The Story of Salman Al-Farsi (R.A.) | Hafiz Abdullah Ayyaz
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 2024-01-29

- Complete sermon: https://youtu.be/iSKKsqSNtBs
- More Sidi Abdullah: http://mcceastbay.org/abdullah-ayyaz
- More Khutbah Gems series: http://mcceastbay.org/gems

Hafiz Abdullah Ayyaz delivers a Khutbah giving spiritual insights about Salman al-Farisi (Arabic: سَلْمَان ٱلْفَارِسِيّ) was a Persian religious scholar and one of the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him).

- Complete sermon: https://youtu.be/iSKKsqSNtBs
- More Sidi Abdullah: http://mcceastbay.org/abdullah-ayyaz

This sermon was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on January 12, 2023.

Salman al-Farisi (Arabic: سَلْمَان ٱلْفَارِسِيّ) was a Persian religious scholar and one of the companions of Muhammad. Born and raised as a Zoroastrian, he traveled throughout Western Asia in search of faith, initially converting to Christianity and later converting to Islam after befriending Muhammad in the city of Yathrib. He was a prominent non-Arab companion and one of Muhammad's closest friends; Muhammad had once stated to a gathering of his followers that he regarded Salman as a part of his family. In meetings with the other companions, he was often referred to by the kunya Abu ʿAbdullah.

Prior to the Battle of the Trench, Salman suggested to Muhammad and the other early Muslims that a large trench be dug around Yathrib (a technique commonly used by the Sasanian army) in order to help defend against the Quraysh, who were marching from Mecca in order to besiege the city. After Muhammad's death, Salman followed Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib.

The date and place of Salman's birth are disputed. According to the evidence, his date of birth should be between 531 and 570 AD. Salman was a Persian born with the name Rouzbeh Khoshnudan in the city of Kazerun in Fars Province, or Isfahan in Isfahan Province. In a hadith, Salman also traced his ancestry to Ramhormoz. The first sixteen years of his life were devoted to studying to become a Zoroastrian magus or priest, after which he became the guardian of a fire temple.

Conversion to Christianity from Zoroastrianism
Three years later in 587 he met a Nestorian Christian group and was impressed by them. Against the wishes of his father, he left his family to join them. His family imprisoned him afterwards to prevent him but he escaped.

Conversion to Islam from Christianity
Salman traveled around the Middle East to discuss his ideas with priests, theologians and scholars in his quest for the truth, settling initially in Mosul (ancient Nineveh). During his stay in Syria, he heard of Muhammad, whose coming had been predicted by Salman's last Christian teacher on his deathbed. Afterwards and during his journey to the Arabian Peninsula, he was betrayed and sold to a Jew in Medina. After meeting Muhammad, he recognized the signs that the monk had described to him. He converted to Islam and secured his freedom with the help of Muhammad. Salman is the first Iranian who converted to Islam. According to sources, Salman converted to Islam before the Battle of Badr, but because he was a slave before the Battle of Khandaq, he did not participate in the Battles of Badr and Uhud.

Salman came up with the idea of digging a great trench around the Medina, to defend the city against the army of 10,000 Arabian non-Muslims. Muhammad and his companions accepted Salman's plan because it was safer, and there would be a better chance that the non-Muslim army would have a larger number of casualties.

While some sources gather Salman with the Muhajirun, other sources narrate that during the Battle of the Trench, one of Muhajirun stated "Salman is one of us, Muhajirun", but this was challenged by the Muslims of Medina (also known as the Ansar). A lively argument began between the two groups with each of them claiming Salman belonged to their group and not to the other one. Muhammad arrived on the scene and heard the argument. He was amused by the claims but soon put an end to the argument by saying: "Salman is neither Muhajir nor Ansar. He is one of us. He is one of the People of the House."

Salman participated in the conquest of the Sasanian Empire, and became the first governor of Sasanid capital Ctesiphon, after its fall at the time of the second Rashidun Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab. However, according to some other sources, after Muhammad's death, he disappeared from public life until 656, when Ali became the Caliph, and appointed Salman as the governor of Al-Mada'in at the age of 88.

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