I replied, “No, by God! It is better than our religion.”

Fearing for me, he fastened an iron shackle to my leg and confined me inside his house.

I then sent word to the Christians, saying, “If a caravan arrives from Syria, inform me.” In due course a caravan from Syria did arrive, and the Christians came to me (1) and told me. I said, “When they have completed their business and are about to return to their country, let me know.” When they were ready to depart, they informed me; I slipped the iron from my leg and set out with them until we reached Syria.

Once there I asked, “Who is the most knowledgeable person in this religion?” They answered, “The bishop in the church.” I went to him and said, “I have grown fond of this religion and would like to stay with you, serve you in your church, learn from you, and pray with you.” He said, “Enter.” So I entered and remained with him. He turned out to be a wicked man: he would order the people to give charity and urge them to do so, yet whenever they brought him something he hoarded it for himself and gave nothing to the poor, until he had amassed seven large jars of gold and silver.

I came to detest him intensely because of what I saw him doing. When he died, the Christians gathered to bury him. I said to them, “This man was evil: he used to command you to give charity and encourage you to do so, but whenever you brought anything he stored it away for himself and gave nothing to the poor.” They asked, “How do you know this?” I replied, “I will show you his treasure.” They said, “Show us.” I pointed out its place, and they brought out seven jars filled with gold and silver. When they saw them they said, “We shall never bury him.” So they crucified him and pelted him with stones, then brought another man and installed him in his place.

Salman said: I never saw a man who did not perform the five daily prayers whom I considered better than him—more detached from the world, more eager for the Hereafter, and more diligent night and day. I loved him with a love unlike any I had felt before, and I stayed with him for a time.

When death overtook him I said, “You can see what has come upon you of God’s decree. I have been with you and loved you as I have loved no one before. To whom do you commend me, and what do you instruct me?” He replied, “My son, by God, I know of no one today who follows what we follow. People have perished, altered matters, and abandoned most of what they once upheld—except for a man in Mosul, so-and-so; he is upon what I am upon. Go to him.”

When he died and was buried I made my way to the man in Mosul (2) and said, “So-and-so, at his death, advised me to come to you and told me that you are upon his way.” He said to me, “Stay with me.” I stayed with him and found him to be the best of men, adhering to his companion’s path. Before long, however, he too died. When death approached him I said, “So-and-so commended me to you and ordered me to join you, and now you see what has come upon you of God’s decree. To whom do you commend me, and what (3) do you instruct me?” He answered, “My son, by God, I know of no one who adheres to what we adhere to except a man in Nasibin—so-and-so—so go to him.” (4)