allah so that, after some 120 years of searching, he could live to see and embrace the Prophet ﷺ and die a sahabi.

Around this time

Other events recorded in 1 AH. Their order within the year is not established; use the storyline above for the sequence.

ConversionAbdullah ibn Salam Recognizes the Prophet ﷺ at Quba~Early 1 AH (622 CE) · 1 AH IncidentAnas ibn Malik RA Enters the Prophet ﷺ's Service~Around the beginning of the Madinan period · 1 AH InstitutionBilal ibn Rabah Appointed as the Prophet's ﷺ Muezzin~Madinan period (c. 622 CE onward) · 1 AH InstitutionBuilding of Masjid Quba~Wednesday-Thursday, Rabi' al-Awwal 1 AH · 1 AH InstitutionBuilding of the Prophet ﷺ's Houses in Madinah~Shortly after Masjid al-Nabawi was built, 1 AH · 1 AH InstitutionChange of the Prayer Rak'ahs in Early Madinah~Sometime in the early Madani period, exact timing unknown · 1 AH InstitutionEstablishment of the Muslim Souq in Madinah~1 AH, shortly after the Hijrah · 1 AH InstitutionLegislation of the Adhan~Shortly after the Prophet ﷺ's arrival in Madinah, 1 AH · 1 AH MigrationSuhayb al-Rumi's Hijrah to Madinah~c. 622 CE · 1 AH TreatyThe Constitution of Madinah~1 AH (622-623 CE), in the early Madani period · 1 AH InstitutionThe Muakha: Pairing of the Muhajirun and the Ansar~Beginning 1 AH (622 CE), continuing through the Madani period · 1 AH SermonThe Prophet ﷺ's First Salat al-Jumu'ah~Friday morning, Rabi' al-Awwal 1 AH · 1 AH

Sayings & Actions1

Sirma RA

Life event · the final weeks or months of his life, around the time of the Hijrah

After rejecting the idolatry of my people, then testing Christianity, then following the way of Ibrahim AS alone for years, I have at last embraced the truth brought by the Prophet ﷺ, in the final days of my long life.

withMuhammad ﷺ

People involved2

Sirma RA
Embraced Islam
M
Muhammad ﷺ

Conversion of Sirma, the Hanif of Madinah

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What happened

Significance

Around this time

Sayings & Actions1

Original text & sources

People involved2

Conversion of Sirma, the Hanif of Madinah

Original text & sources

Report an inaccuracy

What happened

Significance

Around this time

Sayings & Actions1

Original text & sources

People involved2