Salim ibn Ma'qil

Salim Mawla Abi Ḥudhayfah (Arabic: سَالِم مَوْلَىٰ أَبِي حُذَيْفَة, Sālim Mawlā ʾAbī Ḥuḏayfah) was a Persian,^[1] an early companion of prophet Muhammad and was described to be prominent and knowledgeable.^[2] He was named so since he was the freed slave of Abū Ḥudhayfah ibn 'Utba, see Mawla.

Salim Ibn Ma'qil^[3] was born in Istakhr, an ancient city in what is now southwestern Iran. He later became the slave of Abū Ḥudhayfah and was freed by Thubayta bint Ya'ar, the wife of Abū Ḥudhayfah, and was adopted (in the Islamic way).^[2]

It was recorded that he used to lead the Muhajirun, including Umar, that arrived to Medina before Prophet Muhammad arrived as he was the most knowledgeable among them in the Qur'an.^[2]

It was also recorded that:

Hanzalah ibn Abi Sufyan narrated from 'Abdul Rahman ibn Sabiṭ that 'Aisha said:

One night, the Messenger of Allah – peace and blessings be upon him – delayed his return, so he asked me: 'What kept you?'

I replied: 'In the mosque, I heard the best recitation of the Qur'an I have ever heard.'

The Prophet then took his cloak and went out to listen. It turned out to be Salim, the freedman of Abu Hudhayfah.

The Prophet said: 'Praise be to Allah who has placed someone like you in my Ummah'.

— Musnad Ahmad, Ahmad 6/165, Abu Nu’aym in "Hilyat al-Awliya" 1/371, al-Hakim 3/226, Ibn al-Athir in "Usd al-Ghabah" 2/308, al-Hafiz in "Al-Isabah" 4/105

Salim also sold his inheritance to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and it amounted to two hundred dirhams, which he gave to his mother.^[2]