WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:03.459 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:08.460 The best of generations in character and example, 00:00:08.460 --> 00:00:13.460 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:15.460 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:17.460 Presents: 00:00:17.460 --> 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 on him. 00:00:27.910 --> 00:00:32.310 Muhammad ibn Sirin, 00:00:32.310 --> 00:00:34.340 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:45.759 Sirin resolved to complete half of his religion, 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:50.759 After Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) had granted him his freedom, 00:00:50.759 --> 00:00:56.759 And after his craft began yielding abundant profit and plentiful good fortune; 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:01.759 For he was a skilled coppersmith who excelled in fashioning pots. 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:08.790 His choice fell upon a freed maidservant of the Commander of the Faithful, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:01:08.790 --> 00:01:13.239 Named Safiyyah, to be his wife. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:17.239 Safiyyah was a young woman in the prime of her youth, 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:20.239 Radiant of countenance and sharp of mind, 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:23.239 Noble in character and endowed with fine virtues, 00:01:23.239 --> 00:01:28.239 Beloved by all the women of Medina who knew her, 00:01:28.239 --> 00:01:34.239 Whether by the young maidens bound to her by ties of youth, 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:42.239 Or by the elder women who saw her as their equal in soundness of mind and sobriety of conduct. 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:49.370 The most affectionate of women toward her were the wives of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 00:01:49.370 --> 00:01:53.370 Especially Lady Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her. 00:01:53.370 --> 00:01:58.739 Sirin approached the Commander of the Faithful, 00:01:58.739 --> 00:02:01.739 Proposing to his freed maidservant, Safiyyah. 00:02:01.739 --> 00:02:06.739 Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) at once inquired into the suitor's religious commitment and character, 00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:12.740 Just as an affectionate, tender father would inquire into the character of a suitor for his daughter; 00:02:12.740 --> 00:02:20.740 And no wonder, for Safiyyah held the place of a child in the heart of Abu Bakr. 00:02:20.740 --> 00:02:26.740 Above all, she was a trust that Allah had placed around his neck. 00:02:26.740 --> 00:02:30.780 Thus, he set about investigating Sirin's circumstances with the utmost diligence, 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:34.780 Scrutinizing his conduct with meticulous care. 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:40.780 Foremost among those he consulted regarding him was Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him). 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:45.780 Anas said to him: "Marry her to him, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:48.780 And fear no harm for her; 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:54.780 For I have known him only as sound in faith, of pleasing character, and abundant in virtue. 00:02:54.780 --> 00:02:59.780 Indeed, my life has been entwined with his ever since Khalid ibn al-Walid captured him 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:06.780 At the Battle of Ayn al-Tamr alongside forty young boys and brought them to Medina. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:11.939 Sirin fell to my share, and I was truly fortunate to have him." 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:16.939 Al-Siddiq agreed to marry Safiyyah to Sirin, 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:22.939 And resolved to treat her generously, just as a tender father honors his favored daughter. 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:29.939 He organized a wedding celebration for her the likes of which few maidens of Medina had ever enjoyed; 00:03:29.939 --> 00:03:35.000 A large gathering of the noble Companions attended her wedding contract, 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:39.000 Among whom were eighteen veterans of Badr. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:45.000 Ubayy ibn Ka'b, the scribe of the revelation of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), supplicated for her, 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:48.000 And all present said "Amin" to his supplication. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:57.000 Three of the Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) perfumed and adorned her when she was escorted to her husband. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:04:03.000 Among the fruits of this blessed marriage was that the two parents were granted a boy 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:09.000 Who, two decades later, would become a foremost luminary among the Tabi'un 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:14.000 And an extraordinary figure among the Muslims: Muhammad ibn Sirin. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:21.860 Come, then, let us recount the life of this illustrious Tabi'i from its very beginning. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:30.860 Muhammad ibn Sirin was born two years before the end of the caliphate of the Commander of the Faithful, Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:04:30.860 --> 00:04:36.860 And was raised in a home fragrant with piety and righteousness in every corner. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:39.860 When the intelligent and discerning youth came of age, 00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:43.860 He found the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:49.860 Teeming with the remaining noble Companions and senior Tabi'un, 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:55.860 Such as Zayd ibn Thabit, Anas ibn Malik, Imran ibn Husayn, 00:04:55.860 --> 00:05:05.860 Abdullah ibn Umar, Abdullah ibn Abbas, Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, and Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them all). 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:09.860 He turned to them as an intensely thirsty soul rushes to pure, sweet water, 00:05:09.860 --> 00:05:14.860 Quenching his thirst from their knowledge of the Book of Allah and their deep fiqh of Allah's religion, 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:19.860 And their transmission of the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 00:05:19.860 --> 00:05:22.860 Which filled his mind with wisdom and knowledge, 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:25.860 And saturated his soul with righteousness and guidance. 00:05:25.860 --> 00:05:30.949 The family then moved with their distinguished son to Basra, 00:05:30.949 --> 00:05:34.050 Taking it as their home. 00:05:34.050 --> 00:05:38.050 Basra was at that time a young, burgeoning city, 00:05:38.050 --> 00:05:44.050 Founded by the Muslims toward the end of the caliphate of al-Faruq (may Allah be pleased with him). 00:05:44.050 --> 00:05:50.050 It embodied most of the characteristics of the Muslim Ummah in that era: 00:05:50.050 --> 00:05:56.050 It was a military base for the Muslim armies campaigning in the cause of Allah, 00:05:56.050 --> 00:06:04.050 A center of learning and guidance for the people of Iraq and Persia entering the religion of Allah, 00:06:04.050 --> 00:06:12.050 And an image of a serious Muslim society that works for this world as if it will live forever, 00:06:12.050 --> 00:06:16.050 Yet works for the Hereafter as if it will die tomorrow. 00:06:16.050 --> 00:06:25.420 In his new life in Basra, Muhammad ibn Sirin pursued two parallel and balanced paths: 00:06:25.420 --> 00:06:29.459 He devoted one part of his day to sacred knowledge and worship, 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:32.459 And another part to earning a livelihood and commerce. 00:06:32.459 --> 00:06:37.459 Whenever dawn broke and the world shone with the light of its Lord, 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:41.459 He went early to the Mosque of Basra to teach and to learn. 00:06:41.459 --> 00:06:47.459 When the day was well advanced, he moved from the mosque to the marketplace, buying and selling. 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:52.459 And when night fell and cast its dark curtains over the world, 00:06:52.459 --> 00:06:58.459 He stood in the prayer niche of his home, bowing his back over the sections of the Qur'an, 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:03.459 Weeping out of awe of the Most Merciful with the tears of his eyes and heart, 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:07.459 Until his family and close neighbors would feel deep compassion for him 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:12.459 Because of the heartbreaking sobbing they heard from him. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:18.420 While walking about the marketplace by day to buy and sell, 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:23.420 He never ceased reminding people of the Hereafter, giving them insight into the reality of worldly life, 00:07:23.420 --> 00:07:26.420 Directing them to whatever would draw them closer to Allah, 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:29.420 And settling whatever disputes arose among them. 00:07:29.420 --> 00:07:33.420 Every now and then, he would regale them with pleasant humor 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:37.420 To wipe away the fatigue and worry from their weary souls, 00:07:37.420 --> 00:07:42.420 Without this diminishing his dignity and reverence in their eyes in the least. 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:47.449 For Allah, Mighty and Majestic, had granted him upright guidance and a dignified demeanor, 00:07:47.449 --> 00:07:50.449 And bestowed upon him widespread acceptance and profound influence. 00:07:50.449 --> 00:07:55.449 Whenever people in the market saw him while immersed in heedlessness, 00:07:55.449 --> 00:08:00.449 They would be awakened, remember Allah, and proclaim His oneness and greatness. 00:08:00.449 --> 00:08:05.480 His practical conduct was the best guide for the people; 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:08.480 Whenever two choices were presented to him in his trade, 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:11.480 He invariably chose the one safest for his religion, 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:15.480 Even if it entailed a worldly loss. 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:19.980 His precise understanding of the inner depths of the religion 00:08:19.980 --> 00:08:23.980 And his sound discernment between what is lawful and unlawful 00:08:23.980 --> 00:08:29.980 Sometimes led him to take stances that appeared strange to the eyes of ordinary people. 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:36.980 For example, a man falsely claimed that he was owed two dirhams by him, 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:39.980 But Ibn Sirin refused to give them to him. 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:42.980 The man said to him: "Will you swear an oath?" 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:46.980 Thinking that he would never swear an oath over a mere two dirhams. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:49.980 He replied, "Yes," and swore the oath to him. 00:08:51.019 --> 00:08:53.019 The people said to him: 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:57.019 "O Abu Bakr, do you swear an oath over just two dirhams, 00:08:57.019 --> 00:09:02.019 When only yesterday you renounced forty thousand dirhams over a doubt 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:05.019 That no one else would have doubted?" 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:08.019 He replied: "Yes, I swear; 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:11.019 For I do not wish to feed him unlawful wealth 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:15.230 When I know that it is unlawful." 00:09:15.230 --> 00:09:17.230 The gathering of Ibn Sirin was 00:09:17.230 --> 00:09:20.230 An assembly of goodness, righteousness, and exhortation. 00:09:20.230 --> 00:09:23.230 If a man was mentioned unfavorably in his presence, 00:09:23.230 --> 00:09:27.230 He promptly mentioned the best of what he knew about him. 00:09:27.230 --> 00:09:32.230 Indeed, he once heard someone reviling al-Hajjaj after the latter's death; 00:09:32.230 --> 00:09:34.230 He turned to him and said: 00:09:34.230 --> 00:09:36.230 "Hush, O nephew! 00:09:36.230 --> 00:09:39.230 Al-Hajjaj has departed to his Lord. 00:09:39.230 --> 00:09:42.230 When you appear before Allah, Mighty and Majestic, 00:09:42.230 --> 00:09:46.230 You will find that the smallest sin you committed in this world 00:09:46.230 --> 00:09:51.230 Will weigh more heavily upon your soul than the greatest sin committed by al-Hajjaj. 00:09:51.230 --> 00:09:55.230 On that Day, each of you will have enough concerns of his own. 00:09:55.230 --> 00:09:57.230 Know, my nephew, 00:09:57.230 --> 00:09:59.230 That Allah, Mighty and Majestic, 00:09:59.230 --> 00:10:02.230 Will exact retribution from al-Hajjaj for those he wronged, 00:10:02.230 --> 00:10:06.230 Just as He will exact retribution for al-Hajjaj from those who wrong him. 00:10:06.230 --> 00:10:10.230 So never preoccupy yourself after today with reviling anyone." 00:10:10.230 --> 00:10:15.259 Whenever a man came to bid him farewell before embarking on a trading journey, 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:16.259 He would say to him: 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:18.259 "O nephew, 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:20.259 Fear Allah, Mighty and Majestic, 00:10:20.259 --> 00:10:24.259 And seek what has been decreed for you through lawful means. 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:27.259 Know that if you seek it through unlawful means, 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:30.259 You will never obtain more than what has already been decreed for you." 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:34.379 Muhammad ibn Sirin had 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:38.379 Renowned stances with the Umayyad governors, 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:40.379 In which he proclaimed the truth boldly, 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:43.379 Offering sincere counsel for the sake of Allah, His Messenger, 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:45.379 And the leaders of the Muslims. 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:49.379 Among these was when Umar ibn Hubayrah al-Fazari, 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.379 The eminent Umayyad statesman 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:53.379 And their governor over the two Iraqs, 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:57.379 Sent for him, inviting him to visit. 00:10:57.379 --> 00:11:00.379 He went to him accompanied by his nephew. 00:11:00.379 --> 00:11:02.379 When he arrived before him, 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:05.379 The governor welcomed him warmly, treated him with great honor, 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:07.379 Gave him an elevated seat in his council, 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:11.379 And questioned him about many religious and worldly affairs. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:13.379 Then he said to him: 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:16.379 "How did you leave the people of your city, O Abu Bakr?" 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:18.379 He replied: 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:20.379 "I left them while injustice among them is widespread, 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:22.379 And you are heedless of them." 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:25.379 His nephew nudged him with his shoulder, 00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:27.379 Whereupon he turned to him and said: 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:30.379 "You are not the one being asked about them; 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:33.379 It is I who am being asked, 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:35.379 And this is a testimony." 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:39.379 “If ye be on a journey and cannot find a scribe, then a pledge in hand (shall suffice). And if one of you entrusteth to another let him who is trusted deliver up that which is entrusted to him (according to the pact between them) and let him observe his duty to Allah his Lord. Hide not testimony. He who hideth it, verily his heart is sinful. Allah is Aware of what ye do.” (2:283) 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:41.379 When the gathering dispersed, 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:43.379 Umar ibn Hubayrah bade him farewell 00:11:43.379 --> 00:11:47.379 With the same warmth and veneration with which he had received him, 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:51.379 And sent him a purse containing three thousand dinars; 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:53.379 But he refused to accept it. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:55.379 His nephew said to him: 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:58.379 "What prevents you from accepting the gift of the governor?" 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.379 He said: 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:03.379 "He only gave it to me because of the good opinion he holds of me; 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:06.379 If I am truly among the people of virtue as he thinks, 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:09.379 It is not appropriate for me to accept it. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:11.379 And if I am not as he thinks, 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:16.889 Then I am even less entitled to deem its acceptance permissible." 00:12:16.889 --> 00:12:19.889 Allah, Mighty and Majestic, willed 00:12:19.889 --> 00:12:23.889 To test the sincerity and patience of Muhammad ibn Sirin, 00:12:23.889 --> 00:12:27.889 Subjecting him to the trials with which the believers are tested. 00:12:27.889 --> 00:12:29.889 Among these: 00:12:29.889 --> 00:12:34.889 He once purchased oil for forty thousand dirhams on deferred payment. 00:12:34.889 --> 00:12:37.889 When he opened one of the waterskins of oil, 00:12:37.889 --> 00:12:40.889 He found a dead, decomposed mouse inside it. 00:12:40.889 --> 00:12:42.889 He said to himself: 00:12:42.889 --> 00:12:47.889 "All the oil was held in a single vat in the press, 00:12:47.889 --> 00:12:52.889 And the impurity is not confined to this skin alone. 00:12:52.889 --> 00:12:55.889 If I return it to the seller due to this defect, 00:12:55.889 --> 00:12:58.889 He might well sell it to the people." 00:12:58.889 --> 00:13:01.980 So he poured it all out. 00:13:01.980 --> 00:13:03.980 This occurred at a time 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:07.980 When he was already suffering from a heavy loss that had befallen him, 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:09.980 So debts overwhelmed him. 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:12.980 The owner of the oil demanded his money, 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.980 But he was unable to pay it. 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.980 The matter was raised to the governor, 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:20.980 Who ordered him imprisoned until he paid what he owed. 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.980 When he was placed in prison 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.980 And his stay there grew long, 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:28.980 The jailer took pity on him when he realized his religious devotion 00:13:28.980 --> 00:13:32.980 And witnessed his intense scrupulous piety and prolonged worship. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:35.980 He said to him, "O venerable Shaykh, 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:37.980 when night falls, 00:13:37.980 --> 00:13:40.980 go to your family and spend the night with them, 00:13:40.980 --> 00:13:42.980 and when morning comes, return to me, 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:46.980 and continue doing so until you are released." 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:51.019 But he replied, "No, by Allah, I will not do that." 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:53.019 The jailer asked, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:55.019 "And why not, may Allah guide you?" 00:13:55.019 --> 00:14:00.019 He answered, "So that I do not assist you in betraying the ruler." 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:06.100 When Anas ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, was on his deathbed, 00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:10.100 he made a bequest that Muhammad ibn Sirin should wash his body and lead the funeral prayer over him, 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:13.100 while he was still imprisoned. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:17.100 When he passed away, the people went to the governor 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:23.100 and informed him of the bequest of the Companion and servant of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:29.100 asking his permission to temporarily release Muhammad ibn Sirin to fulfill the bequest. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:31.100 The governor granted him permission, 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:33.100 but Muhammad ibn Sirin said to them, 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:37.100 "I will not leave until you seek the permission of the creditor, 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:41.100 for I was imprisoned only because of the right he holds against me." 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:43.100 So the creditor gave his permission as well. 00:14:43.100 --> 00:14:46.100 Only then did he leave his prison; 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:50.100 he washed Anas, shrouded him, and prayed over him, 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:53.100 and then returned directly to the prison as he was, 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:55.100 without going to see his family. 00:14:55.100 --> 00:15:01.610 Muhammad ibn Sirin lived to the age of seventy-seven, 00:15:01.610 --> 00:15:03.610 and when certainty (death) came to him, 00:15:03.610 --> 00:15:07.610 it found him carrying a light burden of worldly entanglements, 00:15:07.610 --> 00:15:10.610 yet abundant in provisions for the life after death. 00:15:10.610 --> 00:15:13.610 Hafsah bint Rashid narrated— 00:15:13.610 --> 00:15:16.610 and she was among the devout worshipping women—saying: 00:15:16.610 --> 00:15:19.610 "Marwan al-Mahmali was our neighbor, 00:15:19.610 --> 00:15:23.610 and he was untiring in worship and striving in obedience. 00:15:23.610 --> 00:15:25.610 When he died, 00:15:25.610 --> 00:15:28.610 we grieved over him with deep sorrow. 00:15:28.610 --> 00:15:30.610 Then I saw him in a dream 00:15:30.610 --> 00:15:33.610 and asked, 'O Abu 'Abdullah, 00:15:33.610 --> 00:15:35.610 what has your Lord done with you?' 00:15:35.610 --> 00:15:38.610 He replied, 'He admitted me into Paradise.' 00:15:38.610 --> 00:15:40.610 I asked, 'Then what?' 00:15:40.610 --> 00:15:44.610 He said, 'Then I was elevated to the Companions of the Right.' 00:15:44.610 --> 00:15:46.610 I asked, 'Then what?' 00:15:46.610 --> 00:15:50.610 He said, 'Then I was elevated to those brought near (al-Muqarrabun).' 00:15:50.610 --> 00:15:53.610 I asked, 'Whom did you see there?' 00:15:53.610 --> 00:15:56.610 He replied, 'Al-Hasan al-Basri 00:15:56.610 --> 00:16:03.799 and Muhammad ibn Sirin.'" 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:06.799 "I have never seen a man with a deeper understanding of his scrupulous piety, 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:08.799 nor more scrupulous in his understanding, 00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:11.960 than Muhammad ibn Sirin," 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:15.629 said Muwarriq al-'Ijli. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:34.500 They departed, leaving in the conscience a lingering question: 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:39.500 Did ever a star like them ascend and shine so brightly? 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:44.500 They filled life with glories through their deeds, 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:48.500 and the world of forbearance and nobility flourished through them.