Salmān al-Fārisī
سلمان الفارسي
Abū ʿAbd Allāh
- Dates
- c. 568–656 CE / c. 54 BH–36 AH
- Relation to the Prophet ﷺ
- Late convert after a long search; the first Persian companion
The architect of the Trench at the Battle of the Ahzāb — a Persian military tactic introduced to the Arabs for the first time.
Life
Salmān's life is among the most remarkable in Islamic history. Born to a Zoroastrian noble family near Isfahan, he fled his father's estate in search of truth. He studied with Christian monks in Syria, was sold into slavery in Arabia, and worked for years as a Jewish man's slave in Madinah — until news reached him of a new prophet in Makkah who matched every description his last monk had given him.
The Prophet ﷺ helped the community buy his freedom. At the Battle of the Ahzāb, Salmān proposed a defensive trench — a Persian technique no Arab army had seen. It worked. The Prophet ﷺ, in affection, declared: "Salmān is of us, of my own family." He governed Ctesiphon after the Persian conquests. He died there around 656, famously refusing to leave anything but a small inheritance.
Passages that mention Salmān
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"upon? The man replied, Even if he commands you, the truth is in what he brings and the pleasure of the most merciful is in what he says. Salman recounted their arrival at the sacred house, where his companion prayed in various places. He had instructed Salman that when the shadow reached a certain point, he should wake him. Salman allowed him to rest a while longer than instructed. When the man awoke, he remembered Allah and reproached Salman for not following his instruction. They then left the sacred house, and a person seated there asked Salman, O servant of Allah, I asked you when you arrived and you did not give me anything. Now I am asking you. Salman"
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"they would say, 'May Allah have mercy on the one who kills Salman.'" There was an incident between Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas and Salman. Sa'd asked Salman to identify himself, to which Salman replied, "I do not know of any father for me in Islam, but I am Salman, the son of Islam." Umar, upon hearing this, confronted Sa'd, emphasizing that both he and Salman were sons of Islam."
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"One night, when Salman visited Abu al-Darda, Abu al-Darda got up to pray. Salman told him to sleep, so he did. When Abu al-Darda got up again, Salman again told him to sleep. Finally, when it was close to dawn, Salman said, "Now get up," and they both prayed. Salman reminded him, "Indeed, your soul has a right upon you, your guest has a right upon you, and your family has a right upon you."
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"Umar asked if there was anything Salman disliked about him. Salman mentioned hearing that Umar gathered butter and meat on his table and had two garments. Umar clarified and relieved Salman of any concerns. When Salman returned from an absence, Umar greeted him warmly. Salman then asked Umar to marry him, to which Umar initially remained silent."
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"but I am Salman, the son of Islam." Umar, upon hearing this, confronted Sa'd, emphasizing that both he and Salman were sons of Islam. Umar once invited Salman to visit him. When they met, Umar asked if there was anything Salman disliked about him. Salman mentioned hearing that Umar gathered butter and meat on his table and had two garments."
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"When Salman returned from an absence, Umar greeted him warmly. Salman then asked Umar to marry him, to which Umar initially remained silent. The next day, Umar's people approached Salman about the proposal, and Salman explained his intentions were sincere. Salman was once seen as a warrior, riding behind a man from Kindah on a mule."
Also from this generation
- Bilāl ibn Rabāḥ
بلال بن رباح
The first muʾadhdhin in Islam. An African slave whose voice called the community to prayer five times a day in Madinah.
- Abū Dharr al-Ghifārī
أبو ذر الغفاري
The companion who most perfectly lived the austerity the Prophet ﷺ taught. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The earth has not carried anyone, nor the sky shaded anyone, more truthful than Abū Dharr."