First Muslim From Among the People of Persia — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding First Muslim From Among the People of Persia.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government
Pages: Book pp. 20–21 (PDF pp. 44–45)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [First Muslim From Among the Jews] | Next: [Non-Muslim Leaders of the Aus and Khazraj] »
Historical Account
It was approximately in this era that Salmānra, the Persian, became Muslim. Salmānra was a resident of the country of Persia, and was originally a follower of the Zoroastrian religion. His inherent virtue however, did not allow him to feel satisfied with the current state of that religion. He left his country in search of a better religion, and eventually reached Syria, where he became a Christian. It was in this era that he was made a slave during a plunder, but this very slavery became the means of his accepting Islām. After an exchange of numerous masters, finally an individual of Madīnah purchased him and kept him. As such, when the Holy Prophetsa arrived in Madīnah, Salmānra presented himself before the Holy Prophetsa, and became a Muslim. Thereafter, he gradually arranged for the money, and obtained freedom from his master. The very first time he participated in Jihād, was in the Battle of the Ditch. It was upon his proposal that a ditch was dug. Salmānra was an extremely pure and virtuous man, and lived a very ascetic lifestyle. Once a person inquired as to the name of his father, to which he responded with great simplicity, “I am the son of Islām.” On one occasion, the Holy Prophetsa said:
[Striving in the cause of Allāh [Publishers]]
ِسَ لْمَانُ مِنَّا اَھْلَ الْبَیْت
“Salmān is from among us, that is, the Ahlul-Bait.”
[Literally means ‘People of the House.’ A term used for the house-folk of the Holy Prophetsa.]
On one occasion, when the Qur’ānic verse was revealed that an era would come when a community like the Companions would be born, who would be the true bearers of their teaching, the Companions inquired, “O Messenger of Allāh! Who are these people?” Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa placed his hand on the shoulder
of Salmānra, the Persian, and said:
ِِیْمَانُ عِنْدَ الثُّرَیَّا لَنَا لَهٗ رِجَ الٌ اَوْ رَجُ لٌ مِنْ ھٰوٴُلَҙآءاْلَوْ كَانَ ال
“Even if faith ascends to the distant star of the Pleiades, an individual from among the people of Persia would establish it in the world once again.”
[Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Sūratul-Jumu‘ati, Bābu Qaulihī Wa Ākharīna Minhum Lammā Yalḥaqū Bihīm, Ḥadīth No. 4897]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: I – Early Establishment of Madinah and Foundation of the Islamic Government | Navigation: « Previous: [First Muslim From Among the Jews] | Next: [Non-Muslim Leaders of the Aus and Khazraj] »