men_around_the_prophet

22 / 255

More info and Downloads at Page 22 of 255
I climbed down quickly saying, "What are you saying? What news?" My master gave me a nasty
slap and said, `What have you got to do with this? Return to your work!"
So, I returned to work. At nightfall I gathered what I had and went out until I came to the Prophet
(PBUH) at Qubaa'. I entered and found him sitting with some of his Companions. Then I said, "You are
in need and a stranger. I have some food which I intend to give out as charity. When they showed me
your lodgings, I thought you most deserve it, so I have come to you with it." I put the food down. The
Prophet (PBUH) said to his Companions, "Eat in the name of Allah." He abstained and never took of it. I
said to myself, "This, by Allah, is one sign. He does not eat of charity!"
I returned to meet the Prophet (PBUH) again the next day, carrying some food, and said to him
(PBUH), "I can see that you do not partake of charity. I have something which I want to give to you as a
present." I placed it before him. He said to his Companions "Eat in the name of Allah" and he ate with
them. So I said to myself, "This indeed is the second sign. He eats of presents." I returned and stayed
away for a while. Then I came to him, and I saw him sitting, having returned from a burial, and
surrounded by his Companions. He had two garments, carrying one on his shoulder and wearing the
other. I greeted him, then bent to see the upper part of his back. He knew what I was looking for, so he
threw aside his garment off his shoulder and, behold, the sign between his shoulders, the seal of
Prophethood, was clear just as the Christian monk had described."
At once, I staggered towards him, kissing him and weeping. He called to me to come forward and I
sat before him. I told him my story as you have already heard me describe the events.
When I became a Muslim, slavery prevented me from taking part in the battles of Badr and Uhud.
Therefore the Prophet (PBUH) advised me, "Go into terms with your master for him to free you," and so
I did. The Prophet (PBUH) told the Companions to assist me, and Allah freed me from bondage. I
became a free Muslim, taking part with the Prophet (PBUH) in the Battle of Al-khandaq and others. With
these simple clear words, Salmaan spoke of his great, noble, and sacrificial adventure for the sake of
Allah, seeking after the reality of religion that led him to Allah and helped him to find his role in this life.
What kind of a noble person was this man? What great superiority was achieved by his aspiring
spirit, that restless spirit that withstood difficulties and defeated them, confronted the impossible and it
gave way! What devotion to the truth, and what sincerity that led its owner voluntarily away from the
estate of his father, with all its wealth and luxury, to the wilderness, with all its difficulties and suffering.
He moved from land to land, town to town, seeking acquaintances, persevering, worshiping and
searching for his destiny among people, sects, and different ways of life. And adhering all the way to the
truth with all its noble sacrifices, for the sake of guidance until he was sold into slavery. He was then
rewarded by Allah the best of rewards, making him reach the truth and come into the presence of His
Prophet. And then He granted him longevity, enough for him to see the banner of Islam fluttering in all
parts of the world and His Muslim worshippers filling its space and corners with guidance, progress and
justice!
What do you expect of the Islam of a man with such a noble character but to be a man of such truth!
It was an Islam of the God- fearing and innocent. In his devotion he was intelligent, pious, and the person
nearest to `Umar Ibn Al-khattaab.
He once stayed with Abu Ad-Dardaa', under the same roof. Abu Ad-Dardaa' used to pray all night
and fast all day. Salmaan blamed him for this excessive worship. One day, Salmaan wanted to stop him
from fasting and to say it was supererogatory. Abu Ad-Dardaa' asked him, "Would you prevent me from
fasting for my Lord and from praying to Him?" Salmaan replied, "No, your eyes have a claim upon you,
your family has a claim upon you, so fast intermittently, then pray and sleep."
This reached the Prophet (PBUH) who said, "Salmaan is, indeed, full of knowledge." The Prophet
(PBUH) was often impressed by his wisdom and knowledge, just as he was impressed by his character
and religion. On the Day of Al-khandaq the Ansar stood up and said, "Salmaan is of us," the