Salman Farsi grew up in Isfahan in Persia into a very rich and respectable family. He was initially a devotee of the Magian religion (fire worshippers).One day his father sent him to a village. On the way he passed by a church from which he heard the Christians praying. He was astonished and remarked to himself, “This is better than our religion”. He asked the Christians about the origins of their faith and was told that it was in ash-Sham (Greater Syria). Upon returning he narrated his experience to his father who became upset and imprisoned him in the house. He managed to escape and joined a caravan to Syria where he sought out the leading bishop, became a Christian and entered into his service in the church. He however, found the bishop to be corrupt and exposed his practises after the bishop’s death. The bishop was replaced by a pious man who was greatly devoted to worship day and night. After his death, Salman attached himself to various Christian religious figures, in Mosul, Nisibis and elsewhere. The last one had told him about the appearance of a Prophet in the land of the Arabs who would have a reputation for strict honesty, one who would accept a gift but would never consume charity (sadaqah) for himself. He would also have the seal of the Prophets on his back (Source: Islamic Landmarks).
Dome of Sulaiman, Al Quds Al Sharif, Palestine
