How Janabe Salman embraced Islam

بسم الله الرّحمن الرّحيم

Shaikh-e-Sadooq (R.A.) narrates a tradition from Imam Moosa ibn Jafar (a.s.).

One day a man asked Imam (a.s.), “O the Son of Prophet (a.s.)! Will you not let us know the circumstances behind Janabe Salman-e-Faarsi (a.r.) accepting Islam.

Imam (a.s.) replied: “My father (a.s.) told me, that one day Ameer-ul-Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), Salman e Faarsi (a.r.), Abu Zar (a.r.) and a congregation of Quraish had gathered in the mausoleum of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.).

Ameer-ul-Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) asked Janabe Salman, ‘O Abu Abdillah will you not relate to us your story?’ Janabe Salman (a.r.) said, ‘I swear by God, Ameer-ul-Momineen had any one, other than you, asked me this question I would have never replied.

‘I was a resident of Shiraz and a son of a farmer. My parents loved me a lot. Once I was going with my father to participate in a festival with the people of the city. Suddenly we passed a monastery from which a man was shouting this at the top of his voice, ‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Isa is the spirit of Allah and that Mohammad is the beloved of Allah.

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The status of Janabe Zahra (s.a.)

بسم الله الرّحمن الرحيم

The position of Janabe Zahra (s.a.) is way higher than just being virtuous.

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) says:

‘Surely, Allah is happy when Fatemah is happy and angry when Fatemah is angry’

(Ref: Behar ul Anwaar vol 30, page 353; Mustadrak Haakim, vol 3, pg 154; Mo’ajam al Kabeer vol 22, page 401; Sahih Bukhari vol 5, page 83)

This tradition makes it clear that the status of Janabe Zahra (s.a.) is much superior to just being virtuous because chastity means that every action of a person— his contentment or discontentment, happiness and anger is as per Allah’s wish. He’s content in Allah’s pleasure and angry in Allah’s anger. His actions are a reflection of Allah’s wish.  But, this isn’t the case with Janabe Zahra (s.a.) because here Allah is pleased with what Janabe Fatemah Zahra (s.a.) is pleased with and angered with what she is angered.

It’s impossible to get true recognition of (marefat) Janabe Zahra (s.a.)

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) says:

‘Fatemah was named Fatemah because the entire creation was hopeless in recognising her’

(Behar Al Anwar, vol 43, page 65)

The words of the tradition are worthy of focusing deeper. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) has emphasised on ‘entire creation’ which barring Allah, includes not only people but even the honourable, the carrier of divine revelation, trustworthy of Allah, Janabe Jibraeel, Izraael, other angels in the proximity, the Greater Prophets, the Noble Messengers and the vicegerents, all are included in this.

How great must be that pious being who even the trustworthy Jibraeel cannot fully understand. Even the Prophets (a.s.) too cannot gain her true recognition. This that great being who can only be understood by Allah.

In this regard, let’s look at his narration. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) told Janabe Zahra (s.a.):

“When the representatives of Allah will settle in rows (during the Day of Judgement) at that moment Adam (a.s.) and other prophets will come for your visitation.”

(Behar ul Anwaar, vol 43, page 22).

How great is this status! Indeed, what super eminent exaltation it is for all the Prophets (a.s.) to stand in rows and call on Janabe Fatemah Zahra (s.a.). The mind fails to grasp the prominence Allah has conferred upon this great Lady.

Surely, none can perceive the greatness of the Lady who will have Prophets (a.s.) lining up to call on her in paradise. As it is the minds fail to fathom the status of Prophets (a.s.) so how is it possible to realize the position of one who will be visited by rows of Prophets (a.s.)?

The Creation of Janabe Zahra (s.a.)

بسم الله الر حمن الرحيم

The following narration has been reported by both the Shias and Sunnis — which entertains no doubt about its veracity.

Imam Jafar Sadeq (a.s.) says:

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) would kiss Janabe Zahra (s.a.) a lot. Ayesha objected to this and said: O Messenger of Allah, what is the reason behind you kissing Fatemah so much?

(Behar ul Anwaar, vol 18 pg, 315)

The Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.s.) reply to this objection has been narrated by Suyuti in Durre Mansour and Tabrani in his Mojam.

(Durre Mansour, vol 4, pg 153, Al Mojam al Kabeer, volume 22, pg 401).

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) replied:

When I went on Meraaj, I visited the paradise. From the tress of paradise I saw a tree which was better than all the other trees. There was no other tree whiter than this one or any tree more scented than this one. I partook one fruit from this tree. This fruit took the shape of a fluid in my loin and when I returned back to earth I transferred this thing given to me in trust into the womb of Khadija from which Fatemah was formed. Therefore, whenever I am desirous of smelling paradise, I smell Fatemah.

(Tafseer-e-Noorus Saqalain, vol 3, pg 98).