Personalities

Jihad

Salman was always going with our Master Muhammad [s] to defend the Muslim Mission against the enemies.

Salman took part in all Muslim battles: the Battle of Bani Quraidha, the Battle of Khaibar, the Conquest of Makkah, the Battle of Hunain, and the Battle of Tabook.

Salman was one of the first persons who paid homage to Allah's Apostle [s] under the tree. That homage was called al-Ridhwan.

Salman was a truthful believer and a loyal Mujahid.

For this reason, the Muslims heard our Master Muhammad [s] saying: The Paradise is longing for three persons. They're Ali, Ammar, and Salman.

They were a pretty sight because they were from three countries. Islam had gathered them together. So, they became brothers.

In the meantime, Abu Sufyan passed by and look laughingly at them because he was always behaving according to the behaviour of the pre-lslamic people. And because he thought that Arabs were better than other nations.

But our Master Muhammad said: There's no difference between an Arab and a foreigner but in the fear of Allah.

Salman, Bilal, and Suhaib wanted to teach Abu Sufyan a lesson and to remind him of the mercy of Islam.

So, they said: The swords haven't taken anything from Allah's enemy!

Abu-Bakr heard their words and said with anger: Why have you said these words to the Shaikh of the Quraish and their leader.

Abu-Bakr went to our Master Muhammad [s] to tell him about their words.

But our Master Muhammad [s] said: Abu Bakr, have you made them angry? If you have made them angry, then you have made Allah angry.

Abu Bakr felt sorry because he made them angry. Thus he went to them quickly and said: Brothers, I may have made you angry!

They answered with Muslim kindness:No, Abu Bakr, may Allah forgive you!

The Prophet's Demise

On Monday, 28th Safar, the Prophet [s] passed away The Muslims became sad. Salman wept over him.

Salman loved our Master Muhammad [s] very much. He followed his behaviour and memorized his words.

For this reason, Salman loved Ali, for Allah and his Apostle loved him.

And he heard the Prophet [s] saying again and again:

Ali is with justice and justice is with Ali.

You are in the same position with respect to me as Harun was to Musa except that there is no Prophet after me.

Whomsoever I'm the authority over, Ali is also the authority over.

Salman had heard those traditions and others.

For this reason, he believed in Ali's Imamate and in his Caliphate after our Master Muhammad [s].

The Homage

Many Companions of the Prophet [s] were surprised at that homage. And they opposed it because they thought that the true Caliph was Ali [a].

For this reason, Salman, Abu-Dharr, al-Miqdad, Ammar bin Yasir, Abdullah bin Abbas, al-Zubair bin al-Awam, Qais bin Saad, Usama bin Zaid, Abu Ayyoob al-Ansary, Abdullah bin Masoud and so on, did not pay homage to Abu-Bakr.

Imam Ali [a] kept on his attitude towards the homage till his wife, Fatima al-Zahra, our Master Muhammad's daughter, died.

Imam Ali [a] paid homage to Abu Bakr to save the Muslims from division. Salman was waiting to pay homage. The Imam said to him: Aba Abdullah, pay homage.

Salman obeyed Allah, Allah's Apostle [s] and the Imam. So, he paid homage.

Imam Ali [a] loved Salman and said about him: Salman is a member of the Prophet's family. He is like Luqman al-Hakim He has read the first Book and the last Book, namely, the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur'an.

Al-Madain

Salman took part in the battles of Persia. He was in the advance of the fighters. And he was fighting bravely.

Saad bin Abi-Wakkas was the leader of the campaign against al-Madain. Salman was beside him. He crossed the river with his horse.

Salman was a translator between the Muslims and the Persian people. Thus the city surrendered without shedding blood.

Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab appointed him ruler over al-Madain. He was a model for the just, Muslim ruler.

His salary was five thousand Dirhams. But he divided them all among the poor.

He lived a simple life. He bought palm-leaves by a Dirham. He made baskets and sold them for three

Dirhams. He spent a Dirham on his family, gave a Dirham to the poor, and saved the third Dirham to buy palm-leaves.

His clothing were simple. When the travellers and the strangers saw him, they regarded him as a poor man from al-Madain.

One day, while Salman was walking in the market, a traveller ordered him to carry his baggage. Salman carried the baggage and began walking after the man.

In the street, the people were greeting Salman respectfully. The traveller wondered and asked the people around him: Who's that poor man?

They answered: He's Salman al-Farsi, the companion of Allah's Apostle [s], and the Emir of al-Madain

The traveller was surprised. He apologised to Salman and asked him to put down the baggage.

Salman refused that and said: Till I see you off.

The traveller felt sorry and knew that Salman was Allah's supporter.

Kufa

After the Conquest of al-Madain, the Muslims began looking for a suitable place to inhabit.

So, Salman and Hudhayfa bin al-Yamman went looking for a suitable land to match the Muslims' customs.

They chose the land of Kufa and said some prayers there. On that day Kufa was founded. Then it became the capital of the Muslim government and a center for science and knowledge.

The Jihad Again

Uthman became the Caliph of Muslims. But the Muslims removed him from his office.

Salman became happy. He set out for Madina to visit our Master Muhammad's Holy Shrine, and to say prayers in his mosque.

Salman liked Jihad and sacrificing his life to defend the Muslim government against its enemies. So, he joined the fighters to conquer Balengerd City in Turkey. And he had many brave attitudes there.

The Coming Back

Salman became very old. Then he was invalid. The Muslims visited him and asked Allah to recover him from his illness. The Muslims were looking at Salman lovingly because he loved Allah and people and did a lot of good.

One morning Salman asked his wife to get him the parcel he had kept for years. His wife asked him about the parcel. Salman said: Dear Allah's Apostle [s] has said to me:

If death comes to you, some people will come to you. They like perfume but they don't eat food.

The Shaikh untied the parcel and splashed it with water. A sweet smell spread and filled the space of the room. Salman asked his wife to open the door.

Only a few moments passed, the Shaikh shut his eves and passed away.

His Shrine

The visitor can find a big shrine, named Salman Paak including the tomb of the great Companion Salman al-Muhammadi, the loyal son of Islam, in the area which tourists visit to see the ruins of al-Madain where Kossra Arch stands.

Salman was a young man when he left the Iranian land. He visited many cities and towns in Turkey, Shaam, Iraq, and Hijaz. After a long life of Jihad and of worship, he died at al-Madain.

Worth mentioning, the people of Madain called him Salman Paak. "Paak" is a Persian word meaning clean. Yes! Salman was clean-hearted. And, he was a member of the Prophet's family.

Adapted from the book: "The Companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w)"