WEBVTT 00:00:00.850 --> 00:00:03.850 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.850 --> 00:00:09.300 The lives of the salaf between words and deeds. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:14.439 Forbearance, restraint, and pardon. 00:00:14.439 --> 00:00:17.440 The condemnation of anger and its remedy. 00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:22.530 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:00:22.530 --> 00:00:25.530 "The first reward a forbearing person receives for his forbearance 00:00:25.530 --> 00:00:29.910 is that the people become his supporters against the ignorant fool." 00:00:29.910 --> 00:00:34.909 A man reviled Al-Hasan ibn 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and exceeded all bounds in doing so. 00:00:34.909 --> 00:00:39.979 So Al-Hasan said to him, "As for you, you have spared nothing. 00:00:39.979 --> 00:00:43.420 Yet what Allah knows of me is far greater." 00:00:43.420 --> 00:00:46.420 'Amr ibn al-'As (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:49.460 "I endure a word 00:00:49.460 --> 00:00:53.520 that is harsher on me than grasping a burning coal. 00:00:53.520 --> 00:00:56.520 Nothing compels me to endure it 00:00:56.520 --> 00:00:59.520 except the fear of another word even worse than it." 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:03.130 Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 00:01:03.130 --> 00:01:08.219 We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:14.219 and he said, "A man from the people of Paradise is about to appear before you." 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:17.260 Thereupon, a man from the Ansar came out. 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:19.260 On the following day, 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:24.260 the Prophet (peace be upon him) said the exact same thing, 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:28.260 and that same man came out as he had the first time. 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:31.290 On the third day, 00:01:31.290 --> 00:01:36.290 the Prophet (peace be upon him) repeated his statement once again, 00:01:36.290 --> 00:01:41.349 and that same man appeared in the exact same state as before. 00:01:41.349 --> 00:01:45.579 When the Prophet (peace be upon him) stood up to leave, 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:50.579 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As (may Allah be pleased with them) followed the man 00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:53.579 and said, "I have quarreled with my father 00:01:53.579 --> 00:01:57.579 and sworn not to enter his house for three days. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:02.579 If you see fit to lodge me with you until that time passes, I would deeply appreciate it." 00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:04.609 The man replied, "Yes." 00:02:04.609 --> 00:02:06.700 Anas continued: 00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:11.699 'Abdullah used to relate that he stayed overnight with him for those three nights, 00:02:11.699 --> 00:02:15.699 yet he did not see him stand up to pray during the night at all, 00:02:15.699 --> 00:02:19.699 except that whenever he stirred and turned over in his bed, 00:02:19.699 --> 00:02:23.699 he remembered Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and proclaimed His greatness, 00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:26.699 until he arose for the Fajr prayer. 00:02:26.699 --> 00:02:28.830 'Abdullah said, 00:02:28.830 --> 00:02:32.830 "However, I never heard him speak anything but good." 00:02:32.830 --> 00:02:35.830 When the three nights had passed 00:02:35.830 --> 00:02:37.830 and I was on the verge of belittling his deeds, 00:02:37.830 --> 00:02:39.830 I said, "O servant of Allah, 00:02:39.830 --> 00:02:44.830 there was in fact no anger or boycott between my father and me. 00:02:44.830 --> 00:02:51.830 But I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say three times, 00:02:51.830 --> 00:02:55.830 'A man from the people of Paradise is about to appear before you,' 00:02:55.830 --> 00:02:58.830 and you appeared on all three occasions. 00:02:58.830 --> 00:03:02.830 So I wished to seek shelter with you to see what deeds you perform, 00:03:02.830 --> 00:03:04.990 so that I might follow your example. 00:03:04.990 --> 00:03:07.990 Yet I have not seen you perform a great abundance of deeds. 00:03:07.990 --> 00:03:13.990 What then has raised you to the status that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) spoke of?" 00:03:13.990 --> 00:03:17.990 The man replied, "It is nothing more than what you have seen." 00:03:17.990 --> 00:03:22.990 'Abdullah said: "When I turned to leave, he called me back and said, 00:03:22.990 --> 00:03:24.990 'It is nothing more than what you have seen, 00:03:24.990 --> 00:03:29.990 except that I harbor no malice in my heart toward any Muslim, 00:03:29.990 --> 00:03:34.990 nor do I envy anyone for any good that Allah has bestowed upon him.'" 00:03:34.990 --> 00:03:37.219 'Abdullah said: 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:40.219 "This is what has raised you to that rank, 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:43.219 and it is precisely what we cannot bear." 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:46.949 Al-Ahnaf ibn Qays (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:03:46.949 --> 00:03:48.949 "I am not naturally forbearing, 00:03:48.949 --> 00:03:51.949 but I feign and cultivate forbearance." 00:03:51.949 --> 00:03:54.370 How true are the words of the poet: 00:03:54.370 --> 00:03:57.430 "Should I chase away every fly whenever it buzzes around? 00:03:57.430 --> 00:04:01.430 If so, that fly would hold far too much dignity in my eyes!" 00:04:01.430 --> 00:04:04.039 Some articulate scholars said: 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:07.039 "Nothing protects honor 00:04:07.039 --> 00:04:09.039 like pardoning and turning away." 00:04:09.039 --> 00:04:11.810 A poet said: 00:04:11.810 --> 00:04:15.870 "In forbearance lies a deterrent that restrains the foolish from harm, 00:04:15.870 --> 00:04:17.870 while reckless anger serves only as an incitement. 00:04:17.870 --> 00:04:19.870 So do not be reckless and foolish, 00:04:19.870 --> 00:04:23.870 lest you regret it when regret brings you no benefit— 00:04:23.870 --> 00:04:27.870 just as the cheated trader regrets his loss after the deal is done." 00:04:27.870 --> 00:04:32.319 A man came to 'Ali ibn al-Husayn (may Allah have mercy on him) 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:34.319 and said to him, 00:04:34.319 --> 00:04:37.319 "So-and-so has harmed you and slandered your character." 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:39.350 'Ali replied, 00:04:39.350 --> 00:04:41.350 "Come, let us go to him." 00:04:41.350 --> 00:04:43.350 So the man set out with him, 00:04:43.350 --> 00:04:46.350 thinking that 'Ali was going to avenge himself. 00:04:46.350 --> 00:04:48.420 But when 'Ali reached the man, he said: 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:50.420 "O person, 00:04:50.420 --> 00:04:53.420 if what you said about me is true, 00:04:53.420 --> 00:04:55.420 may Allah forgive me. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:58.420 And if what you said about me is false, 00:04:58.420 --> 00:05:00.420 may Allah forgive you." 00:05:00.420 --> 00:05:02.990 It used to be said: 00:05:02.990 --> 00:05:05.990 "Beware the false pride of anger, 00:05:05.990 --> 00:05:09.990 for it inevitably leads you to the humiliation of apologizing." 00:05:09.990 --> 00:05:12.220 A man of letters said: 00:05:12.220 --> 00:05:15.220 "The anger of an ignorant person manifests in his speech, 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:18.220 while the anger of a wise person manifests in his action." 00:05:18.220 --> 00:05:20.439 A wise man said: 00:05:20.439 --> 00:05:23.540 "If you remain silent before an ignorant person, 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:25.540 you have given him a most thorough answer 00:05:25.540 --> 00:05:28.540 and inflicted upon him a most painful punishment." 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:30.860 A poet said: 00:05:30.860 --> 00:05:34.889 "Refraining from reviling a despicable person out of self-respect 00:05:34.889 --> 00:05:38.889 is more painful to him than being reviled in return." 00:05:38.889 --> 00:05:41.019 Another poet said: 00:05:41.019 --> 00:05:44.019 "Never return a speech to a fool, 00:05:44.019 --> 00:05:48.019 save for responding to a greeting he has offered you. 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:52.050 For whenever you disturb him, you disturb a decaying carcass 00:05:53.050 --> 00:05:57.370 that only increases in stench the more you stir it." 00:05:57.370 --> 00:06:00.370 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:06:00.370 --> 00:06:03.370 "Many a temporary humiliation endured with dignity 00:06:03.370 --> 00:06:06.370 has bequeathed to me long-lasting honor and glory." 00:06:06.370 --> 00:06:10.720 Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:13.720 "The noble character of a Muslim is best exemplified by forgiveness." 00:06:13.720 --> 00:06:19.170 A man entered upon 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) 00:06:19.170 --> 00:06:23.170 and began complaining to him about a person who had wronged him, slandering the offender's honor. 00:06:23.170 --> 00:06:25.170 'Umar said to him: 00:06:25.170 --> 00:06:29.170 "That you meet Allah with your grievance intact 00:06:29.170 --> 00:06:33.170 is better for you than meeting Him after having retaliated and diminished it." 00:06:33.170 --> 00:06:38.939 A man came to one of the salaf (may Allah have mercy on him) and said, 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:41.970 "So-and-so is slandering you." 00:06:41.970 --> 00:06:45.000 He replied, "Convey my greetings of peace to him, 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:49.000 and let him know that he has impelled me to seek forgiveness from Allah." 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:52.319 Al-Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:55.319 "The believer is forbearing and does not act ignorantly; 00:06:55.319 --> 00:06:59.319 if others act ignorantly toward him, he remains forbearing and does not wrong them; 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:02.319 if he is wronged, he forgives and does not sever ties; 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:05.379 if ties are severed with him, he restores them and does not withhold; 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:08.379 and if others are stingy toward him, he remains patient." 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:14.089 A man used to slander 'Umar ibn Dharr (may Allah have mercy on him) and revile him, 00:07:14.089 --> 00:07:17.120 so 'Umar ibn Dharr met him and said: 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:22.120 "O person, do not exceed the bounds in reviling us, 00:07:22.120 --> 00:07:25.120 but leave room for reconciliation. 00:07:25.120 --> 00:07:28.120 For we do not punish one who disobeys Allah concerning us 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:31.120 with anything greater than obeying Allah concerning him." 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:36.500 A man spoke harshly and insultingly to 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him), 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:38.500 so 'Umar said to him: 00:07:38.500 --> 00:07:42.500 "You wished for Satan to incite me through the pride of authority, 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:46.500 so that I might strike back at you today and face your retribution tomorrow in the Hereafter. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:49.500 Depart now, may Allah have mercy on you." 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:52.860 Al-Hasan (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:57.860 "Four traits—whoever possesses them, Allah safeguards him from Satan 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:59.860 and forbids the Fire from touching him: 00:07:59.860 --> 00:08:03.949 he who controls himself in times of desire and fear, 00:08:03.949 --> 00:08:05.949 and in times of lust and anger." 00:08:05.949 --> 00:08:10.529 Ja'far ibn Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 00:08:10.529 --> 00:08:13.529 "Anger is the key to every evil." 00:08:13.529 --> 00:08:16.819 A slave spoke harshly to his master, so the master said: 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:20.819 "I endure the offense of this servant, as you see, 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:22.819 only to discipline my own soul thereby. 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:26.819 For if I can show patience toward a slave when faced with what I dislike, 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:29.819 I will be even more patient toward those who are not my slaves." 00:08:29.819 --> 00:08:35.259 A man came to Wahb ibn Munabbih (may Allah have mercy on him) and said, 00:08:35.259 --> 00:08:39.330 "I passed by so-and-so while he was reviling you." 00:08:39.330 --> 00:08:41.330 Wahb grew upset and said, 00:08:41.330 --> 00:08:44.330 "Could Satan find no messenger other than you?!" 00:08:44.330 --> 00:08:48.360 Shortly thereafter, that same man who had reviled him approached; 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:50.360 he greeted Wahb with peace, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:54.360 so Wahb returned his greeting, extended his hand, shook his, 00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:56.360 and seated him right beside him. 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:59.580 Ahmad ibn Abi al-Hawari said: 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:03.580 Abu Sulayman al-Darani (may Allah have mercy on him) asked me, 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:07.580 "From what perspective does a wise person remove blame 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:09.580 from someone who has mistreated him?" 00:09:09.580 --> 00:09:11.580 I replied, "I do not know." 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:18.580 He said, "From the realization that Allah Almighty is the One testing him through that person." 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:25.320 Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) was subjected to trial during the reign of Al-Ma'mun, 00:09:25.320 --> 00:09:28.320 then Al-Mu'tasim, and then Al-Wathiq, 00:09:28.320 --> 00:09:31.320 on account of the Magnificent Qur'an. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:33.320 He endured severe harm, 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:38.320 was cast into prison for approximately twenty-eight months, 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:41.320 and was struck with more than thirty lashes— 00:09:41.320 --> 00:09:45.320 excruciatingly severe and brutal lashes. 00:09:45.320 --> 00:09:47.320 He lost consciousness, 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:50.320 losing his senses repeatedly during the flogging. 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:54.379 Yet he pardoned everyone who participated in his persecution, 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:56.379 except for the people of innovation. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:10:00.379 In doing so, he used to recite the words of Allah Almighty: 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:03.379 ◁ Let them pardon and forgive. ▷ 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:07.379 “And let not those who possess dignity and ease among you swear not to give to the near of kin and to the needy, and to fugitives for the cause of Allah. Let them forgive and show indulgence. Yearn ye not that Allah may forgive you? Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (24:22) 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:08.379 He would say: 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:13.379 "How does it benefit you that your Muslim brother be punished on your account?" 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:16.379 And Allah Almighty has said: 00:10:16.379 --> 00:10:19.379 ◁ So whoever pardons and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. ▷ 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:22.379 On the Day of Resurrection, a caller will announce: 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:25.379 "Let those whose reward is due from Allah stand up!" 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:28.379 And none shall stand except those who pardoned others. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:33.700 A man used to make implicit insults against Judge Muhammad ibn Bashir (may Allah have mercy on him), 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:36.700 until news of this reached Ibn Bashir. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.700 He sent word to him, saying: 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:40.700 "Indeed, no one is incapable of doing evil, 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:45.740 whereas good is attained only by those possessing beautiful patience. 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:48.740 So desist from what has reached me concerning you, 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:50.740 for that is far more fitting and honorable for you." 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:53.929 Ibn al-Qalanisi said: 00:10:53.929 --> 00:10:57.929 I heard Shaykh Taqiyy al-Din (may Allah have mercy on him) 00:10:57.929 --> 00:11:01.929 relate the conversation that took place between him and the Sultan 00:11:01.929 --> 00:11:06.990 when they were alone in that private alcove where they sat. 00:11:06.990 --> 00:11:10.990 The Sultan had sought a formal legal opinion from the Shaykh regarding the execution of certain judges 00:11:10.990 --> 00:11:13.990 because of the criticism they had leveled against him, 00:11:13.990 --> 00:11:18.090 showing him ruling edicts issued by some of them calling for his deposition from power 00:11:18.090 --> 00:11:21.120 and the swearing of allegiance to Al-Jashnakir. 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:25.120 The Sultan said, "They also rose up against you and harmed you as well," 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:30.120 attempting to urge him thereby to issue a decree sanctioning their execution, 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:33.120 His resentment toward them was solely 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:36.120 because of their efforts to depose him 00:11:36.120 --> 00:11:39.279 and give allegiance to al-Jashnakir. 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:42.279 Sheikh Murad understood the Sultan's intentions, 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:45.279 so he began to honor the judges and scholars, 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:49.279 denying that any harm would come to any of them. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:52.279 He said to him, "If you kill these men, 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:55.279 you will find no one like them after they are gone." 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:58.279 The Sultan said to him, "They have harmed you 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:01.279 and sought to kill you repeatedly." 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:05.279 The Sheikh replied, "Whoever harmed me is forgiven, 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:08.279 and as for whoever harmed Allah and His Messenger, 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:10.279 Allah will take retribution from him; 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:13.279 I do not seek vengeance for myself." 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:17.279 He kept reasoning with him until he showed them leniency and pardoned them. 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:23.440 He said: The Maliki chief judge, Ibn Makhluf, used to say, 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:26.440 "We have never seen the like of Ibn Taymiyyah. 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:28.440 We incited people against him, 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:30.440 yet we could not prevail over him; 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:32.440 but when he gained power over us, 00:12:32.440 --> 00:12:35.440 he pardoned us and pleaded on our behalf." 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:38.980 Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:12:38.980 --> 00:12:42.980 One of his senior companions used to say, 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:47.980 "I wish I were to my friends as he was to his enemies and adversaries! 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:52.110 I never saw him pray against any of them at all; 00:12:52.110 --> 00:12:54.110 rather, he used to pray for them." 00:12:55.110 --> 00:12:59.110 Ibn al-Qayyim continued: "I came to him one day with glad tidings of the death of his greatest enemy, 00:12:59.110 --> 00:13:02.110 the most fierce in enmity and harm toward him. 00:13:02.110 --> 00:13:06.110 But he rebuked me, showed his displeasure, and uttered the prayer of loss (*Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un*). 00:13:06.110 --> 00:13:09.110 Then he immediately stood up, went to the house of his deceased enemy's family, 00:13:09.110 --> 00:13:12.110 offered them his condolences, and said, 00:13:12.110 --> 00:13:14.110 'I am in his place for you; 00:13:14.110 --> 00:13:19.110 no matter what you need assistance with, 00:13:19.110 --> 00:13:21.110 I will surely help you with it,' 00:13:21.110 --> 00:13:24.139 along with similar words of comfort. 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:26.139 They were rejoiced by this, prayed for him, 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:29.139 and greatly revered his nobility." 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:32.139 May Allah have mercy on him and be pleased with him.