It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that when this verse was revealed, "And if you turn away (from the religion), He will replace you with another people" [Surah Muhammad: 38] , the Companions said: "O Messenger of Allah, who are those who will take our place if we turn away?" At that time Sayyiduna Salman al-Farisi (may Allah be pleased with him) was sitting beside him (peace and blessings be upon him), and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said (pointing to Salman (may Allah be pleased with him)): "This man and his people (meaning the people of Persia)." This hadith is sahih (authentic) on the condition of Imam Muslim, but the two Shaykhs (Bukhari and Muslim) did not record it.