Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A)

Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) was born in city of Kazrun, Iran and he grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia, in the village of Jayyan. His Persian name at the time was Ruzbeh.

He followed the religion of his forefathers, the Magian religion (Fire Worshipers). He devoted himself to the his religion, so much so that he became the custodian of the fire which they worshipped. His duty was to ensure that the flames of the fire never extinguished.

Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) was from a wealthy family, he used to look after his father’s estate and gathered harvest. Once, on the way to the estate, he passed a Christian church and heard raised voices in prayer, which attracted his attention. He was impressed by their manner of praying and felt drawn to their religion.

Upon learning the new religion, he was also told that the time had arrived for the advent of a Prophet in the land of Arabia, who would have a reputation for strict honesty, one who would accept a gift but would never consume charity (Sadaqah) for himself.

After leaving his home in search of the true religion, Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) travelled widely and also suffered hardship, finally reaching Madina Shareef. He (R.A) accepted Islam during 1 AH. Hazrat Salman (R.A) gave a lot in the cause of Islam and also fought in battles.

It was he (R.A) who gave the excellent suggestion to dig a trench in the battle, thus became famously known as the Jang-e-Kandaq (Battle of Trench). As Hazrat Salman (R.A) was well travelled. When he (R.A) was in Persia, he (R.A) observed that when the Persian army had to fight a battle against superior odds, they would dig a ditch, wide and too deep to cross, in the way of the enemy. The Arabs where not familiar to this way of fighting, as they fought on level ground.

Hazrat Salman (R.A) was an extremely pious and Scholarly person. Whilst being appointed the Governor of Madina Shareef, He (R.A) used to distribute his salary from Baitulmal (Treasury) among the poor, needy and orphans, while he earned his living by working as a labourer.

Hazrat Salman Farsi (R.A) lived for an incredible age of 250 years and passed away during the reign of the third Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Usman (R.A). He (R.A) is buried in Iraq.