Salim Mawla Abi Ḥudhayfah (ar|سَالِم مَوْلَىٰ أَبِي حُذَيْفَة, ) 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).
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.
It was also recorded that:
Salim also sold his inheritance to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and it amounted to two hundred dirhams, which he gave to his mother.
It is said, in a hasan hadith, that Salim and his master, Abū Ḥudhayfah, were found after the battle of Al-Yamama with one’s head at the feet of the other, both lying slain. [4] [5]
It was also said that he dug a trench and stood his ground with the flag of the Muhajirun that day, and fought until he was killed[6] however the commentator of "The Biography of The Nobles" said that the one who reported this is weak.