Salman Farsi
Salman Farsi was born into an influential Zoroastrian family in the village of Jey, a suburb of Isfahan. His father named him "Roozbeh". The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) called him one of his own (Ahl al-Bayt) and he became known as Salman Muhammadi.
His father was a Zoroastrian clergyman , the head of the village of Jey, and one of the richest men in the area. He was a fanatical and ardent fire worshipper, and since he had a fire temple, the people of the area would go to him to worship fire; therefore, he enjoyed a special political and religious position among the people.
Choosing the name Salman
About two hundred and sixteen or three hundred and sixteen years before the “Prophet Migration”, a child was born in the village of Jey (a village in Isfahan). They named him "Roozbeh" and later the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) named him "Salman".[1]
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The name Salman is ambiguous at various stages of his life before he embraced Islam.
There is absolutely no mention of his former name in ancient sources, but from the sixth century onwards, sources such as “Mojmal al-Tawarikh va al-Qesas” have recorded his pre-Islamic name as "Mahebah Ibn Badakhshan Ibn Azar-Habsas Ibn Mard-Salar". [2]
Mojmal al-Tawarikh wa al-Qesas.(1939). edited by Bahar, Mohammad Taqi, Tehran : Kalaleh Khavar
And in other sources, from this time onwards, similar names have been recorded, all of which are probably the correction of the word "Mah Beh" in the row of "Rooz Beh " and "Sal Beh " from common Iranian names in pre-Islamic Iran, and also the word "Azar Jasas" is a modification of "Azar Goshnasb".[3] Turki, Muhammad Reza.(2008). Parsaye Parsi, Tehran:Elmi va Farahangi Publications.
Salman was known by the nickname Abu Abdullah after Islam and was from the village of Jey, a suburb of Isfahan. His father was a farmer and a Zoroastrian, and Salman was also a follower of this religion when he was a child.
Salman embracing Christianity
When Salman arrived in Damascus, he sought out the most knowledgeable and pious Christian man, and the people guided him to their religious leader in the church. He went to the church and said to the religious leader of that people: I would like to convert to your religion and serve you to learn the principles and rules of this religion from you.He accepted Salman's request, and thus he became one of the servants and disciples of that religious leader.
Gradually, Salman realized that the priest was a treacherous and evil man, because he encouraged people to give alms, but he saved the alms he collected from people for the poor and did not distribute them to the needy. In fact, what he told people was nothing more than a slogan.
For this reason, Salman was very angry with him. After a while, when the hypocritical priest passed away and Salman informed the people of his evil deed, the people chose another scholar in his place, who was an ascetic and a worshipper, and always helped the poor and the helpless.
Salman loved him very much and served him with complete devotion until the time of his death came. Before he died, Salman went to his bedside and asked him to guide him to a worthy scholar like himself. He guided Salman to a learned devotee and told him: That person has a correct and unadulterated Bible and can lead you to the truth.
Salman's conversion to Islam
In those days, Salman was working on the top of the date palm tree and his master was sitting under the tree when his cousin came and said to him: May God destroy the tribes of “Ows” and “Khazraj”. He asked: Why? He said: A man named “Muhammad” has appeared who claims to be a prophet; he has come from Mecca to Qoba and has gathered all the people around him.
Salman was overcome with joy upon hearing this and was about to fall from the tree. He hurried down and asked them: "What is the matter? Who is Muhammad? Where is he now?"
His master became angry and slapped him hard and said: "Go and do your job!" Salman remembered the signs of the Prophet of the End Times that he had heard from the monk of Amooryeh. At night, he took some dates and secretly went to Qoba and was able to see the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
Salman said to the prophet : I have heard that you are a righteous and worthy man, and a group of the poor are also with you.
I have brought you some dates as charity to eat. The Prophet (PBUH) indicated to his companions to take those dates and eat them, but he did not eat them himself.
Salman was very happy and delighted that he had been able to find another sign of his beloved one, but since she did not have time to discuss further with the Prophet, he returned to his master and left the continuation of his research to another opportunity.
A few days later, he informed that the Prophet (PBUH) had come to Medina from Qoba; therefore, at the first opportunity, he took some dates that he had collected for himself and secretly went to Medina. He appeared in the session of the Prophet (PBUH), and presented the dates to him and said: "Accept these dates as a gift."
The Prophet (PBUH) accepted it and ate some of it and then distributed it among his companions. In this way, two of the signs of the Prophethood of the Prophet (PBUH) were confirmed to Salman, and there was only one more thing left for Salman to be sure about, and that was the seal of prophethood, Salman was waiting to see that too.[4] Ibn Hesham, Abdul Malik.(1955). Al-Sirat al-Nabawiyyah (The Prophet's Biography), edited by Mustafa Al-Sakka, Ibrahim Al-Abyari and Abdul Hafiz Shalabi, vol. 1, Beirut: Dar Al-Wafaq.
Salman's Freedom
There are many narrations narrated about Salman's freedom from slavery, but the most trusted narration is that Salman, at the behest of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family), made a deal with his master to be freed in exchange for three to four hundred yellow and red date palm trees that he would plant and bear fruit.
But this took several years, and it was by the miracle of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that the date palm trees quickly bore fruit and produced fresh dates, and Salman was freed.
Therefore, for this reason, Salman did not participate in the early wars of Islam, and the first war he managed to participate in after his liberation was the Battle of Khandaq. [5]
Ibn Saad, Muhammad ibn Saad. Tabaqat al-Kubra.(1995). translated by Dr. Mahmoud Mahdavi Damghani, vol. 4, Tehran:Culture and Thought Publications
After the rise of Islam
In the early days of Islam, due to the equality of Muslims, a brotherhood pact was signed between them at the behest of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family), and Salman also signed a brotherhood pact with Abu Darda. [6] Ibn Athir al-Jazari, Ali ibn Muhammad.(1988). Osodol-Ghabah Fi Ma’rafah Al-Sahabah, vol. 5, Beirut: Dar al-Fekir.
But Salman's name will remain in history due to his presence in the Battle of the Khandaq. When the Khoza'i cavalry was four days away from Mecca and informed the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) of the movement of the Qoraysh and the large Arab army, and when the Muslims informed of the Jews' breach of treaty, a cloud of fear spread over Medina.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) immediately called his companions for a consultation. A group of them were determined to leave Medina and take up the sword wherever they encountered the enemy.
Suddenly, Salman Farsi came forward and put forward his historic proposal that a ditch be dug around the city, as was the custom of the Iranians during times of war, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) accepted his proposal. [7] Ibn Hesham, Abdul Malik.(1955). Al-Sirat al-Nabawiyyah (The Prophet's Biography), edited by Mustafa Al-Sakka, Ibrahim Al-Abyari and Abdul Hafiz Shalabi, vol. 3, Beirut: Dar Al-Wafaq.
In the midst of the Battle of the Khandaq, a verbal dispute broke out between the “Mohajers” and the “Ansar”, each claiming Salman as their own. In the meantime, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) said something that put an end to the dispute: "Salman is from my Ahlul Bayt", and therefore he is also considered "Salman Muhammadi."[8] Bayhaqi, Abu Bakr.(1982). Dalel al-Nobowwah, translated by Mahmoud Mahdavi Damghani, vol.3,Tehran: Elmi va Farahangi Publications.
Salman was the first person to translate the Quran into Persian and also translated Persian into Arabic and vice versa for the Prophet (peace be upon him). [9] Turki, Muhammad Reza.(2008). Parsaye Parsi, Tehran:Elmi va Farahangi Publications
Salman after the death of the Prophet (PBUH)
He was among the few people who attended the burial of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) and prayed over his body. He was among the companions who did not pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr at the beginning until he was forced to do so. He is one of the special Shiites and a companion of Ali (peace be upon him).[10] Thaqafi al-Kufi, Ibrahim.(1994). Al-Gharat, translated by Azizullah Atarodi,Tehran:Atarod Publications
During the caliphate of Umar, Salman was a constant presence in the Muslim conquests and wars of conquest of Iran, and in the conquest of Madaen, he negotiated with the people of the city, and they agreed to pay the jizyah. [11] Ibn Saad, Muhammad ibn Saad. Tabaqat al-Kubra.(1995). translated by Dr. Mahmoud Mahdavi Damghani, vol. 4, Tehran:Culture and Thought Publications
Ahadith about Salman
The most famous narration narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) about Salman is the narration "Salman is from our Ahl al-Bayt." Sheikh Mofid (d. 413 AH) wrote that one day Salman entered the mosque and the people present, out of respect for him, placed him at the head of the session.
But Umar Ibn al-Khattab criticized the people present for this action, claiming that he was not Arab. The Prophet (PBUH) saw this dispute and went to the pulpit and delivered a sermon, pointing out that people are not superior to each other in terms of race or skin color, and said: "Salman is from our Ahl al-Bayt." [12] Mofid, Muhammad ibn Muhammad.(1992).Al- Ekhtesas ,Editor/Proofreader: Ghaffari, Ali Akbar and Mahrami Zarandi, Mahmud,Qom: The International Millennium Conference of Sheikh Mufid
The same statement of the Prophet (PBUH) is also narrated in another narration. According to this narration, during the days when the people of Medina were digging a Khandaq to confront the army of the parties, Salman Farsi, who was a strong man, played a great role in advancing the work, and each group of the “Mohajirin” and “Ansar” called him one of their own, and the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Salman is from our Ahl al-Bayt." [13] Ibn Saad, Muhammad ibn Saad. Tabaqat al-Kubra.(1995). translated by Dr. Mahmoud Mahdavi Damghani, vol. 4, Tehran:Culture and Thought Publications
Another statement of the Prophet of Islam is narrated regarding the virtue of Salman.[14] Ibn Asaker, Ali ibn Hassan.(1994). History of Damascus, 1st edition, researcher, Shiri, Ali, vol. 21, Beirut, Dar al-Fakir
Among them are the statements that the Prophet is said; the Paradise was eager for Ali, Ammar, and Salman, or the hadith according to which God obligated the Prophet (PBUH) to love Ali, Salman, Meqdad, and Abu Dharr.[15] Al-Balādhurī, Aḥmad B. Yaḥyā B. Jābir.(1996).Ansāb al-ashrāf). vol. 1.Beirut:Dar Al-fekir
In Shiite sources, there are narrations praising Salman from the words of Shiite Imams. In the words of the Imams (a.s.), he is usually recognized as one of the first Shiites and those who are steadfast in the religion.
Among these narrations is a statement from Imam Ali (a.s.) who considered Salman Farsi and some of his companions, including Abu Dharr, Ammar, Yaser, and Meqdad, among those through whose blessings God provides sustenance to people. [16] Sheikh Sadooq.(1983). Al-Khesal, Qom:Islamic Publications Office
The Prophet also considered Salman to have the first and last knowledge.[17] Ibn Asaker, Ali ibn Hassan.(1994). History of Damascus, 1st edition, researcher, Shiri, Ali, vol. 21, Beirut, Dar al-Fakir
It is narrated in a narration from Muhammad Ibn Ali (Baqir al-oloom) and Ja'far Ibn Muhammad (Sadeq) that once in a gathering in the presence of the Imam (a.s.), it was mentioned the name of Salman Farsi and the Imam said, "Do not say Salman Farsi, but say Salman Muhammadi, because he is one of our family, the Ahl al-Bayt." [18] Kashshi, Muhammad Ibn Umar.(1984) Rijal al-Kashshi (Ekhtiyar Maarefah al-Rejal with the Notes of Mir Damad al-Astarabadi), researcher, corrector, Rajai, Mahdi, vol. 1, first edition, Qom: Aal al-Bayt Institute
Death
One of the characters of perfect humans and those close to God is that they sometimes become aware of the unseen. Salman was like that and was aware of his own death. He even knew the day and hour of his death. He fell ill in Madaen and his illness worsened day by day.
When he was sure that he was living out the last moments of his life, he carried out the will of his master and beloved, the Messenger of God (peace and blessings of God be upon him and his family), and ordered that he be taken to the cemetery to speak with the dead people. This conversation with the dead was a sign that Salman was about to leave and that his time had come.
On Tuesday morning in the year 34 or 36 AH, at the end of the caliphate of Uthman, he asked his wife for some musk and perfumed his body with it, and then waited until his death. According to his will, Imam Ali (a.s.) and Qanbar came for his burial ceremony, washed and shrouded Salman, and the Imam wrote this poem on his shroud:
و فدت علی الکریم بغیر زاد•• من الحسنات و القلب السلیم
و حمل الزاد اقبح کل شیء•• اذا کان الوفود علی الکریم
I entered the court of the Most Gracious God without a provision of good deeds and a sound heart, and if a person is to enter the presence of a noble person, it is the most odious thing to have a provision of good deeds.[19] Mohaddesi, Jawad.(2019). Salman Farsi, Qom:Boostan Ketab Publications.
Then he was buried, and his age at this time was between two hundred and fifty and three hundred and fifty years. [20] Murtaza Ameli, Seyyed Ja’far.(1994). Salman Farsi ,Qom:Islamic Publications Office.
Today, his grave is a place of pilgrimage for many Muslims, and a magnificent dome casts a shadow over his grave. It has a courtyard and a shrine, and many pilgrims visit him every day.
Views on Salman's burial
The story of Salman's burial by Imam Ali (a.s.) has been narrated from two perspectives; on the one hand, those who were present in Medina and the place where Ali (a.s.) lived. They have narrated this event, and on the other hand, those who were in Madaen and the place where Salman lived in the final years of his life and the place where he died and was buried.So they have described this event.
Narrations from Medina:
Those who were present in Medina and the place where Ali (peace be upon her) lived have narrated this event:
Imam Ali's dream
It is narrated from the city of Medina that one day Hazrat Ali entered the mosque and said: "Last night I saw the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) in a dream and he told me: Salman has passed away. He advised me to take charge of his bath, shrouding, prayer and burial. I will now go to Madaen."
At this moment, Umar Ibn al-Khattab said to him: "Take his shroud from the treasury." Imam Ali (a.s.) said: "His shroud has already been prepared." Then Ali (a.s.) set out towards the outskirts of the city and the people accompanied him. When he left the city, the people returned.
It was before noon when the Imam returned to the city and said: “I have buried Salman.” Most people did not believe him, until after a while a letter arrived from Madaen in which it was written:
Salman passed away on a certain night. A desert Arab came to us, washed him, shrouded him, prayed over him, and then left. All the people were astonished when they saw this letter.[21] Rawandi ,Qutb al-Deen ,Sa'id Ibn Hebatullah.(1989). Al-Khara'ij wa al-Jara'ih, (The History of Imam Mahdi, may God Almighty hasten his reappearance),Qom: Imam Mahdi (AS) Foundation
Jaber's narration
In another narration, Jaber adds that when Imam Ali (a.s.) set out for Madaen, he put on the Prophet's turban and armor, took his staff and sword, and mounted the Prophet's camel, whose name was Azba. [22] Ibn Shahr-e-Ashoob.(1959). Manaqib of the Aal Abi Talib, vol. 4, Qom: Allamah publications
Narration of the city of Madaen
Those who lived in Madaen, the place where Salman lived in the final years of his life, and the place where he died and was buried, have described this event:
The narration of Ibn Nabatah
Asbagh Ibn Nabatah also reported from Madaen as follows
Suddenly we saw a man riding a white mule and covering his face, coming towards us. He greeted us and we responded. Then he said: "O Asbagh! Hurry up in doing Salman's affair." We also got busy doing Salman's affair. We brought him incense and a shroud. He said:
"I have prepared perfume and a shroud for him." Then we prepared water and a place for bathing. The man bathed Salman with his own hands, and after we prayed over him, he buried him and laid his grave. When the burial was finished, he went on his way.
I went to him and took his clothes and said: O “Amir Al-Momenin” ! How did you come here and how did you inform about Salman's death? Amir Al-Momenin turned to me and said: "I make you swear before God that you will not speak about this to anyone as long as I am alive." I said to him: "Will I die before you?" Amir Al-Momenin said: "No! Your life will be longer."
After Asbagh promised not to tell anyone about this, Imam Ali (a.s.) said to him: "This is a promise that the Messenger of God (s.a.w.a.) took from me. After I offered my prayers in Kufah, I went home and slept. A person came to me in my dream and said
"O Ali! Salman has passed away. I also mounted my mule and took with me what the deceased needs and set out. God made the distance near for me and as you see, I have come here." [23] Bahrani, Hashem.(1992).The City of Miracles of the Twelve Imams and the Evidence of Their Proofs for Humanity , vol. 2,Qom: Islamic Knowledge Foundation
The narration of Zazan
It is narrated from a person named Zazan: When Salman was about to die, I asked him, "Who will wash you?" He said, "The one who washed the Messenger of God." I said, "Are you in Madaen and he is in Medina?" He said, "When you tie my beard, you will hear a sound." When Salman died and I tied his beard,I heard a voice. I went to the door of the house. I saw that Amir al-Momenin Ali (a.s.) was present. He said to me: "O Zazan! Has Salman passed away?" I said yes. The Imam entered the house and removed the blanket from his face. Salman smiled at the Imam's face.
The Imam said, "Good luck! When you meet the Messenger of God, tell him what happened to your brother at the hands of your people." Then he began to wash and bathe him. When he led the prayer over him, I could hear a strong Takbir from the Imam.[24] Ibn Shahr-e-Ashoob.(1959). Manaqib of the Aal Abi Talib, vol. 4, Qom: Allamah publications