The Story of Salman al-Fārisi:

Ibn Isḥāq said: ʿĀṣim ibn ʿUmar related to me, from Maḥmūd ibn Labīd, from Ibn ʿAbbās, who said: Salman al-Fārisi narrated to me:

“I was a man from Persia, from Isfahan, from a village called Jay. My father was the dihqān (land-holding chief) of his property, and he loved me with a fervent love, more than he ever loved his wealth or any of his children. His affection for me became so intense that he kept me shut up in the house as one keeps a young girl indoors.

I devoted myself to Magianism until I became the keeper of the sacred fire that is always lit—I would not allow it to burn low for even a single moment. Because of this, I knew nothing of people’s affairs except the religion I was practicing.

Then my father constructed a building for himself, and he owned an estate that needed some attention. He summoned me and said, ‘My son, this building you see has preoccupied me from tending to my estate, yet I must look after it. Go there, give them such-and-such instructions, and do not delay; if you are late, it will distract me from everything else.’

So I set out for the estate. On the way I passed by a Christian church and heard their voices. I asked, ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘Christians.’ I went in, and what I saw of their worship pleased me. By Allah, I remained with them until the sun had set. My father sent people searching for me in every direction, and when I returned at nightfall—without having gone to his estate—he asked, ‘Where were you?’ I replied, ‘I passed by some Christians; their prayer and supplication impressed me, so I sat watching how they worship.’

He said, ‘My son, your religion and the religion of your forefathers is better than theirs.’ I said, ‘No, by Allah, it is not better. These people worship Allah, call upon Him, and pray to Him, whereas we worship a fire that we kindle.’"