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The Sincere Search For The Truth

The Sincere Search For The Truth

““If Faith were in the If Faith were in the Highest Star, a people like Highest Star, a people like This man would reach it” This man would reach it”

KHALID AL-DOSSARY

www.dawahmemo.com

http://understand-islam.net/

I bear witness that there isI bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but Allah,  worshipped) but Allah, and I bear witness that and I bear witness that

Mohammad is the Mohammad is the Messenger of AllahMessenger of Allah

http://web.youngmuslims.ca/online_library/books/salman_the_persian/index.htm#h13

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I grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia in the I grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia in the village of Jayyan. My father was the Dihqan or chief village of Jayyan. My father was the Dihqan or chief of the village. He was the richest person there and of the village. He was the richest person there and had the biggest house.had the biggest house.

The BeginningThe Beginning

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Since I was a child my father loved me, more than he loved any other. As time went by his love for me became so strong and overpowering that he feared to lose me or have anything happen to me. So he kept me at home, a prisoner, in the same way that young girls were kept. .

The Overpowering LoveThe Overpowering Love

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I became devoted to the Magian religion so much so that I attained the position of custodian of the fire which we worshipped. My duty was to see that the flames of the fire remained burning and that it did not go out for a single hour, day or night.

The Custodian of The FireThe Custodian of The Fire

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My father had a vast estate which yielded an abundant supply of crops. He himself looked after the estate and the harvest. One day he was very busy with his duties as dihqan in the village and he said to me: "My son, as you see, I am too busy to go out to the estate now. Go and look after matters there for me today."

The AssignmentThe Assignment

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On my way to the estate, I passed a Christian church and the On my way to the estate, I passed a Christian church and the voices at prayer attracted my attention. I did not know voices at prayer attracted my attention. I did not know anything about Christianity or about the followers of any anything about Christianity or about the followers of any other religion throughout the time my father kept me in the other religion throughout the time my father kept me in the house away from people. When I heard the voices of the house away from people. When I heard the voices of the Christians I entered the church to see what they were doing. Christians I entered the church to see what they were doing.

A different ReligionA different Religion

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I was impressed by their manner of praying and felt drawn to their religion. "By God," I said, "this is better than ours. I shall not leave them until the sun sets." I asked and was told that the Christian religion originated in Ash’Sham (Greater Syria).

The Interest ArisesThe Interest Arises

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I did not go to my father's estate that day and at night, I I did not go to my father's estate that day and at night, I returned home. My father met me and asked what I had done. returned home. My father met me and asked what I had done. I told him about my meeting with the Christians and how I was I told him about my meeting with the Christians and how I was impressed by their religion. He was dismayed and said: impressed by their religion. He was dismayed and said:

"My son, there is nothing good in that religion. Your religion "My son, there is nothing good in that religion. Your religion and the religion of your forefathers is better." and the religion of your forefathers is better."

"No, their religion is better than ours," I insisted. "No, their religion is better than ours," I insisted.

The OppositionThe Opposition

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My father became upset and afraid that I would leave our My father became upset and afraid that I would leave our religion. So he kept me locked up in the house and put a religion. So he kept me locked up in the house and put a chain on my feet. I managed however to send a message chain on my feet. I managed however to send a message to the Christians asking them to inform me of any to the Christians asking them to inform me of any caravan going to Syria . Before long they got in touch caravan going to Syria . Before long they got in touch with me and told me that a caravan was headed for with me and told me that a caravan was headed for Syria. I managed to unfetter myself and in disguise Syria. I managed to unfetter myself and in disguise accompanied the caravan to Syria. accompanied the caravan to Syria.

The Way OutThe Way Out

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There, I asked who was the leading person in the Christian religion and was directed to the bishop of the church. I went up to him and said:

"I want to become a Christian and would like to attach myself to your service, learn from you and pray with you."

ConversionConversion

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The bishop agreed and I entered the church in his service. I soon found out that the man was corrupt. He would order his followers to give money in charity while holding out the promise of blessings to them. When they gave anything to spend in the way of God , he would hoard it for himself and not give anything to the poor or needy. In this way he amassed a vast quantity of gold.

This Is It, But…!This Is It, But…!

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When the bishop died and the Christians gathered to bury When the bishop died and the Christians gathered to bury him, I told them of his corrupt practices and, at their him, I told them of his corrupt practices and, at their request, showed them where he kept their donations. request, showed them where he kept their donations. When they saw the large jars filled with gold and silver When they saw the large jars filled with gold and silver they said. they said.

"By God, we shall not bury him." They nailed him on a "By God, we shall not bury him." They nailed him on a cross and threw stones at him. cross and threw stones at him.

Crucifixion of HypocrisyCrucifixion of Hypocrisy

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I continued in the service of the person who replaced him. The new bishop was an ascetic who longed for the Hereafter and engaged in worship day and night. I was greatly devoted to him and spent a long time in his company.

The Urge is StrongThe Urge is Strong

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• ““O (name), I stayed with you and loved O (name), I stayed with you and loved you more than anything I loved before. you more than anything I loved before. Now you are approached by the decree Now you are approached by the decree of Allah (i.e., death), so whom would of Allah (i.e., death), so whom would you recommend for me and what would you recommend for me and what would you like to order me?”you like to order me?”

• The bishop said:” By Allah! People are The bishop said:” By Allah! People are in total loss; they have altered what they in total loss; they have altered what they were on. I do not know of anyone who is were on. I do not know of anyone who is still holding fast to what I’m on except a still holding fast to what I’m on except a man in al-Musil. So join him ( He gives man in al-Musil. So join him ( He gives his name)his name)

The 1The 1stst Bequest BequestThe 1The 1stst Move Move

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After his death, Salman attached himself to various Christian recommended religious figures, in the following cities;

Mosul, Nisibin and Ammuriyah.

“O son! I don’t know of anyone who is on the same religion as we are. However the time has come for the emergence of the prophesized prophet. This prophet is on the same religion as that of Abraham.”

The origin of monotheism. Genesis 21:18

The Moves & ProphecyThe Moves & Prophecy

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The last one had told him about the appearance of a Prophet in Arabia in a place located between two landscapes of black stones. Palm trees spread between these two landscapes. He would have a reputation for strict honesty; he would accept a gift but would never consume charity (sadaqah) for himself. The seal of prophethood is between his shoulders.

The ProphecyThe Prophecy

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• The prophecies (Deu. 18:17-18 pg.16. I will raise them up a The prophecies (Deu. 18:17-18 pg.16. I will raise them up a prophet…) (Genesis 21:21.The holy one coming from prophet…) (Genesis 21:21.The holy one coming from Paran), (Isaiah42:1-13.The descendants of Kedar), (Isaiah Paran), (Isaiah42:1-13.The descendants of Kedar), (Isaiah 21:13-17.The prophet’s migration& victory) pg.1721:13-17.The prophet’s migration& victory) pg.17

• ““And remember when Jesus, the son of Mary said: ‘ O And remember when Jesus, the son of Mary said: ‘ O children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you children of Israel! I am the Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving confirming the Torah which came before me, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me whose name glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me whose name shall be Ahmad” Qur’an 61:6shall be Ahmad” Qur’an 61:6

(Salman continues his story.)

The ProphecyThe Prophecy

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A group of Arab leaders from the Kalb tribe passed through Ammuriyah. I asked them to take me with them to the land of the Arabs in return for whatever money I had.

They agreed and I paid them. When we reached Wadi al-Qura (a place between Madinah and Syria), they broke their agreement and sold me to a Jew.

The Sell-out & SlaveryThe Sell-out & Slavery

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I worked as a servant for him but eventually he sold me to I worked as a servant for him but eventually he sold me to a nephew of his belonging to the tribe of Banu Qurayzah. a nephew of his belonging to the tribe of Banu Qurayzah. This nephew took me with him to Yathrib, the city of palm This nephew took me with him to Yathrib, the city of palm groves, which is how the Christian bishop at Ammuriyah groves, which is how the Christian bishop at Ammuriyah had described it. At that time the Prophet was inviting his had described it. At that time the Prophet was inviting his people in Makkah to Islam but I did not hear anything people in Makkah to Islam but I did not hear anything about him then because of the harsh duties which slavery about him then because of the harsh duties which slavery imposed upon meimposed upon me . .

The 2The 2ndnd Sell-Out &The Move to Yathrib Sell-Out &The Move to Yathrib

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When the Prophet reached Yathrib after his hijrah from Makkah, I was in fact at the top of a palm tree belonging to my master doing some work. My master was sitting under the tree. A nephew of his came up and said:

"May God declare war on the Aws and the Khazraj (the two main Arab tribes of Yathrib). By God, they are now gathering at Quba to meet a man who has come today from Makkah and who claims he is a Prophet."

The Light Shines in YathribThe Light Shines in Yathrib

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I felt hot flushes as soon as I heard these words and I began to shiver so violently that I was afraid that I might fall on my master. I quickly got down from the tree and spoke to my master's nephew. "What did you say? Repeat the news for me." My master was very angry and gave me a terrible blow. "What does this matter to you? Go back to what you were doing," he shouted.

The Uncontrollable ShiverThe Uncontrollable Shiver

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That evening, I took some dates that I had gathered and went to the That evening, I took some dates that I had gathered and went to the place where the Prophet had alighted. I went up to him and said: place where the Prophet had alighted. I went up to him and said:

"I have heard that you are a righteous man and that you have "I have heard that you are a righteous man and that you have companions with you who are strangers and are in need. Here is companions with you who are strangers and are in need. Here is something from me as sadaqah(charity). I see that you are more something from me as sadaqah(charity). I see that you are more deserving of it than others." deserving of it than others."

The Prophet ordered his companions to eat but he himself did not The Prophet ordered his companions to eat but he himself did not eat of it. eat of it.

The Tests StartThe Tests Start

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I gathered some more dates and when the Prophet left Quba I gathered some more dates and when the Prophet left Quba for Madinah I went to him and said: "I noticed that you did not for Madinah I went to him and said: "I noticed that you did not eat of the sadaqah I gave. This, however, is a gift for you." Of eat of the sadaqah I gave. This, however, is a gift for you." Of this gift of dates, both he and his companions ate.this gift of dates, both he and his companions ate.

The Second TestThe Second Test

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Salman came to Baqee Al-Ghargad (the graveyard in Salman came to Baqee Al-Ghargad (the graveyard in Yathrib). He greeted the prophet then moved towards his Yathrib). He greeted the prophet then moved towards his back to see the prophethood seal. The prophet realized what back to see the prophethood seal. The prophet realized what Salman was trying to confirm. He took off his garment off. Salman was trying to confirm. He took off his garment off. Salman recognized the seal and came down on it kissing it Salman recognized the seal and came down on it kissing it while crying. The prophet told him to move around to talk while crying. The prophet told him to move around to talk with him. Salman told his story to the prophet who in turn with him. Salman told his story to the prophet who in turn told him to share it with his companions.told him to share it with his companions.

The Final Sign & The Final Sign & Emotionally Moving Emotionally Moving MomentMoment

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Salman was released from slavery by the Prophet who paid Salman was released from slavery by the Prophet who paid his Jewish slave-owner a stipulated price and who himself his Jewish slave-owner a stipulated price and who himself planted an agreed number of date palms to secure his planted an agreed number of date palms to secure his manumission. manumission.

After accepting Islam, Salman would say when asked After accepting Islam, Salman would say when asked whose son he was: "I am Salman, the son of Islam from the whose son he was: "I am Salman, the son of Islam from the children of Adam." children of Adam."

The Slavery to Allah AloneThe Slavery to Allah Alone

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He became a governor of al-Mada'in (Ctesiphon) near Baghdad, Salman would receive a stipend of five thousand dirhams. This he would distribute as sadaqah. He lived from the work of his own hands. When some people came to Mada'in and saw him working in the palm groves, they said, "You are the Amir here and your sustenance is guaranteed and you do this work!" "I like to eat from the work of my own hands," he replied.

His Righteous CharacterHis Righteous Character

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As a scholar, Salman was noted for his vast knowledge and wisdom. Ali said of him that he was like Luqman the Wise. Ka'b al-Ahbar said: "Salman is stuffed with knowledge and wisdom an ocean that does not dry up." Salman had a knowledge of both the Christian scriptures and the Qur'an in addition to his earlier knowledge of the Zoroastrian religion. Salman in fact translated parts of the Qur'an into Persian during the life-time of the Prophet. He was thus the first person to translate the Qur'an into a foreign language.

His Righteous CharacterHis Righteous Character

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• The “prosperous free life”The “prosperous free life”

• Innate nature reactivatedInnate nature reactivated

• Giving oneself the time to find Giving oneself the time to find outout

• Seeking origin & essence helps Seeking origin & essence helps in the search processin the search process

• Honesty& openness prevailHonesty& openness prevail

• ““We found our father following We found our father following a certain way and religion, and a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their we guide ourselves by their footsteps” 43:22footsteps” 43:22

Significant LessonsSignificant Lessons

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• Knowledge is gained by being with Knowledge is gained by being with knowledgeable peopleknowledgeable people

• The humbleness of those searching The humbleness of those searching for the truth brings them closer to it.for the truth brings them closer to it.

• No compromise at allNo compromise at all

• The confinement” Start of real The confinement” Start of real freedom” freedom”

• Salman looks up high to find the Salman looks up high to find the Truth no matter what it takesTruth no matter what it takes

• Knowledge is gained by being with Knowledge is gained by being with knowledgeable peopleknowledgeable people

• The humbleness of those searching The humbleness of those searching for the truth brings them closer to it.for the truth brings them closer to it.

• Arrogance vs. HumblenessArrogance vs. Humbleness

Significant LessonsSignificant Lessons

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• Corruption, hypocrisy & evil did not stop Corruption, hypocrisy & evil did not stop Salman’s burning desire from looking for Salman’s burning desire from looking for the Truththe Truth

• ““O (name), I stayed with you and loved you O (name), I stayed with you and loved you more than anything I loved before. Now you more than anything I loved before. Now you are approached by the decree of Allah (i.e., are approached by the decree of Allah (i.e., death), so whom would you recommend for death), so whom would you recommend for me and what would you like to order me?”me and what would you like to order me?”

• The bishop said:” By Allah! People are in The bishop said:” By Allah! People are in total loss; they have altered what they were total loss; they have altered what they were on. I do not know of anyone who is still on. I do not know of anyone who is still holding fast to what I’m on except a man in holding fast to what I’m on except a man in al-Musil. So join him ( He gives hi his al-Musil. So join him ( He gives hi his name)name)

Significant LessonsSignificant Lessons

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Salman, because of the influential Salman, because of the influential household in which he grew up, household in which he grew up, might easily have been a major might easily have been a major figure in the sprawling Persian figure in the sprawling Persian Empire of his time. His search for Empire of his time. His search for truth however led him, even before truth however led him, even before the Prophet had appeared, to the Prophet had appeared, to renounce a comfortable and renounce a comfortable and affluent life and even to suffer the affluent life and even to suffer the indignities of slavery. According to indignities of slavery. According to the most reliable account, he died the most reliable account, he died in the year thirty five after the in the year thirty five after the hijrah, during the caliphate of hijrah, during the caliphate of Othman, at Ctesiphon.Othman, at Ctesiphon.

ConclusionConclusion