The Search for the Truth By Kn A Man Known As Salman the Persian (Salman al-Faarisse) Compiled By Saleh As-Saleh A Revised 2nd Edition 1426/2005  In The Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I begin to write: Introduction All Praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah, Most High, from the evils of our own selves and from our wicked deeds. Whomsoever has been guided by Allah, none can misguide him, and whomsoever has been misguided by Allah, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no true god worthy of being worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner or associate. I further bear witness that Muhammad is His true slave and Messenger. May Allah, the Exalted, bestow His peace and blessings on the final Prophet Muhammad, upon his good and pure family, and upon all of his noble companions Today, many people are curious about Islam. People vary in terms of their knowledge about this Faith. Knowledge may have been gained form of an article, a book, part of a religious text book at high school, through some Muslims, passing by a Mosque, watching a documentary (or a Movie), Evening news, being in a Muslim country, good or bad actions by some Muslims, etc. To some it is "Just another religion." For many, however, it is becoming an interesting "thing" to "check" out. And there are those who reacted to certain wrong and unjustified acts by some Muslims and consequently bashed Islam and Muslims. Amidst all of this, there are those who just hate Islam. This Book is for everyone who is searching within himself for answers about many questions: Who am I? Is there a purpose for my existence? Who is the True God? What is the True Road for Salvation? Is It Islam? If I become a Muslim what does it mean to me, my family and the society at large? Today many realize that all of the materialistic and secular progress produced a spiritual vacuum that led to social, economical, political and psychological problems. That is why people who used to say: "let us live this life and enjoy it." or "hey! We don't want to know about God", are in search again. They are raising similar questions like those raised above. This is so because the innate nature in man recognizes what is good and bad, what is true and false. It recognizes that the attributes of God must be true, unique, and all perfect. It does not feel comfortable towards any kind of 2 degradation of His attributes nor does it relax towards associating humanlike qualities to the Creator. It recognizes that there can be no more than One and Only One True God and thus One and Only One religion accepted by Him. He does not request part of this World to worship Him alone yet orders others to worship "Jesus (peace be upon him), Buddha, Fire, Light, Krishna, Joseph Smith, Son, Moon, Khomeini, Rama, Temples, Prophets, Elijiah, Farakhan, a cross, a tree, a triangle, Saints, Priests, Monks, etc." All, except Allah, are created beings or things! They are imperfect. They are in need, but Allah is Self-Sufficient. The First, nothing before Him. The Last, everything will come to an end except Him, the Ever-Living; to Him is the Final Return; He does not begot nor is He begotten. No man named Him, He named Himself Allah. What does the title Allah mean? It means the "True and Only God Who Deserves to Be Worshipped out of love, magnification, and longing". He is not a "nationalistic or a tribal God." He is the Creator of everything. He, therefore, deserves that we submit to Him alone, obey Him, and disassociate from any kind of worship to other than Him. This is Islam. People walk up and go to do certain daily things. Some go to school in order to learn, others go to work in order to seek sustenance, etc. But when it comes to the question what is this life all about, then many don’t want even to think about an answer! In the final Revealed Message to mankind, the Qur'an, Allah clearly states the purpose for man's presence in this World. Outwardly and inwardly, man is called to live in accordance with Allah's way. This is the meaning of worship in Islam and it is the purpose for which we have been created. Every deed we do is linked to this purpose. There are those who will accept Allah as the only true God who deserves to be worshipped but may not live in accordance with Allah's command. Their practices deviate from Islam. They are not the criteria upon which Islam should be judged. Islam is perfect but men are not. People are called to search into Islam. The objective of this book is to call people to search for their salvation by examining an example of a long search by a man called Salman Al-Faarisee, Salman from Persia. Why not? Do we know everything? When we know that we do not posses the air we breath and that we didn't create ourselves nor that we were created from nothing, then it becomes natural to know more about God (Allah) Who created us, gave us life and Who, one Day, will call us back to Him. On that Day, there is full accountability, and the outcome is either an Endless Bliss or an Endless Torment. 3 Salman & His Story The Beginning No one can tell the story of Salman better than Salman himself. He, may Allah's Mercy be upon him, told his story to one of the companions and a close relative of the Prophet Muhammad ( : sallallaahu 'alaihi wassallam1) by the name of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father): Salman said: "I was a Persian man from the people of Isfahaan2 from a town known as Jaye. My father was the town Chief. To him, I was the most beloved creature of Allah." [This is an indication of a good behaviour from the son towards his father. Salman is using the correct name of the true God, Allah. The Name, Allah, is the same Name used by all of the Prophets and Messengers. Allah is the same name of God in the Aramaic language of our beloved Prophet Jesus, ( ).] "His love of me, reached the point whereby he trusted me to supervise the fire3 he lit. He would not let it die down." A Different Religion? "My father owned a Daye'ah: great country with arable land. One day and while busy with his constructions, he told me to go and inspect his Daye'ah and to bring from it some things he wanted. On my way to his Daye'ah, I came across a Christian Church. I heard the voices of the prayers of the people inside. I did not know what goes on with (the lives) of people outside, because my father kept me confined to his 1 ( ): Sallallaahu 'alaihi was-sallam: May Allah Exalt his (the Prophet's) mention and render him (and His Message) safe from every derogatory thing. 2 Isfahaan: A Region in N. West Iran. 3 His father was a magian who worshipped fire. 4 house! So, when I came across those people (of the Church) and I heard their voices, I went inside watching what they were doing." [The interest arises!] "When I saw them, I liked their prayers and became interested in their matter (i.e. religion). I said to myself: 'By Allah, this religion is better than ours." [An open mind free from blind imitation.] "By Allah, I did not leave them until sunset." [He gave himself the time to find out about this religion which he thought then it was the right belief. A perceiving and a kind heart charged with patience is needed to drive oneself from being confined to such thought as: "O well! I will try to find out, but I am kind of busy now, etc.!' Death may knock the door sooner than one hopes.] "I left without actually inspecting my father's Daye'ah. I asked (i. e. the people of the Church), "What is the origin of this religion?" [Seeking the "origin". This is a guide for those in search. The "origin," "original," the "essence" are essential terms that will help in the search process. What is the "origin" of Islam and what is its essence? It came from Allah, the Creator, the True God and its essence is the submission to Him, Most Glorified and Exalted is He. "They said: "In Ash-Shaam4 I returned to my father who, became worried and sent (someone) after me. Upon my arrival he said: 'O son! Where have you been? Didn't I trust you with an assignment?' I said: 'I came across some people praying in their Church and I liked what they were on from their religion. By Allah I sat with them until sunset." [Amazing honesty from a person who knows well his father's commitment to his religion. It is the kind of openness that is necessary for someone who searches truth.] 4 As-Shaam: Greater Syria (Today's Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Jordan). 5 The Opposition "My father said: 'O son! There is no good in that religion. The religion of your father and forefathers is better'." [This is the theme of those who blindly follow others in the matter of faith. This reminds us with the saying of Allah: ∩⊄∉∪ tβθç7Î=øós? ÷/ä3ª=yès9 ϵŠÏù (#öθóø9$#uρ Èβ#u™öà)ø9# #x‹≈oλÎ; (#θãèyϑó¡n@ Ÿω (#ρãx x. tÏ%©!$# tΑ$s%uρ t $ [26 : ] “And those who disbelieve say: listen not to this Qur'an and make noise in the midst of its (recitation) that you may overcome.”(Qur'an 41:26). ∩⊄⊄∪ tβρ߉tGγΒ ΝÏδ̍≈rO#u™ #’n?tã $ΡÎ)uρ 7π¨Βé& #’n?tã $tΡu™!$t/#u™ !$tΡô‰y`uρ $ΡÎ) (#þθä9$s% ö≅t/ ô• [26 :‫ف‬ ‫]اﻝ‬ “We found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide ourselves by their footsteps.” (Qur'an 43:22). $tΡu™!$t/#u™ µø‹n=tã $tΡô‰y`uρ $tΒ ßìÎ7®KtΡ ö≅t/ (#θä9$s% ª!$# Αt“Ρr& !$tΒ (#θãèÎ7®?$# ãΝßγs9 Ÿ≅ŠÏ% #sŒÎ)uρ ! Ï t [21 :‫]ﻝ ن‬ “Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers (following).” (Qur'an 31: 21). [36 : ‫ ∪∉⊂∩ ]اﻝ‬tÏ9¨ρF{$# $uΖÍ←!$t/#u™ þ’Îû #x‹≈yγ/ $uΖ÷èÏϑy™ $tΒuρ Î “Never did we hear of this among our fathers of the old.” (Qur'an 28:36). [When you talk to those who have converted to Islam from the various religions, many times you hear the same arguments which Allah spoke about. The issue is the same. It comes in the form: "do you want to leave the religion of your fathers and forefathers?' Not only that, but the parents and the family at large may take a stand against the convert. The magnitude of 6 the opposition in this world may vary ranging from actual life threats to strong boycotting. This is the general trend. There are, however, cases of minor opposition and neutrality.] Salman Said: "No, By Allah, it is better than our religion." [He loved his father, but he did not flatter him. He didn't compromise what he thought is the truth. What were his father's responses?] Salman said: "He threatened me and chained me by my foot and kept me confined to his home." [A father torturing his beloved son to sway him away from exploring the truth. Many Prophets were opposed, accused and ill-treated by the members of their families because they opposed the 'tradition'! Did Salman stop there?] The Way Out He said: "I sent to the Christians requesting to let me know of the arrival of any Christian trade caravan coming from Ash-Shaam. A trade caravan arrived and they informed me about it. I told (the Christians) to keep me informed about the people of the caravan once they finish their business and are about to return to their country. I (indeed) was informed when the (people of Ash-Shaam) finished their business and were about to return to their country. I took off the chains from my foot and accompanied (the caravan) until we reached Ash-Shaam." [He did not surrender to the unjust orders of his father. He was striving in the cause of the truth which led him ultimately to know the truth about the Creator, Allah: [69: ‫$ ( ]اﻝ ﻡ‬uΖn=ç7ß™ öΝåκ¨]tƒÏ‰öκs]s9 $uΖŠÏù (#ρ߉yγ≈y_ zƒÏ%©!$#uρ ) 7 “As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We5 will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah's Religion, Islamic Monotheism)” (Qur'an 29:69). Salman decided, made up his mind and took the journey, regardless of the fact that it was a distant and strange land to him. Allah, Most Glorified and Exalted, knowing his honesty, assisted him by making it easy for him to find a ride to the land of Ash-Shaam.] This is it. But! "Upon my arrival I asked: 'Who is the best amongst the people of this religion (of yours)?" [Salman wants the clear truth and looks up high. Why not? People like to choose the best food, the best wife, and the best clothes. Salman is searching for the best (correct) Faith.] "They said: 'The Bishop. (He is) in the Church'. I came to him and said: 'l like this religion and I love to be with you serving you in your Church, to learn from you and to pray with you'." [Salman realizes from the start that knowledge is gained by being with the people of knowledge. In return he was ready to offer himself as a servant to that Bishop. The humbleness of those searching for the truth brings them closer and closer to it. Against humbleness, there is arrogance. People see the Signs of the truth but their arrogance drives them away towards their destruction: [14: ‫# ( ]اﻝ‬vθ=ãæuρ $Vϑù=àß öΝåκߦà Ρr& !$yγ÷FoΨs)ø‹oK™$#uρ $pκÍ5 (#ρ߉ysy_uρ ) è ó “And they belied them (Our Signs: proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, revelations, etc.) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their own selves were convinced thereof (that those signs are from Allah).” (Qur'an 27:14). 5 "We": A plural "pronoun" is used to stress Power, Might and Greatness. It is common with Semitic languages for any Monarch to use the plural pronoun. It used by European and other dynasties as well. To Allah, however, belongs the best example. The "we" does not denote Trinity or any other false concept. 8 Wealth, social status, etc. must not prohibit the person from seeking the truth that would affect his future. All of these things will perish and the person will go to his grave only with his deeds. The deeds are those of the heart (belief) and those of the tongue and limbs which are the manifestations of the actions of the heart. Did I submit to my Creator? Did I live according to His Commands as Explained in the Qur'an and by the teachings of the Last Messenger, Muhammad ( )? This is what counts on the Day of Recompense: ( ∩∇®∪ 5ΟŠÎ=y™ 5=ù=s)Î/ ©!$# ’tAr& ôtΒ žωÎ) ∩∇∇∪ tβθãΖt/ Ÿωuρ ×Α$tΒ ßìx Ζtƒ Ÿω tΠöθtƒ ) [89-88:‫اء‬ ‫]اﻝ‬ “The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, except him who brings to Allah a clean heart (clean from disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy)” (Qur'an 26: 88-89). He said: "Okay! You can see me: and I joined him. 'After a while Salman knew something about this Bishop. He was a bad man who ordered and motivated his people to pay charity only to keep it for himself. He did not give it to the poor. He heaped up seven jars with gold and silver!" [This is one example of the corrupt and evil-doers in every age and land. The hypocrite and abusive ones. Did Salman stop there with that corrupt man? No! He moved to the next stage in his search. He did not turn away from religion.] "I hated him so much because of what I saw him doing." [It is clear that his hate of the Bishop did not stop him from seeking the truth. Allah, Most Exalted, guided him knowing his sincere drive to know what is right.] "He (the Bishop) died. The Christians gathered to bury him. I told them that he was a bad man who ordered and motivated you to release your charities only to keep it for himself and that he did not give anything of it to the poor. They said: 'how did you know about this? I said: 'I can show you his treasure.' They said: 'Show us'. I showed them the place and they recovered from it seven jars heaped up with gold and silver. 9 When they saw it they said: 'By Allah we will never bury him'. They crucified him and stoned him." The Urge is Strong Salman said: "They replaced their Bishop. I never saw a man (from those) who do not pray the five prescribed prayers better than him (i.e. the new Bishop): nor a man detached from this worldly life and attached to the Hereafter more than him, nor a committed person who works day and night better than him. I loved him more than anything else I loved before". [There are five daily prescribed prayers in Islam. Allah taught Prophet Muhammad ( ) how to conduct these prayers as well as their times during the day. It is not the kind of "prayers" developed and practiced by some people. Prayers are the foundation of Islam. If done according to the Prophet's way, they purify the person from sins and wrong-doing that he may commit during the day]. "I stayed with him for sometime before his death. When his death approached I told him: 'O (calling his Name), I stayed with you and loved you more than anything else I loved before. Now you are approached by the Decree of Allah (i.e. death), so whom would you recommend for me and what would you like to order me?" [The search for the good people with good knowledge is on the mind of Salman. The urge and readiness to go after the truth is firm.] "The Bishop said: 'By Allah! People are in total loss; they altered and changed what they were on. I do not know of anyone who is still holding to what I am on except a man in Al-Moosil,6 so join him (he gives him his Name)'." Another Move "When the man died, Salman moved to Al-Moosil and met the recommended person. Salman said: 'I told him that (such & such 6 Al-Moosil: A major city in North West Iraq. 10 person), at the time of his death recommended that I join you. He also told me that you are holding to the same (religion) as he was. The man of Al-Moosil told Salman to stay with Him: 'I stayed with him and I found that he was the best man holding on to the matter (religion) of his friend." 'Soon he died', Salman said, When death approached him, Salman asked him (as he did earlier with his first friend) to recommend some other person who is on the same religion. The man said: 'By Allah! I don't know of anyone on the same matter of ours except a man in Nasiyeebeen7 and he is (gives his Name), so join him." One More Move "Following his death, I moved to the man of Nasiyeebeen. Salman found the man and stayed with him for a while. The same story repeated itself. Death approached and before he died, Salman came to the man and asked for his advice as to whom and where to go. The man recommended that Salman join another man on the same religion in Am'mooriyeeyah8." Salman moved to Am'mooriyeeyah after his friend died. He found his new reference and joined him on his religion. Salman worked and: earned some cows and one sheep. [The good and lawful way of earning is very important to the believer. Certainly the influence of money is great. Many have sold themselves and their principles for a cheap price. Many turn hypocrites for the sake of money. Many, however, can stand up for the truth regardless of what they may lose. This brings the peace of heart and mind.] The Big Move {Death approached the man of A'mmooriyeeyah. Salman repeated his requests. The answer was different. The man said: 'O son! I don't know of anyone who is on the same (religion) as we are. However, the time of emergence of a Prophet will shade you. This Prophet is on the same religion of Ibraaheem (Abraham)}. Nasiyeebeen: A city on the road between Al-Moosil and Ash-Shaam. Am'mooriyeeyah: A town that was part of the Roman Empire (Eastern Region). 7 8 11 [The Bishop knew the Path of Abraham. It is the Origin of Monotheism. It calls for the worship of Allah alone. The Bishop knew well the recommendation of Abraham to his children: Ÿξù tÏ$!$# ãΝä3s9 4’s∀sÜô¹$# ©!$# ¨βÎ) ¢©Í_t6≈tƒ Ü>θà)ètƒuρ ϵ‹Ï⊥t/ ÞΟ↵Ïδ≡tö/Î) !$pκÍ5 4©œ»uρuρ se ÷ [132 :‫ ∪⊄⊂⊇∩ ]اﻝ ة‬tβθßϑÎ=¡•Β ΟçFΡr&uρ žωÎ) £è?θßϑs? ó “And this (submission to Allah, i.e. Islam) was enjoined by Ibraaheem (Abraham) upon his sons and (so did) Jacob, saying, "O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion, then die not except on the faith of Islam” (Qur'an 2:132). Ibraaheem (Abraham) married Sarah and Hagar. From Sarah's side he had the following progeny: Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Moses and Jesus, peace be upon them all. From his union with Hagar, he had Ishmael, and Muhammad, peace be upon them. Ishmael was raised in Becca (known also as Mecca) in Arabia. Muhammad was from the descendants of Ishmael. The man knew that the Faith of Abraham is to be followed. He must have read the promise of Allah to bring a "Great nation" from Ishmael's side (Genesis 21:18), and he recommended to Salman the Prophet from the descendants of Ishmael, who submits to Allah and follows the path of Abraham: |=≈tGÅ3ø9$# ÞΟßγßϑÏk=yèãƒuρ y7ÏG≈tƒ#u™ öΝκöŽn=tæ (#θè=Gtƒ öΝκ÷]ÏiΒ Zωθß™u‘ öΝÎγ‹Ïù ô]yèö/$#uρ $uΖ−/u‘ Í ÷ å [129 :‫ ∪®⊄⊇∩ ]اﻝ ة‬ÞΟŠÅ3ysø9# Ⓝ͕yèø9$# |MΡr& y7ΡÎ) 4 öΝκŽÏj.t“ãƒuρ sπyϑõ3Ïtø:$#uρ $ ¨ Í “Our Rabb9! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own, who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in this Book (this Qur'an) and 'Al-Hikma' (Full Knowledge of Allah's Laws or Rabb: Allah is ar-Rabb: He is the One Who gives all things the power to grow, move and change; to Whom belongs the Creation and Commandment; The Master Who has no equal in His Sovereignty, Predominance, and Highness. The One Who Provides and Sustains all that exists. 12 9 Jurisprudence or wisdom of Prophethood, etc.), and sanctify them. You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise” (Qur'an 2:129). tÅ2Ύô³ϑø9$# zÏΒ tβ%x. $tΒuρ ( $Z ‹ÏΖym zΟŠÏδ≡t/Î) '©#ÏΒ ôìÎ7¨?$# Èβ& y7ø‹s9Î) !$uΖøŠym÷ρr& §ΝèO ) ß ös r [123 : ‫∪⊂⊄⊇∩ ( ]اﻝ‬ “Then, We have inspired you (O Muhammad- ) saying: Follow the religion of Ibraaheem (Abraham) 'Hanifan' (Islamic Monotheism, - to worship none but Allah) and he was not of the Mushrikeen” (i.e. polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger ( ), those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals with (or partners to) Allah etc) (Qur'an 16:123). 3 (#θãΖΒ#u™ Ï%©!$#uρ ©É<¨Ζ9$# #x‹≈yδuρ çνθãèt7¨?$# tÏ%©#s9 zΝŠÏδ≡tö/Î*Î/ Ĩ$¨Ψ9$# ’n<÷ρr& žχÎ) tš .[68 :‫ان‬ ) ‫ ∪∇∉∩ ( ] ل‬tÏΖÏΒ÷σßϑø9$# ’Í