Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … In this verse, by “the others” (akhirin) are meant the Persians and other non-Arab peoples who will believe in you, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, until the Day of Judgment. The incident of the faith of Sayyiduna Salman al-Farsi radi Allahu anhu demonstrates what is meant by the statement of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that “If faith were near the Pleiades (Thurayya) stars, even then men from his people would attain it.” This is an extremely interesting and instructive incident; the hadith will appear later in the book, but for the readers’ interest, only its translation is presented here.

It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma, who says: Salman al-Farsi radi Allahu anhu related his story to me in his own words. He said: I was a Persian from among the people of Isfahan, from a village of theirs called Jayy. My father was a great landowner of the village, and I was the most beloved of all Allah’s creation to him. His love for me remained so strong that he confined me to the house, making me stay by the fire at all times, just as a girl is kept confined. I strove greatly in Magianism (Majusiyyah), to the extent that I became such a servant and companion of the fire that I would keep it burning at all times and would not let it extinguish even for a moment.

My father had a vast estate. One day, being occupied with the construction of a building, he said to me: “Son! Today I am busy with this building and cannot reach my estate, so you go and check on it.” He also gave me some further instructions regarding it. So I set out for the estate, and on the way, I passed by a Christian church. I heard their voices and saw that they were performing prayer. I did not know what the general public did, for my father had kept me confined in the house. (In any case,) when I passed by them and heard their voices, I went to them and began to observe their movements. When I saw them, their prayer pleased me, and I was attracted to their religion. I said: “By Allah! This religion is better than the one we follow.” I asked them: “Where is the origin of this religion?” They said: “In Syria (Sham).” Then I returned to my father. (Since I was delayed,) he had sent some people after me to call me back. Because of this preoccupation, I did not pay any attention to the work he had assigned. When I came to him, he asked: “Son! Where were you? Did I not assign you a responsibility?” I said: “Father! I passed by some people who were praying in a church. Their actions greatly pleased me. By Allah! I remained with them until the sun set.” My father said: “Son! There is no good in this religion. Your religion and the religion of your forefathers is better than this.” I said: “By Allah! Never! That religion is better than ours.” (Because of these feelings,) my father feared for me and shackled my feet, confining me in the house.

I sent a message to the Christians, asking them to inform me when a Christian caravan of traders came from Syria. (After some days,) when a Christian trading caravan arrived from Syria, they informed me of its arrival. I said to them: “When the people of this caravan have finished their business and wish to return to their country, let me know.” So when they were about to return, they informed me. I removed the shackles from my feet and set out with them, reaching Syria.

When I arrived in Syria, I asked: “Who is the most virtuous person among the people of this religion?” They said: “A priest in such-and-such church.” I went to him and said: “I am inclined towards this religion (Christianity), and I wish to stay with you, serve you in the church, learn from you, and pray with you.” He said: “(Alright,) come.” So I entered with him. But he was a very evil man. He would command people to give charity and encourage them, but when they brought many things, he would hoard them for himself and give nothing to the poor, until he had accumulated seven jars of gold and silver. Because of his deeds, I despised him. Eventually, he died, and the Christians gathered to bury him. I said to them: “He was a bad man. He used to command you to give charity and encourage you, but when you brought charity to him, he would hoard it for himself and give nothing to the poor.” They asked me: “How do you know this?” I said: “I can show you his treasure.” They said: “Then show us.” So I showed them the place of his treasure. They took out seven jars filled with gold and silver. When they saw what had become of the charity, they said: “By Allah! We will never bury him.” So they crucified him and stoned him with stones.

Afterwards, they appointed another man in his place. Salman says: Among those who performed the five prayers, I found him to be the best. I found him to be the most disinterested in the world, the most desirous for the Hereafter, and the most diligent in worship, whether by day or night. I loved him with a love I had never felt before. I stayed with him for some time. Eventually, his time of death approached. I said to him: “O so-and-so! I have stayed with you and loved you with a love I have never felt before. Now the command of Allah (death) has come to you, and you are aware of it. To whom do you advise me to go, and what do you command me?” He said: “My son! By Allah, I do not know of anyone who follows the religion I adhere to. People have perished and changed, and most of what they used to follow of the law has been abandoned. But there is a man in Mosul who is upon this religion. Go to him.” So I went to him and stayed with him. I found him to be the best man, steadfast upon his companion’s religion. (After some time,) signs of death appeared on him as well. When his time of death approached, I said: “O so-and-so! So-and-so advised me about you and commanded me to stay with you. Now that you are dying and have been buried, to whom do you advise me to go, and what do you command me?” He said: “(Alright,) stay with me.” So I stayed with him and found him to be a good man like his companion. After a short while, he too began to die. I said to him: “So-and-so sent me to you, and now you see what is coming from Allah. To whom do you advise me to go, and what do you command me?” He said: “My son! By Allah, to my knowledge, there is only one man who remains upon our religion, who is in Nasibin. (After my death,) go to him.” So when he died and was buried, I went to the man of Nasibin. I came to him and informed him about myself and the advice of my (previous guide). He said: “Stay with me.” So I stayed with him. I found him to be upon the religion of his two predecessors. He was the best man with whom I had stayed. But by Allah! He too soon prepared for death. When his time of death came, I said to him: “O so-and-so! So-and-so advised me to stay with so-and-so, then he advised me to come to you. Now to whom do you advise me to go, or what do you command me?” He said: “My son! We do not know of anyone who remains upon our religion to whom you could go. However, there is a man in ‘Amuriyyah who is like us in religion. If you wish, go to him, for he remains upon our religion.” So when he died and was buried, I went to the man of ‘Amuriyyah and told him my whole story. He said: “Stay with me.” I stayed with him and found him to be upon the character and religion of his companions.

Salman radi Allahu anhu says: I also earned some wealth with him, until I became the owner of some cows and sheep. But then Allah’s command came to him (i.e., signs of death appeared). When his time of death approached, I said to him: “O so-and-so! I was with so-and-so, and so-and-so advised me about so-and-so, and so-and-so advised me about you. Now to whom do you advise me to go, and what do you command me?” He said: “My son! I do not know of anyone who remains upon our religion whom I could command you to go to. But now the time of the advent of a Prophet is near. He will be sent with the religion of Ibrahim, and he will appear in the land of the Arabs and will migrate to a city that is between two black rocky tracts (harra), and between them are date palms. He will have other signs that will not be hidden. He will eat gifts (hadiyyah), but not charity (sadaqah), and between his shoulders will be the seal of Prophethood. If you are able, then go to those lands (of the Arabs).” Salman radi Allahu anhu says: Then he died and was buried.

I remained in ‘Amuriyyah as long as Allah willed. Then a trading caravan from the tribe of Banu Kalb passed by me. I said to them: “If you take me to the land of the Arabs, I will give you my cows and sheep.” They said: “Alright.” So I gave them my cows and sheep, and they took me with them. When they reached Wadi al-Qura, they wronged me and sold me as a slave to a Jew. So I stayed with him. When I saw the date palms, I hoped that this was the city my companion had described, but I was not certain. One day, the cousin of this Jew, who was from Banu Qurayzah, came from Madinah and bought me from him and took me to Madinah. By Allah! When I saw Madinah, I recognized it by the signs my companion had described (that this would be the abode of the Seal of the Prophets). I settled there.

Meanwhile, Allah sent His Messenger in Makkah, and he remained there as long as he was destined to remain. But I did not hear any mention of him, and besides, I was busy with the work of slavery. Eventually, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam migrated to Madinah. By Allah! (One day) I was working at the top of a date palm belonging to my master, while my master was sitting below. His cousin suddenly came to him and said: “O so-and-so! May Allah destroy the Banu Qaylah! They are gathered in Quba around a man who has come from Makkah, and they think he is a Prophet.” When I heard this, I was so shaken that I thought I would fall upon my master. I climbed down from the tree and began to ask his cousin: “What are you saying? What are you saying?” My master became angry at this and struck me hard, saying: “What concern is this of yours? Go, mind your own work.” I said: “No concern, I just wanted to verify the matter.”

Salman radi Allahu anhu says: I had some wealth I had collected. When evening came, I took it and went to Quba to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. I entered upon him and said: “I have heard that you are a righteous man and that your companions are poor and in need. Here is some charity I have, and I thought you were most deserving of it.” Then I placed it near the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. But he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to his companions: “Eat,” and he himself withheld his hand and did not eat. I said to myself: “(One sign of his Prophethood) has been fulfilled.” Then I left and collected some more wealth. Now the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had moved to Madinah. Then (taking that wealth) I went to him and said: “I think you do not eat from charity, so this is a gift (hadiyyah); I wish to honor you with it.” The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ate from it himself and ordered his companions to eat, so they ate. (Seeing this,) I said to myself: “Two signs (have been fulfilled).”

(Salman radi Allahu anhu says:) The third time I came to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he was in Baqi‘ al-Gharqad. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had come there for the funeral of a companion, and he was wearing two garments. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was sitting among his companions. I greeted him, then turned to look at his back to see if the seal of Prophethood was there, as my companion had foretold. When the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam saw me turning, he realized that I was seeking some sign of his, so he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam removed his garment from his back, and I saw the seal of Prophethood and recognized it. Then I rushed to him, kissing him and weeping. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to me: “Step back.” So I stepped back. Ibn Abbas! Then I related to him my entire story, as I have related it to you, and the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam liked that his companions should also hear this incident.

Then Salman radi Allahu anhu remained occupied due to his slavery and could not participate with the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in the Battle of Badr or the Battle of Uhud. (Salman radi Allahu anhu says:) One day, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to me: “Salman! Make a contract of manumission (mukatabah) with your master.” So I made a contract with my master that I would plant for him three hundred date saplings, uprooted from the ground and planted in their place, and (in addition) give him forty uqiyyahs (a measure of silver). The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Help your brother (Salman).” The people helped me by giving me date saplings. Some gave thirty, some twenty, some fifteen, some ten—each according to his ability—until I had collected three hundred saplings. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said to me: “Salman! Go and dig the holes. When you are finished, come to me, and I will plant them myself.” (Salman radi Allahu anhu says:) I dug the holes, and my companions assisted me. When I finished, I went to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and informed him. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam came out with me. We would bring the saplings near him, and he would plant them with his own hand. By Him in Whose hand is the soul of Salman! Not a single sapling died among them.

Now I had planted the date saplings, but the (forty uqiyyahs of) silver remained. From one of the expeditions, a piece of gold the size of a hen’s egg was brought to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam asked: “What is the Persian (Salman) who made the contract of manumission doing?” I was called, and he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Salman! Take this and pay your obligation with it.” I said: “O Messenger of Allah! What will this do against the debt I owe?” (i.e., the debt is much greater). He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Take it; soon Allah will pay your debt.” By Him in Whose hand is the soul of Salman! I took it and weighed out forty uqiyyahs for my masters, paid them their full due, and was freed. Then I was present with the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq), and after that, I missed no expedition.

(Musnad Ahmad: 5/441, Sahihah: 894)