Salman the Persian

Persian companion of Muhammad whose spiritual journey took him from Zoroastrianism through Christianity before finding Islam. Born in Persia to a Zoroastrian family, Salman converted to Christianity and traveled with monks and scholars seeking truth, eventually being sold into slavery and brought to Medina. There he recognized Muhammad as the awaited prophet and embraced Islam.

During the Battle of the Trench, Salman suggested digging a defensive trench around Medina—a Persian military tactic unknown to the Arabs—which proved decisive in repelling the Meccan siege. Muhammad declared: “Salman is one of us, the People of the House.” He became a symbol of Islam’s universal message transcending Arab identity, honored in both Sunni and Shia traditions.