Salman al-Farisi

Salman was born into a Zoroastrian family of high standing in Isfahan, Persia. His father was the custodian of the fire temple. As a young man, Salman passed by a church and was drawn to the Christian prayers. His father chained him to prevent him from leaving, but he escaped and began a remarkable journey. He travelled from one Christian monk to another across Syria and Mesopotamia, each dying teacher directing him to the next. The last monk told him: 'The time of a prophet who will be sent with the religion of Ibrahim has drawn near. He will migrate to a land of palm trees between two lava fields. He has signs: he does not eat charity but accepts gifts, and between his shoulders is the Seal of Prophethood.' Salman was betrayed and sold into slavery, ending up in Madinah — the very land of palm trees described to him. When the Prophet arrived in Madinah, Salman tested him with the three signs. When the Prophet showed him the Seal of Prophethood between his shoulders, Salman fell upon him, weeping and kissing the seal. The Prophet helped him purchase his freedom by planting 300 date palm trees. At the Battle of the Trench, when the confederates approached with 10,000 fighters, Salman suggested digging a khandaq (trench) — a Persian military technique unknown to the Arabs. Both the Muhajirun and Ansar claimed him as one of their own. The Prophet said: 'Salman is from us, the People of the House (Ahl al-Bayt).'