First Muslim From Among the People of Persia

It was approximately in this era that Salmān(ra), the Persian, became Muslim. Salmān(ra) 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 Prophet(sa) arrived in Madīnah, Salmān(ra) presented himself before the Holy Prophet(sa), 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,1 was in the Battle of the Ditch. It was upon his proposal that a ditch was dug. Salmān(ra) 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 Prophet(sa) said:

“Salmān is from among us, that is, the Ahlul-Bait2.”3

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 Prophet(sa) placed his hand on the shoulder of Salmān(ra), the Persian, and said:

“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.”4