WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.500 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:04.500 --> 00:00:07.099 Echoes from the pulpit. 00:00:07.099 --> 00:00:12.550 Salman al-Farisi, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:00:12.550 --> 00:00:14.949 A sermon by the honorable Sheikh, 00:00:14.949 --> 00:00:19.989 Khalid Ibn 'Abd al-Hammudi, may Allah preserve him. 00:00:19.989 --> 00:00:23.899 Praise be to Allah, the Generous, the Self-Sufficient, 00:00:23.899 --> 00:00:26.730 The Powerful, the Protector. 00:00:26.730 --> 00:00:30.620 Praise be to Allah, the Magnificent, the Forbearing, 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:33.789 The All-Wise, the All-Knowing, 00:00:33.789 --> 00:00:36.380 The Benign, the Merciful. 00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:40.060 Praise be to Allah in times of ease and hardship. 00:00:40.060 --> 00:00:46.590 Praise be to Allah for blessings that none can enumerate save Allah. 00:00:46.590 --> 00:00:50.630 O Allah, to You belongs all praise; we cannot count the praises due to You. 00:00:50.630 --> 00:00:53.829 You are as You have praised Yourself. 00:00:53.829 --> 00:01:00.179 And I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah, alone, with no partner. 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:05.700 “All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifieth Allah; unto Him belongeth Sovereignty and unto Him belongeth praise, and He is Able to do all things.” (64:1) 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:08.260 He mends the broken, 00:01:08.260 --> 00:01:12.019 He consoles and enriches the poor. 00:01:12.019 --> 00:01:14.939 O you who are in pain, be patient, 00:01:14.939 --> 00:01:17.819 For after patience comes glad tidings. 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:20.659 O you who weep in the night, 00:01:20.659 --> 00:01:24.019 The light of dawn shall surely come. 00:01:24.019 --> 00:01:26.859 O you who are broken, tell me, 00:01:26.859 --> 00:01:29.900 Does Allah ever leave a heart broken forever? 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:32.819 O dear heart, be calm, 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:36.099 For after hardship comes ease. 00:01:36.099 --> 00:01:42.859 And I bear witness that our master, our Prophet, and our beloved, Muhammad, is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, 00:01:42.859 --> 00:01:45.459 His chosen one and His intimate friend. 00:01:45.459 --> 00:01:47.340 Tender-hearted, 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:49.500 Of excellent companionship, 00:01:49.500 --> 00:01:51.500 Whoever saw him stood in awe of him, 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:53.980 And whoever knew him loved him. 00:01:53.980 --> 00:01:55.980 Gentle in nature, 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:57.980 A kind companion, 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:03.659 He never turned away a seeker; a beloved whom hearts adore. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:07.459 You are the beloved, and what love could ever ascend 00:02:07.459 --> 00:02:11.419 To the station of your love, my master, and its heights? 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:14.819 May the blessings of Allah be upon you as long as the passage of time 00:02:14.819 --> 00:02:17.979 Is spoken of by those who follow; how magnificent you are. 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:20.979 O Allah, send blessings, peace, increase, and grace 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:25.020 Upon Your servant, Your Messenger, Your Prophet, and Your beloved, Muhammad, 00:02:25.020 --> 00:02:27.259 And upon his family and his Companions, 00:02:27.259 --> 00:02:29.219 And those who are guided by his guidance, 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:32.620 And who follow his path and tread in his footsteps, 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:36.060 And grant him abundant peace until the Day of Judgment. 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:38.219 Now then, servants of Allah, 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:40.939 I advise you and myself to fear Allah. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:45.099 “O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him)” (3:102) 00:02:45.099 --> 00:02:48.699 “O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him)” (3:102) 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:50.979 O community of believers, 00:02:50.979 --> 00:02:56.060 Whoever seeks guidance sincerely and strives for it as it deserves, 00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:59.340 Shall be granted success by the permission of Allah. 00:02:59.340 --> 00:03:00.979 The Almighty says: 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:05.939 ﴾ And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. ﴿ 00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:09.229 “As for those who strive in Us, We surely guide them to Our paths, and lo! Allah is with the good.” (29:69) 00:03:09.229 --> 00:03:11.949 And with us today, O servants of Allah, 00:03:11.949 --> 00:03:15.430 Is the story of an intelligent, ambitious young man, 00:03:15.430 --> 00:03:19.030 Who loved truth, sincerity, and clarity, 00:03:19.030 --> 00:03:23.189 And sacrificed his wealth, his family, and his soul for its sake. 00:03:23.229 --> 00:03:26.189 A bold and adventurous youth, 00:03:26.189 --> 00:03:28.430 Who left his family and his land, 00:03:28.430 --> 00:03:30.870 And traveled between countries, 00:03:30.870 --> 00:03:32.990 Serving the elderly, 00:03:32.990 --> 00:03:34.909 In search of the true religion. 00:03:34.909 --> 00:03:37.710 A youth of sound intellect, 00:03:37.710 --> 00:03:39.469 High aspirations, 00:03:39.469 --> 00:03:41.590 Strong resolve, 00:03:41.590 --> 00:03:43.389 And persistent patience. 00:03:43.389 --> 00:03:46.629 Yet, he lived the first part of his life 00:03:46.629 --> 00:03:50.469 In a Magian, pagan environment, 00:03:50.469 --> 00:03:52.310 That worshipped fire. 00:03:52.349 --> 00:03:55.710 He lived in the region of Isfahan, 00:03:55.710 --> 00:03:57.349 In the land of Persia, 00:03:57.349 --> 00:03:58.469 In Iran. 00:03:58.469 --> 00:04:01.990 His father was the leader of the village and its chief, 00:04:01.990 --> 00:04:04.789 And he was wealthy and formidable, 00:04:04.789 --> 00:04:06.949 Possessing power and authority. 00:04:06.949 --> 00:04:08.590 This father 00:04:08.590 --> 00:04:11.349 Loved his son with a great love, 00:04:11.349 --> 00:04:14.550 So much so that, out of the intensity of his love for him, 00:04:14.550 --> 00:04:17.389 He feared for him and confined him to his house, 00:04:17.389 --> 00:04:19.870 Just as a slave girl is confined. 00:04:19.910 --> 00:04:22.310 In an extraordinary story, 00:04:22.310 --> 00:04:25.470 Which we shall learn about today, by the permission of Allah. 00:04:25.470 --> 00:04:28.029 So, have you recognized who this young man is? 00:04:28.029 --> 00:04:30.029 The adventurous and ambitious one, 00:04:30.029 --> 00:04:33.029 The seeker of guidance and truth? 00:04:33.029 --> 00:04:35.470 He is the noble Companion, 00:04:35.470 --> 00:04:38.110 Salman al-Farisi, 00:04:38.110 --> 00:04:40.350 May Allah be pleased with him and grant him satisfaction. 00:04:40.350 --> 00:04:42.870 Salman, may Allah be pleased with him, says: 00:04:42.870 --> 00:04:45.110 "I strove in the Magian religion, 00:04:45.110 --> 00:04:47.470 Until I became the servant of the fire, 00:04:47.470 --> 00:04:49.269 The one who tends it, 00:04:49.310 --> 00:04:51.709 Never letting it go out for a moment. 00:04:51.709 --> 00:04:54.750 My father had a vast estate, 00:04:54.750 --> 00:04:56.709 And one day he was occupied and could not attend to it, 00:04:56.709 --> 00:04:58.509 So he said to me, 'My son, 00:04:58.509 --> 00:05:01.670 I have been kept busy today from my estate, 00:05:01.670 --> 00:05:04.709 So go and do such and such there, 00:05:04.709 --> 00:05:06.550 And do not stay away from me, 00:05:06.550 --> 00:05:08.949 For if you stay away from me, 00:05:08.949 --> 00:05:12.029 You will distract me from all my affairs.' 00:05:12.029 --> 00:05:14.110 So I went out, intending to go to the estate, 00:05:14.110 --> 00:05:17.790 But I passed by one of the churches of the Christians. 00:05:17.829 --> 00:05:20.029 When I heard their voices, 00:05:20.029 --> 00:05:22.990 I entered to see what they were doing. 00:05:22.990 --> 00:05:24.949 Their prayer impressed me, 00:05:24.949 --> 00:05:26.750 And I became interested in their faith. 00:05:26.750 --> 00:05:28.670 By Allah, I did not leave them 00:05:28.670 --> 00:05:30.509 Until the sun set, 00:05:30.509 --> 00:05:32.350 And I neglected my father's estate, 00:05:32.350 --> 00:05:34.029 And did not go to it. 00:05:34.029 --> 00:05:35.389 I asked them, 00:05:35.389 --> 00:05:37.949 'Where is the origin of this religion?' 00:05:37.949 --> 00:05:39.629 They said, 'In Ash-Sham (Syria).' 00:05:39.629 --> 00:05:41.350 So I returned to my father, 00:05:41.350 --> 00:05:43.389 Who had sent people in search of me, 00:05:43.389 --> 00:05:45.949 And had been distracted by me from all his affairs. 00:05:45.949 --> 00:05:47.949 When I came to him, he said, 00:05:47.949 --> 00:05:49.110 'My son, 00:05:49.110 --> 00:05:50.310 Where were you?' 00:05:50.310 --> 00:05:53.269 I said, 'I passed by a church of the Christians, 00:05:53.269 --> 00:05:55.949 And I was impressed by what I saw of their religion.' 00:05:55.949 --> 00:05:57.670 He said, 'My son, 00:05:57.670 --> 00:05:59.910 Your religion and the religion of your forefathers 00:05:59.910 --> 00:06:01.230 Is better than that.' 00:06:01.230 --> 00:06:02.990 I said, 'No, by Allah, 00:06:02.990 --> 00:06:05.189 It is better than our religion.' 00:06:05.189 --> 00:06:06.910 He feared for me, 00:06:06.910 --> 00:06:09.029 So he put shackles on my legs, 00:06:09.029 --> 00:06:11.069 And imprisoned me in his house. 00:06:11.069 --> 00:06:13.870 I sent word to the Christians, saying, 00:06:13.910 --> 00:06:16.829 'If a caravan from Ash-Sham comes to you, 00:06:16.829 --> 00:06:18.189 Then inform me.' 00:06:18.189 --> 00:06:21.589 When merchants from the Christians arrived, 00:06:21.589 --> 00:06:23.110 They informed me about them. 00:06:23.110 --> 00:06:25.990 When they intended to return to their country, 00:06:25.990 --> 00:06:28.470 I cast off the iron from my legs, 00:06:28.470 --> 00:06:30.189 And went out with them, 00:06:30.189 --> 00:06:32.110 Until I arrived in Ash-Sham. 00:06:32.110 --> 00:06:33.269 I asked, 00:06:33.269 --> 00:06:36.069 'Who is the most knowledgeable of this religion?' 00:06:36.069 --> 00:06:38.310 They said, 'The bishop in the church.' 00:06:38.310 --> 00:06:40.149 So I went to him and said, 00:06:40.149 --> 00:06:42.550 'I have become interested in this religion, 00:06:42.589 --> 00:06:44.629 And I would like to be with you, 00:06:44.629 --> 00:06:46.910 To serve you and learn from you, 00:06:46.910 --> 00:06:48.470 And pray with you.' 00:06:48.470 --> 00:06:49.750 He said, 'Enter,' 00:06:49.750 --> 00:06:51.189 So I entered with him. 00:06:51.189 --> 00:06:53.629 But I realized he was a bad man; 00:06:53.629 --> 00:06:55.430 He would command them to give charity, 00:06:55.430 --> 00:06:57.149 And encourage them to do so, 00:06:57.149 --> 00:06:59.470 But when they collected something, 00:06:59.470 --> 00:07:01.029 He would hoard it for himself, 00:07:01.029 --> 00:07:03.069 And would not give it to the poor, 00:07:03.069 --> 00:07:07.750 Until he had collected seven jars of gold and silver. 00:07:07.750 --> 00:07:10.069 I hated him with an intense hatred, 00:07:10.110 --> 00:07:12.750 When I saw him doing what he was doing. 00:07:12.750 --> 00:07:13.829 Then he died, 00:07:13.829 --> 00:07:16.629 And the Christians gathered to bury him. 00:07:16.629 --> 00:07:17.910 I said to them, 00:07:17.910 --> 00:07:20.269 'He was a bad man, 00:07:20.269 --> 00:07:22.269 He used to do such and such,' 00:07:22.269 --> 00:07:24.350 And I showed them his hoard. 00:07:24.350 --> 00:07:26.430 When they extracted it, they said, 00:07:26.430 --> 00:07:28.790 'By Allah, we will never bury him.' 00:07:28.790 --> 00:07:31.269 So they crucified him and pelted him with stones. 00:07:31.269 --> 00:07:33.230 Then they brought another man, 00:07:33.230 --> 00:07:34.990 And placed him in his stead. 00:07:34.990 --> 00:07:37.389 I have never seen anyone better than him, 00:07:37.389 --> 00:07:39.189 Nor more ascetic in this world, 00:07:39.230 --> 00:07:41.269 Nor more desirous of the Hereafter. 00:07:41.269 --> 00:07:43.389 I loved him with a great love, 00:07:43.389 --> 00:07:45.629 And I stayed with him for a time. 00:07:45.629 --> 00:07:47.550 Then death approached him, 00:07:47.550 --> 00:07:48.829 So I said to him, 00:07:48.829 --> 00:07:50.550 'Death has approached you, as you see, 00:07:50.550 --> 00:07:52.509 So to whom do you entrust me?' 00:07:52.509 --> 00:07:53.990 He said, 'My son, 00:07:53.990 --> 00:07:56.430 By Allah, I do not know anyone today 00:07:56.430 --> 00:07:58.269 Who is upon what I was upon, 00:07:58.269 --> 00:08:01.470 Except a man in Mosul, in Iraq, 00:08:01.470 --> 00:08:02.670 Who is so-and-so, 00:08:02.670 --> 00:08:03.790 So join him.' 00:08:03.790 --> 00:08:05.230 So I traveled to him, 00:08:05.230 --> 00:08:07.709 And told him my story, and he said to me, 00:08:07.709 --> 00:08:08.949 'Stay with me.' 00:08:08.990 --> 00:08:10.430 So I stayed with him, 00:08:10.430 --> 00:08:12.910 And I found him to be upon the way of his companion. 00:08:12.910 --> 00:08:14.110 It was not long 00:08:14.110 --> 00:08:15.829 Before death approached him. 00:08:15.829 --> 00:08:16.750 I said to him, 00:08:16.750 --> 00:08:19.189 'Death has approached you from Allah, as you see, 00:08:19.189 --> 00:08:21.470 So to whom do you entrust me?' 00:08:21.470 --> 00:08:22.910 He said, 'My son, 00:08:22.910 --> 00:08:24.910 By Allah, I do not know a man 00:08:24.910 --> 00:08:27.029 Who is upon what we were upon, 00:08:27.029 --> 00:08:29.709 Except a man in Nusaybin, in Ash-Sham, 00:08:29.709 --> 00:08:31.029 Who is so-and-so, 00:08:31.029 --> 00:08:32.269 So join him.' 00:08:32.269 --> 00:08:33.389 When he passed away, 00:08:33.389 --> 00:08:36.710 I set out until I reached the master of Nusaybin. 00:08:36.710 --> 00:08:37.629 I came to him, 00:08:37.669 --> 00:08:39.350 and told him my story. 00:08:39.350 --> 00:08:41.149 He said, "Stay with me." 00:08:41.149 --> 00:08:42.590 So I stayed with him, 00:08:42.590 --> 00:08:45.029 and I found him to be upon the same path as his predecessor. 00:08:45.029 --> 00:08:47.830 By Allah, it was not long before death came upon him. 00:08:47.830 --> 00:08:49.149 I said to him, 00:08:49.149 --> 00:08:51.230 "To whom do you entrust me?" 00:08:51.230 --> 00:08:52.669 He said, "O my son, 00:08:52.669 --> 00:08:54.789 by Allah, I know of no one 00:08:54.789 --> 00:08:56.549 who remains upon our way 00:08:56.549 --> 00:08:58.710 except for a man in Ammuriya, 00:08:58.710 --> 00:08:59.950 in Turkey. 00:08:59.950 --> 00:09:01.669 If you wish, go to him, 00:09:01.669 --> 00:09:03.590 for he is upon our way." 00:09:03.590 --> 00:09:05.509 When he passed away, I set out 00:09:05.549 --> 00:09:08.309 until I reached the master of Ammuriya. 00:09:08.309 --> 00:09:10.190 I told him my story, 00:09:10.190 --> 00:09:11.789 and he said, "Stay with me." 00:09:11.789 --> 00:09:13.269 So I stayed with him, 00:09:13.269 --> 00:09:15.590 and he was upon the guidance of his companions. 00:09:15.590 --> 00:09:17.750 Then I earned a living, 00:09:17.750 --> 00:09:20.110 until I possessed some cows 00:09:20.110 --> 00:09:21.309 and a small flock of sheep. 00:09:21.309 --> 00:09:23.669 Then the decree of Allah came upon him. 00:09:23.669 --> 00:09:25.590 When he was near death, I said to him, 00:09:25.590 --> 00:09:27.389 "To whom do you entrust me?" 00:09:27.389 --> 00:09:28.750 He said, "O my son, 00:09:28.750 --> 00:09:30.909 by Allah, I know of no one 00:09:30.909 --> 00:09:33.509 who remains upon what we were upon. 00:09:33.509 --> 00:09:35.029 However, 00:09:35.070 --> 00:09:37.950 the time has cast its shadow for a Prophet who will be sent 00:09:37.950 --> 00:09:39.429 with the religion of Ibrahim. 00:09:39.429 --> 00:09:41.309 He will emerge in the land of the Arabs, 00:09:41.309 --> 00:09:44.190 and will migrate to a land between two lava fields, 00:09:44.190 --> 00:09:45.830 among which are date palms. 00:09:45.830 --> 00:09:47.350 He has signs 00:09:47.350 --> 00:09:48.509 that are not hidden: 00:09:48.509 --> 00:09:50.029 he eats from a gift, 00:09:50.029 --> 00:09:51.830 but does not eat from charity, 00:09:51.830 --> 00:09:54.549 and between his shoulders is the seal of prophethood. 00:09:54.549 --> 00:09:55.950 If you are able 00:09:55.950 --> 00:09:58.909 to reach that land, then do so." 00:09:58.909 --> 00:10:00.309 He said: Then he died. 00:10:00.309 --> 00:10:02.149 I remained in Ammuriya 00:10:02.149 --> 00:10:04.269 for as long as Allah willed that I remain. 00:10:04.309 --> 00:10:06.710 Then a group of merchants passed by me, 00:10:06.710 --> 00:10:07.870 and I said to them, 00:10:07.870 --> 00:10:09.990 "Carry me to the land of the Arabs, 00:10:09.990 --> 00:10:12.350 and I will give you these cows of mine 00:10:12.350 --> 00:10:13.710 and my small flock of sheep." 00:10:13.710 --> 00:10:14.909 They said, "Yes." 00:10:14.909 --> 00:10:16.830 So I gave them to them, 00:10:16.830 --> 00:10:18.350 and they carried me with them. 00:10:18.350 --> 00:10:20.549 Then they wronged me, 00:10:20.549 --> 00:10:23.149 and sold me to a Jewish man. 00:10:23.149 --> 00:10:25.110 I remained with him as a slave. 00:10:25.110 --> 00:10:26.870 While I was with him, 00:10:26.870 --> 00:10:30.230 a cousin of his arrived from Medina, 00:10:30.230 --> 00:10:31.710 and he bought me from him, 00:10:31.710 --> 00:10:33.750 and took me to Medina. 00:10:33.789 --> 00:10:35.350 By Allah, it was not long 00:10:35.350 --> 00:10:37.629 after I saw it 00:10:37.629 --> 00:10:40.549 that I recognized it by the description my master had given me. 00:10:40.549 --> 00:10:41.950 So I stayed there. 00:10:41.950 --> 00:10:43.909 Then the Messenger of Allah, 00:10:43.909 --> 00:10:46.029 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was sent. 00:10:46.029 --> 00:10:48.350 He remained in Mecca for as long as he remained, 00:10:48.350 --> 00:10:50.350 then he migrated to Medina. 00:10:50.350 --> 00:10:51.629 By Allah, 00:10:51.629 --> 00:10:54.750 I was at the top of a palm tree belonging to my master, 00:10:54.750 --> 00:10:56.029 working on it, 00:10:56.029 --> 00:10:58.429 and my master was sitting beneath it, 00:10:58.429 --> 00:11:00.629 when a cousin of his approached 00:11:00.629 --> 00:11:02.350 and stood before him. 00:11:02.350 --> 00:11:03.830 He said, "O so-and-so, 00:11:03.830 --> 00:11:05.950 may Allah fight the Banu Qayla, 00:11:05.950 --> 00:11:07.470 the Aws and the Khazraj. 00:11:07.470 --> 00:11:10.710 By Allah, they are gathered right now at Quba 00:11:10.710 --> 00:11:13.710 around a man who arrived from Mecca today, 00:11:13.710 --> 00:11:15.870 claiming that he is a Prophet." 00:11:15.870 --> 00:11:17.549 When I heard this, 00:11:17.549 --> 00:11:19.110 a trembling seized me, 00:11:19.110 --> 00:11:22.269 until I thought I would fall upon my master. 00:11:22.269 --> 00:11:23.950 I climbed down from the palm tree, 00:11:23.950 --> 00:11:26.070 and began saying to his cousin, 00:11:26.070 --> 00:11:28.750 "What are you saying?" 00:11:28.750 --> 00:11:30.269 My master became angry, 00:11:30.309 --> 00:11:32.470 and struck me a severe blow. 00:11:32.470 --> 00:11:34.669 Then he said, "What do you have to do with this?" 00:11:34.669 --> 00:11:35.909 Salman said: 00:11:35.909 --> 00:11:38.590 I said, "I only wanted to verify the news." 00:11:38.590 --> 00:11:39.990 When evening came, 00:11:39.990 --> 00:11:41.990 I took some food 00:11:41.990 --> 00:11:43.590 that I had collected, 00:11:43.590 --> 00:11:46.190 and went to the Messenger of Allah, 00:11:46.190 --> 00:11:48.549 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:11:48.549 --> 00:11:49.909 while he was at Quba. 00:11:49.909 --> 00:11:51.269 I entered upon him 00:11:51.269 --> 00:11:52.389 and said to him, 00:11:52.389 --> 00:11:54.309 "It has reached me 00:11:54.309 --> 00:11:56.110 that you are a righteous man, 00:11:56.110 --> 00:11:58.710 and you have companions with you who are strangers 00:11:58.710 --> 00:12:00.190 and in need. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:03.379 This is something I had for charity, 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:05.899 and I saw that you are more deserving of it than others." 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:07.700 He said: So I brought it near to him. 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:09.500 The Messenger of Allah, 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:12.659 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to his companions, 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.460 "Eat," 00:12:13.460 --> 00:12:15.700 but he held back and did not eat. 00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:17.100 I said to myself, 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:18.740 "This is one." 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:20.059 Then I turned away from him. 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:21.500 I gathered something else, 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:24.139 then I came to him after he had moved from Quba 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.419 to Medina. 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.460 I said to him, 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:28.980 "I saw that you do not eat charity, 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:30.700 and this is a gift 00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:32.299 with which I honor you." 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:34.620 He said: So the Messenger of Allah, 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:36.980 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ate from it, 00:12:36.980 --> 00:12:39.460 and ordered his companions, so they ate with him. 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:41.059 I said to myself, 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:43.059 "These are two." 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:44.299 Salman said: 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:46.139 Then I came to the Messenger of Allah, 00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:48.100 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:50.220 while he was at Baqi' al-Gharqad, 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:52.740 following a funeral of one of his companions, 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:54.419 and he had two cloaks upon him. 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:55.899 I greeted him, 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.419 then moved behind him, 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:59.019 looking at his back 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.620 to see if I would see the seal 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:02.899 that my master had described to me. 00:13:02.899 --> 00:13:04.980 When he saw me move behind him, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.539 he knew what I wanted, 00:13:06.539 --> 00:13:08.860 so he cast his cloak off his back. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:10.659 I looked at the seal, 00:13:10.659 --> 00:13:11.740 and I recognized it. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:14.659 I threw myself upon him, kissing him and weeping. 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:16.379 He said to me, "Move around." 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:18.379 So I moved to be in front of him, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:20.500 and I told him my story, 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.539 and it pleased him, 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:23.980 and he liked for his companions to hear it. 00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:25.539 Then Salman 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:26.779 was occupied by his state of servitude, 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:29.139 until he missed two battles: 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:30.379 Badr and Uhud. 00:13:30.379 --> 00:13:33.419 The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to him, 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:35.340 "Make a contract of manumission, O Salman." 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.820 So he made a contract with his master 00:13:36.820 --> 00:13:38.740 for three hundred palm saplings 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:40.940 to be planted for him in the soil, 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:43.220 and that he would also pay him forty 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:44.899 ounces of gold. 00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:48.100 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:49.299 to his companions, 00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.820 "Help your brother." 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:52.500 They helped me: this one 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:54.179 with thirty saplings, 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.580 and this one with twenty, 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:57.779 each according to what he could afford, 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:59.419 until there were gathered for me 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:01.340 three hundred saplings. 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:03.340 He said to the Messenger of Allah, 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:05.340 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:07.019 "Go, O Salman, 00:14:07.019 --> 00:14:08.659 and prepare the ground for them," 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.980 meaning: dig for them. 00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:11.379 "And when you have finished, 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.500 come to me, 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:15.299 so that I may be the one to place them with my own hands." 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:17.820 I went and prepared the ground for them, 00:14:17.820 --> 00:14:19.740 then I came to him and informed him. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:23.179 He, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went out with me to them, 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:26.179 and we began bringing the saplings to him, 00:14:26.179 --> 00:14:27.700 meaning the small palm shoots, 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:29.620 and the Messenger of Allah, 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:32.179 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, placed them with his own hand. 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:33.940 When we had finished, 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:36.980 by the One in whose hand is the soul of Salman, 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:40.259 not a single sapling died. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.779 So I fulfilled the palm trees, 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:43.460 but the money remained upon me. 00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:46.659 Then the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was brought 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:49.220 something like an egg of gold. 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.220 Then he said, 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:52.740 "What has the Persian who is under contract done?" 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:54.259 He said: So I was called to him. 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:56.299 He said, "Take this, 00:14:56.299 --> 00:14:58.940 and pay off what is upon you, O Salman." 00:14:58.940 --> 00:15:01.100 I said, "And where would this reach 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:03.299 "What is upon me, O Messenger of Allah?" 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.820 He said, "Take it." 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:07.220 "For Allah will fulfill it on your behalf." 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:08.539 So I took it. 00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:10.340 And I weighed out for them from it. 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:13.259 By the One in whose hand is the soul of Salman, 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:16.419 it was forty ounces. 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:18.460 So I paid them their full due. 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:20.659 And after that, Salman was able 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:24.539 to witness with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.659 the Battle of the Trench. 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:28.059 And he is the one who suggested digging it. 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:30.419 Thereafter, he did not miss a single battle with him. 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:33.700 He passed away, may Allah be pleased with him, during the caliphate of 'Uthman. 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:36.460 In the year thirty-three of the Hijrah. 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:39.100 May Allah be pleased with Salman and grant him satisfaction. 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:41.299 And with all the Companions. 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.500 I say what you hear. 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:44.019 And I ask Allah for forgiveness for myself and for you. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.340 So seek His forgiveness. 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:48.899 For He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:51.259 Praise be to Allah. 00:15:51.259 --> 00:15:52.860 Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:54.220 And the ultimate outcome belongs to the righteous. 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:56.620 And I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. 00:15:56.620 --> 00:16:01.059 And I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:16:01.059 --> 00:16:03.419 To proceed, servants of Allah: 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:08.360 In the story of Salman, may Allah be pleased with him, there are many lessons and morals. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:11.159 Among them is the importance of a sound natural disposition (fitra). 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:14.679 For Allah blessed Salman with a sound natural disposition. 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:19.480 And He made the truth beloved to him until he preferred it over everything else. 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:22.879 His father was a man of wealth and the leader of his people. 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:25.320 And he loved him with an intense love. 00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:29.559 Yet, he sacrificed all of that in order to reach 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:31.960 the true religion and the truth. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:33.399 The second point: 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:35.039 That whoever strives finds. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:36.720 And whoever sows reaps. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:40.200 For Salman al-Farisi, may Allah be pleased with him, was 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:43.399 a man who strove with the utmost diligence. 00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:46.399 He first strove in the religion of Zoroastrianism, 00:16:46.399 --> 00:16:49.399 until he reached the rank of the servant of the fire. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:53.279 Then he reached the highest ranks in the religion of Christianity. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:55.960 Then he reached in the religion of Islam 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:57.840 a status beyond which there is no further. 00:16:57.840 --> 00:16:59.240 The third point: 00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:01.399 That an open mind, 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.720 one that searches for the truth, 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:06.440 is the greatest trait of the successful, 00:17:06.440 --> 00:17:08.200 after the guidance of Allah.