Abu Dharr was a man in search of the True Religion, he abhorred idolatry… When he heard that a man in Mecca was claiming to be the Nabi, he called his brother Unais and said, “Go to Mecca immediately and find out if the news is true!”

Unais went to Mecca and did his research. He had the privilege to meet the Rasul of Allah while he was there and acquire the information directly from the source.

When he returned to his clan his brother Abu Dharr curiously called him to account:

“So? Tell me… Did you find out? Is it true? Does he actually exist?”

“Yes” Unais said, “He exists and I met him. His name is Muhammad and his nickname is “The Trustworthy” He invites everyone to worship Allah, the Ahad, and abandon the idols which he claims are useless… He invites the people to do good and refrain from the bad…”

“And what about his people? What do they say about him?”

“They say all sorts of things… They call him a magician, a poet, a lunatic and more… But when I met him, I was sure none of this is true… He is a genuine and sincere man!”

This wasn’t enough for Abu Dharr, albeit it gave him some hope… Abu Dharr took his staff and some food and left to Mecca.

As he was leaving his brother warned him:

“Do not ask anyone about his whereabouts! Everyone is an enemy to him; they will raid you!”

When Abu Dharr came to Mecca, because he didn’t know anyone, he went directly to the Haram al-Sharif… He sat down and started watching the people… Old, young, rich, poor, all sorts of people were constantly coming and going…

Finally, one morning when he saw a poor man, he remembered that his brother had said this religion was benevolent to the poor… Surely this poor man would know the location of the Nabi he thought… He asked the poor man but alas! As soon as he asked the man started yelling, “O people of Mecca! Here is another one of those lunatics! Catch him quick! Catch him and kill him!!!”

The people instantly gathered around him and started beating him when suddenly someone recognized him and said, “Stop! He’s from the Ghifar Clan! If he dies his clan will plunder our city!”

Upon this they stopped beating him and left. Abu Dharr was left lying unconscious.

When he opened his eyes, it was dark. He was lying alone on the sand, every muscle and joint in his body ached, his head had ruptured and the blood had congealed… He forced himself to the Zamzam well and drank some water… When he felt better, he went back to the Kaaba and started to pray:

“O Creator! While I am helplessly seeking for a way to You and Your Rasul, you let the idolaters beat me up…? Please just show me the way and allow me to meet your Rasul… Do not make me go back empty handed…”

Abu Dharr’s prayer was accepted… That day, towards the evening, Ali (ra) entered the Haram al-Sharif… He was walking steadily, when he saw Abu Dharr he stopped and asked, “You seem to have come from far?”

“Yes”

“You look tired, would you like to come to our house?”

“I would like that very much…”

Together they went to Ali’s house… Ali gave him some food and showed him a place where he can sleep… The next day Abu Dharr thanked Ali for his hospitality and went back to the Haram al-Sharif… Again, he waited all day, but again he could not find the Rasul… At night, Ali came again and took him to his house and fed him. After dinner Ali asked him, “Where did you come from?”

“I am from the Ghifar Clan. My name is Abu Dharr…”

“And why are you here? Who are you looking for?”

“I heard there is a man here who claims to be the Rasul of Allah… I came to meet him…”

“I’m glad you did… And I’m glad we met because I was just about to go to him… Would you like me to take you to him?”

“Yes, of course! I would be much pleased!”

“Then listen well… I’m going to leave now and start walking… You leave after me and follow me… If on the way I sense any danger I will stop and pretend to tie my shoe. If you see me do that go on your way, otherwise follow me all the way and enter the house I go to, ok?”

“Ok, understood…”

They left; Abu Dharr carefully followed Hadhrat Ali (ra) from about 30 steps behind… When they came to the house Ali entered and Abu Dharr entered after him…

Our Master pleasantly greeted him and asked him where he was from.

“I’m from the Ghifar Clan, my name is Abu Dharr… I have been here for a few days before I met Ali…”

“And who fed you and hosted you?”

“I ate nothing other than Zamzam and felt no hunger, in fact I even gained weight!”

“Zamzam is a sacred drink! And what is it that you want?”

“I want to learn about the religion of Islam and if it makes sense, I want to accept it…”

The Rasul of Allah explained the religion to Abu Dharr and Abbu Dharr recited the Word of Unity and entered the religion of Islam…