WEBVTT 00:00:00.430 --> 00:00:03.430 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.430 --> 00:00:08.429 The best of generations in their conduct and example, 00:00:08.429 --> 00:00:13.429 Following the Messenger when he strove or traveled. 00:00:13.429 --> 00:00:15.429 A collection of affection, 00:00:15.429 --> 00:00:17.429 Proceeding. 00:00:17.429 --> 00:00:21.500 Portraits from the lives of the Tabi'un, 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:25.910 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:25.910 --> 00:00:27.910 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:27.910 --> 00:00:32.770 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi, 00:00:32.770 --> 00:00:34.770 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:43.890 --> 00:00:45.890 Scarcely had the Commander of the Faithful, 00:00:45.890 --> 00:00:47.890 And the fifth of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, 00:00:47.890 --> 00:00:49.890 Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 00:00:49.890 --> 00:00:52.890 Brushed the dust of his predecessor, 00:00:52.890 --> 00:00:54.890 Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, from his hands, 00:00:54.890 --> 00:00:58.890 Than he hastened to reconsider the governors of the provinces, 00:00:58.890 --> 00:01:00.890 Dismissing some and appointing others. 00:01:00.890 --> 00:01:03.890 Among the foremost of those he employed 00:01:03.890 --> 00:01:06.890 Was al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani, 00:01:06.890 --> 00:01:10.140 For he entrusted him with the governorship of al-Andalus, 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:13.140 And the neighboring cities that had been conquered 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:15.140 In the lands of France. 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:19.269 The new prince set up his camp in the lands of al-Andalus, 00:01:19.269 --> 00:01:23.269 And set out in search of sincere and righteous aides. 00:01:23.269 --> 00:01:25.269 He asked those around him, 00:01:26.269 --> 00:01:30.269 "Does anyone from the Tabi'un remain in these lands?" 00:01:30.269 --> 00:01:33.269 They replied, "Yes, O Prince, 00:01:33.269 --> 00:01:36.269 There still remains among us the noble Tabi'i, 00:01:36.269 --> 00:01:40.269 Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah al-Ghafiqi." 00:01:40.269 --> 00:01:43.269 Then they spoke to him of his knowledge of the Book of Allah, 00:01:43.269 --> 00:01:48.269 His understanding of the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:01:48.269 --> 00:01:51.269 His valor in the fields of jihad, 00:01:51.269 --> 00:01:54.269 And his longing for martyrdom. 00:01:54.269 --> 00:01:57.269 He was not tempted by the fleeting things of this world. 00:01:57.269 --> 00:01:59.340 Then they said to him, 00:01:59.340 --> 00:02:02.340 "He met the noble Companion, 00:02:02.340 --> 00:02:07.340 Abd Allah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:11.340 And he took from him what Allah willed for him to take, 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:14.340 And followed his example in the greatest of ways." 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:18.939 Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani summoned 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:21.939 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi to meet him. 00:02:21.939 --> 00:02:23.939 When he arrived, 00:02:23.939 --> 00:02:26.939 He welcomed him most warmly, 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:28.939 And brought him close to his seat. 00:02:28.939 --> 00:02:34.939 Then he sat for a while during the day, asking him about everything that occurred to him, 00:02:34.939 --> 00:02:38.939 Seeking his counsel on many matters that perplexed him, 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:41.939 And testing him to gauge his capabilities. 00:02:41.939 --> 00:02:44.939 He found him to be even better than he had been told, 00:02:44.939 --> 00:02:48.099 And greater than what had been described to him. 00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:53.099 He offered to appoint him to one of his major offices in al-Andalus, 00:02:53.099 --> 00:02:54.099 But he said to him, 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:56.099 "O Prince, 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:59.099 I am but a man from the common people, 00:02:59.099 --> 00:03:02.099 And I have come to these lands 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:06.099 To stand at one of the frontiers of the Muslims, 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:10.099 I have vowed myself to the pleasure of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:14.099 And I have carried my sword to exalt His word on earth. 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:17.099 You will find me, if Allah the Almighty wills, 00:03:17.099 --> 00:03:21.099 More attached to you than your own shadow, as long as you hold to the truth, 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:24.099 And more obedient to you than your own fingertips, 00:03:24.099 --> 00:03:27.099 As long as you obey Allah and His Messenger, 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:31.569 Without any office or governorship." 00:03:31.569 --> 00:03:33.569 Not long passed, 00:03:33.569 --> 00:03:39.569 Before al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani resolved to conquer all of France, 00:03:39.569 --> 00:03:43.569 And annex it to the great state of Islam, 00:03:43.569 --> 00:03:48.569 To take its vast lands as a path to the Balkan states, 00:03:48.569 --> 00:03:52.569 And to proceed from the Balkans to Constantinople, 00:03:52.569 --> 00:03:58.759 To fulfill the glad tidings of the Messenger, upon him be the best of prayers and the purest of peace. 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:02.759 The first step toward achieving this great goal 00:04:02.759 --> 00:04:07.860 Depended on the occupation of the city of Narbonne, 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:11.860 For Narbonne was one of the largest French cities 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:14.860 Bordering the lands of al-Andalus. 00:04:14.860 --> 00:04:18.860 Whenever the Muslims descended from the Pyrenees, 00:04:18.860 --> 00:04:24.860 They found it standing before them like a mighty giant. 00:04:24.860 --> 00:04:28.860 Moreover, it was the key to greater France, 00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:31.860 And the aspiration of those who sought it. 00:04:31.860 --> 00:04:36.860 Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani besieged the city of Narbonne, 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:40.860 Then offered its people Islam or the jizya. 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:43.860 This was difficult for them, and they refused. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:46.860 So he launched attack after attack upon them, 00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:49.860 And bombarded them with catapults, 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:54.860 Until the ancient, fortified city fell into the hands of the Muslims 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:58.860 After four weeks of heroic jihad, 00:04:58.860 --> 00:05:02.860 The likes of which Europe had never witnessed before. 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:06.889 Then the victorious, triumphant commander hastened, 00:05:06.889 --> 00:05:10.889 And headed with his massive army toward the city of Toulouse, 00:05:10.889 --> 00:05:13.889 The capital of the province of Aquitaine. 00:05:13.889 --> 00:05:16.889 He set up catapults around it from every side, 00:05:16.889 --> 00:05:19.889 And bombarded it with war machines 00:05:19.889 --> 00:05:23.889 The likes of which Europe had never known before, 00:05:23.889 --> 00:05:27.889 Until the impregnable, fortified city was on the verge 00:05:27.889 --> 00:05:29.889 Of falling before him. 00:05:29.889 --> 00:05:34.949 At that moment, something happened that no one had anticipated. 00:05:34.949 --> 00:05:39.949 Let us leave the narrative to the French orientalist Reinaud, 00:05:39.949 --> 00:05:42.949 To convey to us the news of that battle. 00:05:42.949 --> 00:05:45.050 Reinaud said, 00:05:45.050 --> 00:05:50.050 "When victory was within the Muslims' grasp, or even closer, 00:05:50.050 --> 00:05:52.050 The Duke of Aquitaine rose up, 00:05:52.050 --> 00:05:55.050 Mobilizing the lands and the people for war against them. 00:05:55.050 --> 00:06:01.050 He sent his messengers, and they roamed Europe from end to end, 00:06:01.050 --> 00:06:05.050 Warning its kings and princes of the occupation of their lands, 00:06:05.050 --> 00:06:08.050 And the enslavement of their women and children. 00:06:08.050 --> 00:06:11.050 There was no people in Europe left 00:06:11.050 --> 00:06:17.050 Who did not contribute their fiercest and most numerous warriors. 00:06:17.050 --> 00:06:23.110 The abundance of the army, the violence of its movement, and the weight of its impact reached 00:06:23.110 --> 00:06:26.110 A level the world had never known before, 00:06:26.110 --> 00:06:30.110 To the extent that the dust flying beneath its feet 00:06:30.110 --> 00:06:34.110 Obscured the sun from the Rhone region. 00:06:34.110 --> 00:06:36.180 When the two hosts drew near, 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:40.180 It seemed to the people as if mountains were colliding with mountains. 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:44.180 Then a fierce battle raged between the two parties, 00:06:44.180 --> 00:06:48.180 The likes of which history had never known before. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:53.180 Al-Samh—or Dhu al-Dham, as we used to call him— 00:06:53.180 --> 00:06:56.180 Appeared before our soldiers everywhere, 00:06:56.180 --> 00:07:00.180 And leaped before his troops in every direction. 00:07:00.180 --> 00:07:05.180 While he was doing so, he was struck by an arrow, 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:08.180 And he fell from his horse. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:12.180 When the Muslims saw him lying on the ground, 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:14.180 Their resolve was shaken, 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:17.180 And their ranks began to falter. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:20.180 Our massive army was in a position 00:07:20.180 --> 00:07:23.180 To annihilate them to the last man, 00:07:23.180 --> 00:07:28.180 Had divine providence not saved them through a genius commander, 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:31.180 Whom Europe would come to know later, 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:34.180 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi. 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:39.269 He took charge of their retreat with the least possible losses, 00:07:39.269 --> 00:07:42.269 And returned with them to Spain. 00:07:42.269 --> 00:07:47.269 But he was determined to renew the attack against us once more." 00:07:47.269 --> 00:07:50.680 And now, 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:55.680 Have you seen how clouds clear away from the full moon on a dark night, 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:58.680 So that the lost may be illuminated by its light, 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:01.680 And the bewildered may be guided by its radiance? 00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:04.680 Thus did the Battle of Toulouse clear away, 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:06.680 Revealing the unique hero of Islam, 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:10.680 Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah al-Ghafiqi. 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:15.680 And have you seen the thirsty, on the verge of death in the heart of the desert, 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:17.680 When water appears to them, 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:20.680 And they stretch out their hands toward it, 00:08:20.680 --> 00:08:24.680 To scoop up a handful that restores their life? 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:29.680 Thus did the Muslim soldiers stretch out their hands to the great commander, 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:31.680 Seeking salvation through him, 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:35.679 And pledging their allegiance to him to hear and obey. 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:36.740 And no wonder, 00:08:36.740 --> 00:08:39.740 For the Battle of Toulouse was 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:46.740 The first deep wound the Muslims had suffered since their feet first touched Europe. 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:48.740 And Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi was 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:50.740 The one who tended this wound, 00:08:50.740 --> 00:08:55.740 With the gentle hand that surrounded it with care and attention, 00:08:55.740 --> 00:08:59.740 And the great heart that poured affection upon it. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:07.179 The news of the great setback suffered by the Muslims in France 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:10.179 Agonized the heart of the Caliphate in Damascus, 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:13.309 And the death of the brave hero, 00:09:13.309 --> 00:09:15.309 Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani, 00:09:15.309 --> 00:09:19.309 Kindled in its breast the fire of zeal for revenge. 00:09:19.309 --> 00:09:21.379 So it issued its orders 00:09:21.379 --> 00:09:26.379 Confirming the soldiers' pledge of allegiance to Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi, 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:32.379 And entrusted him with the governorship of al-Andalus from end to end, 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:37.379 Adding to his authority the neighboring conquered French lands, 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:41.379 And giving him a free hand to act as he wished. 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:43.379 No wonder, 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:46.379 For al-Ghafiqi was firm and resolute, 00:09:46.379 --> 00:09:48.379 Pious and pure, 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:50.379 Wise and courageous. 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:53.440 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi hastened, 00:09:53.440 --> 00:09:56.440 From the moment he was entrusted with the governorship of al-Andalus, 00:09:56.440 --> 00:10:00.440 To work on restoring the soldiers' confidence in themselves, 00:10:00.440 --> 00:10:04.440 And reclaiming their sense of pride, strength, and victory, 00:10:04.440 --> 00:10:10.440 And achieving the great goal that the Muslim leaders in al-Andalus had aspired to, 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:13.440 Starting with Musa ibn Nusayr, 00:10:13.440 --> 00:10:17.440 And ending with al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:21.440 For the ambitions of these heroes were set 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:26.440 On launching from France to Italy and Germany, 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:29.440 And proceeding from there to Constantinople, 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:34.440 Making the Mediterranean Sea an Islamic lake, 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:39.440 And renaming it the Sea of al-Sham instead of the Sea of the Romans. 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:42.440 But Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:46.440 Was certain that preparation for great battles 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:50.440 Begins with reforming and purifying the souls. 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:56.440 He believed that no nation could achieve its goal of victory 00:10:56.440 --> 00:11:01.440 If its fortresses were fractured and threatened from within. 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:06.440 Therefore, he set out to tour the lands of al-Andalus, city after city, 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:10.440 And ordered the heralds to call out to the people: 00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:14.440 "Whoever has a grievance against any governor, 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:18.440 Or any judge, or anyone else, 00:11:18.440 --> 00:11:21.440 Let him bring it to the Prince." 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:26.440 And there was no difference in that between Muslims and the non-Muslim subjects under treaty. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:31.440 Then he began to look into the grievances, one by one, 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:34.440 Dispensing justice for the weak against the strong, 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:37.440 And taking for the oppressed from the oppressor. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:42.440 Then he began to investigate the matter of the churches that had been seized or newly built, 00:11:42.440 --> 00:11:46.440 Returning what the treaties dictated to their owners. 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:52.440 Then he looked into the affairs of his officials, one by one, 00:11:52.440 --> 00:11:56.440 Dismissing those whose treachery or corruption was proven, 00:11:56.440 --> 00:12:01.440 And appointing in their place those whose wisdom, experience, and righteousness he trusted. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:05.440 Whenever he arrived in a city, 00:12:05.440 --> 00:12:08.440 He would call the people to a collective prayer, 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:10.440 Then stand before them as a preacher, 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:13.440 And set out to urge them toward jihad, 00:12:13.440 --> 00:12:16.440 He inspired them with the desire for martyrdom. 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:20.440 He gave them hope for the pleasure of Allah and the attainment of His reward. 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:25.230 Abd al-Rahman matched his words with deeds. 00:12:25.230 --> 00:12:28.230 He supported his aspirations with actions. 00:12:28.230 --> 00:12:32.230 From the very first moment of his governorship, he set to work. 00:12:32.230 --> 00:12:35.230 He prepared the equipment and completed the armaments. 00:12:35.230 --> 00:12:38.230 He repaired the strongholds and built fortresses. 00:12:38.230 --> 00:12:42.230 He constructed bridges and erected arches. 00:12:42.230 --> 00:12:45.230 Among the greatest of his constructions was 00:12:45.230 --> 00:12:48.230 the bridge of Cordoba, the capital of al-Andalus. 00:12:48.230 --> 00:12:52.230 He built it over the great river of Cordoba, 00:12:52.230 --> 00:12:55.230 so that the people and the army could cross it, 00:12:55.230 --> 00:13:00.230 and to protect the land and safeguard the people from the dangers of flooding. 00:13:00.230 --> 00:13:04.230 This bridge is considered one of the wonders of the world. 00:13:04.230 --> 00:13:08.230 Its length reached eight hundred cubits, 00:13:08.230 --> 00:13:11.230 and a cubit is the measure of the span of two outstretched arms. 00:13:11.230 --> 00:13:14.230 Its height was sixty cubits, 00:13:14.230 --> 00:13:16.230 and its width was twenty. 00:13:16.230 --> 00:13:19.230 The number of its arches reached 00:13:19.230 --> 00:13:23.230 —that is, its spans—eighteen arches. 00:13:23.230 --> 00:13:26.230 The number of its towers was nineteen. 00:13:26.230 --> 00:13:30.230 It still stands today, and Spain continues to benefit from it 00:13:30.230 --> 00:13:33.259 to this very day. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:36.259 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi used to make it a point 00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:38.259 to meet with the military commanders 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:41.259 and the notables of the people in every land he entered. 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:46.259 He would listen with all his attention to everything they said, 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:49.259 record everything they proposed, 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:52.259 and contemplate everything they advised. 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:55.259 He disciplined himself in these gatherings 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:57.259 to listen much 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:59.259 and speak little. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:04.259 Just as al-Ghafiqi would meet with the prominent Muslims, 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:09.259 he would also meet with the leaders of the protected non-Muslim subjects (ahl al-dhimma) who had treaties. 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:11.259 He would often ask them 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:14.259 about matters of their lands that were hidden from him, 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:20.899 and about the conditions of their kings and commanders that occupied his thoughts. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:22.899 On one occasion, 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:26.899 he summoned one of the prominent treaty-holders from the people of France, 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:29.899 and held a wide-ranging conversation with him. 00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:31.899 Then he said to him: 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:34.899 "What is the matter with your great king, Charles? 00:14:34.899 --> 00:14:36.899 Why does he not confront us in battle, 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:40.899 and why does he not aid the provincial kings against us?" 00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:41.929 He replied: 00:14:41.929 --> 00:14:43.929 "O Prince, 00:14:43.929 --> 00:14:47.929 you have fulfilled your side of the treaty you made with us, 00:14:47.929 --> 00:14:49.929 so it is your right upon us 00:14:49.929 --> 00:14:53.929 that we tell you the truth regarding what you ask. 00:14:53.929 --> 00:14:56.929 Your great commander, Musa Ibn Nusayr, 00:14:56.929 --> 00:15:00.929 tightened his grip on all of Spain. 00:15:01.929 --> 00:15:05.929 Then his ambition soared to cross the Pyrenees mountains, 00:15:05.929 --> 00:15:10.929 which separate the lands of al-Andalus from our beautiful country. 00:15:10.929 --> 00:15:15.929 So the provincial kings and their priests fled to our great king, 00:15:15.929 --> 00:15:16.929 and said to him: 00:15:16.929 --> 00:15:22.929 'What is this disgrace that has clung to us and our descendants forever, O King? 00:15:22.929 --> 00:15:26.990 We used to hear of the Muslims only by report, 00:15:26.990 --> 00:15:30.990 and we feared their sudden attack upon us from the direction of the sunrise. 00:15:30.990 --> 00:15:34.990 And now, here they have come from the direction of the sunset, 00:15:34.990 --> 00:15:37.990 seized all of Spain, 00:15:37.990 --> 00:15:41.990 and taken possession of all the equipment and armaments within it. 00:15:41.990 --> 00:15:45.990 They have ascended the mountain peaks that separate us from them, 00:15:45.990 --> 00:15:50.990 even though their numbers are few and their weapons are meager. 00:15:50.990 --> 00:15:54.990 Most of them do not possess armor to protect them from the strikes of swords, 00:15:54.990 --> 00:15:58.990 nor a horse to ride into the fields of battle.' 00:15:58.990 --> 00:16:00.990 The king said to them: 00:16:00.990 --> 00:16:04.990 'I have thought much about what has occurred to your minds, 00:16:04.990 --> 00:16:07.990 and I have pondered it for a long time. 00:16:07.990 --> 00:16:12.990 I have decided that we should not confront those people in this current surge of theirs, 00:16:12.990 --> 00:16:15.990 for they are now like a torrential flood; 00:16:15.990 --> 00:16:18.990 it uproots everything that stands in its path, 00:16:18.990 --> 00:16:23.990 carries it along, and casts it wherever it wills. 00:16:23.990 --> 00:16:28.019 I have found that they are a people who possess a creed and an intention 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:32.019 that suffice them against the abundance of numbers and wealth. 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:34.019 They have faith and sincerity 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:38.019 that take the place of armor and horses. 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:43.019 But wait for them until their hands are filled with spoils, 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:47.019 until they take houses and palaces for themselves, 00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:50.019 and until they accumulate many slave girls and servants, 00:16:50.019 --> 00:16:53.019 and compete among themselves for leadership. 00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:59.019 At that point, you will be able to overcome them with the easiest of means and the least of effort.'" 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:04.119 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi bowed his head in sadness, 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:07.119 sighed a deep sigh, 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:10.119 concluded the meeting, and said: 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:14.119 "Hasten to prayer, for its time has drawn near." 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:19.940 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi spent two full years 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:22.940 preparing the equipment for the great conquest. 00:17:22.940 --> 00:17:25.940 He organized the battalions and mobilized the soldiers. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:29.940 He sharpened their resolve and enlivened their hearts. 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:32.940 He sought aid from the governor of Africa, 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:35.940 who supplied him with an elite group of soldiers 00:17:35.940 --> 00:17:38.940 who were burning with longing for jihad 00:17:38.940 --> 00:17:42.940 and consumed with a desire for martyrdom. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:47.140 Then he sent word to Uthman Ibn Abi Nas'ah, the governor of the frontier, 00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:50.140 to distract the enemy with his raids 00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:54.140 until he himself arrived with the main body of the army. 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:57.230 But this Uthman 00:17:57.230 --> 00:18:01.230 harbored resentment toward any commander 00:18:01.230 --> 00:18:04.230 who was of high ambition and great aspiration, 00:18:04.230 --> 00:18:08.230 who undertook a great deed that would raise his mention among the people 00:18:08.230 --> 00:18:11.230 and overshadow other governors and officials. 00:18:11.230 --> 00:18:14.230 Add to that 00:18:14.230 --> 00:18:17.230 that he had captured in one of his previous raids 00:18:17.230 --> 00:18:20.230 into France 00:18:20.230 --> 00:18:23.230 the daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine, 00:18:23.230 --> 00:18:26.259 who was called Menine. 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:29.259 This Menine 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:32.259 was a girl in the prime of her youth and of exquisite beauty. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:35.259 She combined the allure of beauty with the pride of royalty, 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:38.259 and blended the radiance of youth 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:41.259 with the coquetry of palace-born maidens. 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:44.259 She captivated his heart with love, 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:47.259 to a degree that his wife had never enjoyed. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:50.259 She had persuaded him to make peace with her father, 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:53.259 so he concluded a treaty with him 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:56.259 in which he secured him against the raids of the Muslims 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:59.259 on his province, which bordered 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:02.329 the Andalusian frontiers. 00:19:02.329 --> 00:19:05.329 When the order of Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi reached him 00:19:05.329 --> 00:19:08.329 to march on the lands of his father-in-law, the Duke of Aquitaine, 00:19:08.329 --> 00:19:11.329 he was taken aback, 00:19:11.329 --> 00:19:14.329 bewildered, not knowing what to do. 00:19:14.329 --> 00:19:17.329 But he soon took the initiative 00:19:17.329 --> 00:19:20.329 and wrote to the Prince al-Ghafiqi, 00:19:20.329 --> 00:19:23.329 questioning him regarding what he had ordered him to do, 00:19:23.329 --> 00:19:26.329 and telling him that he could not 00:19:26.329 --> 00:19:29.329 violate the treaty with the Duke of Aquitaine 00:19:29.329 --> 00:19:32.329 before its term expired. 00:19:32.329 --> 00:19:35.329 Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi was enraged by him, 00:19:35.329 --> 00:19:38.329 and sent word to him saying that the treaty 00:19:39.329 --> 00:19:42.329 was not binding, 00:19:42.329 --> 00:19:45.490 nor did it bind the Muslim armies to anything, 00:19:45.490 --> 00:19:48.490 and that he must hasten to carry out 00:19:48.490 --> 00:19:51.490 what he had ordered him to do without hesitation or delay. 00:19:51.490 --> 00:19:54.519 When Ibn Abi Nas'ah despaired 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:57.519 of moving the Prince from his resolve, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:00.519 he sent a messenger to his father-in-law to inform him 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:03.519 of what had happened and to invite him to take 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:06.519 caution. But the eyes of Abd al-Rahman 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:10.519 were monitoring the movements of Ibn Abi Nas'ah 00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:13.519 and his stillness, so they reported to the Prince 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:16.519 the news of his contact with the enemy. 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:19.519 Al-Ghafiqi took action and prepared a battalion, 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:22.519 choosing its men from among those of strength and valor, 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:25.519 and entrusted its command to a mujahid 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:28.519 from among the experienced warriors, 00:20:28.519 --> 00:20:31.519 and ordered him to bring Uthman Ibn Abi Nas'ah 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:35.960 alive or dead. 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:40.960 They were about to catch him, 00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:43.960 had he not sensed them at the last moment, 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:46.960 so he fled to the mountains, 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:49.960 accompanied by a number of his men, 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:52.960 and with him was his beautiful wife, Menine, 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:55.960 whom he never parted with, 00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:58.990 and for whom he saw no value in the world without her. 00:20:58.990 --> 00:21:01.990 The battalion pursued him, 00:21:01.990 --> 00:21:04.990 and surrounded him and those with him. 00:21:04.990 --> 00:21:07.990 He defended her like a lion defending its cub, 00:21:07.990 --> 00:21:10.990 and continued to fight on her behalf 00:21:10.990 --> 00:21:13.990 until he fell dead, 00:21:13.990 --> 00:21:16.990 with his body bearing countless sword strikes 00:21:16.990 --> 00:21:20.150 and spear thrusts. 00:21:20.150 --> 00:21:23.150 The soldiers severed his head, 00:21:23.150 --> 00:21:26.380 and carried it, along with the beautiful princess, 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:29.380 to Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi. 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:32.380 When she stood before him, 00:21:32.380 --> 00:21:35.380 he turned his face away from her, 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:38.380 then sent her as a gift to the Caliphate. 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:41.380 Thus ended the life of the beautiful French princess 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:44.380 in the harem of the Umayyad Caliph in Damascus. 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:49.710 Al-Ghafiqi: 00:21:49.710 --> 00:21:52.809 A true reflection of Musa Ibn Nusayr 00:21:52.809 --> 00:21:55.809 and Tariq Ibn Ziyad 00:21:55.809 --> 00:21:59.059 in loftiness of ambition 00:21:59.059 --> 00:22:02.509 and nobility of purpose. The historians 00:22:02.509 --> 00:22:06.339 recount their positions and examples; 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:09.339 they followed the Messenger when he strove or spoke. 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:12.339 They were here, watering our lives like rain, 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:15.339 and their memory remains exalted among us. 00:22:15.339 --> 00:22:18.339 They departed and left a question in the conscience: 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:21.339 Is there a star like them that has risen and shone? 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:24.339 And like them, a star that has risen and shone. 00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:27.339 And like them, a star that has risen and shone. 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:30.339 And like them, a star that has risen and shone. 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:33.339 Is there a star like them that has risen and shone? 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:36.339 They filled life 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:39.339 with pride through their deeds, 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:42.339 and the world of the Ummah flourished because of them.