How can Salman al-Farsi be on the true religion of Christ, while his companions are among the people of Hell, even though he testified that they prayed, fasted, and believed in the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad?

Al-Suddi's interpretation of verse 62 of Surat Al-Baqarah, stating that it was revealed concerning the companions of Salman al-Farsi, and its purport is that they are not among the people of Hellfire, but rather it is praise for them, and an affirmation of their good end, due to their belief in their messengers and their righteous deeds. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah weakened this narration, emphasizing that the verse is general, encompassing anyone who possessed the described qualities before the advent of the Messenger (peace be upon him), and that the Prophet did not say they were among the people of Hellfire. He supported this by stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not have answered with what he did not know, and it is authentically reported that he praised those who died during the fatrah (period between prophets).