You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Chapter 15: The commissioning of the Prophethood and some of the<br />
predictive signs thereof (Part 3)<br />
How Salmaan al-Faarisee accepted Islaam and his meeting with the Christians<br />
رضي ُاهلل ُعنه Persian) reported how Salaam al-Faarisee (the رمحه ُاهلل Thereafter, Ibn Is-ḥaaq<br />
became a Muslim. He reported from Ibn `Abbaas رضي ُاهللُعنهما that he said: Salmaan al-<br />
Faarisee himself narrated to me: “I grew up in the town of Aṣbahaan (Iṣfahaan in<br />
Persia) in the village of Jayyu. My father was the Dihqaan (chief) of the village. I was the<br />
most beloved of <strong>Al</strong>laah’s creation to my father. His love for me was so strong (that he<br />
feared to lose me or have anything happen to me), so he kept me at home (as a<br />
prisoner) in the same way that young girls were kept.<br />
I became devoted to the Magian religion so much so that I attained the position of<br />
custodian of the fire (which we worshipped). My duty was to see that the flames of the<br />
fire kept burning and never for a moment let it go out.<br />
My father owned a large farm. One day he was busy with constructing a building, so he<br />
said to me: ‘My son, as you see, I am too busy to go out to the farm today. Go and look<br />
after matters there for me today.’ He instructed me on what needed to be get done<br />
and said: ‘Do not stay away from me for long, as you are more important to me than<br />
the farm and all my other possessions.’<br />
So I left for the farm as he had told me and on the way I passed by a Christian church<br />
and the voices at prayer attracted my attention. I did not know anything about the<br />
followers of any other religion, as all this time my father had kept me in the house<br />
away from people. When I heard the voices of the Christians I entered the church to<br />
find out what they were doing. I was impressed by their manner of praying and felt<br />
drawn to their religion. I said: “By <strong>Al</strong>laah! This is better than the religion that we are<br />
upon.” I did not leave them until sunset.<br />
(That day) I did not go to my father’s farm. I asked them (the Christians): “Where did<br />
this religion originate?” They said: ‘It originated in al-Shaam (Greater Syria).’ I returned<br />
home (that night). My father had sent people to look for me. When I arrived, he asked:<br />
‘My son, where have you been? Did I not entrust you with an obligation?’ I told him: “O<br />
my father! I passed by some people who were praying in their church, and I was<br />
impressed by their religion. So I was with them till sunset.”<br />
Ilm4all.blogspot Page 70