The Companion Salman Al-Farsi

Early Life & Family of Salman Al-Farsi

The noble companion Salman Al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) was originally from Persia, from a place called Ramhormoz, and some say from one of the cities of Isfahan.

His name was Mabah ibn Buzakhshan. He was a Magian (Zoroastrian), as his people worshipped fire, and he used to tend the fire by providing it with wood and caring for it so it would not be extinguished. His father was a village leader, known as a dehqan, and Salman was the most beloved of his sons.

Conversion Salman Al-Farsi to Islam

1. One day, his father sent him to take care of the estate. On his way, Salman passed by a Christian church and heard their prayers. He was moved by what he heard and asked the people about their religion. They told him about Christianity and said he could find it practiced in Syria.
2. When he returned home and told his father, his father grew afraid and chained him to keep him from leaving.
3. The Christians sent word to Salman that some traders from Syria would be returning there soon. When the time came, Salman escaped his chains and traveled with them to Syria.
4. In Syria, he searched for the most pious among the Christians and found a priest to serve. But the priest turned out to be corrupt, hoarding donations. After the priest died, Salman joined another, and continued moving from teacher to teacher until he reached a righteous man in Amuria (Asia Minor). Salman stayed with him, learning and working, and even gained livestock.
5. When that man was on his deathbed, Salman asked if there was another righteous person to follow. The man told him that soon a prophet would be sent in Arabia, in a land of palm trees, and described the signs of this prophet: he would accept gifts, but not charity, and he would bear the seal of prophethood.
6. Salman later met Arab traders and asked to go with them, offering his animals as payment. They deceived him and sold him as a slave to a Jew.
7. He worked for that Jew until he was sold again to a Jewish man from Banu Qurayzah, and while there, he heard of the Prophet Muhammad arriving in Quba. Salman decided to investigate.
8. He brought dates to the Prophet as charity , the Prophet didn’t eat them. Then he brought him a gift, and the Prophet ate them. Lastly, Salman checked the Prophet’s back and saw the seal of prophethood , and he knew this was the man he had been told about. He converted to Islam.
9. He remained a slave until the Prophet encouraged him to negotiate his freedom, which he did in exchange for planting and growing a large number of date palms and paying a sum of money. With the help of the Prophet and the companions, Salman was freed and joined the Muslims.

Jihad of Salman Al-Farsi in the Battle of the Trench

Quraysh surprised the Muslims in Medina after some Jewish leaders convinced Quraysh and Ghatafan to attack from outside the city, while the Jews of Banu Qurayza would strike from within, placing the Muslims between two armies to eliminate them completely. The Muslims found themselves in a dire situation until the companion Salman came up with a brilliant idea that became a turning point in the Battle of the Trench.

The Muslims implemented his idea by digging a trench around the exposed parts of Medina. The polytheists were unable to breach the city for an entire month and eventually withdrew after strong winds uprooted their tents. Salman Al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) played a major role in protecting the Muslims from the coalition of the polytheists and the betrayal of the Jews.

Knowledge and Wisdom of Salman Al-Farsi

Salman was deeply knowledgeable. Many companions praised his wisdom. Ali ibn Abi Talib said:

"Who can be like Luqman the Wise? He attained the knowledge of the first and the last; a sea whose depth cannot be reached; he is one of us, the People of the House".

Salman narrated several hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad, such as:

“If a man takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, uses oil, applies perfume from his home, then goes out and does not separate two people [in the mosque], prays as much as is prescribed, and listens silently when the Imam speaks , his sins between that Friday and the next will be forgiven”.

He was also a teacher to companions like Ibn Abbas and Anas, and to followers like Uthman al-Nahdi.

Status and Virtues of Salman Al-Farsi

• He was the first Persian to embrace Islam.
• The Prophet said of him: “Salman is one of us, the People of the House”.
• He was wise and spiritual, and the Prophet confirmed his insight during a moment when Salman advised Abu al-Darda’ to maintain balance in life , between worship, personal care, and family.
• He practiced asceticism and was known for his humility and modest lifestyle.
• In a famous hadith, the Prophet said after hearing Abu al-Darda recount Salman’s advice:

  “Salman has spoken the truth”.

Death of Salman Al-Farsi

Salman Al-Farsi died during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, and he was buried in Al-Mada’in, Iraq. Most sources place his death in 32 AH (652 CE), though some say 33 AH. 

Before his death, he requested a vessel of water, in which he placed musk. He instructed his household to sprinkle it around his body, believing that there were creatures of God, such as angels, who enjoy the pleasant scent but do not eat. After that, he asked his caretaker to leave the room. When she returned shortly afterward, she found that he had passed away, may Allah be pleased with him.