This report is recorded by al-Bukhārī and Muslim through the transmission of al-Muthannā ibn Saʿīd, from Abū Jamrah (1).

Ibn Saʿd relates: Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar told us—ibn Abī Sabrah told us—from Yaḥyā ibn Shibl—from Khuffāf ibn Īmāʾ, who said:
“Abū Dharr was a man who always got his share. He was courageous, would set out alone, waylay travellers, and raid scattered camps in the pitch-dark hours before dawn, mounted on his horse or on foot, pouncing like a wild beast. He would swoop upon a tribe, take whatever he could, and ride off. Then Allah cast Islam into his heart. He heard the Prophet’s call—at a time when the Prophet ﷺ was still inviting people in secret—and he set out asking about him (2).”

Abū Maʿshar as-Sindī states: “In the pre-Islamic era Abū Dharr practised a form of devotion to God, affirmed His oneness, and never worshipped idols (3).”

Al-Naḍr ibn Muḥammad narrates: ʿIkrimah ibn ʿAmmār told us—Abū Zumayl—from Mālik ibn Mirthad—from his father—from Abū Dharr, who said:
“I was the fourth person to accept Islam; three had embraced the faith before me. I came to the Prophet of Allah and said, ‘Peace be upon you, O Prophet of Allah.’ I then accepted Islam, and I saw gladness spread over his face. He asked, ‘Who are you?’ I replied, ‘Jundub, a man of Ghifār.’ I saw the joy in the face of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Among my people were some who used to rob the pilgrims (4).”