Salman Farsi, the Son of Islam (Part 3)
Jihad
Salman was always going with our Master Muhammad [PBUH] to defend the Muslim Mission against the enemies. Salman took part in all Muslim battles: the Battle of Bani Quraidha, the Battle of Khaibar, the Conquest of Makkah, the Battle of Hunain, and the Battle of Tabook.
Salman was one of the first persons who paid homage to Allah's Apostle [PBUH] under the tree. That homage was called al-Ridhwan. Salman was a truthful believer and a loyal Mujahid. For this reason, the Muslims heard our Master Muhammad [PBUH] saying The Paradise is longing for three persons. They're Ali, Ammar, and Salman.
They were a pretty sight because they were from three countries. Islam had gathered them together. So, they became brothers. In the meantime, Abu Sufyan passed by and look laughingly at them because he was always behaving according to the behavior of the pre-Islamic people.
And because he thought that Arabs were better than other nations. But our Master Muhammad said:
There's no difference between an Arab and a foreigner but in the fear of Allah.
The Prophet's Departure
On Monday, 28th Safar, the Prophet [PBUH] passed away The Muslims became sad. Salman wept over him. Salman loved our Master Muhammad [PBUH] very much. He followed his behavior and memorized his words. For this reason, Salman loved Ali, for Allah and his Apostle loved him.
And he heard the Prophet [PBUH] saying again and again:
Ali is with justice and justice is with Ali. You are in the same position with respect to me as Harun was to Musa except that there is no Prophet after me. Whomsoever I'm the authority over, Ali is also the authority over. Salman had heard those traditions and others.
For this reason, he believed in Ali's Imamate and in his Caliphate after our Master Muhammad [PBUH].
The Homage
Many Companions of the Prophet [PBUH] were surprised at that homage. And they opposed it because they thought that the true Caliph was Ali [A.S]. For this reason, Salman, Abu-Dharr, al-Miqdad, Ammar bin Yasir, Abdullah bin Abbas, al-Zubair bin al-Awam, Qais bin Saad, Usama bin Zaid, Abu Ayyoob al-Ansary, Abdullah bin Masoud and so on, did not pay homage to Abu-Bakr.
Salman obeyed Allah, Allah's Apostle [PBUH] and the Imam. Imam Ali [A.S] loved Salman and said about him:
Salman is a member of the Prophet's family. He is like Luqman al-Hakim He has read the first Book and the last Book, namely, the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur'an.
Al-Madain
Caliph Umar bin al-Khattab appointed him ruler over al-Madain. He was a model for the just, Muslim ruler. His salary was five thousand Dirhams. But he divided them all among the poor. He lived a simple life.
He bought palm-leaves by a Dirham. He made baskets and sold them for three Dirhams. He spent a Dirham on his family, gave a Dirham to the poor, and saved the third Dirham to buy palm-leaves. His clothing was simple.
When the travellers and the strangers saw him, they regarded him as a poor man from al-Madain. One day, while Salman was walking in the market, a traveller ordered him to carry his baggage. Salman carried the baggage and began walking after the man. In the street, the people were greeting Salman respectfully. The traveller wondered and asked the people around him:
Who's that poor man?
They answered:
He's Salman al-Farsi, the companion of Allah's Apostle [PBUH], and the Emir of al-Madain
The traveller was surprised. He apologized to Salman and asked him to put down the baggage. Salman refused that and said:
Till I see you off.
The traveller felt sorry and knew that Salman was Allah's supporter.
His Shrine
The visitor can find a big shrine, named Salman Paak including the tomb of the great Companion Salman al-Muhammadi, the loyal son of Islam, in the area which tourists visit to see the ruins of al-Madain where Kossra Arch stands. Salman was a young man when he left the Iranian land. He visited many cities and towns in Turkey, Shaam, Iraq, and Hijaz. After a long life of Jihad and of worship, he died at al-Madain.
Worth mentioning, the people of Madain called him Salman Paak. "Paak" is a Persian word meaning clean. Yes! Salman was clean-hearted. And, he was a member of the Prophet's family.
Source: al-islam.org
