Biographies
After the demise of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu), the new khalifah Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) assumed the reigns of the khilaafate by the appointment of his predecessor. The reigns of both the worldly and spiritual leadership came into his hands. His appointment as the khalifah is indeed an interesting episode.
This is the story of the pious, mystic, Faqhi, intellectual and ascetic, Salman the Persian. He grew up in the town of Isfahan in Persia, in the village of Jayyan. His father was the Dihqan (chief) of the village. He was the richest person there and had the biggest house.His father loved him, more than he loved any other. As time went by, his love for Salman became so strong and overpowering that he feared to lose him or have anything happen to him. So he kept him at home, a virtual prisoner, in the same way that young girls were kept.
Imaam Baqy ibn Makhlad al Andulusy {r.a.} was born in Spain and he passed away there as well. He was born in the year 201 A.H. and passed away in 276 A.H.
His original name was Al-Husain ibn Salam. He was a learned rabbi, and one respected by all, for his righteousness and knowledge. He properly divided his time between taking care of his palm trees, worshipping and teaching in the synagogue, and studying the Torah. 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 ibn Abdullah who appeared among his people in Makkah.