The Story of Salman al-Farisi's Search for Truth

Salman al-Farisi's journey to Islam is one of the most remarkable stories of spiritual seeking in history. Born into a Zoroastrian priestly family in Isfahan, Persia, he was drawn to a Christian church and recognized its truth over fire worship. He left Persia to study with a series of Christian monks, each of whom, on his deathbed, would direct him to another monk in a different city. The last monk told him: 'The time of a prophet from the line of Ibrahim is near. He will appear in a land of date palms between two lava fields. He has signs: he does not eat charity but accepts gifts, and the Seal of Prophethood is between his shoulders.' Salman traveled to Arabia but was betrayed and sold into slavery to a Jewish man in Medina. When the Prophet arrived in Medina, Salman tested all three signs and found them true. He accepted Islam and the Prophet helped him buy his freedom by having companions donate date palm seedlings and gold. Salman suggested the trench strategy at the Battle of the Khandaq, and the Prophet declared: 'Salman is one of us, Ahl al-Bayt.' His story represents the universal reach of Islam beyond any single race or nation.