Abdullah ibn Salam
| Abdullah ibn Salam | |
|---|---|
| Theologian, Disciple of Muhammad, Son of Peace | |
| Born | c. 550 C.E. Yathrib |
| Died | c. 630 C.E. Medina |
| Venerated in | Islam |
| Influences | Moses, Muhammad, Aaron, Hebrew prophets |
| Influenced | Commentators on the Qur'an, especially Tafsir al Qurtubi and Ibn Ishaq |
Abdullah ibn Salam (Arabic: عبدالله بن سلام God's servant, the Son of Peace), born Al-Husayn ibn Salam, was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and was a rabbi before converting to Islam. He participated in the conquest of Syria and Palestine, but died in Medina.
Abdullah ibn Salam was a Jewish rabbi in Yathrib who belonged to the Banu Qaynuqa tribe, claiming descent from Joseph. He was widely respected and honored by the people of the city, even those who were not Jewish. For a fixed period each day, he would worship, teach and preach in the Synagogue. He was known for his piety and goodness, his upright conduct, and his truthfulness.
Abdullah ibn Salam lived a peaceful and gentle life but he was serious, purposeful and organized in the way he spent his time. For a fixed period each day, he would worship, teach and preach in the synagogue.
Then he would spend some time in his orchard, looking after date palms, pruning and pollinating. Thereafter, to increase his understanding and knowledge of his religion, he would devote himself to the study of the Torah.
In this study, it is said he was particularly struck by some verses of the Torah which dealt with the coming of a prophet who would complete the message of previous prophets. Abdullah ibn Salam therefore took an immediate and keen interest when he heard reports of the appearance of a prophet in Mecca. He used to stop at certain passages in the Torah and ponder a long time upon the news therein of the prophet who was to appear to complete the Message of all the prophets before him. The more he read the more he became convinced that the foretold prophet was Muhammad who appeared among his people in Mecca.
In 622, Muhammad left Mecca for Medina. When he reached Medina and stopped at Quba, a man came rushing into the city, calling out to people and announcing the arrival of Muhammad. On hearing the news, Abdullah ibn Salam exclaimed the Shahadah (Testimony of faith that there is only one God and Muhammad is His Messenger) and told his aunt, who was sitting nearby: "Aunt, he is really, by God, the brother of Moses and follows his religion...". Tradition recounts Abdullah's early life in his own words:
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