expel these people, I would certainly have done so; but I am a man who can no longer keep up with their arduous devotions. I intend to move to a monastery whose members practise lighter worship. If you wish to stay here, then remain.
So he stayed on there, worshipping with them.
Later his shaykh decided to visit Jerusalem. He called Salman, informed him, and Salman set out with him. As they passed a paralysed man sitting by the roadside, the man cried out, “O master of the monks, have mercy on me!”
The shaykh did not speak to him until they reached Jerusalem. Then he said to Salman, “Go out and seek knowledge, for the scholars of the whole world gather in this mosque.” Salman went out and listened to them.
One day he returned in sorrow. The shaykh asked, “What is the matter?”
Salman replied, “I see that all goodness has already been taken by the prophets who came before us and by their followers.”
The shaykh said, “Indeed—but do not grieve. One prophet still remains, and no prophet will have followers better than his (1). His era is upon us. I do not expect to reach him, but perhaps you will. He will appear in the land of the Arabs; if you live to see him, believe in him.”
Salman asked, “Tell me his signs.”
He said, “He is sealed between his shoulders with the Seal of Prophethood, he eats what is given as a gift, and he does not eat from charity.”
They then began the return journey. When they reached the place of the cripple, the man called out, “O master of the monks, have mercy on me—may Allah have mercy on you!”
The shaykh turned his donkey toward him (2), took him by the hand, lifted him up, set him on the ground, and prayed for him, saying, “Rise by Allah’s permission.” The man rose, completely sound and swift on his feet (3).
The monk continued on and disappeared from Salman, who began searching for him. He met two men of the Kalb tribe (4) and asked, “Have you seen the monk?”
One of them made his mount kneel and said, “Yes—the shepherd of that small flock (5).”
He then led Salman on to Medina.