MERITS OF VISITING THE TOMB OF SALMAN
One of the duties of the visitors of the city of al-Kazimiyyah is to head for the city of al-Mada’in to visit the righteous servant of Allah, Salman al-Muhammadi, Allah’s pleasure be upon him. The first of the Four Pillar-Persons, Salman was given an exclusive excellence by the Holy Prophet (s) who said about him, “Salman belongs to us - the Ahl al-Bayt.” Thus, the Holy Prophet (s) included Salman with the group of the Household of Prophethood and Infallibility.
Declaring the value of Salman, the Holy Prophet (s) also said,
Imam ‘Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (‘a) likened Salman to Luqman whom Almighty Allah gave wisdom.
Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) regarded Salman as even preferred to Luqman the wise.
As for Imam al-Baqir (‘a), he considered Salman to be one of those who understand by tokens (mutawassim).
From the traditions on the merits of Salman, we can conclude the following:
1. Salman had knowledge with the Greater Name (alism al-a’zam).
2. He received directly from the angels.
3. Faith is of ten ranks; Salman attained the tenth (i.e. most supreme) rank.
4. He had familiarity with the unseen knowledge and the knowledge of the times of death.
5. In this worldly life, Salman ate from the presents of Paradise.
6. Paradise longs for and loves Salman.
7. Almighty Allah and His Messengers love Salman.
8. Almighty Allah ordered His Messenger to love four persons one of whom was Salman.
9. Verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed in praise of Salman and his matches.
10. Whenever Archangel Gabriel descended to the Holy Prophet (s), he would order him to convey compliments of Almighty Allah to Salman and inform him of the knowledge of times of death, future catastrophes, and lineages of people.
11. At nights, Salman held special sessions with the Holy Prophet (s).
12. The Holy Prophet (s) and Imam ‘Ali (‘a) taught Salman a portion of the stored and hidden knowledge of Almighty Allah - the knowledge that none could bear except Salman.
13. He attained such a magnificent prominence due to which Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) said about him:
In the course of arousing desire for visiting the tomb of this great personality, it is sufficient to reflect on the following peculiarity and great preference by which Salman was characterized among all of the companions of the Holy Prophet (s):
When Salman passed away, Imam ‘Ali (‘a) covered the entire distance between al-Madinah and al-Mada’in in one night to attend his funeral ceremony. The Imam (‘a) himself washed and coffined the dead body of Salman. He then performed the ritual Deceased Prayer for his body in the participation of a line of angels. At that night, the Imam (‘a) returned to al-Madinah. What a sublime honor the loyalty to and love for the Ahl al-Bayt grant. Such loyalty and love raises one to such a splendid status and supreme rank.
