“This Quran elevates some people and lowers others.” Salim was a slave living in Mecca, like all the slaves there—without value or status, unremembered except in terms of ownership. But when Islam came, it elevated his status and placed him among the ranks of the greatest Companions. One of the great Companions, Abu Hudhayfa ibn Utba ibn Rabi'a, adopted him after freeing him. Abu Hudhayfa was one of the noble leaders of Quraysh.
Salim continued to live under the care of his adoptive father, Abu Hudhayfa, until the verse was revealed: “Call them by [the names of] their fathers; it is more just in the sight of Allah. But if you do not know their fathers, then they are [still] your brothers in religion and those entrusted to you. And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 5). This verse was revealed concerning Zayd ibn Harithah, whom the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had adopted before it was revealed. After its revelation, Zayd returned to his original father's name. As for Salim, since his father's name was unknown, he was called Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfa, and he remained a brother, companion, and freedman to his former adopter. Through Allah's grace, Salim rose to a high and distinguished rank among the Muslims, due to his virtuous spirit, character, and piety. He became known as "Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfa" (Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfa). He had early faith in Allah, taking his place among the foremost believers. 1
Abu Hudhayfa had accepted Islam despite his father’s opposition. His father was one of the leaders of disbelief and staunch opponents of Quraysh. He had been preparing his son for leadership, but when Salim and Abu Hudhayfa both embraced Islam, they endured Quraysh's harm together.
Al-Dhahabi said about him in "Siyar A'lam an-Nubala": " Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfa, was one of the early pioneers who participated in Badr, and among the knowledgeable ones." Salim originally came from Istakhr, a region in Persia. He was initially a slave of Thubayta bint Ya'ar, an Ansari woman from the Aws tribe, the wife of Abu Hudhayfa. She freed Salim, and her husband adopted him. Abu Hudhayfa loved him deeply and even married him to his niece, Fatimah bint Al-Walid ibn Utba ibn Rabi'a. 2
1- His Love for the Quran:
Salim embraced Islam early in Mecca and had a deep love for Allah’s words and the Quran. He was diligent in memorizing it. When the Muslims migrated to Medina, Salim was chosen to lead the prayers for the Muhajirun in Quba because he was the most knowledgeable of them in the Quran. Abdullah ibn Umar reported: "When the first group of the Muhajirun arrived in Quba before the Prophet, Salim led them in prayer," and this group included Umar and Abu Salama ibn Abd al-Asad.
Al-Waqidi narrated that Aflah ibn Sa'id, from Muhammad ibn Ka'b al-Qurazi, said: "Salim led the Muhajirun in Quba, including Umar, before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived."
2- The Prophet's Praise for Him:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged the Companions to learn the Quran from four of its reciters, and Salim was one of them.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Take (learn) the Qur'an from four: from Ibn Mas'ud, Salim the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfa, Ubayy ibn Ka'b, and Mu'adh ibn Jabal" (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
The chapter title “Virtues of Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfa” refers to the son of Utba ibn Rabi'a. Salim was adopted by Abu Hudhayfa, who was a prominent Companion and participated in the Battle of Badr with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). His father was killed as a disbeliever that day, which saddened Abu Hudhayfa, who had hoped for his father to accept Islam, seeing the intelligence he possessed. Abu Hudhayfa was martyred at the Battle of Yamama. As for Salim, he was one of the early believers who was knowledgeable in the Quran. He had also led the Muhajirun in prayer at Quba when they first arrived from Mecca, and he participated in the Battle of Badr and the battles that followed. It is said that his father's name was Ma'qal. He was a freed slave of a woman from the Ansar, and Abu Hudhayfa adopted him after marrying her, attributing Salim to himself. Salim was also martyred at Yamama. 3
Salim was known for his beautiful recitation of the Quran. His voice softened hearts and brought joy to souls. His recitation drew people to listen to his recitation. Imam Ahmad narrated that Abd al-Rahman ibn Sabit reported from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once asked her why she was delayed. She replied: "There is in the mosque the best voice I have ever heard reciting the Quran." The Prophet took his garment and went out to listen, and it was Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfa. The Prophet said: “Praise be to Allah, who made someone like you in my nation" (This narration has a good chain of transmission).
3- His Close Companionship with the Prophet:
When the Prophet migrated to Medina, Salim, like other Muslims, stayed close to him and learned many hadiths from him. Among those who narrated from him were Thabit ibn Qays ibn Shammas, Abdullah ibn Umar, and Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) formed a brotherhood between Salim and Mu’adh ibn Ma’s, though some say it was between him and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, though this chain is disconnected, as al-Dhahabi noted. 4
4- His Status Among the Companions:
Salim was one of the respected Muslims and great Companions. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) praised and honored him.
Umar ibn al-Khattab often praised Salim. He considered him qualified for the Caliphate. Ibn Kathir narrated in "Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihaya" that Umar said during his final illness: “Had Salim been alive, I would not have made it a council.” 5
Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad that Abu Rafi’ reported that Umar ibn al-Khattab said: "If either of two men had survived me, I would have entrusted the matter to him: Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfa, or Abu Ubaida ibn al-Jarrah." He also said: “If I had appointed Salim, the freed slave of Abu Hudhayfa, as the Caliph, and my Lord asked me why, I would have said: ‘O Lord, I heard Your Prophet say that Salim truly loves You with all his heart.’” 6
5- His Jihad and Martyrdom:
Salim was passionate about jihad, eager for martyrdom, and committed to attending all the battles in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) participated.
He was present at Badr, fought bravely, and stood at the front lines. He also witnessed the battles of Uhud, al-Nadir, Banu Qurayza, and al-Ahzab, and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. He pledged his allegiance to the Prophet under the tree to fight until death to enter Mecca, about whom Allah said: “Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest” (Surah Al-Fath, 18). He also participated in the conquest of Mecca, the battles of Hunayn, Ta'if, Mu'tah, and others. He was part of the army led by Usama ibn Zayd, which the Prophet ordered to be prepared to march against the Romans shortly before his death.
After the Prophet's death, Salim participated in the wars against the apostates with Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, where he performed valiantly. During these wars, he attained martyrdom, satisfied and content, fighting for the sake of Allah.
His martyrdom occurred at the Battle of Yamama during the fight against Musaylima the liar and Banu Hanifa. He was one of the battle's heroes and the bearer of the Muslims' banner.
Ibn Kathir said: "When he took the banner at the Battle of Yamama after the death of Zayd ibn al-Khattab, the Muhajirun said to him: 'Do you fear we might be defeated from your direction?' He replied: 'How bad a Quran-bearer I would be then!'"
It was a fierce battle and a severe war. Al-Waqidi mentioned that when the Muslims were overwhelmed during the Battle of Yamama, Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfa, said: 'This is not how we used to act with the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.' So he dug a hole for himself, stood in it, and held the banner of the Muhajirun that day, then he fought until his right hand was cut off. He took the banner with his left hand, but it too was cut off. He then embraced the banner and recited: “Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.” (Surah Ali Imran: 144). He continued holding the banner until he fell. When he felt death approaching, he said to his companions: 'What happened to Abu Hudhayfa?' They replied: 'He was killed.' He asked: 'What about so-and-so?' They replied: 'He was killed.' He then said: 'Lay me down between them (i.e., bury me between them).'
In Al-Istiab by Ibn Abd al-Barr, it is mentioned that Salim and his master Abu Hudhayfa were both killed, and one’s head was found at the feet of the other. May Allah reward them both greatly on behalf of Islam and the Muslims.
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(1) Men Around the Messenger, Khalid Muhammad Khalid, p. 460.
(2) Siyar A'lam al-Nubala', Shams al-Din al-Dhahabi.
(3) Fath al-Bari, Commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 7, p. 127.
(4) Men Around the Messenger.
(5) Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya, Ibn Kathir, Vol. 6, p. 336.
(6) Hilyat al-Awliya', (1/177).
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