Introduction
Salman was born in Persia into a Zoroastrian family and left home in search of the truth. His journey took him through the teachers of several Christian communities, and he was sold from master to master as a slave before he finally reached Medina and met the Prophet.
After accepting Islam and being freed from slavery, he became one of the best-known non-Arab companions. The Prophet paired him in brotherhood with Abu al-Darda, and tradition credits him with advising the Muslims to dig the trench around Medina in the year 5 AH.
Salman is remembered for his balance, his plain way of life and his love of learning the Prophet's teachings down to the smallest practical detail. Later he served as governor of al-Mada'in, the old Persian capital, and died there.
The story
Before Islam
Left Persia in search of truth and was sold as a slave more than ten times before reaching Medina.
Read the wording
Sahih al-Bukhari 3946Sahih Arabic text
أَنَّهُ تَدَاوَلَهُ بِضْعَةَ عَشَرَ مِنْ رَبٍّ إِلَى رَبٍّ.
“sold (as a slave) by one master to another”
c. 622 CE
Met the Prophet in Medina and accepted Islam; later freed from slavery.
After the Hijrah
The Prophet paired him in brotherhood with Abu al-Darda.
Read the wording
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih Arabic text
قَالَ آخَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَيْنَ سَلْمَانَ، وَأَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَزَارَ سَلْمَانُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَرَأَى أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً. فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا شَأْنُكِ قَالَتْ أَخُوكَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ لَيْسَ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا. فَجَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ، فَصَنَعَ لَهُ طَعَامًا. فَقَالَ كُلْ. قَالَ فَإِنِّي صَائِمٌ. قَالَ مَا أَنَا بِآكِلٍ حَتَّى تَأْكُلَ. قَالَ …
“made a bond of brotherhood between Salman and Abu Ad-Darda”
5 AH / 627 CE
Credited by tradition with proposing the trench around Medina.
After the conquest of Persia
Became governor of al-Mada'in (Ctesiphon) and died there around the mid-650s CE.
A day in their footsteps
7 small, repeatable practices from Salman al-Farisi's life. Each comes with the Arabic text and English wording of its source, and links to read the full report.
Giving every right its due
Visiting his brother Abu al-Darda, Salman found him fasting every day and praying all night while neglecting his family. He insisted that Abu al-Darda eat, told him to sleep, and said that his Lord, his own self and his family each have a right over him. The Prophet confirmed that Salman had spoken the truth.
Try this today
Review your week: is anyone, including your own body, owed something you are skipping?
Sit with this
Who is owed something you have been skipping, including your own body?
Source
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih … نَمْ. فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ. فَقَالَ نَمْ. فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ قُمِ الآنَ. فَصَلَّيَا، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ. فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَدَقَ …
“Your Lord has a right on you, your soul has a right on you, and your family has a right on you”
Sleeping early and rising for the last part of the night
Salman let Abu al-Darda sleep through the first parts of the night, and only when the last hours came did he wake him so both could pray. His standard was rest first, then night prayer in the best part of the night.
Try this today
A short prayer in the last third of the night is better than an exhausting night you cannot keep up.
Sit with this
Would a short, steady prayer in the last third serve you better than an exhausting night?
Source
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih … نَمْ. فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ. فَقَالَ نَمْ. فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ قُمِ الآنَ. فَصَلَّيَا، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ. فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَدَقَ …
“When it was the last hours of the night, Salman told him to get up then, and both of them offered the prayer”
The full Friday routine
Salman reported the Prophet's Friday sunnahs: bathe, clean yourself as much as you can, use oil or the scent of your home, go to the mosque without pushing between people, pray what is written for you, and stay silent while the imam speaks. Sins between that Friday and the previous one are forgiven.
Try this today
Treat Friday as a prepared day: bathe, perfume, arrive early, stay silent for the khutbah.
Sit with this
What would it take to prepare for Friday properly this week?
Source
Sahih al-Bukhari 883Sahih قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يَغْتَسِلُ رَجُلٌ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ، وَيَتَطَهَّرُ مَا اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْ طُهْرٍ، وَيَدَّهِنُ مِنْ دُهْنِهِ، أَوْ يَمَسُّ مِنْ طِيبِ بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ، فَلاَ يُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ، ثُمَّ يُنْصِتُ إِذَا تَكَلَّمَ الإِمَامُ، إِلاَّ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الأُخْرَى".
“does not separate two persons sitting together”
Raising your hands in du'a
Salman transmitted the Prophet's teaching that Allah is generous and shy to return empty the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him, a practical encouragement to ask in earnest.
Try this today
Make du'a with your hands raised, and never think a sincere request is wasted.
Sit with this
When you raise your hands, do you believe they will not come back empty?
Sources
Sunan Abi Dawud 1488Sahih قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحْيِي مِنْ عَبْدِهِ إِذَا رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا".
“is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him”
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3556Sahih قَالَ " إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَيِيٌّ كَرِيمٌ يَسْتَحِي إِذَا رَفَعَ الرَّجُلُ إِلَيْهِ يَدَيْهِ أَنْ يَرُدَّهُمَا صِفْرًا خَائِبَتَيْنِ". قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ. وَرَوَاهُ بَعْضُهُمْ وَلَمْ يَرْفَعْهُ.
“raises his hands”
Learning the etiquette of everyday life
When a polytheist remarked that the Prophet teaches you even about relieving yourself, Salman answered that yes, he has forbidden facing the qibla, cleaning with the right hand, and using fewer than three stones. He saw no part of life as too ordinary to be guided.
Try this today
Learn the small manners of the sunnah; they train you for the large ones.
Sit with this
Which small everyday manner of the Sunnah could you learn this week?
Sources
Sunan Abi Dawud 7Sahih قَالَ قِيلَ لَهُ لَقَدْ عَلَّمَكُمْ نَبِيُّكُمْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّى الْخِرَاءَةَ. قَالَ أَجَلْ لَقَدْ نَهَانَا صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ نَسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةَ بِغَائِطٍ أَوْ بَوْلٍ وَأَنْ لاَ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِالْيَمِينِ وَأَنْ لاَ يَسْتَنْجِيَ أَحَدُنَا بِأَقَلَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثَةِ أَحْجَارٍ أَوْ يَسْتَنْجِيَ بِرَجِيعٍ أَوْ عَظْمٍ.
“Yes. He has forbidden us to face the qiblah at the time of easing or urinating”
Jami at-Tirmidhi 16Sahih … أَبُو عِيسَى وَحَدِيثُ سَلْمَانَ فِي هَذَا الْبَابِ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ. وَهُوَ قَوْلُ أَكْثَرِ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَنْ بَعْدَهُمْ رَأَوْا أَنَّ الاِسْتِنْجَاءَ بِالْحِجَارَةِ يُجْزِئُ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَنْجِ بِالْمَاءِ إِذَا أَنْقَى أَثَرَ الْغَائِطِ وَالْبَوْلِ وَبِهِ يَقُولُ الثَّوْرِيُّ وَابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ وَالشَّافِعِيُّ وَأَحْمَدُ …
“Your Prophet taught you about everything”
Sahih Muslim 262Sahih قَالَ قِيلَ لَهُ قَدْ عَلَّمَكُمْ نَبِيُّكُمْ صلى الله عليه وسلم كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّى الْخِرَاءَةَ. قَالَ فَقَالَ أَجَلْ لَقَدْ نَهَانَا أَنْ نَسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةَ لِغَائِطٍ أَوْ بَوْلٍ أَوْ أَنْ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِالْيَمِينِ أَوْ أَنْ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِأَقَلَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثَةِ أَحْجَارٍ أَوْ أَنْ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِرَجِيعٍ أَوْ بِعَظْمٍ.
“Your Apostle (ﷺ) teaches you about everything”
Keeping watch for the community's safety
Salman narrated that a day and night of guard duty (ribat) in the path of Allah is better than a month of fasting and night prayer, and that the reward continues for the one who dies doing it.
Try this today
Guard something that others rely on: a duty, a neighbour, a family member.
Sit with this
What do others rely on you to guard?
Source
Sahih Muslim 1913Sahih قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " رِبَاطُ يَوْمٍ وَلَيْلَةٍ خَيْرٌ مِنْ صِيَامِ شَهْرٍ وَقِيَامِهِ وَإِنْ مَاتَ جَرَى عَلَيْهِ عَمَلُهُ الَّذِي كَانَ يَعْمَلُهُ وَأُجْرِيَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُ وَأَمِنَ الْفَتَّانَ".
“Keeping watch for a day and a night is better (in point of reward) than fasting for a whole month”
Staying away from the bustle of the market
Salman advised not to be the first to enter the market nor the last to leave it, because that is where Satan plants his flag. He reported it as a guide for keeping your heart and time from being swallowed by trade.
Try this today
Do your buying and selling, but do not live there.
Sit with this
Does the market, or the screen, take more of you than it should?
Source
Sahih Muslim 2451Sahih … حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ سَلْمَانَ، قَالَ لاَ تَكُونَنَّ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ السُّوقَ وَلاَ آخِرَ مَنْ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّهَا مَعْرَكَةُ الشَّيْطَانِ وَبِهَا يَنْصِبُ رَايَتَهُ. قَالَ وَأُنْبِئْتُ أَنَّ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ أَتَى نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ سَلَمَةَ - قَالَ - فَجَعَلَ يَتَحَدَّثُ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَقَالَ نَبِيُّ …
“don't be one to enter the bazar first and the last to get out of that”
Virtues
The Prophet publicly confirmed Salman's advice to Abu al-Darda with the words that Salman had spoken the truth.
“Salman has spoken the truth”
Arabic text
… نَمْ. فَنَامَ، ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ يَقُومُ. فَقَالَ نَمْ. فَلَمَّا كَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ سَلْمَانُ قُمِ الآنَ. فَصَلَّيَا، فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلْمَانُ إِنَّ لِرَبِّكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلِنَفْسِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، وَلأَهْلِكَ عَلَيْكَ حَقًّا، فَأَعْطِ كُلَّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ. فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَدَقَ …
Sahih al-Bukhari 1968Sahih
When the verse about others who have not yet joined them was revealed, the Prophet placed his hand on Salman and said that even if faith were at the Pleiades, men from his people would attain it.
“put his hand on Salman”
Arabic text
… صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأُنْزِلَتْ عَلَيْهِ سُورَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ{وَآخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ} قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَلَمْ يُرَاجِعْهُ حَتَّى سَأَلَ ثَلاَثًا، وَفِينَا سَلْمَانُ الْفَارِسِيُّ، وَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدَهُ عَلَى سَلْمَانَ ثُمَّ قَالَ" لَوْ كَانَ الإِيمَانُ عِنْدَ الثُّرَيَّا لَنَالَهُ رِجَالٌ ـ أَوْ رَجُلٌ ـ مِنْ …
Sahih al-Bukhari 4897Sahih
Even a stranger to Arabia, sold from master to master, became a brother in faith to Abu al-Darda through the Prophet's pairing.
“bond of brotherhood”
Arabic text
… عليه وسلم بَيْنَ سَلْمَانَ وَبَيْنَ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ فَزَارَ سَلْمَانُ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ فَرَأَى أُمَّ الدَّرْدَاءِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً فَقَالَ مَا شَأْنُكِ مُتَبَذِّلَةً قَالَتْ إِنَّ أَخَاكَ أَبَا الدَّرْدَاءِ لَيْسَ لَهُ حَاجَةٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا. قَالَ فَلَمَّا جَاءَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهِ طَعَامًا فَقَالَ كُلْ فَإِنِّي صَائِمٌ. قَالَ مَا أَنَا بِآكِلٍ حَتَّى تَأْكُلَ. قَالَ …
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2413Sahih
Sayings and moments
Salman said that the Prophet taught them everything, even how to relieve themselves, and listed the manners he had forbidden.
“Your Prophet teaches you everything”
Arabic text
قَالَ قِيلَ لَهُ لَقَدْ عَلَّمَكُمْ نَبِيُّكُمْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّى الْخِرَاءَةَ. قَالَ أَجَلْ لَقَدْ نَهَانَا صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ نَسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةَ بِغَائِطٍ أَوْ بَوْلٍ وَأَنْ لاَ نَسْتَنْجِيَ بِالْيَمِينِ وَأَنْ لاَ يَسْتَنْجِيَ أَحَدُنَا بِأَقَلَّ مِنْ ثَلاَثَةِ أَحْجَارٍ أَوْ يَسْتَنْجِيَ بِرَجِيعٍ أَوْ عَظْمٍ.
Sunan Abi Dawud 7Sahih
Salman reported that nothing turns back the decree except supplication, and nothing increases lifespan except righteousness.
“Nothing turns back the Decree except supplication”
Arabic text
… حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ حَدِيثِ سَلْمَانَ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ يَحْيَى بْنِ الضُّرَيْسِ. وَأَبُو مَوْدُودٍ اثْنَانِ أَحَدُهُمَا يُقَالُ لَهُ فِضَّةٌ وَهُوَ الَّذِي رَوَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ اسْمُهُ فِضَّةٌ بَصْرِيٌّ وَالآخَرُ عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ أَبِي سُلَيْمَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا بَصْرِيٌّ وَالآخَرُ مَدَنِيٌّ وَكَانَا فِي عَصْرٍ وَاحِدٍ وابو مودود الذي روى هذا الحديث أسمه فضة …
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2139Hasan
Words on this page
- Du'aدعاء
- Supplication: calling on Allah and asking Him, in any language and at any time.
- Hadithحديث
- A report of what the Prophet ﷺ said, did or approved, passed down through a chain of narrators.
- Khutbahخطبة
- A sermon, especially the one given before the Friday prayer and after the Eid prayers.
- Madinahالمدينة
- The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.
- Qiblahالقبلة
- The direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah, which Muslims face in prayer.
- Sunnahالسنة
- The way of the Prophet ﷺ: his words, actions and approvals. Also used for a recommended act.
- Tahajjudتهجد
- Voluntary prayer at night after waking from sleep, especially in the last third of the night.
Related companions
- أبو الدرداءAbu al-DardaAbu al-Darda al-Ansari, a former merchant who devoted himself to worship, collected the Quran in the Prophet'…
- أبو بكر الصديقAbu Bakr al-SiddiqThe Prophet's closest companion and first caliph, remembered for truthfulness, tender-hearted worship and giv…
- عمر بن الخطابUmar ibn al-KhattabUmar ibn al-Khattab, al-Faruq and second caliph: his night prayer, justice, generosity and respect for the Bo…
- علي بن أبي طالبAli ibn Abi TalibCousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, among the first to believe, and fourth caliph; remembered for knowledge…
Sources and review
- Salman the Persian - Wikipedia (biography, dates) (opens in a new tab)
- hadith-api, English hadith editions mirroring sunnah.com numbering and grades (opens in a new tab)
Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com. Each report links to sunnah.com, and, where the numbering matches, to al-Hadees or HadithUnlocked as well. Quran verses link to quran.com, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tanzil. The Arabic is taken from the hadith editions and trimmed around the quoted words, so read the full report at the source before relying on it. Grades are the ones those editions give.
This page is pending scholar review. It was compiled from public sources, and its citations were last checked on 7 October 2026. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us.