[2] He had several children and was particularly fond of one of them who was then barely five years old with red hair and named Suhayb (meaning red-head, ginger).
He became the representative of an aristocrat in Mecca, Abdullah ibn Judan at-Taymi, engaging in trade and becoming quite wealthy.
When Muhammad gave permission for his followers to migrate to Medina in 622 to avoid faith-based persecution, Suhayb resolved to accompany Muhammad and Abu Bakr, but the Quraish discovered his intentions[1] and placed guards over him to prevent him from leaving Mecca and taking the wealth he had acquired through trade.
[citation needed] His captors became relaxed and Suhayb quietly armed himself, readied a mount and headed for Medina.
Seeing them approach, Suhayb clambered up a hill and holding his bow and arrow, he shouted: "Men of Quraish!
When Suhayb reached Quba, just outside Medina, Muhammad saw him approaching and said, "Your transaction has been fruitful, O Abu Yahya.
In this he was referring to the holy verses that had just been revealed, celebrating Suhayb's heroic act and bargain with the Quraysh.
[1] Suhayb was chosen by the second caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab to lead the Muslims in prayers for some time.