The Timeless Quest for Truth: The Inspiring Journey of Salman Farsi (RA)
Mohammad Taukir Rahmani
EC Exclusive
Islam began with the arrival of the first human, the forefather of all mankind, known as Adam (as). Every person is born in harmony with the innate nature (fitrah), but as they grow, they adapt to the environment of the household and society they are born into. At this point, an individual faces two choices: either conform to the prevailing beliefs and customs or search for the natural religion. If the surrounding beliefs align with this innate truth, the person accepts them; otherwise, the pursuit for truth continues, reflecting on the Creator’s signs in the universe. When one contemplates the mysteries of existence and the universe, divine realities unfold, guiding them towards the true faith. History provides many examples of individuals who spent their entire lives searching for the natural religion and found it after enduring great struggles. One such remarkable example is Salman Farsi (ra).
The life of Salman Farsi (ra) is a shining example of devotion, sacrifice, and the quest for truth. Born as Ruzbeh in a noble Zoroastrian family in Persia, Salman initially followed the Magian faith of his parents. However, one day, he passed by a Christian church and was deeply moved by what he witnessed, finding glimpses of truth in Christianity. His interest grew, and he eventually embraced Christianity, abandoning his family to live among Christian monks. Salman journeyed across various lands in search of deeper understanding. One of the monks he encountered informed him that the final prophet, foretold in their scriptures, would soon appear in Arabia.
Driven by his desire for truth, Salman embarked on a journey to Arabia. However, during his travels, he was betrayed and sold into slavery to a Jewish man in Yathrib (now Madinah). When he heard about the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (saws) in Madinah, he recognized the signs he had learned from Christian monks. Convinced that Muhammad (saws) was the promised final prophet, Salman embraced Islam despite his state of slavery. His life stands as a testament to the relentless search for truth and devotion to the faith, as he sacrificed his homeland, family, and comfort for the natural religion. Salman Farsi (ra) lived for about 150 years, spending most of his life seeking the truth and the remainder spreading it.
Many other extraordinary individuals in history had to leave their homes, families, and countries to find the truth and face immense hardships along the way. Their sacrifices eventually led them to divine guidance. A comprehensive account of their lives would require an entire volume. Regardless of the circumstances one is born into, the search for and adherence to the natural religion remains an essential aspect of human life. Just as Salman Farsi was born into a fire-worshipping family but died as a preacher of Islam, the journey of truth is open to everyone.
Islam is the religion of nature, and throughout history, the Creator has sent prophets to guide people toward it. The need for such guidance arose because when Allah created Adam, Satan disobeyed a divine command and became the eternal enemy of humankind, vowing to mislead people from the natural religion. Over time, Satan not only made humans rebel against Islam but also introduced them to false ideologies and beliefs, causing them to forget their true purpose and depriving them of the treasures of Islam. As a result, humans became ruthless, indulging in murder, theft, oppression, and exploitation. Influential figures declared themselves gods, forcing people to worship them through violence and oppression, initiating an era of barbarism that shamed humanity. To counter this darkness, Allah sent prophets to guide humanity back to the truth, culminating in the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (saws) with the final revelation—the Qur’an. This sacred book serves as guidance for all of humanity until the end of time, with the Prophet (saws) as its living example.
A careful study of Islam reveals why it is the true religion of nature. Islam offers a complete code of life, teaching humanity the essence of being human. It provides solutions to all human challenges, whether major or minor, and offers guidance from birth to death. The Qur’an acts as a companion during times of sorrow, offering solace and healing. Islam emphasizes mercy and compassion, promotes worship of Allah, justice, brotherhood, equality, and self-purification, fostering harmony, morality, and social justice within society. In essence, Islam addresses every issue relevant to human life.
Islam is a natural religion that has guided humanity since the time of Adam (as) and will continue to do so until the Day of Judgment. Its teachings act as a beacon of light, illuminating the path for all of humanity. The fundamental principle of Islam is that it is not merely a collection of beliefs but a complete system of life, providing guidance for every aspect of existence. It connects humans to their Creator and encourages kindness toward creation, offering a balanced and just way of life for all.
