Thus our Master Muhammad [s] said to his companions...

Thus our Master Muhammad [s] said to his companions: Help Salman to get his freedom. The Jewish man accepted to free Salman provided that he should plant him three thousand date-palms. His brothers collected him the palm shootings. And our Master Muhammad [s] began planting them. They all lived. In this way, Allah granted Salman freedom. Therefore, he lived happily with our Master Muhammad [s].

**Madina Defense ** In Ramadan, 5 A.H., the Muslims heard about the polytheists' intention to invade Madina. The Jews were always planning and urging the Quraish and the Arab tribes to invade Madina and destroy Islam. The Jews spent a lot of money to call up ten thousand fighters. Our Master Muhammad [s] was always asking the advice of his companions to solve the problems the Muslims faced. The Muslims held a meeting in the Prophet's Mosque to exchange views.

The new invasion was full of danger, for the Muslim troops were about 1,000 fighters, while the invaders were ten thousand fighters. Besides, they had different kinds of weapons. The Muslims were in a fix. Some of them were afraid. And the hypocrites were always scaring the people and spreading rumours. While the Muslims were exchanging views to face the coming danger, Salman stood up and said: Allah's Apostle [s], in Persia, we dug a trench when an enemy attacked us.

Salman's opinion surprised the Muslims. The Prophet [s] and the Muslims were all happy. The Trench The northern border of Madina was weak. Our Master Muhammad [s] wanted the trench to be about five thousand meters long, nine meters wide, and seven meters deep. On the following day, the Muslims went out carrying their digging tools. To end the trench accurately and quickly, our Master Muhammad [s] ordered each ten fighters to dig forty meters. It was winter. The wind was very cold.

The Muslims were fasting. Still they were working with enthusiasm. And they were not paying attention to the Jews' and the hypocrites' rumours. Our Master Muhammad [s] was working actively, encouraging his companions, and saying some prayers to Abdullah bin Rawaha, a companions of his: Allah, You've made us guided! And made us give alms and pray! Then grant us patience! And make us steady when we meet (our enemy)!

**The Rock ** Salman was working with his brothers, the Muhajireen (immigrants) and the Ansar (supporters). One day, they found a hard, white rock. Salman tried to smash it with his pick-axe. His companions tried to smash it but they were unable, too.