WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:03.399 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:08.400 The best of generations in stances and exemplary virtue, 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:13.400 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.400 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:17.399 Presents: 00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.399 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un, 00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:26.429 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:26.429 --> 00:00:28.429 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:31.019 --> 00:00:33.020 Shurayh the Judge, 00:00:33.020 --> 00:00:35.310 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:41.310 --> 00:00:46.310 The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), bought 00:00:46.310 --> 00:00:50.310 A horse from a Bedouin man and paid him its price in cash. 00:00:50.310 --> 00:00:53.310 Then he mounted it and rode off. 00:00:53.310 --> 00:00:57.310 But he had scarcely ridden any great distance with the horse 00:00:57.310 --> 00:01:02.310 When a defect became apparent in it that hindered it from continuing to run. 00:01:02.310 --> 00:01:05.310 So he turned it back to where he had set out, 00:01:05.310 --> 00:01:07.310 And said to the man, 00:01:07.310 --> 00:01:10.310 "Take back your horse, for it is injured." 00:01:10.310 --> 00:01:12.310 The man replied, 00:01:12.310 --> 00:01:15.310 "I will not take it back, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:01:15.310 --> 00:01:18.310 For I sold it to you sound and healthy." 00:01:18.310 --> 00:01:20.340 Thereupon 'Umar said, 00:01:20.340 --> 00:01:23.340 "Appoint an arbitrator between you and me." 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:24.340 The man said, 00:01:24.340 --> 00:01:28.340 "Let Shurayh ibn al-Harith al-Kindi judge between us." 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:31.340 'Umar replied, "I agree to him." 00:01:31.340 --> 00:01:34.340 So the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:37.340 And the owner of the horse went before Shurayh for judgment. 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:41.340 When Shurayh heard the statement of the Bedouin, 00:01:41.340 --> 00:01:44.340 He turned to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and asked, 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:48.340 "Did you take the horse in a sound condition, O Commander of the Faithful?" 00:01:48.340 --> 00:01:50.340 'Umar answered, "Yes." 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:52.340 Shurayh then said, 00:01:52.340 --> 00:01:55.340 "Keep what you have purchased, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:58.469 Or return it just as you received it." 00:01:58.469 --> 00:02:01.469 'Umar looked at Shurayh in admiration, 00:02:01.469 --> 00:02:02.469 And said, 00:02:02.469 --> 00:02:05.469 "Is justice ever anything other than this? 00:02:05.469 --> 00:02:08.469 A decisive word and an equitable verdict! 00:02:08.469 --> 00:02:10.500 Depart for Kufa, 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:14.460 For I have appointed you as its judge." 00:02:14.460 --> 00:02:18.460 On the day 'Umar appointed him to the judiciary, Shurayh ibn al-Harith was not 00:02:18.460 --> 00:02:22.460 A man of unknown standing in Madinan society, 00:02:22.460 --> 00:02:26.460 Nor was he an obscure figure among the scholars and jurists 00:02:26.460 --> 00:02:30.460 From among the eminent Companions and the leading Tabi'un. 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:34.460 Indeed, the people of virtue and precedence 00:02:34.460 --> 00:02:37.460 Deeply appreciated Shurayh's sharp acumen, 00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:39.460 His extraordinary intellect, 00:02:39.460 --> 00:02:41.460 His noble character, 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:44.460 And the vast length and depth of his worldly experience. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:47.530 For he was a man of Yemeni homeland, 00:02:47.530 --> 00:02:49.530 Of the Kinda tribe, 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). 00:02:53.530 --> 00:02:58.590 So when the Arabian Peninsula shone with the light of guidance, 00:02:58.590 --> 00:03:02.590 And the rays of Islam penetrated the land of Yemen, 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), 00:03:08.590 --> 00:03:12.750 Responding promptly to the call of guidance and truth. 00:03:12.750 --> 00:03:17.750 Those who recognized his virtue and appreciated his noble characteristics and merits 00:03:17.750 --> 00:03:20.750 Felt the deepest sorrow on his behalf, 00:03:20.750 --> 00:03:25.750 Wishing that it had been possible for him to travel to Medina early on 00:03:25.750 --> 00:03:29.750 To meet the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:03:29.750 --> 00:03:32.750 Before he departed to the Highest Companion, 00:03:32.750 --> 00:03:38.750 So that he might drink directly from his pure, pristine springs without intermediary, 00:03:38.750 --> 00:03:41.750 And attain the honor of companionship, 00:03:41.750 --> 00:03:44.750 After having attained the blessing of faith, 00:03:44.750 --> 00:03:47.750 Thereby gathering every form of goodness. 00:03:47.750 --> 00:03:52.129 But what was decreed came to pass. 00:03:52.129 --> 00:03:55.129 Al-Faruq (may Allah be pleased with him) was not 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, 00:04:02.129 --> 00:04:06.129 Even though the sky of Islam at that time 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). 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:16.160 For the passing days proved the accuracy of 'Umar's discernment 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:18.160 And the soundness of his judgment; 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:23.160 Shurayh continued to judge among the Muslims for around sixty years, 00:04:23.160 --> 00:04:26.160 Successively and without interruption. 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:34.160 His appointment was consecutively confirmed by 'Umar, 'Uthman, 'Ali, and Mu'awiyah, 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:37.160 May Allah be pleased with them all, 00:04:37.160 --> 00:04:43.220 As well as by the Umayyad caliphs who came after Mu'awiyah, 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:49.220 Until he himself requested to be relieved of his office during the governorship of al-Hajjaj, 00:04:49.220 --> 00:04:55.220 Having reached the age of one hundred and seven years in a long, righteous life 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:58.220 Filled with glorious deeds and lasting legacies. 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, 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, 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:15.220 Which was embodied by Shurayh, as they willingly yielded to his verdicts. 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:23.220 The volumes of history were filled with anecdotes, reports, sayings, and deeds of this extraordinary man. 00:05:23.220 --> 00:05:28.220 Among these is that 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) 00:05:28.220 --> 00:05:33.220 Once lost a coat of armor that was dear and precious to him. 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. 00:05:40.220 --> 00:05:43.220 When he saw it, he recognized it and said, 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." 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." 00:05:56.220 --> 00:06:01.220 'Ali said, "It is indeed my armor; I have not sold it to anyone, 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:05.220 Nor have I gifted it to anyone such that it could have reached you." 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:10.220 The dhimmi said, "Let the judge of the Muslims decide between you and me." 00:06:10.220 --> 00:06:14.290 'Ali said, "You have been fair, so let us go to him." 00:06:14.290 --> 00:06:18.290 They then proceeded to Shurayh the Judge. 00:06:18.290 --> 00:06:22.290 When they appeared before him in the judicial court, 00:06:23.290 --> 00:06:27.290 Shurayh said to 'Ali, "What do you say, O Commander of the Faithful?" 00:06:27.290 --> 00:06:32.290 He replied, "I have found this armor of mine with this man; 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, 00:06:36.290 --> 00:06:40.290 And it did not come into his possession through sale or gift." 00:06:40.290 --> 00:06:43.290 Shurayh then asked the dhimmi, 00:06:43.290 --> 00:06:46.290 "And what do you say, O man?" 00:06:46.290 --> 00:06:50.290 He replied, "The armor is mine, and it is in my possession, 00:06:50.290 --> 00:06:54.290 Though I do not accuse the Commander of the Faithful of lying." 00:06:54.290 --> 00:06:57.290 Shurayh turned to 'Ali and said, 00:06:57.290 --> 00:07:03.290 "I have no doubt that you are telling the truth, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:07:03.290 --> 00:07:05.290 And that the armor is indeed yours, 00:07:05.290 --> 00:07:10.290 But you must bring two witnesses to attest to the validity of your claim." 00:07:10.290 --> 00:07:14.290 'Ali said, "Yes, my freedman Qanbar 00:07:14.290 --> 00:07:17.290 And my son al-Hasan will testify for me." 00:07:17.290 --> 00:07:19.290 Shurayh said, 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." 00:07:24.290 --> 00:07:27.290 'Ali said, "Glory be to Allah! 00:07:27.290 --> 00:07:31.290 A man from the people of Paradise, and his testimony is not admissible?! 00:07:31.290 --> 00:07:36.290 Have you not heard that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:07:36.290 --> 00:07:40.290 'Al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the masters of the youth of the people of Paradise'?" 00:07:40.290 --> 00:07:42.480 Shurayh replied, 00:07:42.480 --> 00:07:45.480 "Indeed, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:49.480 Yet I do not permit the testimony of a child on behalf of his parent." 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:51.579 At that point, 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:54.579 'Ali turned to the dhimmi and said, 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:58.579 "Take it, for I have no witnesses other than them." 00:07:58.579 --> 00:08:00.579 The dhimmi said, 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:04.579 "Yet I bear witness that the armor is yours, O Commander of the Faithful!" 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:06.579 Then he added, 00:08:06.579 --> 00:08:08.579 "By Allah! 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:12.579 The Commander of the Faithful brings me before his own judge, 00:08:12.579 --> 00:08:14.579 And his judge rules in my favor against him! 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:18.579 I bear witness that the religion which commands this is the absolute truth, 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:21.800 And I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:25.800 And that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger! 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:27.829 Know, O judge, 00:08:27.829 --> 00:08:30.829 That the armor is indeed the armor of the Commander of the Faithful; 00:08:30.829 --> 00:08:34.830 I followed the army as it was departing for Siffin, 00:08:34.830 --> 00:08:37.830 And the armor fell from his ash-colored camel, 00:08:37.830 --> 00:08:39.830 So I took it." 00:08:39.830 --> 00:08:42.860 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him, 00:08:42.860 --> 00:08:45.860 "As you have embraced Islam, 00:08:45.860 --> 00:08:47.860 I grant it to you as a gift, 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:51.929 And I give you this horse along with it as well." 00:08:51.929 --> 00:08:54.929 Not long after this incident, 00:08:54.929 --> 00:08:59.929 The man was seen fighting against the Kharijites under the banner of 'Ali 00:08:59.929 --> 00:09:01.929 On the day of Nahrawan, 00:09:01.929 --> 00:09:03.929 Fighting valiantly 00:09:03.929 --> 00:09:08.019 Until martyrdom was decreed for him. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:10.019 Among the remarkable deeds of Shurayh as well 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:13.019 Is that his son said to him one day, 00:09:13.019 --> 00:09:14.019 "O my father, 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:17.019 There is a dispute between me and a certain group of people, 00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:19.019 So look into it: 00:09:19.019 --> 00:09:22.019 If the truth is on my side, I will litigate against them, 00:09:22.019 --> 00:09:25.019 But if it is on theirs, I will reconcile with them." 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:27.019 He then related his story to him, 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:31.019 And Shurayh told him, "Go forth and litigate against them." 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:35.019 So he went to his opponents and summoned them to judicial proceedings, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.019 And they agreed. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:39.019 When they stood before Shurayh, 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:42.019 He ruled in their favor against his own son. 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:45.019 When Shurayh and his son returned home, 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:47.019 The son said to his father, 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:49.019 "You have disgraced me, O my father! 00:09:49.019 --> 00:09:52.019 By Allah, had I not consulted you beforehand, 00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:53.019 I would not have blamed you." 00:09:53.019 --> 00:09:55.019 Shurayh replied, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.019 "O my son! 00:09:56.019 --> 00:10:01.019 By Allah, you are dearer to me than an earthful of men like them, 00:10:01.019 --> 00:10:03.019 But Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:05.019 Is more precious to me than you. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:09.049 I feared that if I informed you that the right was theirs, 00:10:09.049 --> 00:10:13.049 You would settle with them on terms that would deprive them of some of their right, 00:10:13.049 --> 00:10:17.139 So I said to you what I said." 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:20.139 A son of Shurayh once stood as guarantor for a man, 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:22.139 And Shurayh accepted his surety. 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:24.139 Thereupon, the man did nothing 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:27.139 Except flee to escape the reach of justice, 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:31.139 So Shurayh imprisoned his own son in place of the fugitive. 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. 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:40.379 Doubts would occasionally trouble Shurayh 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:42.379 Concerning certain witnesses, 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:46.379 Yet he found no legitimate way to reject their testimony 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:49.379 Because they fulfilled all the legal criteria of uprightness. 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:53.379 So he would say to them before they gave their testimony, 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:56.379 "Listen to me, may Allah guide you: 00:10:56.379 --> 00:11:00.379 It is you who are passing judgment against this man, 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:03.379 And I am only shielding myself from the Fire through you, 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:06.379 While you are foremost in needing to shield yourselves from it! 00:11:06.379 --> 00:11:10.379 You are still able right now to refrain from testifying and leave." 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:13.379 Then, if they insisted on testifying, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:16.379 He would turn to the one in whose favor they testified and say, 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:18.379 "Know, you who stand here, 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:21.379 That I am only ruling in your favor based on their testimony, 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:24.379 Though I firmly suspect that you are an oppressor; 00:11:24.379 --> 00:11:27.379 Yet I do not judge by mere conjecture, 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:30.379 But rather I judge strictly by the testimony of witnesses. 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." 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:40.700 The motto that Shurayh constantly repeated in his judicial assemblies was his saying: 00:11:40.700 --> 00:11:43.700 "Tomorrow the oppressor will know who the true loser is; 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:46.700 Indeed, the oppressor awaits punishment, 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:49.700 and the oppressed awaits justice. 00:11:49.700 --> 00:11:52.700 And I swear by Allah 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:56.700 that no one ever gives up something for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:59.700 and then feels its loss." 00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:03.820 Nor was Shurayh sincere only to Allah, 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:06.820 His Messenger, and His Book; 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. 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:14.820 One of them narrated: 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:19.820 "Shurayh overheard me complaining of some distress to a friend. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:24.820 He took me by the hand, drew me aside, and said, 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:26.820 'O son of my brother, 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:29.820 beware of complaining to anyone other than Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. 00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:31.820 For the one you complain to 00:12:31.820 --> 00:12:35.820 is inevitably either a friend or a foe: 00:12:35.820 --> 00:12:37.820 as for the friend, you merely cause him grief, 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:40.820 and as for the foe, he takes gloating pleasure in your misfortune.' 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:42.820 Then he said, 00:12:42.820 --> 00:12:44.820 'Look at this eye of mine,' 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:47.820 pointing to one of his eyes, 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, 00:12:53.820 --> 00:12:56.820 yet I have never informed anyone of this 00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:59.820 except you this very hour. 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﴿? 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) 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, 00:13:12.889 --> 00:13:16.889 for He is the most generous to be petitioned and the nearest to be called upon.' 00:13:16.889 --> 00:13:20.889 One day, he saw a man begging another for something, 00:13:20.889 --> 00:13:21.889 so he said to him: 00:13:21.889 --> 00:13:23.889 "O son of my brother, 00:13:23.889 --> 00:13:25.889 whoever asks another human being for a need 00:13:25.889 --> 00:13:28.889 has exposed himself to servitude: 00:13:28.889 --> 00:13:31.889 if the requested person fulfills it for him, 00:13:31.889 --> 00:13:33.889 he has enslaved him thereby, 00:13:33.889 --> 00:13:35.889 and if he denies him it, 00:13:35.889 --> 00:13:37.889 both return humiliated— 00:13:37.889 --> 00:13:39.889 this one through the shame of stinginess, 00:13:39.889 --> 00:13:42.889 and that one through the shame of rejection. 00:13:42.889 --> 00:13:44.919 So when you ask, ask Allah, 00:13:44.919 --> 00:13:47.919 and when you seek aid, seek aid from Allah, 00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:53.919 and know that there is no might, no power, and no help except through Allah." 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:58.259 A plague struck Kufa, 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:01.259 and a friend of Shurayh fled it toward Najaf, 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:04.259 seeking to escape the epidemic. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:06.299 Shurayh wrote to him: 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:08.299 "To proceed: 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:12.299 the place you left behind will not hasten your appointed death, 00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:14.299 nor will it rob you of your destined days; 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:17.389 and the place you have arrived at 00:14:17.389 --> 00:14:20.389 is within the grasp of the One Whom no pursuit can elude, 00:14:20.389 --> 00:14:22.389 nor any flight can escape. 00:14:22.389 --> 00:14:26.389 Indeed, both of us dwell upon the carpet of a single King, 00:14:26.389 --> 00:14:30.389 and Najaf is very near to the Almighty." 00:14:30.389 --> 00:14:34.580 In addition to all of this, Shurayh was 00:14:34.580 --> 00:14:36.580 an accessible, spontaneous poet, 00:14:36.580 --> 00:14:40.580 graceful in delivery and engaging in his themes. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:45.580 It is related that he had a young son around ten years of age, 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:49.580 deeply beloved to him, yet devoted to play. 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:52.580 One day, Shurayh looked for him 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:54.580 and found that he had skipped his schooling 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:57.580 and gone off to watch fighting dogs. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:01.580 When the boy returned home, Shurayh asked him, "Did you pray?" 00:15:01.580 --> 00:15:02.580 He replied, "No." 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:05.610 So Shurayh called for parchment and pen, 00:15:05.610 --> 00:15:08.610 and wrote to his tutor: 00:15:08.610 --> 00:15:11.799 "He abandoned prayer for little pups he pursues, 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:15.799 seeking dogfights alongside the defiled strayers. 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:18.799 So let him come to you in the morning with a letter, 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:22.799 written against him like the letter of al-Mutalammis. 00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:26.799 And when he comes to you, treat him with reproach, 00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:30.799 and admonish him with the counsel of a cultured, discerning mentor. 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:33.830 And if you resolve to strike him, use a switch, 00:15:33.830 --> 00:15:37.830 but when you reach three blows, stay your hand. 00:15:37.830 --> 00:15:41.830 And know that whatever you do, his soul, 00:15:41.830 --> 00:15:44.830 despite the bitter cups he makes me swallow, remains the dearest of all souls to me." 00:15:44.830 --> 00:15:49.110 May Allah be pleased with al-Faruq! 00:15:49.110 --> 00:15:52.110 For he adorned the crown of judiciary in Islam 00:15:52.110 --> 00:15:55.110 with a pearl of noble lineage, 00:15:55.110 --> 00:15:58.110 pure in its essence, 00:15:58.110 --> 00:16:01.179 magnificent to behold. 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:04.179 He gifted the Muslims a radiant lamp, 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:07.179 by which they still, to this day, illuminate their path 00:16:07.179 --> 00:16:10.179 through the radiance of his deep fiqh in the law of Allah, 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:13.179 guided by the light of his understanding of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:16.179 and with him they shall pride themselves over other nations on the Day of Resurrection. 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:19.210 And may Allah have mercy upon Judge Shurayh, 00:16:19.210 --> 00:16:22.210 who upheld justice among the people for sixty years; 00:16:22.210 --> 00:16:25.210 he never wronged anyone, 00:16:25.210 --> 00:16:28.210 never deviated from truth, 00:16:28.210 --> 00:16:31.210 and never favored a king over a commoner. 00:16:31.210 --> 00:16:36.929 It was said to Shurayh, 00:16:36.929 --> 00:16:40.149 "By what means did you attain this knowledge?" 00:16:40.149 --> 00:16:43.179 He replied, "By scholarly discourse with the scholars— 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:46.539 taking from them and giving to them." 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:51.100 Sufyan al-Awsi: 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:57.100 whenever he strove or spoke, 00:16:57.100 --> 00:17:00.100 "They were here, 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:03.100 quenching the clouds of our lives; 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:06.099 they passed away, while among us 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:09.099 their memory rises high. 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:12.099 They departed, leaving in our conscience a question: 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:15.099 Did ever like them 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:18.099 a star rise high and shine? 00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:21.099 They filled life with glories, 00:17:21.099 --> 00:17:24.099 through their upright deeds, 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:27.839 and humanity flourished through them."