Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) – Seeker Of The Truth
Hazrat Salman (R.A) was born in the city of Kazrun approximately in 568 A.D and was raised in a small village Jiyye or Jayyan of the city of Isfahan. His familial name was Rozeba or Ruzbeh which is a Persian name. After accepting the Religion of Peace, his name was changed to Salman by the Messenger ﷺ of Allah Himself. His father used to be a wealthy landowner who was known as “Dihqan” (Chief of the community) and was an influential political entity in his town and in the adjoining areas. He also possessed a great deal of affluence in the city, and huge assets all over the country, and he had abundant slaves and several flocks of horses. Salman was his only son; therefore, he gave all of his love to him in raising him and kept him in his house to keep him safe from any danger.
Being Raised Under The Religion of Fire
Hazrat Salman (R.A) was grown as being dedicated to the Magician religion, which was prevalent in Iran at that time. He also managed to get then considered highly honorable position of guardian of the fire, which they use to worship. His responsibility was to observe that the inferno remained in a state of aflame and that it did not extinguish for any moment. His father had a huge lands producing a plentiful supply of harvests, who himself used to take care of the property and assembled the yield. At some point as his other duties grew up tremendously, he directed his son Salman to go and look after the matters of the estate for him.
On his way towards the land, Hazrat Salman (R.A) happened to pass by a church where he heard voices of prayers attracting his concentration. At that time, he had no prior knowledge about Christianity or one should say regarding any other religion. Upon hearing the voices of the Christians, he went straight into the cathedral to see what was happening there. He was greatly moved by their way of calling upon God. Then, he declared this religion as being better than his own and wanted to stay there as much as he could.
Fondness Of The Religion Of Christianity
Hazrat Salman (R.A) came to know that Christianity began in Syria. He came back home the following day. Upon being asked by his father, he told him that he had come across a better religion than theirs and that should embrace it. His father became angry at him and chained him so that he could not run away again.
Somehow, he managed to escape along a caravan going to Syria. Upon reaching there, he came under the supervision of priest of church, who he later found out to be fraudulent with given alms. He was highly impressed with his second mentor. He happened to come under the control of many Christian spiritual leaders. It was the pastor in Ammuriyah (Ameria, close to Rome) who told him about some of the personality signs of the Last Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arising from land of Makkah and that he should meet him.
Living As A Slave In Madina
After coming to know about the emerging and truthful Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ, Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) wanted to go to the Arab land as soon as possible. He asked people of Kalb tribe who were passing through Ammuriyah to take him with them in exchange of everything he had. They consented with his offer, but after reaching Wadi al-Qura (a place between Syria and Madina), they broke agreement and sold him to a Jew. He eventually ended up at Banu Qurayzah in Madina.
When the Apostle ﷺ of God reached Madinah after Hijrah (Migration), Hazrat Salman (R.A) was busy in his work on a palm tree. His master was resting under the shade of that tree until he was told of the arrival of the potential Prophet. After hearing that news, Hazrat Salman (R.A) shivered with great excitement as he was waiting to see the Messenger ﷺ himself.
Meeting With The Holy Prophet PBUH
Same day as he heard this great news, Hazrat Salman (R.A) was determined to go and meeting the Holy Prophet himself. He went to the place where Hazrat Muhamamd ﷺ and His companions were resting, and offered Him to eat from collected dates of Sadaqah (Charity). He observed that Rasulullah ﷺ offered all of them to his escorts and did not eat a single date from it as they were meant for the poor. On another occasion, when he again offered the Prophet ﷺ some dates being a gift, then he saw that the Messenger ﷺ ate them Himself too.
Hazrat Salman (R.A) noticed the same personality characteristics of absolute honesty in Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ as he was told by his last Christian mentor. He firmly believed in Him (PBUH) as the righteous Prophet and accepted Islam at the hand of the Apostle ﷺ of Allah. He was eventually freed by Rasulullah ﷺ from slavery by paying enough money to his Jew owner.
Playing a Key Role in Ghazwa Khandaq
Due to being under slavery for first few years despite the acceptance of Islam in Madina, Hazrat Salman (R.A) was unable to take part in the early battles of Badr and Uhud. But after his freedom, when Muslims had to fight disbelievers of Makkah in Ghazwa Khandaq (Trench), he (R.A) played an important part in it.
Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) was the one who with his great insight, recommended the Holy Prophet ﷺ to dig a deep drain in the surrounding area of the Madina city in order to overcome the forceful and armed forces of the non believers. The idea proved to be high fruitful with the final result of infidels never ever being able to accomplish seize of Madina.
Being a Great Islamic Scholar
As an intellectual, Hazrat Salman (R.A) was well-known for his huge understanding and insight about various matters concerning life and religious issues. Hehad acquaintance with both Bible and Quran besides his previous comprehension of the Zoroastrian (Fire) religion. He (R.A) even had the honor of translating some parts of the Holy Quran into Persian when the Holy Prophet ﷺ was alive. Thus, he (R.A) became the first ever individual to interpret the Quranic Instructions into an overseas language.
Abu Hurraira (R.A) narrated the Messenger ﷺ praying as:
‘As well as others of them, who have not already joined them.’ (Quran,62:3) The Sahabah asked, ‘O Prophet PBUH of Allah, who are these people,’ The Prophet PBUH placed his hand on Salman and said, ‘if faith was near the Pleiads, then someone from them would attain it.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)
The above mentioned Hadith shows that Allah SWT has described the great status of those whose souls and hearts are being purified by Rasulullah ﷺ through the Verses of Furqan e Hameed. The Ayah the Holy Prophet ﷺ recited in it indicates about the non Arabs including Salman Al-Farsi Himself who would also get benefited from the Messenger ﷺ and became great Islamic scholars.
Having Great Honor Of Being From Ahle Bait
“Ahle Bait” are those righteous Muslims who belonged to the house of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. During Ghazwa Khandaq, Muhajireen and Ansaar were both claiming that Hazrat Salman (R.A) belonged to them only. Rasulullah ﷺ came to know about this heavy argumentation between the two groups. He ﷺ at first was much pleased with them doing it in a pleasant way, but eventually declared him from His own family.
“Salman is neither Muhajir nor Ansar. He is one of us. He is one of the People of the House, Ahle Bait.”
It means that due to great standing of Hazrat Salman (R.A) and his unending desire to search for truthful religion throughout his life, the Apostle ﷺ of God granted him much of the honor by declaring him from among His own family.
In short, Hazrat Salman Al Farsi (R.A) was a close companion of the Holy Prophet ﷺ who dedicated his whole life to search for the rightful religion until he found peace in Islam. He (R.A) died at the age of 88 and is buried in Al-Madain in Iraq.
