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The Search for the TruthWritten by: by Saleh Al-Saleh :: (View All Articles by: Saleh Al-Saleh) |
- The Beginning
- A Different Religion?
- The Interest Arises
- The Opposition
- The Way Out
- This is it. But?!
- The Urge is Strong
- Another Move
- One More Move
- The Big Move
- The Slavery to Allah alone
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, knowing
some Muslims, passing by a Mosque, watching a documentary (or a Movie), the
Evening news, being in a Muslim country, etc. To some it is "Just another
religion". For many, however, it is becoming an interesting "thing" to
"look" at. This Book is for everyone who is searching within himself for
answers about many questions: Who am I? 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 degradation of His attributes nor does it relax towards
associating human-like 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 He is
begotten. No man named Him, He named Himself Allah which means the "True and
Only God Who Deserves to Be Worshipped". He is not a "nationalistic or a
tribal God", He is the Creator of everything. He, therefore, deserves that
we submit to Him alone. He called this submission Islam.
The confusion on the part of man came when people turned to
worship created beings or things besides Allah! 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. 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-Farisee, the Persian Salman. 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 were we ourselves creators, then it becomes natural to want 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 either an Endless Bliss or
an Endless Torment.
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 (PBUH
[1]) by the name of Abdullah bin Abbas.Salman said:
"I was a Persian man from the people of Isfahaan[2]
from a town known as Jayi.
My father was the town Chief. To him, I was the most beloved creature of
Allah".
[This is an indication of a good behavior 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, peace be
upon him].
"His love of me, reached the point whereby he trusted me to supervise the
fire[3]
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 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 He is].
{They said: "In Ash-Shaam[4].
I returned to my father who, became worried and sent (someone) after me.
Upon my arrival he said: 'O son! Where have you be? 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].
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:
? And
those who disbelieve say: listen not to this Qur'an??(Qur'an 41:26).
? We
found our fathers following a certain way and religion, and we guide
ourselves by their footsteps?(Qur'an 43:22).
?
...Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers (following)...?(Quran
31:21).
?
...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 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:?
As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We[5]
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, 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:?
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)...? (Quran
27:14). Wealth, social status, etc. must not prohibit the person from
seeking the truth that would effect his future. All of these things will
vanish 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 (PBUH)? This is what counts on the
Day of Recompense:?
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: OK! 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. 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 (PPBU) 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 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 Nasiyeebeen[7]
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
advise as to whom and where to go. The man recommended that Salman join
another man on the same religion in Am'mooriyeeyah[8].
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 Abraham}.
[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:?
And this (submission to Allah, i.e. Islam) was enjoined by 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).
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:?
Our Rabb[9]!
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 Jurisprudence or wisdom of Prophethood, etc.),
and sanctify them. You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise? (Qur'an
2:129).
?
Then, We have inspired you (O Muhammad-PPBU) saying: Follow the religion of
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 (PPBU), those who
worship others along with Allah or set up rivals with (or partners to) Allah
etc) (Qur'an 16:123).
?
Verily, among mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who
followed him, and this Prophet (Muhammad-PPBU) and those who have believed
(Muslims). And Allah is the Wali (Protector and Helper) of the believers?
(Qur'an 3:68)].
{The man said describing this Prophet: 'He is sent with the same
religion as that of Abraham. He comes from Arabia and migrates to a place
located between landscapes of black stones (as if burned by fire). Palm
trees spread between these scopes. He has certain well known signs. He
(accepts) and eats (from) the (food) gift and he does not eat from the
charity. The seal of the Prophethood is between his shoulders. If you could
move to that land, then do so}.
[The man knew about the coming of the Prophet from Arabia, from
the brethren of the Israelites (Deuteronomy 18: 17-18: I will raise them up
a Prophet from among their Brethren, like unto thee (i.e.: Moses[10])
and will put My Words in his mouth[11]
and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him). Certainly this
was not about Jesus as Paul tried to interpret it (Acts 13:22-23) because
Jesus was neither of the descendants of Ishmael or of the "brethren"
Israelites being an Israelite himself[12].
The man knew about God's Revelation coming from Te'man (North of
the City of Medinah in Arabia, according to J. Hasting's Dictionary of the
Bible), and the 'holy one' coming from Paran. According to Genesis 21:21,
the wilderness of Paran was the place where Prophet Ishmael settled and had
twelve children, amongst them Kedar the second son of Ishmael. In Isaiah
42:1-13, 'the beloved of God' is linked to the descendants of Kedar, the
ancestor of Prophet Muhammad (PPBU).
When Prophet Muhammad called the people in Mecca to submit to
Allah, most of them refused and they plotted to kill the Prophet. He was
commanded by Allah to migrate with those who accepted Islam to the city of
Medinah. Soon a battle between the "few and ill-armed" represented by
Muhammad-PPBU and his followers and the Pagans from Mecca took place in Badr
a year after the Prophet's migration. The Prophet and his companions were
victorious (Isaiah 21: 13-17)[13].
The man knew that Jesus (PPBU) informed of the coming of Prophet
Ahmad (same as Muhammad[14]).
This was the glad tidings which Allah spoke about on the tongue of Juesus:?
And (remember) when Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Children of Israel! I am the
Messenger of Allah unto you confirming the Torah (which came) before me< and
giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name shall be
Ahmad? (Qur'an 61:6).]
{The man died. Salman stayed in Am'mooriyeeyah until one day
some merchants from the tribe of Kalb[15]
passed by me, Salman said, 'I told them, 'take me to Arabia and I will give
you my cows and the only sheep I have.' They said: 'OK' Salman gave them
what he offered and they took him with them. When they reached Wadee Al-Qura
(close to Medinah) they sold him as a slave to a Jew. Salman stayed with the
Jew. He saw the Palm trees. 'I hope that this would be the same place
described by my friend (see above), Salman said, A man who was a first
cousin to Salman's master and belonged to the Jewish tribe of Bani Qureitha
in Medinah came visiting one day. He bought Salman from his Jewish master:
'He took me with him to Medinah. "By Allah! When I saw it I knew it, based
upon what my friend had described". Then Allah sent His Messenger (i.e.,
Muhammad-PPBU). He stayed in Mecca as long as he did[16].
I did not hear anything about him because I was very much busy with the work
of slavery. He then migrated to Medinah.
Salman continued saying, 'I was (one day) on a Palm-tree on top
of one of its 'Adaaq (date-clusters) doing some work for my master. A first
cousing of his came and stood in front of him (his master was sitting) and
said: "Woe to Banee Qeelah (people of the tribe Qeelah), they are gathered
in Qibaa[17]
around a man who came today from Mecca claiming that he was a Prophet".
When I heard that, I shivered thinking that I was about to fall
down on my master. I came down and I said: What did you say!? What did you
say!? My master became angry and punched me with a powerful punch and said:
What kind of business do you have in this (matter)? 'Go mind your business.
I said: Nothing! I just wanted to be sure of what he was saying.
"On that evening I went to see the Messenger of Allah while he
was in Qibaa. I took with me something I had saved. I went in and said: 'I
was told you are a righteous man and that your company (who) are strangers
(here) are in need, and I want to offer you something I saved as charity. I
found that you deserve it more than anyone else'. Salman said: 'I offered it
to him; he said to his companions: 'eat, and he kept his hand off (i.e., did
not eat). 'I said to myself: 'this is one (i.e., one of the signs about his
Prophethood.)'.
Following this encounter with the Prophet (PPBU), Salman left to
prepare for another test! This time he brought a gift and visited the
Prophet (PPBU) in Medinah. 'I saw that you don't eat from the charity, here
is a gift that I wanted to honor you with. The Prophet (PPBU) ate from it
and ordered his companions to do the same which they did. I said to myself:
'Now they are two (i.e., two of the Prophet's signs came true).
On the third encounter, Salman came to Baqee' Al-Gharqad (The
Burial site of the Prophet's companions) where the Prophet (PPBU) was
sharing in a funeral of one of his companions. Salman said: 'I greeted him
(with the Islamic Salaam: Peace be upon you) then I moved towards his back
attempting to se the seal of (Prophethood) that was described to me by my
friend. When he (PPBU) saw me (doing so) he knew that I was trying to
confirm something described to me. He took the garment off his back and I
looked at the seal. I recognized it. I came down on it kissing it and
crying. The Messenger of Allah told me to move around (i.e., talk to him). I
told him my story as I did with your Ibin Abbas (remember that Salman is
telling his story to Ibin Abbass). He (the Prophet-PPBU) liked to tell my
story to his companions.
The Slavery to Allah alone
Salman continued to tell his story to Ibin Abbas: His time was still
consumed to his master. He missed two battles with the Pagans of Arabia. The
Prophet (PPBU) told him:
?
Write O Salman (i.e., to free yourself from your master)?. Salman
obeyed and wrote for his freedom. He reached an agreement in which he would
pay his master forty ounces of gold and would plant and successfully raise
up three hundred new palm trees. The Prophet (PPBU) said to his companions:
?
Help your brother?.
They helped him with the trees and gathered for him the whole
quantity. The Prophet (PPBU) ordered Salman to dig the proper holes to plant
the 'baby' trees, then he (PPBU) planted each one with his hands. Salman
said: 'By Whom my Soul is in His Hands (i.e., Allah) no single tree died'.
So Salman gave the trees to his master. The Prophet (PPBU) gave Salman a
piece of gold that was the size of a chicken egg and said:
?
take this, O Salman, and pay (i.e., the master) for what you owe?.
Salman said: "This would be close enough (in value) for what I owe!" The
Prophet (PPBU) said:
?
take it!' Allah will (make it) pay for what you owe[18]?
I took it and I weighed a part of it and it was forty ounces. Salman gave
the gold to his master. He fulfilled the agreement and he was released.
Since then, Salman became a close companion of the Prophet (PPBU):[One
of the great companions of the Prophet (PPBU) by the name of Abu Hurayrah
reported: We were sitting in the company of Allah's Messenger (PPBU) when
Surat-al-jum'ah (Chapter 62) was revealed to him. He recited these words:?
And He (Allah) has sent him (Muhammad) also to other (Muslims) who have not
joined them (but they will come)?? (Qur'an 62:3). A person amongst
them said: Allah's Messenger! But Allah's Messenger (PPBU) made no reply,
until he questioned him once, twice or thrice. And there was amongst us
Salman Al-Farisee. The Messenger of Allah (PPBU) placed his hand on Salman
and then said: Even if faith were near Ath-Thuraiya (Pleiades, the highest
Star) a man amongst these (i.e., Salman's folk) would surely attain it.]
[1] PPBU: The Praise and Peace of Allah be upon him.
[2] Isfahaan: A Region in N. West Iran.
[3] His father was a magian who worshipped fire.
[4] As-Shaam: Greater Syria (Todays Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and
Jordan).
[5] 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 the English Dynasty as well. To Allah, however, belongs the best
example. The "We" does not denote Trinity or any other false concept.
[6] Al-Moosil: A major city in North West Iraq.
[7] Nasiyeebeen: A city on the road between Al-Moosil and Ash-Shaam.
[8] Am'mooriyeeyah: A town that was part of the Roman Empire (Eastern
Region).
[9] 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.
[10] A Prophet Like Unto Moses:
| Area of Comparison | Moses | Muhammad | Jesus |
| Birth | Usual | Usual | Unusual |
| Family Life | Married, Children | Married, Children | No Marriage or Children |
| Death | Usual | Usual | - |
| Forced Immigration (in Adulthood) | To Median | To Medinah | None |
| Writing Down of Revelation | In his lifetime | In his lifetime | After him |
| Acceptance of Leadership (by his people) | Rejected then accepted | Rejected then accepted | Rejected by most of Israelites |
[11] Muhammad (PPBU) was forty years of age when he was in the cave of
Hir'a in Mecca when the Archangel Gabriel commanded him to:?
Read or Recite?. Muhammad was terrified and he replied:?
I am not learned!?. Then the Angel recited and the Prophet rehearsed
the Words of Allah:?
Read! In the Name of Your Rabb, Who has created (all that exists). Has
created man from a clot (a piece of thick congealed blood). Read! And Your
Rabb is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen (the
first person to write was Prophet Enoch, Idris, Peace be upon him)? (Qur'an
96:1-5).
[12] Note also that the Bible refers to the Israelites as the "brethren"
of the Ishmaelites e.g. Gen. 16:12 & Gen. 25:18.
[13] This is the message about Arabia. People of Dedan, you whose
caravans camp in the barren country of Arabia. Give water to the thirsty
people who come to you. You people of the land of Tema, give food to the
refugees. People are fleeing from swords that are ready to kill them, from
bows that are ready to shoot, from all the dangers of war. (Likely
describing the migration towards Medinah). Then the Lord said to me, "In
exactly one year the greatness of the tribes of Kedar will be at end (i.e.:
the tribe of the Prophet which was the prevailing tribe in Arabia)" (Isaiah
21: 13-17: Good News Bible, Published by the American Bible Society, 1978).
[14] Ahmad literally means: "One who praises Allah more than others". It
is the second name of Prophet Muhammad-PPBU who said in an authentic
narration:?
I have five names: I am Muhammad and Ahmad; I am Al-Mahi through who Allah
will eliminate (infidelity); I am Al-Hasher who will be the first to
resurrected, the people being resurrected thereafter; and I am also Al-'Aqib
(i.e.: There will be no Prophet after me)?. This narration is
reported in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, the most authentic collection of Prophetic
sayings, actions and traditions (V.4, #732, English-Arabic. Published by
Dar-Arabia, Beirut, Lebanon).
[15] An Arab tribe.
[16] Thirteen Years after he received the Revelation from Allah.
[17] In the city of Medinah.
[18] A miracle from Allah.
But They Will Come!
Many in this World are like Salman: at the point of Search for the Truth about The True and Only One God. This story of Salman has many similarities in our times. The search of some people took them from one Church to another. From a Church to Buddhism or Passiveness. From Judaism to Neutrality!" From religion to meditations and to mental abuse. I've met and heard some of those who were moving from one place to another. They were afraid to even want to know about Islam! When they met some Muslims, however, they came with an open mind. The story of Salman is that of a long search. You could make it shorter by benefiting from his.
References
- Qissat Islam Salman: Arabic Text By Hussein Al-Uwaishah.
- The Table on Page 16 is adopted from Jamal Badawi's Muhammad in the Bible after correcting the issue about the 'death' of Jesus, peace be upon him. The fact is that Jesus did not die. Allah saved him from crucifixion and he was ascended to heaven. His death will occur before the Day of Judgment and after his dissension to earth. While on earth, Jesus will rule by the Book of Allah, the Qur'an and by the teaching of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon both of them.
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