1 00:00:00,430 --> 00:00:03,430 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,430 --> 00:00:08,429 The best of generations in their conduct and as an example, 3 00:00:08,429 --> 00:00:13,429 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 4 00:00:13,429 --> 00:00:15,429 Mawaddah Association 5 00:00:15,429 --> 00:00:17,429 Presents 6 00:00:17,429 --> 00:00:21,500 Scenes from the Lives of the Tabi'un 7 00:00:21,500 --> 00:00:25,910 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:25,910 --> 00:00:27,910 May Allah have mercy upon him. 9 00:00:27,910 --> 00:00:32,570 Zayn al-'Abidin, 10 00:00:32,570 --> 00:00:34,659 May Allah have mercy upon him. 11 00:00:42,719 --> 00:00:45,719 That illustrious year saw the closing 12 00:00:45,719 --> 00:00:48,719 Of the final page of the Sassanid era. 13 00:00:48,719 --> 00:00:50,719 For Yazdegerd died, 14 00:00:50,719 --> 00:00:54,719 The last of the Persian kings, a fugitive and an outcast. 15 00:00:54,719 --> 00:01:00,719 His knights, guards, and household fell as captives into the hands of the Muslims. 16 00:01:00,719 --> 00:01:04,719 The spoils were driven to the city of Medina. 17 00:01:04,719 --> 00:01:07,719 The captives of that great victory were 18 00:01:07,719 --> 00:01:10,719 Numerous, abundant, and precious. 19 00:01:10,719 --> 00:01:15,719 Medina had never witnessed a greater number or a more momentous event. 20 00:01:15,719 --> 00:01:17,719 Among the captives were 21 00:01:17,719 --> 00:01:19,719 The three daughters of Yazdegerd. 22 00:01:19,719 --> 00:01:24,030 The people flocked to the captives, 23 00:01:24,030 --> 00:01:27,030 Purchasing them within a matter of hours, 24 00:01:27,030 --> 00:01:30,030 And returning the proceeds to the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal) of the Muslims. 25 00:01:30,030 --> 00:01:34,030 Nothing remained of them except the daughters of the Chosroes, Yazdegerd. 26 00:01:34,030 --> 00:01:37,030 They were among the most beautiful of women, 27 00:01:37,030 --> 00:01:41,030 The most radiant in appearance and the freshest in youth. 28 00:01:41,030 --> 00:01:43,030 When they were presented for sale, 29 00:01:43,030 --> 00:01:46,030 They bowed their heads to the ground in humiliation and disgrace, 30 00:01:46,030 --> 00:01:50,030 Their eyes overflowing with sorrow and brokenness. 31 00:01:50,030 --> 00:01:54,030 Ali Ibn Abi Talib, may Allah honor his face, felt pity for them, 32 00:01:54,030 --> 00:01:59,030 And wished that someone who knew how to care for them would purchase them. 33 00:01:59,030 --> 00:02:01,060 And no wonder, 34 00:02:01,060 --> 00:02:05,060 For the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: 35 00:02:05,060 --> 00:02:08,289 "Show mercy to a noble person who has been humbled." 36 00:02:08,289 --> 00:02:11,289 So he leaned toward Umar Ibn al-Khattab and said, 37 00:02:11,289 --> 00:02:13,289 "O Commander of the Faithful, 38 00:02:13,289 --> 00:02:17,289 The daughters of kings are not to be treated like others." 39 00:02:17,289 --> 00:02:20,289 Umar replied, "You have spoken the truth. 40 00:02:20,289 --> 00:02:22,449 But how?" 41 00:02:22,449 --> 00:02:23,449 Ali said, 42 00:02:23,449 --> 00:02:26,449 "They should be valued at a high price, 43 00:02:26,449 --> 00:02:32,479 Then given the freedom to choose whom they wish from among those who pay the price." 44 00:02:32,479 --> 00:02:36,479 Umar was comforted by this, approved of it, and implemented it. 45 00:02:36,479 --> 00:02:41,610 One of them chose Abdullah Ibn Umar Ibn al-Khattab, 46 00:02:41,610 --> 00:02:45,610 The second chose Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr al-Siddiq, 47 00:02:45,610 --> 00:02:47,610 As for the third, 48 00:02:47,610 --> 00:02:49,610 Who was called Shahzanan, 49 00:02:49,610 --> 00:02:52,610 She chose al-Husayn Ibn Ali. 50 00:02:52,610 --> 00:02:57,979 The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had predicted this. 51 00:02:57,979 --> 00:03:01,979 Shahzanan embraced Islam, and her Islam was sincere. 52 00:03:01,979 --> 00:03:05,979 She attained the value of the faith and was emancipated from slavery, 53 00:03:05,979 --> 00:03:11,979 Becoming a wife after having been a captive, and thus she gained her freedom. 54 00:03:11,979 --> 00:03:16,979 She then decided to sever all ties with her pagan past, 55 00:03:16,979 --> 00:03:21,979 Renouncing her name, Shahzanan, which means "Queen of Women," 56 00:03:21,979 --> 00:03:23,979 And became known as Ghazalah. 57 00:03:23,979 --> 00:03:27,020 Ghazalah was blessed with the best of husbands, 58 00:03:27,020 --> 00:03:30,020 The most fitting for the daughters of kings. 59 00:03:30,020 --> 00:03:34,020 Her only remaining wish was to be blessed with a child. 60 00:03:34,020 --> 00:03:36,020 Allah honored her, 61 00:03:36,020 --> 00:03:41,020 And she bore al-Husayn a boy, handsome of face and radiant in appearance. 62 00:03:41,020 --> 00:03:49,020 He named him Ali, in honor of his grandfather, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him and grant him satisfaction. 63 00:03:49,020 --> 00:03:53,020 But Ghazalah’s joy lasted only for a few moments, 64 00:03:53,020 --> 00:03:56,020 For she answered the call of her Lord, 65 00:03:56,020 --> 00:03:59,020 As the pains of childbirth overcame her, 66 00:03:59,020 --> 00:04:05,300 Leaving her no chance to enjoy her newborn. 67 00:04:05,300 --> 00:04:09,300 The care of the young boy was taken over by a maidservant of his, 68 00:04:09,300 --> 00:04:13,300 Who loved him more than a mother loves her own child, 69 00:04:13,300 --> 00:04:17,300 And nurtured him more than a parent nurtures an only child. 70 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:21,300 He grew up knowing no mother but her. 71 00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:25,360 No sooner had Ali Ibn al-Husayn reached the age of discernment 72 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:29,360 Than he turned to seeking knowledge with passion and longing. 73 00:04:29,360 --> 00:04:34,360 His first school was his home—what an excellent home it was. 74 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:41,360 His first teacher was his father, al-Husayn Ibn Ali—what an excellent teacher he was. 75 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,420 As for his second school, 76 00:04:44,420 --> 00:04:48,420 It was the Mosque of the Great Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 77 00:04:48,420 --> 00:04:52,420 The noble Prophetic Mosque was, in those days, 78 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:57,420 Teeming with the remaining Companions of the noble Messenger, 79 00:04:57,420 --> 00:05:01,420 And overflowing with the first generation of the great Tabi'un. 80 00:05:01,420 --> 00:05:04,420 Both groups 81 00:05:04,420 --> 00:05:10,420 Opened their hearts to these blossoming buds, the children of the noble Companions, 82 00:05:11,420 --> 00:05:14,420 Reciting to them the Book of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 83 00:05:14,420 --> 00:05:16,420 Giving them understanding of it, 84 00:05:16,420 --> 00:05:21,420 Narrating to them the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 85 00:05:21,420 --> 00:05:24,420 Guiding them to its deeper meanings, 86 00:05:24,420 --> 00:05:30,420 Recounting to them the Prophetic biography and his military expeditions, 87 00:05:30,420 --> 00:05:32,420 Reciting to them the poetry of the Arabs, 88 00:05:32,420 --> 00:05:35,420 Opening their eyes to its beauty, 89 00:05:35,420 --> 00:05:39,420 And filling their tender hearts with the love of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 90 00:05:39,420 --> 00:05:41,420 And with His fear and piety. 91 00:05:41,420 --> 00:05:44,420 Thus, they became scholars who acted upon their knowledge, 92 00:05:44,420 --> 00:05:47,420 And guides who were rightly guided. 93 00:05:47,420 --> 00:05:50,639 Yet, the heart of Ali Ibn al-Husayn 94 00:05:50,639 --> 00:05:53,639 Did not attach itself to anything 95 00:05:53,639 --> 00:05:56,639 As it attached itself to the Book of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. 96 00:05:56,639 --> 00:05:59,639 And his emotions were not stirred by anything 97 00:05:59,639 --> 00:06:02,639 As they were stirred by His promises and warnings. 98 00:06:03,639 --> 00:06:06,639 Whenever he read a verse mentioning Paradise, 99 00:06:06,639 --> 00:06:09,639 He would soar with longing for it. 100 00:06:09,639 --> 00:06:13,639 And whenever he heard a verse mentioning the Fire, 101 00:06:13,639 --> 00:06:18,639 He would heave a sigh as if the flames of Hell were in his very soul. 102 00:06:18,639 --> 00:06:22,800 Once Ali Ibn al-Husayn had matured in youth and knowledge, 103 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:26,800 The ideal Medinan society gained 104 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:31,800 A young man among the most profound of the youth of Banu Hashim in worship and piety, 105 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:34,800 The greatest of them in virtue and character, 106 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,800 The most generous and righteous, 107 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:40,829 And the most expansive in knowledge and learning. 108 00:06:40,829 --> 00:06:43,829 His worship and piety reached such a level 109 00:06:43,829 --> 00:06:48,829 That a trembling would seize him between his ablution and his prayer, 110 00:06:48,829 --> 00:06:51,829 Shaking his body violently. 111 00:06:51,829 --> 00:06:54,829 When asked about that, he would say, 112 00:06:54,829 --> 00:06:58,829 "Woe to you! Do you not know before whom I am about to stand? 113 00:06:58,829 --> 00:07:01,829 Do you not know whom I intend to address?" 114 00:07:01,829 --> 00:07:05,790 The Hashimite youth’s excellence 115 00:07:05,790 --> 00:07:08,790 In his worship and his perfection of his rituals reached such a point 116 00:07:08,790 --> 00:07:11,790 That people called him Zayn al-'Abidin (Ornament of the Worshippers), 117 00:07:11,790 --> 00:07:15,790 Until his people almost forgot his actual name. 118 00:07:15,790 --> 00:07:18,819 This title overshadowed his name. 119 00:07:18,819 --> 00:07:21,819 His prostrations were so long, 120 00:07:21,819 --> 00:07:23,819 And he was so absorbed in them, 121 00:07:23,819 --> 00:07:26,819 That the people of Medina called him al-Sajjad (The Prostrator). 122 00:07:26,819 --> 00:07:30,819 The purity of his soul and the clarity of his heart were such 123 00:07:30,819 --> 00:07:32,819 That they described him as al-Zaki (The Pure). 124 00:07:32,819 --> 00:07:36,889 Zayn al-'Abidin, may the pleasure of Allah be upon him, 125 00:07:36,889 --> 00:07:39,889 Was certain that the essence of worship is supplication. 126 00:07:39,889 --> 00:07:43,889 He found the greatest comfort in supplication 127 00:07:43,889 --> 00:07:46,889 While clinging to the coverings of the Ka'bah. 128 00:07:46,889 --> 00:07:49,889 How often he would cling to the Ancient House, 129 00:07:49,889 --> 00:07:51,889 Saying, 130 00:07:51,889 --> 00:07:55,889 "O Lord, You have let me taste of Your mercy what You have tasted me, 131 00:07:55,889 --> 00:07:59,889 And You have bestowed upon me of Your bounty what You have bestowed. 132 00:07:59,889 --> 00:08:03,889 So I have come to call upon You in security, without fear, 133 00:08:03,889 --> 00:08:07,889 And I ask of You, finding comfort in You, without dread. 134 00:08:07,889 --> 00:08:13,949 O Lord, I implore You as one whose need for Your mercy is desperate, 135 00:08:13,949 --> 00:08:17,949 And whose strength is too weak to fulfill Your rights. 136 00:08:17,949 --> 00:08:22,050 So accept from me the prayer of the drowning stranger, 137 00:08:22,050 --> 00:08:26,050 Who finds no one to save him but You, 138 00:08:26,050 --> 00:08:29,050 O Most Generous of the generous." 139 00:08:29,050 --> 00:08:33,230 Tawus Ibn Kaysan once saw him 140 00:08:33,230 --> 00:08:36,230 Standing in the shadows of the Ancient House, 141 00:08:36,230 --> 00:08:39,230 Restless like one suffering from a snakebite, 142 00:08:39,230 --> 00:08:41,230 Weeping like one in deep agony, 143 00:08:41,230 --> 00:08:44,230 And praying the prayer of the distressed. 144 00:08:44,230 --> 00:08:46,259 He stood waiting for him, 145 00:08:46,259 --> 00:08:50,259 And when he ceased his weeping and finished his prayer, 146 00:08:50,259 --> 00:08:53,259 He approached him and said, 147 00:08:53,259 --> 00:08:55,259 "O son of the Messenger of Allah, 148 00:08:55,259 --> 00:08:58,259 I see you in this state, 149 00:08:58,259 --> 00:09:00,259 Yet you have three virtues 150 00:09:00,259 --> 00:09:03,259 That I hope will secure you from fear." 151 00:09:03,259 --> 00:09:05,330 Zayn al-'Abidin asked, 152 00:09:05,330 --> 00:09:07,330 "What are they, O Tawus?" 153 00:09:07,330 --> 00:09:09,330 He replied, 154 00:09:09,330 --> 00:09:14,330 "The first is that you are the son of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 155 00:09:14,330 --> 00:09:16,330 The second, 156 00:09:16,330 --> 00:09:18,330 The intercession of your grandfather for you. 157 00:09:18,330 --> 00:09:20,330 And the third, 158 00:09:20,330 --> 00:09:22,360 The mercy of Allah." 159 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:23,360 He replied, 160 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,360 "O Tawus, 161 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:30,360 My lineage to the Messenger, peace be upon him, does not secure me, 162 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:33,360 After I have heard the words of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic: 163 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:38,360 “And when the trumpet is blown there will be no kinship among them that day, nor will they ask of one another.” (23:101) 164 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:41,360 As for the intercession of my grandfather for me, 165 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,360 Allah, may His word be exalted, says: 166 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:48,360 ﴾...and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves.﴿ 167 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,360 And as for the mercy of Allah, the Almighty, 168 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:52,360 He says: 169 00:09:52,360 --> 00:09:56,360 ﴾Indeed, the mercy of Allah is near to the doers of good.﴿" 170 00:09:56,360 --> 00:10:01,830 Piety bestowed upon Zayn al-'Abidin 171 00:10:01,830 --> 00:10:06,830 All that Allah willed of the characteristics of virtue, nobility, and forbearance, 172 00:10:06,830 --> 00:10:10,830 Until the books of history were adorned with his magnificent accounts, 173 00:10:10,830 --> 00:10:13,830 And their pages shone with his noble stances. 174 00:10:13,830 --> 00:10:17,830 Among these is what al-Hasan Ibn al-Hasan narrated, saying: 175 00:10:17,830 --> 00:10:21,830 "A rift occurred between me and my cousin, Zayn al-'Abidin. 176 00:10:21,830 --> 00:10:25,830 I went to him, seething with rage. 177 00:10:25,830 --> 00:10:28,830 He was with his companions in the mosque. 178 00:10:28,830 --> 00:10:32,830 I did not leave anything unsaid to him, 179 00:10:32,830 --> 00:10:35,830 While he remained silent, not speaking a word. 180 00:10:35,830 --> 00:10:37,830 Then I left. 181 00:10:37,830 --> 00:10:39,830 When night fell, 182 00:10:39,830 --> 00:10:42,830 There was a knock at my door. 183 00:10:42,830 --> 00:10:45,830 I went to see who it was, 184 00:10:45,830 --> 00:10:47,830 And it was Zayn al-'Abidin. 185 00:10:47,830 --> 00:10:51,830 I did not doubt that he had come to return the insult. 186 00:10:51,830 --> 00:10:53,830 But he said, 187 00:10:53,830 --> 00:10:55,830 'O my brother, 188 00:10:55,830 --> 00:10:58,830 If what you said to me is true, 189 00:10:58,830 --> 00:11:00,830 Then may Allah forgive me. 190 00:11:00,830 --> 00:11:02,830 And if it is untrue, 191 00:11:02,830 --> 00:11:04,860 Then may Allah forgive you.' 192 00:11:04,860 --> 00:11:08,860 Then he greeted me with peace and departed. 193 00:11:08,860 --> 00:11:10,860 I followed him and said, 194 00:11:10,860 --> 00:11:11,860 'Certainly, 195 00:11:11,860 --> 00:11:14,860 I shall never return to anything you dislike.' 196 00:11:14,860 --> 00:11:16,860 He softened toward me and said, 197 00:11:16,860 --> 00:11:22,080 'You are absolved of what you said to me.'" 198 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,080 One of the people of Medina narrated, saying: 199 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,080 "Zayn al-'Abidin 200 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:30,080 ...as he was leaving the mosque, so I followed him. 201 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:33,080 I began to gesture at him with insults. 202 00:11:33,080 --> 00:11:35,080 I did not even know the reason for doing so. 203 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:38,080 The people rushed toward me, intending to seize me. 204 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,080 Had they caught me, 205 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:43,080 they would not have let me go until they had crushed me. 206 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,080 He turned to the people and said, 207 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,080 "Leave the man alone." 208 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:49,080 So they left me alone. 209 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:52,080 When he saw the terror that had overcome me, 210 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:55,080 he turned to me with a radiant face. 211 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:58,080 He began to reassure me and calm my fear. 212 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,080 Then he said to me, 213 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:03,080 "You have insulted us with what you know, 214 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:06,080 yet what has been concealed from you regarding our affairs is far greater." 215 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:08,080 Then he said to me, 216 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:11,080 "Do you have a need that we might help you with?" 217 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:13,080 I felt ashamed before him, 218 00:12:13,080 --> 00:12:15,080 and I said nothing. 219 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,080 When he saw my shame, 220 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:20,080 he cast upon me the garment he was wearing, 221 00:12:20,080 --> 00:12:22,080 and ordered that I be given a thousand dirhams. 222 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:26,080 From then on, whenever I saw him, I would say, 223 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:29,080 "I bear witness that you are one of the descendants of the Messenger, 224 00:12:29,080 --> 00:12:31,080 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him." 225 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:34,429 One of his freedmen narrated that he said: 226 00:12:34,429 --> 00:12:37,429 "I was a servant to ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn, 227 00:12:37,429 --> 00:12:39,429 and he sent me on an errand. 228 00:12:39,429 --> 00:12:41,429 I was slow in returning to him. 229 00:12:41,429 --> 00:12:44,429 When I came to him, he struck me with a whip. 230 00:12:44,429 --> 00:12:47,460 I wept, and my anger toward him intensified, 231 00:12:47,460 --> 00:12:50,460 because he had never struck anyone before me. 232 00:12:50,460 --> 00:12:52,500 I said to him, 233 00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:55,500 'Fear Allah, O ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn! 234 00:12:55,500 --> 00:12:58,500 You employ me for a task, 235 00:12:58,500 --> 00:13:01,500 I fulfill it for you, and then you strike me?' 236 00:13:01,500 --> 00:13:03,500 He wept and said, 237 00:13:03,500 --> 00:13:07,500 'Go to the mosque of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 238 00:13:07,500 --> 00:13:09,500 and pray two rak'ahs. 239 00:13:09,500 --> 00:13:10,500 Then say, 240 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:13,500 "O Allah, forgive ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn." 241 00:13:13,500 --> 00:13:16,500 Once you have gone and done that, 242 00:13:16,500 --> 00:13:19,500 you are free for the sake of Allah the Exalted.' 243 00:13:19,500 --> 00:13:22,500 So I went, prayed, and supplicated, 244 00:13:22,500 --> 00:13:26,500 and I did not return to his house until I was a free man." 245 00:13:26,500 --> 00:13:31,649 Allah the Almighty had granted abundance to Zayn al-'Abidin, 246 00:13:31,649 --> 00:13:34,649 and poured provision upon him in great measure. 247 00:13:34,649 --> 00:13:37,649 He had profitable trade, 248 00:13:37,649 --> 00:13:39,649 and flourishing agriculture. 249 00:13:39,649 --> 00:13:42,649 His servants would manage these affairs for him. 250 00:13:42,649 --> 00:13:47,649 His agriculture and trade yielded him abundant goodness, 251 00:13:47,649 --> 00:13:49,649 and much wealth. 252 00:13:49,649 --> 00:13:53,679 Yet, wealth did not make Zayn al-'Abidin arrogant, 253 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:55,679 nor did his blessings make him insolent. 254 00:13:55,679 --> 00:14:00,679 Rather, he made the wealth of this world a mount for success in the Hereafter. 255 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:05,679 His wealth was truly the best of wealth, suitable for a righteous servant. 256 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:10,679 Among the acts of righteousness he loved most was secret charity. 257 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:13,740 When night would fall, 258 00:14:13,740 --> 00:14:17,740 he would carry sacks of flour on his weary back, 259 00:14:17,740 --> 00:14:21,740 and go out into the darkness of the night while the people were asleep. 260 00:14:21,740 --> 00:14:27,809 He would roam the neighborhoods of Medina to give charity to those in need, 261 00:14:27,809 --> 00:14:30,809 those who would not importune people with requests. 262 00:14:30,809 --> 00:14:34,899 Many groups of people in Medina 263 00:14:34,899 --> 00:14:39,899 lived without knowing from where their comfortable provision came. 264 00:14:39,899 --> 00:14:42,899 When ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn passed away, 265 00:14:42,899 --> 00:14:46,899 these people lost the provision that used to come to them. 266 00:14:46,899 --> 00:14:48,899 That was when they discovered its source. 267 00:14:48,899 --> 00:14:51,899 When Zayn al-'Abidin was placed on the washing bier, 268 00:14:51,899 --> 00:14:53,899 those who washed him looked, 269 00:14:53,899 --> 00:14:56,899 and they found marks of blackness on his back. 270 00:14:56,899 --> 00:14:58,899 They asked, "What is this?" 271 00:14:58,899 --> 00:15:03,899 It was said to them, "It is from the marks of carrying sacks of flour 272 00:15:03,899 --> 00:15:05,899 to a hundred houses in Medina," 273 00:15:05,899 --> 00:15:08,899 which lost their provider with his passing. 274 00:15:08,899 --> 00:15:14,220 As for the news of ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn freeing slaves, 275 00:15:14,220 --> 00:15:17,220 it spread far and wide across the lands. 276 00:15:17,220 --> 00:15:22,220 For this deed of his surpassed the imagination of those who dream, 277 00:15:22,220 --> 00:15:25,220 and exceeded the aspirations of those who strive. 278 00:15:25,220 --> 00:15:28,379 He would free a slave if he did well, 279 00:15:28,379 --> 00:15:31,379 as a reward for his good conduct. 280 00:15:31,379 --> 00:15:34,379 And he would free a slave if he did wrong and repented, 281 00:15:34,379 --> 00:15:37,379 as a reward for his repentance. 282 00:15:37,379 --> 00:15:39,379 So much so that the narrators reported 283 00:15:39,379 --> 00:15:41,379 that he freed a thousand slaves, 284 00:15:41,379 --> 00:15:48,379 and that he never employed any of his male or female servants for more than one year. 285 00:15:48,379 --> 00:15:51,379 His freeing of his slaves 286 00:15:51,379 --> 00:15:54,379 would most often occur on the night of ‘Eid al-Fitr. 287 00:15:54,379 --> 00:15:58,379 For on that blessed night, he would liberate 288 00:15:58,379 --> 00:16:03,379 as many souls from the bondage of slavery as Allah enabled him to. 289 00:16:03,379 --> 00:16:07,379 He would ask them to face the Qiblah and say, 290 00:16:07,379 --> 00:16:11,379 "O Allah, forgive ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn." 291 00:16:11,379 --> 00:16:15,379 Then he would provide for them in a way that made their ‘Eid two ‘Eids, 292 00:16:15,379 --> 00:16:17,379 and their joy twofold. 293 00:16:17,379 --> 00:16:23,820 ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn held a place in the hearts of the people 294 00:16:23,820 --> 00:16:26,820 that no one in his era surpassed. 295 00:16:26,820 --> 00:16:30,850 The people loved him with the most sincere love, 296 00:16:30,850 --> 00:16:34,850 revered him with the greatest reverence, 297 00:16:34,850 --> 00:16:38,850 were attached to him with the deepest attachment, 298 00:16:38,850 --> 00:16:42,850 and longed to see him with the most profound longing. 299 00:16:42,850 --> 00:16:44,850 They would watch for him, 300 00:16:44,850 --> 00:16:49,850 hoping to be blessed by the sight of him leaving his house or entering it, 301 00:16:49,850 --> 00:16:53,850 or going to the mosque or returning from it. 302 00:16:53,850 --> 00:16:59,070 It is narrated that Hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik came to Mecca for Hajj, 303 00:16:59,070 --> 00:17:02,070 and he was the Crown Prince at that time. 304 00:17:02,070 --> 00:17:07,069 He approached, intending to perform Tawaf and seeking to touch the Black Stone. 305 00:17:07,069 --> 00:17:11,069 The soldiers surrounding him began to alert the people to him, 306 00:17:11,069 --> 00:17:14,069 and to clear the path for him. 307 00:17:14,069 --> 00:17:19,069 But no one among the people paid them any heed, nor did they make way for them. 308 00:17:19,069 --> 00:17:21,069 For the House is the House of Allah, 309 00:17:21,069 --> 00:17:24,069 and all people are His servants. 310 00:17:24,069 --> 00:17:26,069 While they were in that state, 311 00:17:26,069 --> 00:17:31,069 they heard the sounds of Tahlil and Takbir coming from afar. 312 00:17:31,069 --> 00:17:34,200 Necks craned toward the sound, 313 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:37,200 and there was a man in a group of people, 314 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,200 handsome and well-proportioned, 315 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:42,200 lean of body, radiant of face, 316 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:45,200 upon whom rested tranquility and dignity. 317 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,200 He walked in an izar and a rida, 318 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:50,200 and the mark of prostration was visible between his eyes. 319 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:53,200 The masses of people began to part for him, 320 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:56,200 forming rows upon rows, 321 00:17:56,200 --> 00:18:00,200 greeting him with looks of longing and love, 322 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:04,200 until he reached the Black Stone and touched it. 323 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:08,200 Then one of the courtiers turned to Hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik 324 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:10,200 and said to him, 325 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:14,200 "Who is this whom the people have honored with all this honor, 326 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:17,200 and revered with all this reverence?" 327 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,200 Hisham said, "I do not know him." 328 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,200 Al-Farazdaq was present, 329 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:27,200 and he said, "If Hisham does not know him, 330 00:18:27,200 --> 00:18:31,200 I know him, and the whole world knows him. 331 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:34,230 This is ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn, 332 00:18:34,230 --> 00:18:39,230 may Allah the Exalted be pleased with him, his father, and his grandfather." 333 00:18:39,230 --> 00:18:41,230 Then he recited: 334 00:18:41,230 --> 00:18:45,359 "This is he whose footsteps the desert knows, 335 00:18:45,359 --> 00:18:49,359 and the House knows him, as do the sacred and the profane lands. 336 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:53,359 This is the son of the best of all Allah’s servants; 337 00:18:53,359 --> 00:18:57,359 this is the pious, the pure, the clean, the beacon. 338 00:18:57,359 --> 00:19:01,359 This is the son of Fatimah, if you are ignorant of him; 339 00:19:01,359 --> 00:19:05,359 through his grandfather, the prophets of Allah were sealed. 340 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:09,359 Your saying 'Who is this?' does not harm him; 341 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:13,359 the Arabs and the non-Arabs know whom you have denied. 342 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:17,359 Both his hands are a relief whose benefit is widespread; 343 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:21,359 they are ever-giving, and poverty never touches them. 344 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:25,359 Easy-natured, one does not fear his outbursts; 345 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:29,359 he is adorned by two things: good character and noble traits. 346 00:19:29,359 --> 00:19:33,359 He never said 'no' except in his Tashahhud; 347 00:19:33,359 --> 00:19:37,359 were it not for the Tashahhud, his 'no' would be 'yes.' 348 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:41,359 He covered all creation with his kindness, so there vanished 349 00:19:41,359 --> 00:19:45,359 from them the darkness, poverty, and destitution. 350 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:49,359 When the Quraysh see him, one of them says, 351 00:19:49,359 --> 00:19:53,359 'To the noble qualities of this man, nobility reaches its end.' 352 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:57,359 He lowers his gaze out of modesty, and he is lowered out of awe; 353 00:19:57,359 --> 00:20:01,359 he is not spoken to except when he smiles. 354 00:20:01,359 --> 00:20:05,359 In his hand is a cane whose scent is fragrant, 355 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:09,359 from the hand of a magnificent man, with a noble bridge of the nose. 356 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:13,359 His lineage is derived from the Messenger of Allah; 357 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:17,359 his roots, his character, and his traits are pure." 358 00:20:17,359 --> 00:20:22,609 May Allah be pleased with the grandson of the Messenger of Allah, 359 00:20:22,609 --> 00:20:26,609 and may He please him, for he was a unique example 360 00:20:26,609 --> 00:20:30,609 of one who fears Allah in secret and in public. 361 00:20:30,609 --> 00:20:34,609 He would restrain his soul out of fear of Allah’s punishment. 362 00:20:34,609 --> 00:20:42,220 I have not seen a Qurayshi better than 363 00:20:42,220 --> 00:20:47,569 ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn al-Zuhri. 364 00:20:47,569 --> 00:20:51,569 They are the best in their stances and their example; 365 00:20:51,569 --> 00:20:55,569 they followed the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 366 00:20:55,569 --> 00:20:59,569 They were here, watering the clouds, 367 00:20:59,569 --> 00:21:03,569 our lives, so they passed away among us. 368 00:21:03,569 --> 00:21:07,569 Their memory is exalted; 369 00:21:07,569 --> 00:21:11,569 they cast a question into the conscience: 370 00:21:11,569 --> 00:21:15,569 Is there a star like them that has risen and shone? 371 00:21:15,569 --> 00:21:19,569 They filled life with glories, 372 00:21:19,569 --> 00:21:23,569 through their deeds, and the world of the humble 373 00:21:23,569 --> 00:21:25,569 was adorned by them.