1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,399 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:03,399 --> 00:00:08,400 The best of generations in stances and exemplary virtue, 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 4 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:15,400 Mawaddah Association 5 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,399 Presents: 6 00:00:17,399 --> 00:00:21,399 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un, 7 00:00:21,399 --> 00:00:26,429 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:26,429 --> 00:00:28,429 May Allah have mercy on him. 9 00:00:31,019 --> 00:00:33,020 Shurayh the Judge, 10 00:00:33,020 --> 00:00:35,310 May Allah have mercy on him. 11 00:00:41,310 --> 00:00:46,310 The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), bought 12 00:00:46,310 --> 00:00:50,310 A horse from a Bedouin man and paid him its price in cash. 13 00:00:50,310 --> 00:00:53,310 Then he mounted it and rode off. 14 00:00:53,310 --> 00:00:57,310 But he had scarcely ridden any great distance with the horse 15 00:00:57,310 --> 00:01:02,310 When a defect became apparent in it that hindered it from continuing to run. 16 00:01:02,310 --> 00:01:05,310 So he turned it back to where he had set out, 17 00:01:05,310 --> 00:01:07,310 And said to the man, 18 00:01:07,310 --> 00:01:10,310 "Take back your horse, for it is injured." 19 00:01:10,310 --> 00:01:12,310 The man replied, 20 00:01:12,310 --> 00:01:15,310 "I will not take it back, O Commander of the Faithful, 21 00:01:15,310 --> 00:01:18,310 For I sold it to you sound and healthy." 22 00:01:18,310 --> 00:01:20,340 Thereupon 'Umar said, 23 00:01:20,340 --> 00:01:23,340 "Appoint an arbitrator between you and me." 24 00:01:23,340 --> 00:01:24,340 The man said, 25 00:01:24,340 --> 00:01:28,340 "Let Shurayh ibn al-Harith al-Kindi judge between us." 26 00:01:28,340 --> 00:01:31,340 'Umar replied, "I agree to him." 27 00:01:31,340 --> 00:01:34,340 So the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, 28 00:01:34,340 --> 00:01:37,340 And the owner of the horse went before Shurayh for judgment. 29 00:01:37,340 --> 00:01:41,340 When Shurayh heard the statement of the Bedouin, 30 00:01:41,340 --> 00:01:44,340 He turned to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and asked, 31 00:01:44,340 --> 00:01:48,340 "Did you take the horse in a sound condition, O Commander of the Faithful?" 32 00:01:48,340 --> 00:01:50,340 'Umar answered, "Yes." 33 00:01:50,340 --> 00:01:52,340 Shurayh then said, 34 00:01:52,340 --> 00:01:55,340 "Keep what you have purchased, O Commander of the Faithful, 35 00:01:55,340 --> 00:01:58,469 Or return it just as you received it." 36 00:01:58,469 --> 00:02:01,469 'Umar looked at Shurayh in admiration, 37 00:02:01,469 --> 00:02:02,469 And said, 38 00:02:02,469 --> 00:02:05,469 "Is justice ever anything other than this? 39 00:02:05,469 --> 00:02:08,469 A decisive word and an equitable verdict! 40 00:02:08,469 --> 00:02:10,500 Depart for Kufa, 41 00:02:10,500 --> 00:02:14,460 For I have appointed you as its judge." 42 00:02:14,460 --> 00:02:18,460 On the day 'Umar appointed him to the judiciary, Shurayh ibn al-Harith was not 43 00:02:18,460 --> 00:02:22,460 A man of unknown standing in Madinan society, 44 00:02:22,460 --> 00:02:26,460 Nor was he an obscure figure among the scholars and jurists 45 00:02:26,460 --> 00:02:30,460 From among the eminent Companions and the leading Tabi'un. 46 00:02:30,460 --> 00:02:34,460 Indeed, the people of virtue and precedence 47 00:02:34,460 --> 00:02:37,460 Deeply appreciated Shurayh's sharp acumen, 48 00:02:37,460 --> 00:02:39,460 His extraordinary intellect, 49 00:02:39,460 --> 00:02:41,460 His noble character, 50 00:02:41,460 --> 00:02:44,460 And the vast length and depth of his worldly experience. 51 00:02:44,460 --> 00:02:47,530 For he was a man of Yemeni homeland, 52 00:02:47,530 --> 00:02:49,530 Of the Kinda tribe, 53 00:02:49,530 --> 00:02:53,530 Who had spent a considerable part of his life in the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah). 54 00:02:53,530 --> 00:02:58,590 So when the Arabian Peninsula shone with the light of guidance, 55 00:02:58,590 --> 00:03:02,590 And the rays of Islam penetrated the land of Yemen, 56 00:03:02,590 --> 00:03:08,590 Shurayh was among the first to believe in Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 57 00:03:08,590 --> 00:03:12,750 Responding promptly to the call of guidance and truth. 58 00:03:12,750 --> 00:03:17,750 Those who recognized his virtue and appreciated his noble characteristics and merits 59 00:03:17,750 --> 00:03:20,750 Felt the deepest sorrow on his behalf, 60 00:03:20,750 --> 00:03:25,750 Wishing that it had been possible for him to travel to Medina early on 61 00:03:25,750 --> 00:03:29,750 To meet the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 62 00:03:29,750 --> 00:03:32,750 Before he departed to the Highest Companion, 63 00:03:32,750 --> 00:03:38,750 So that he might drink directly from his pure, pristine springs without intermediary, 64 00:03:38,750 --> 00:03:41,750 And attain the honor of companionship, 65 00:03:41,750 --> 00:03:44,750 After having attained the blessing of faith, 66 00:03:44,750 --> 00:03:47,750 Thereby gathering every form of goodness. 67 00:03:47,750 --> 00:03:52,129 But what was decreed came to pass. 68 00:03:52,129 --> 00:03:55,129 Al-Faruq (may Allah be pleased with him) was not 69 00:03:55,129 --> 00:04:02,129 Hasty when he entrusted one of the highest judicial offices to a man from among the Tabi'un, 70 00:04:02,129 --> 00:04:06,129 Even though the sky of Islam at that time 71 00:04:06,129 --> 00:04:13,159 Was still brilliant with the shining stars from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). 72 00:04:13,159 --> 00:04:16,160 For the passing days proved the accuracy of 'Umar's discernment 73 00:04:16,160 --> 00:04:18,160 And the soundness of his judgment; 74 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:23,160 Shurayh continued to judge among the Muslims for around sixty years, 75 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,160 Successively and without interruption. 76 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:34,160 His appointment was consecutively confirmed by 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, and Mu'awiyah, 77 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,160 May Allah be pleased with them all, 78 00:04:37,160 --> 00:04:43,220 As well as by the Umayyad caliphs who came after Mu'awiyah, 79 00:04:43,220 --> 00:04:49,220 Until he himself requested to be relieved of his office during the governorship of al-Hajjaj, 80 00:04:49,220 --> 00:04:55,220 Having reached the age of one hundred and seven years in a long, righteous life 81 00:04:55,220 --> 00:04:58,220 Filled with glorious deeds and lasting legacies. 82 00:04:58,220 --> 00:05:04,220 The history of the judiciary in Islam was adorned with magnificent moments from Shurayh's judicial career, 83 00:05:04,220 --> 00:05:10,220 And grew splendid through the remarkable submission of both the elite and the common Muslims to the law of Allah, 84 00:05:10,220 --> 00:05:15,220 Which was embodied by Shurayh, as they willingly yielded to his verdicts. 85 00:05:15,220 --> 00:05:23,220 The volumes of history were filled with anecdotes, reports, sayings, and deeds of this extraordinary man. 86 00:05:23,220 --> 00:05:28,220 Among these is that 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) 87 00:05:28,220 --> 00:05:33,220 Once lost a coat of armor that was dear and precious to him. 88 00:05:33,220 --> 00:05:40,220 Before long, he found it in the hands of a dhimmi man selling it in the market of Kufa. 89 00:05:40,220 --> 00:05:43,220 When he saw it, he recognized it and said, 90 00:05:43,220 --> 00:05:50,220 "This is my armor; it fell from a camel of mine on such-and-such a night and in such-and-such a place." 91 00:05:50,220 --> 00:05:56,220 The dhimmi replied, "Rather, it is my armor, and it is in my possession, O Commander of the Faithful." 92 00:05:56,220 --> 00:06:01,220 'Ali said, "It is indeed my armor; I have not sold it to anyone, 93 00:06:01,220 --> 00:06:05,220 Nor have I gifted it to anyone such that it could have reached you." 94 00:06:05,220 --> 00:06:10,220 The dhimmi said, "Let the judge of the Muslims decide between you and me." 95 00:06:10,220 --> 00:06:14,290 'Ali said, "You have been fair, so let us go to him." 96 00:06:14,290 --> 00:06:18,290 They then proceeded to Shurayh the Judge. 97 00:06:18,290 --> 00:06:22,290 When they appeared before him in the judicial court, 98 00:06:23,290 --> 00:06:27,290 Shurayh said to 'Ali, "What do you say, O Commander of the Faithful?" 99 00:06:27,290 --> 00:06:32,290 He replied, "I have found this armor of mine with this man; 100 00:06:32,290 --> 00:06:36,290 It fell from me on such-and-such a night and in such-and-such a place, 101 00:06:36,290 --> 00:06:40,290 And it did not come into his possession through sale or gift." 102 00:06:40,290 --> 00:06:43,290 Shurayh then asked the dhimmi, 103 00:06:43,290 --> 00:06:46,290 "And what do you say, O man?" 104 00:06:46,290 --> 00:06:50,290 He replied, "The armor is mine, and it is in my possession, 105 00:06:50,290 --> 00:06:54,290 Though I do not accuse the Commander of the Faithful of lying." 106 00:06:54,290 --> 00:06:57,290 Shurayh turned to 'Ali and said, 107 00:06:57,290 --> 00:07:03,290 "I have no doubt that you are telling the truth, O Commander of the Faithful, 108 00:07:03,290 --> 00:07:05,290 And that the armor is indeed yours, 109 00:07:05,290 --> 00:07:10,290 But you must bring two witnesses to attest to the validity of your claim." 110 00:07:10,290 --> 00:07:14,290 'Ali said, "Yes, my freedman Qanbar 111 00:07:14,290 --> 00:07:17,290 And my son al-Hasan will testify for me." 112 00:07:17,290 --> 00:07:19,290 Shurayh said, 113 00:07:19,290 --> 00:07:24,290 "However, the testimony of a son on behalf of his father is not admissible, O Commander of the Faithful." 114 00:07:24,290 --> 00:07:27,290 'Ali said, "Glory be to Allah! 115 00:07:27,290 --> 00:07:31,290 A man from the people of Paradise, and his testimony is not admissible?! 116 00:07:31,290 --> 00:07:36,290 Have you not heard that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 117 00:07:36,290 --> 00:07:40,290 'Al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the masters of the youth of the people of Paradise'?" 118 00:07:40,290 --> 00:07:42,480 Shurayh replied, 119 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:45,480 "Indeed, O Commander of the Faithful, 120 00:07:45,480 --> 00:07:49,480 Yet I do not permit the testimony of a child on behalf of his parent." 121 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:51,579 At that point, 122 00:07:51,579 --> 00:07:54,579 'Ali turned to the dhimmi and said, 123 00:07:54,579 --> 00:07:58,579 "Take it, for I have no witnesses other than them." 124 00:07:58,579 --> 00:08:00,579 The dhimmi said, 125 00:08:00,579 --> 00:08:04,579 "Yet I bear witness that the armor is yours, O Commander of the Faithful!" 126 00:08:04,579 --> 00:08:06,579 Then he added, 127 00:08:06,579 --> 00:08:08,579 "By Allah! 128 00:08:08,579 --> 00:08:12,579 The Commander of the Faithful brings me before his own judge, 129 00:08:12,579 --> 00:08:14,579 And his judge rules in my favor against him! 130 00:08:14,579 --> 00:08:18,579 I bear witness that the religion which commands this is the absolute truth, 131 00:08:18,579 --> 00:08:21,800 And I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, 132 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:25,800 And that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger! 133 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:27,829 Know, O judge, 134 00:08:27,829 --> 00:08:30,829 That the armor is indeed the armor of the Commander of the Faithful; 135 00:08:30,829 --> 00:08:34,830 I followed the army as it was departing for Siffin, 136 00:08:34,830 --> 00:08:37,830 And the armor fell from his ash-colored camel, 137 00:08:37,830 --> 00:08:39,830 So I took it." 138 00:08:39,830 --> 00:08:42,860 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him, 139 00:08:42,860 --> 00:08:45,860 "As you have embraced Islam, 140 00:08:45,860 --> 00:08:47,860 I grant it to you as a gift, 141 00:08:47,860 --> 00:08:51,929 And I give you this horse along with it as well." 142 00:08:51,929 --> 00:08:54,929 Not long after this incident, 143 00:08:54,929 --> 00:08:59,929 The man was seen fighting against the Kharijites under the banner of 'Ali 144 00:08:59,929 --> 00:09:01,929 On the day of Nahrawan, 145 00:09:01,929 --> 00:09:03,929 Fighting valiantly 146 00:09:03,929 --> 00:09:08,019 Until martyrdom was decreed for him. 147 00:09:08,019 --> 00:09:10,019 Among the remarkable deeds of Shurayh as well 148 00:09:10,019 --> 00:09:13,019 Is that his son said to him one day, 149 00:09:13,019 --> 00:09:14,019 "O my father, 150 00:09:14,019 --> 00:09:17,019 There is a dispute between me and a certain group of people, 151 00:09:17,019 --> 00:09:19,019 So look into it: 152 00:09:19,019 --> 00:09:22,019 If the truth is on my side, I will litigate against them, 153 00:09:22,019 --> 00:09:25,019 But if it is on theirs, I will reconcile with them." 154 00:09:25,019 --> 00:09:27,019 He then related his story to him, 155 00:09:27,019 --> 00:09:31,019 And Shurayh told him, "Go forth and litigate against them." 156 00:09:31,019 --> 00:09:35,019 So he went to his opponents and summoned them to judicial proceedings, 157 00:09:35,019 --> 00:09:37,019 And they agreed. 158 00:09:37,019 --> 00:09:39,019 When they stood before Shurayh, 159 00:09:39,019 --> 00:09:42,019 He ruled in their favor against his own son. 160 00:09:42,019 --> 00:09:45,019 When Shurayh and his son returned home, 161 00:09:45,019 --> 00:09:47,019 The son said to his father, 162 00:09:47,019 --> 00:09:49,019 "You have disgraced me, O my father! 163 00:09:49,019 --> 00:09:52,019 By Allah, had I not consulted you beforehand, 164 00:09:52,019 --> 00:09:53,019 I would not have blamed you." 165 00:09:53,019 --> 00:09:55,019 Shurayh replied, 166 00:09:55,019 --> 00:09:56,019 "O my son! 167 00:09:56,019 --> 00:10:01,019 By Allah, you are dearer to me than an earthful of men like them, 168 00:10:01,019 --> 00:10:03,019 But Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, 169 00:10:03,019 --> 00:10:05,019 Is more precious to me than you. 170 00:10:05,019 --> 00:10:09,049 I feared that if I informed you that the right was theirs, 171 00:10:09,049 --> 00:10:13,049 You would settle with them on terms that would deprive them of some of their right, 172 00:10:13,049 --> 00:10:17,139 So I said to you what I said." 173 00:10:17,139 --> 00:10:20,139 A son of Shurayh once stood as guarantor for a man, 174 00:10:20,139 --> 00:10:22,139 And Shurayh accepted his surety. 175 00:10:22,139 --> 00:10:24,139 Thereupon, the man did nothing 176 00:10:24,139 --> 00:10:27,139 Except flee to escape the reach of justice, 177 00:10:27,139 --> 00:10:31,139 So Shurayh imprisoned his own son in place of the fugitive. 178 00:10:31,139 --> 00:10:37,379 He used to carry his food to him with his own hands to the prison every day. 179 00:10:37,379 --> 00:10:40,379 Doubts would occasionally trouble Shurayh 180 00:10:40,379 --> 00:10:42,379 Concerning certain witnesses, 181 00:10:42,379 --> 00:10:46,379 Yet he found no legitimate way to reject their testimony 182 00:10:46,379 --> 00:10:49,379 Because they fulfilled all the legal criteria of uprightness. 183 00:10:49,379 --> 00:10:53,379 So he would say to them before they gave their testimony, 184 00:10:53,379 --> 00:10:56,379 "Listen to me, may Allah guide you: 185 00:10:56,379 --> 00:11:00,379 It is you who are passing judgment against this man, 186 00:11:00,379 --> 00:11:03,379 And I am only shielding myself from the Fire through you, 187 00:11:03,379 --> 00:11:06,379 While you are foremost in needing to shield yourselves from it! 188 00:11:06,379 --> 00:11:10,379 You are still able right now to refrain from testifying and leave." 189 00:11:10,379 --> 00:11:13,379 Then, if they insisted on testifying, 190 00:11:13,379 --> 00:11:16,379 He would turn to the one in whose favor they testified and say, 191 00:11:16,379 --> 00:11:18,379 "Know, you who stand here, 192 00:11:18,379 --> 00:11:21,379 That I am only ruling in your favor based on their testimony, 193 00:11:21,379 --> 00:11:24,379 Though I firmly suspect that you are an oppressor; 194 00:11:24,379 --> 00:11:27,379 Yet I do not judge by mere conjecture, 195 00:11:27,379 --> 00:11:30,379 But rather I judge strictly by the testimony of witnesses. 196 00:11:30,379 --> 00:11:35,379 And my verdict does not make lawful for you anything that Allah has made forbidden to you." 197 00:11:35,379 --> 00:11:40,700 The motto that Shurayh constantly repeated in his judicial assemblies was his saying: 198 00:11:40,700 --> 00:11:43,700 "Tomorrow the oppressor will know who the true loser is; 199 00:11:43,700 --> 00:11:46,700 Indeed, the oppressor awaits punishment, 200 00:11:46,700 --> 00:11:49,700 and the oppressed awaits justice. 201 00:11:49,700 --> 00:11:52,700 And I swear by Allah 202 00:11:52,700 --> 00:11:56,700 that no one ever gives up something for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, 203 00:11:56,700 --> 00:11:59,700 and then feels its loss." 204 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:03,820 Nor was Shurayh sincere only to Allah, 205 00:12:03,820 --> 00:12:06,820 His Messenger, and His Book; 206 00:12:06,820 --> 00:12:11,820 rather, he was equally devoted in offering sincere counsel to the Muslim public and their elite alike. 207 00:12:11,820 --> 00:12:14,820 One of them narrated: 208 00:12:14,820 --> 00:12:19,820 "Shurayh overheard me complaining of some distress to a friend. 209 00:12:19,820 --> 00:12:24,820 He took me by the hand, drew me aside, and said, 210 00:12:24,820 --> 00:12:26,820 'O son of my brother, 211 00:12:26,820 --> 00:12:29,820 beware of complaining to anyone other than Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. 212 00:12:29,820 --> 00:12:31,820 For the one you complain to 213 00:12:31,820 --> 00:12:35,820 is inevitably either a friend or a foe: 214 00:12:35,820 --> 00:12:37,820 as for the friend, you merely cause him grief, 215 00:12:37,820 --> 00:12:40,820 and as for the foe, he takes gloating pleasure in your misfortune.' 216 00:12:40,820 --> 00:12:42,820 Then he said, 217 00:12:42,820 --> 00:12:44,820 'Look at this eye of mine,' 218 00:12:44,820 --> 00:12:47,820 pointing to one of his eyes, 219 00:12:47,820 --> 00:12:53,820 'for by Allah, I have not seen a person or a path with it for fifteen years, 220 00:12:53,820 --> 00:12:56,820 yet I have never informed anyone of this 221 00:12:56,820 --> 00:12:59,820 except you this very hour. 222 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:02,820 Have you not heard the words of the righteous servant: ﴾I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah﴿? 223 00:13:02,820 --> 00:13:06,889 “He said: I expose my distress and anguish only unto Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not.” (12:86) 224 00:13:06,889 --> 00:13:12,889 So make Allah, the Exalted, your refuge for your complaints and sorrows in every misfortune that befalls you, 225 00:13:12,889 --> 00:13:16,889 for He is the most generous to be petitioned and the nearest to be called upon.' 226 00:13:16,889 --> 00:13:20,889 One day, he saw a man begging another for something, 227 00:13:20,889 --> 00:13:21,889 so he said to him: 228 00:13:21,889 --> 00:13:23,889 "O son of my brother, 229 00:13:23,889 --> 00:13:25,889 whoever asks another human being for a need 230 00:13:25,889 --> 00:13:28,889 has exposed himself to servitude: 231 00:13:28,889 --> 00:13:31,889 if the requested person fulfills it for him, 232 00:13:31,889 --> 00:13:33,889 he has enslaved him thereby, 233 00:13:33,889 --> 00:13:35,889 and if he denies him it, 234 00:13:35,889 --> 00:13:37,889 both return humiliated— 235 00:13:37,889 --> 00:13:39,889 this one through the shame of stinginess, 236 00:13:39,889 --> 00:13:42,889 and that one through the shame of rejection. 237 00:13:42,889 --> 00:13:44,919 So when you ask, ask Allah, 238 00:13:44,919 --> 00:13:47,919 and when you seek aid, seek aid from Allah, 239 00:13:47,919 --> 00:13:53,919 and know that there is no might, no power, and no help except through Allah." 240 00:13:53,919 --> 00:13:58,259 A plague struck Kufa, 241 00:13:58,259 --> 00:14:01,259 and a friend of Shurayh fled it toward Najaf, 242 00:14:01,259 --> 00:14:04,259 seeking to escape the epidemic. 243 00:14:04,259 --> 00:14:06,299 Shurayh wrote to him: 244 00:14:06,299 --> 00:14:08,299 "To proceed: 245 00:14:08,299 --> 00:14:12,299 the place you left behind will not hasten your appointed death, 246 00:14:12,299 --> 00:14:14,299 nor will it rob you of your destined days; 247 00:14:14,299 --> 00:14:17,389 and the place you have arrived at 248 00:14:17,389 --> 00:14:20,389 is within the grasp of the One Whom no pursuit can elude, 249 00:14:20,389 --> 00:14:22,389 nor any flight can escape. 250 00:14:22,389 --> 00:14:26,389 Indeed, both of us dwell upon the carpet of a single King, 251 00:14:26,389 --> 00:14:30,389 and Najaf is very near to the Almighty." 252 00:14:30,389 --> 00:14:34,580 In addition to all of this, Shurayh was 253 00:14:34,580 --> 00:14:36,580 an accessible, spontaneous poet, 254 00:14:36,580 --> 00:14:40,580 graceful in delivery and engaging in his themes. 255 00:14:40,580 --> 00:14:45,580 It is related that he had a young son around ten years of age, 256 00:14:45,580 --> 00:14:49,580 deeply beloved to him, yet devoted to play. 257 00:14:49,580 --> 00:14:52,580 One day, Shurayh looked for him 258 00:14:52,580 --> 00:14:54,580 and found that he had skipped his schooling 259 00:14:54,580 --> 00:14:57,580 and gone off to watch fighting dogs. 260 00:14:57,580 --> 00:15:01,580 When the boy returned home, Shurayh asked him, "Did you pray?" 261 00:15:01,580 --> 00:15:02,580 He replied, "No." 262 00:15:02,580 --> 00:15:05,610 So Shurayh called for parchment and pen, 263 00:15:05,610 --> 00:15:08,610 and wrote to his tutor: 264 00:15:08,610 --> 00:15:11,799 "He abandoned prayer for little pups he pursues, 265 00:15:11,799 --> 00:15:15,799 seeking dogfights alongside the defiled strayers. 266 00:15:15,799 --> 00:15:18,799 So let him come to you in the morning with a letter, 267 00:15:18,799 --> 00:15:22,799 written against him like the letter of al-Mutalammis. 268 00:15:22,799 --> 00:15:26,799 And when he comes to you, treat him with reproach, 269 00:15:26,799 --> 00:15:30,799 and admonish him with the counsel of a cultured, discerning mentor. 270 00:15:30,799 --> 00:15:33,830 And if you resolve to strike him, use a switch, 271 00:15:33,830 --> 00:15:37,830 but when you reach three blows, stay your hand. 272 00:15:37,830 --> 00:15:41,830 And know that whatever you do, his soul, 273 00:15:41,830 --> 00:15:44,830 despite the bitter cups he makes me swallow, remains the dearest of all souls to me." 274 00:15:44,830 --> 00:15:49,110 May Allah be pleased with al-Faruq! 275 00:15:49,110 --> 00:15:52,110 For he adorned the crown of judiciary in Islam 276 00:15:52,110 --> 00:15:55,110 with a pearl of noble lineage, 277 00:15:55,110 --> 00:15:58,110 pure in its essence, 278 00:15:58,110 --> 00:16:01,179 magnificent to behold. 279 00:16:01,179 --> 00:16:04,179 He gifted the Muslims a radiant lamp, 280 00:16:04,179 --> 00:16:07,179 by which they still, to this day, illuminate their path 281 00:16:07,179 --> 00:16:10,179 through the radiance of his deep fiqh in the law of Allah, 282 00:16:10,179 --> 00:16:13,179 guided by the light of his understanding of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, 283 00:16:13,179 --> 00:16:16,179 and with him they shall pride themselves over other nations on the Day of Resurrection. 284 00:16:16,179 --> 00:16:19,210 And may Allah have mercy upon Judge Shurayh, 285 00:16:19,210 --> 00:16:22,210 who upheld justice among the people for sixty years; 286 00:16:22,210 --> 00:16:25,210 he never wronged anyone, 287 00:16:25,210 --> 00:16:28,210 never deviated from truth, 288 00:16:28,210 --> 00:16:31,210 and never favored a king over a commoner. 289 00:16:31,210 --> 00:16:36,929 It was said to Shurayh, 290 00:16:36,929 --> 00:16:40,149 "By what means did you attain this knowledge?" 291 00:16:40,149 --> 00:16:43,179 He replied, "By scholarly discourse with the scholars— 292 00:16:43,179 --> 00:16:46,539 taking from them and giving to them." 293 00:16:46,539 --> 00:16:51,100 Sufyan al-Awsi: 294 00:16:54,100 --> 00:16:57,100 whenever he strove or spoke, 295 00:16:57,100 --> 00:17:00,100 "They were here, 296 00:17:00,100 --> 00:17:03,100 quenching the clouds of our lives; 297 00:17:03,100 --> 00:17:06,099 they passed away, while among us 298 00:17:06,099 --> 00:17:09,099 their memory rises high. 299 00:17:09,099 --> 00:17:12,099 They departed, leaving in our conscience a question: 300 00:17:12,099 --> 00:17:15,099 Did ever like them 301 00:17:15,099 --> 00:17:18,099 a star rise high and shine? 302 00:17:18,099 --> 00:17:21,099 They filled life with glories, 303 00:17:21,099 --> 00:17:24,099 through their upright deeds, 304 00:17:24,099 --> 00:17:27,839 and humanity flourished through them."