WEBVTT 00:00:00.430 --> 00:00:03.430 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.430 --> 00:00:08.529 The best of generations in terms of their stances and as an example. 00:00:08.529 --> 00:00:13.529 He followed the Messenger, peace be upon him, whether he was striving or speaking. 00:00:13.529 --> 00:00:15.529 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.529 --> 00:00:17.530 He advanced. 00:00:17.530 --> 00:00:21.589 Vignettes from the lives of the Tabi'un 00:00:21.589 --> 00:00:26.010 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha. 00:00:26.010 --> 00:00:28.010 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:28.010 --> 00:00:32.659 Rifa'i ibn Mihran 00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:34.759 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:43.240 --> 00:00:45.240 Rufay' ibn Mihran 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:47.240 The book of Abu al-'Aliyah 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:50.240 A prominent figure among the scholars of the Muslims. 00:00:50.240 --> 00:00:54.240 And one of the masterpieces of the reciters and the scholars of hadith. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:00:58.240 He was among the Tabi'un most knowledgeable of the Book of Allah. 00:00:58.240 --> 00:01:02.240 And they were the most knowledgeable among them regarding the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:05.239 And they were the most capable among people of understanding the Noble Qur'an. 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:07.239 And penetrating into its depths. 00:01:07.239 --> 00:01:11.239 And they were the deepest of them in grasping its intended meanings and its secrets. 00:01:11.239 --> 00:01:15.269 So let us begin his life from its very inception. 00:01:15.269 --> 00:01:19.269 His life is rich with magnificent episodes and vivid imagery. 00:01:19.269 --> 00:01:23.269 It is replete with precious exhortations and lessons. 00:01:23.269 --> 00:01:28.189 Rafi' Ibn Mihran was born in the lands of Persia. 00:01:28.189 --> 00:01:31.189 And upon its land, he grew up and flourished. 00:01:32.189 --> 00:01:36.189 And when the Muslims began the conquest of the lands of Persia 00:01:36.189 --> 00:01:39.189 So that they might lead its people out of the darkness and into the light. 00:01:39.189 --> 00:01:43.189 This Rafi' was one of the young enslaved men. 00:01:43.189 --> 00:01:47.189 Those who fell into the compassionate hands of the Muslims. 00:01:47.189 --> 00:01:51.189 And they sought refuge in their virtuous, edifying presence. 00:01:51.189 --> 00:01:56.379 Then, it was not long before he and those with him stood upon the loftiness of Islam. 00:01:56.379 --> 00:02:01.379 And they weighed it against the idol worship they had previously practiced. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:05.379 And so they began to enter the religion of Allah in multitudes. 00:02:05.379 --> 00:02:08.379 Then, they turned their attention to the Book of Allah. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:14.379 They began to immerse themselves in the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:02:14.379 --> 00:02:18.639 He narrated what Rafi' was like and what he eventually became. 00:02:18.639 --> 00:02:20.639 He said 00:02:20.639 --> 00:02:25.639 I, along with a group of my people, were taken captive by the mujahidin. 00:02:25.639 --> 00:02:31.639 Then, it was not long before we found ourselves under the authority of a group of Muslims in Basra. 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:36.639 It was not long before we believed in Allah. 00:02:36.639 --> 00:02:39.639 And we became deeply attached to memorizing the Book of Allah. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:43.639 And among us were those who would pay taxes to their owners. 00:02:43.639 --> 00:02:46.639 And among us are those who dedicate themselves to serving them. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:49.639 And I was one of them. 00:02:49.639 --> 00:02:53.740 We used to complete the entire Qur'an every single night. 00:02:54.740 --> 00:02:56.740 This weighed heavily upon us. 00:02:56.740 --> 00:03:00.740 So we began to complete the recitation of the entire Qur'an once every two nights. 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:02.740 This also weighed heavily upon us. 00:03:02.740 --> 00:03:05.740 So we began to complete the recitation of the entire Qur'an every three days. 00:03:05.740 --> 00:03:12.740 It weighed heavily upon us, given the toil we endured during the day and the sleeplessness we faced throughout the night. 00:03:12.740 --> 00:03:16.800 We then met some of the Companions of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:22.800 We complained to them about the hardships we endured from staying awake at night to recite the Book of Allah. 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:26.800 They said, "Complete it once every Friday." 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:29.800 So we adopted what they guided us toward. 00:03:29.800 --> 00:03:33.800 And we began to recite the Qur'an during parts of the night. 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:36.800 And we sleep during another portion of it. 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:39.800 It did not weigh heavily upon us after that. 00:03:39.800 --> 00:03:45.849 And Rafi' Ibn Mihran was betrothed to a woman from the tribe of Banu Tamim. 00:03:45.849 --> 00:03:50.849 This woman was a lady of great composure and dignity. 00:03:50.849 --> 00:03:53.849 It is brimming with piety and faith. 00:03:53.849 --> 00:03:58.849 He would serve her for part of the day and rest during the other part. 00:03:58.849 --> 00:04:02.909 He mastered reading and writing during his spare time. 00:04:02.909 --> 00:04:06.909 During this time, he acquired a portion of the religious sciences. 00:04:06.909 --> 00:04:11.909 without that detracting in any way from the rights she is owed by him. 00:04:11.909 --> 00:04:15.009 And on one of the days of Friday 00:04:15.009 --> 00:04:18.009 Rafi' performed wudu and perfected it. 00:04:18.009 --> 00:04:21.009 Then he requested permission from his mistress to depart. 00:04:21.009 --> 00:04:24.009 She said, "Where are you heading, Rafi'?" 00:04:24.009 --> 00:04:27.009 He said, "I am seeking the mosque." 00:04:27.009 --> 00:04:31.009 She asked, "Which of the mosques do you intend?" 00:04:31.009 --> 00:04:34.009 He then spoke from the congregational mosque. 00:04:34.009 --> 00:04:37.009 She said, "Let us go." 00:04:37.009 --> 00:04:39.009 Then the two of them proceeded together. 00:04:39.009 --> 00:04:42.009 He entered the mosque along with those who were entering. 00:04:42.009 --> 00:04:45.009 Yet he does not know what you intend. 00:04:45.009 --> 00:04:47.069 No sooner had the mosque become full 00:04:47.069 --> 00:04:49.069 Then the Imam ascended the pulpit. 00:04:49.069 --> 00:04:53.069 Until she took the hand of Rafi' and said, 00:04:53.069 --> 00:04:56.069 Bear witness, O assembly of Muslims. 00:04:56.069 --> 00:05:01.069 I have emancipated this slave of mine, seeking the reward of Allah. 00:05:01.069 --> 00:05:04.069 And seeking His pardon and His pleasure. 00:05:04.069 --> 00:05:07.069 And there is no way for anyone to hold anything against him. 00:05:07.069 --> 00:05:09.069 except for the path of righteousness. 00:05:09.069 --> 00:05:12.069 Then she looked at him and said 00:05:12.069 --> 00:05:16.100 O Allah, I store this with You for a day. 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:18.100 Wealth will be of no avail therein. 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:20.259 Nor are there any sons. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:22.259 And when the prayer had concluded 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:25.259 Rafi' departed on his way. 00:05:25.259 --> 00:05:29.259 She, too, set off on her own path. 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:34.379 From that day on, Rafi' Ibn Mihran was considered a man of high standing. 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:38.379 to frequent the city of Medina. 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:41.379 He was thus honored to meet Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:05:41.379 --> 00:05:45.379 This was shortly before his passing. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:48.379 Just as he found joy in sitting with the Commander of the Faithful. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:50.379 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:53.379 He recited the Qur'an to him and prayed behind him. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:57.379 And just as Abu al-'Aliyah magnified the Book of Allah. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:59.379 upon the Book of Allah 00:05:59.379 --> 00:06:04.379 For he has firmly attached himself to the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:07.379 He began to hear his narration from the Tabi'un. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:10.379 Those whom he used to meet in Basra. 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:13.379 Yet, it was not long before his ambition grew. 00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:15.379 For that which is more firmly established than this. 00:06:16.379 --> 00:06:20.379 He began to travel to Medina from time to time. 00:06:20.379 --> 00:06:23.379 So that he might hear it directly from the mouths of the Companions of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:26.379 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, themselves 00:06:26.379 --> 00:06:29.379 So that there remains no barrier between him and the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:31.379 Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:06:31.379 --> 00:06:34.379 Except for one person, who is the Companion. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:37.500 He took [his knowledge] from ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:39.500 And Ubayy ibn Ka'b 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:41.500 And Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:43.500 And Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:45.500 And ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:47.500 And others, and others still. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:50.699 May Allah be pleased with them all. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:52.699 Abu al-'Aliyah did not limit himself to that. 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:55.699 Regarding the narrators of hadith in Medina. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:58.699 He was merely seeking a hadith. 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:00.699 The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:02.699 In every place. 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:05.699 So, if a man is described to him as possessing knowledge 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:07.699 They traveled great distances to reach him, urging their camels onward. 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:09.699 No matter how far away his home may be. 00:07:09.699 --> 00:07:11.699 Distant in abode. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:13.699 Once it reaches him 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:15.699 He hastened and prayed behind him. 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:18.699 If he finds that he does not perform his prayer properly. 00:07:18.699 --> 00:07:20.699 Perfect your mastery. 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:23.699 And he does not fulfill its due right in the most complete manner. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:26.699 He turned away from him and said to himself 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:29.699 Indeed, the one who is negligent regarding their prayer 00:07:29.699 --> 00:07:32.699 He would be far more negligent regarding other matters. 00:07:32.699 --> 00:07:34.699 Then he takes up his staff. 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:36.699 And he returns from whence he came. 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:40.579 Abu al-'Aliyah had reached such a station. 00:07:40.579 --> 00:07:42.579 A station of high standing in knowledge. 00:07:42.579 --> 00:07:45.620 He surpassed all of his peers in that regard. 00:07:45.620 --> 00:07:48.620 Among these instances is that one of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with him, said 00:07:48.620 --> 00:07:51.620 I saw Abu al-'Aliyah performing wudu. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:54.620 And water was dripping from his face and his hands. 00:07:54.620 --> 00:07:56.620 And purity shines forth. 00:07:56.620 --> 00:07:59.620 upon every one of his limbs 00:07:59.620 --> 00:08:01.620 So I greeted him and said 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:04.620 “They question thee (O Muhammad) concerning menstruation. Say: It is an illness, so let women alone at such times and go not in unto them till they are cleansed. And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah hath enjoined upon you. Truly Allah loveth those who turn unto Him, and loveth those who have a care for cleanness.” (2:222) 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:06.620 And He loves those who purify themselves. 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:08.620 He said, "O my brother." 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:10.620 The purified ones are not [merely those who perform ablution]. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:13.620 Those who purify themselves with water from filth. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:16.620 Rather, they are the ones who purify themselves. 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:19.620 through piety against sins. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:21.620 So I reflected upon what he had said. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:24.620 And I realized that he was correct and I was mistaken. 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:27.620 And I said, "May Allah reward you with goodness." 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:30.620 And may He increase you in knowledge and understanding. 00:08:30.620 --> 00:08:33.870 And indeed, he opened the high gates to the presence of... 00:08:33.870 --> 00:08:35.870 People are in pursuit of knowledge. 00:08:35.870 --> 00:08:37.870 And he began to delineate for them the paths. 00:08:37.870 --> 00:08:39.870 Attaining Him. 00:08:39.870 --> 00:08:41.870 And he said 00:08:41.870 --> 00:08:44.870 Discipline your souls to receive knowledge. 00:08:44.870 --> 00:08:47.870 And ask about him frequently. 00:08:47.870 --> 00:08:50.870 And know that knowledge does not lower its wings for anyone. 00:08:50.870 --> 00:08:52.870 For the arrogant or the haughty. 00:08:52.870 --> 00:08:55.870 For the modest person does not ask, due to their modesty. 00:08:55.870 --> 00:09:00.029 The arrogant person does not ask, due to their arrogance. 00:09:00.029 --> 00:09:04.029 He used to urge his students to learn the Qur'an and uphold it. 00:09:04.029 --> 00:09:07.029 And holding fast to what has come down within it. 00:09:07.029 --> 00:09:10.029 regarding what the fabricators claim. 00:09:10.029 --> 00:09:11.029 He then says 00:09:11.029 --> 00:09:13.029 Learn the Qur'an. 00:09:13.029 --> 00:09:15.029 Once you have learned it. 00:09:15.029 --> 00:09:17.029 So do not turn away from it. 00:09:17.029 --> 00:09:20.059 And you must adhere to the straight path. 00:09:20.059 --> 00:09:22.059 For it is indeed Islam. 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:25.059 And I warn you against these vain desires. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:29.059 For it sows enmity and hatred among you. 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:32.059 And do not deviate from the path that they were upon. 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:36.059 The Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:38.059 Before they dispersed. 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:41.100 They then conveyed that to al-Hasan al-Basri. 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:43.100 He then said 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:47.100 Abu al-'Aliyah has indeed counseled you, and by Allah, he has spoken the truth to you. 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:50.419 Just as he used to map out the path for students of knowledge. 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:53.419 The optimal method for memorizing the Qur'an. 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:54.419 He then says 00:09:54.419 --> 00:09:57.419 Learn the Qur'an five verses at a time. 00:09:57.419 --> 00:09:58.419 Five verses. 00:09:58.419 --> 00:10:01.419 For it is easier for your minds to grasp. 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:04.419 And I am better able to help you understand. 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:07.419 For Jibril, peace be upon him, 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:11.419 It used to descend upon the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:14.450 Five verses at a time, five verses at a time. 00:10:14.450 --> 00:10:18.450 Abu al-'Aliyah was not merely a teacher. 00:10:18.450 --> 00:10:21.450 It was also intended as a directive. 00:10:21.450 --> 00:10:24.450 This is because he used to fill the minds of his students. 00:10:24.450 --> 00:10:26.450 through beneficial knowledge. 00:10:26.450 --> 00:10:30.450 He nourishes their hearts with beautiful exhortation. 00:10:30.450 --> 00:10:34.450 He often combines both matters together. 00:10:34.450 --> 00:10:37.480 Among these is His statement to them: 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:40.480 "Allah has decreed upon Himself 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:43.480 that whoever believes in Him, He will guide him." 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:46.480 The confirmation of this is His statement, may He be glorified and exalted: 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:50.480 ﴾And whoever believes in Allah, He will guide his heart.﴿ 00:10:50.480 --> 00:10:53.480 And that whoever relies upon Him, He will suffice him. 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:57.480 The confirmation of this is His statement, may He be blessed and exalted: 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:01.480 “And will provide for him from (a quarter) whence he hath no expectation. And whosoever putteth his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Lo! Allah bringeth His command to pass. Allah hath set a measure for all things.” (65:3) 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:04.480 And that whoever lends to Him, He will reward him. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:08.480 The confirmation of this is His statement, may His word be exalted: 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:11.480 ﴾Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?﴿ 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:15.480 He will multiply it for him many times over. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:18.539 And that whoever calls upon Him, He will answer him. 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:22.539 The confirmation of this is His statement, may His word be exalted: 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:25.539 ﴾And when My servants ask you concerning Me...﴿ 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:30.539 “And when My servants question thee concerning Me, then surely I am nigh. I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he crieth unto Me. So let them hear My call and let them trust in Me, in order that they may be led aright.” (2:186) 00:11:30.539 --> 00:11:33.539 He used to say to his students: 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:38.539 "Perform acts of obedience and draw near to the obedient for the sake of their obedience." 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:43.539 "Avoid disobedience and show enmity toward the disobedient for the sake of their disobedience." 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:46.539 "Then, entrust the affair of the disobedient to Allah." 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:51.539 "For if He wills, He will punish them, and if He wills, He will forgive them." 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:56.539 "And if you hear a man elevating his own status, saying:" 00:11:56.539 --> 00:12:00.539 "'I love for the sake of Allah and I hate for the sake of Allah,'" 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:03.539 "'I prefer such-and-such to please Allah,'" 00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:06.539 "'And I turn away from such-and-such out of fear of Allah,'" 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:09.539 "Do not rely upon him." 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:15.299 Abu al-'Aliyah was not merely a scholar who practiced his knowledge, 00:12:15.299 --> 00:12:18.299 nor was he only a preacher and guide; 00:12:18.299 --> 00:12:21.299 rather, he was also a mujahid. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:27.299 He would spend a portion of his time on the battlefields with the mujahidin, 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:31.299 or standing guard at the enemy frontiers with those who keep watch. 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:36.529 He chose to campaign in the east and the west, 00:12:36.529 --> 00:12:39.529 so he fought the Romans in the Levant, 00:12:39.529 --> 00:12:43.529 just as he fought the Persians in Transoxiana. 00:12:43.529 --> 00:12:47.529 He was the first to raise the adhan in those lands. 00:12:48.750 --> 00:12:53.750 When fighting broke out between 'Ali and Mu'awiyah, may Allah be pleased with them both, 00:12:53.750 --> 00:12:58.750 Abu al-'Aliyah had a stance regarding it, which he recounted to us, saying: 00:12:58.750 --> 00:13:02.750 "When what happened between 'Ali and Mu'awiyah occurred," 00:13:02.750 --> 00:13:06.750 "I was full of vitality and energy." 00:13:06.750 --> 00:13:11.750 "Fighting was more desirable to me than cold water on a scorching day." 00:13:11.750 --> 00:13:15.750 "So I prepared my equipment and went to them." 00:13:15.750 --> 00:13:20.750 "Suddenly, I found myself before two lines whose ends could not be seen." 00:13:20.750 --> 00:13:24.750 "When one side shouted 'Allahu Akbar,' the other side shouted 'Allahu Akbar.'" 00:13:24.750 --> 00:13:28.779 "When one side proclaimed the oneness of Allah, the other side did the same." 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:31.779 "I turned to myself and said:" 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:35.779 "'Which of the two groups shall I consider disbelievers and attack?'" 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:39.779 "'And which shall I consider believers and fight alongside?'" 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:42.779 "Then I left them both and departed." 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:50.250 Abu al-'Aliyah remained sorrowful and regretful throughout his life, 00:13:50.250 --> 00:13:56.250 because he did not have the honor of meeting the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:13:56.250 --> 00:14:02.250 He would try to compensate for that by drawing close to the noble Companions, 00:14:02.250 --> 00:14:08.250 those whose bond with Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was strong. 00:14:08.250 --> 00:14:11.250 He would favor and love them, 00:14:11.250 --> 00:14:14.250 and they would favor and prefer him. 00:14:14.250 --> 00:14:21.250 Among the signs of this is that Anas, the servant of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:14:21.250 --> 00:14:24.250 gifted him an apple he had in his hand. 00:14:24.250 --> 00:14:29.250 He took it from him and began to kiss it, saying: 00:14:29.250 --> 00:14:35.250 "An apple touched by a hand that touched the hand of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him." 00:14:35.250 --> 00:14:43.250 "An apple touched by a hand that was honored to touch the hand of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him." 00:14:43.250 --> 00:14:56.500 Also, he once entered upon 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas while he was serving as the governor of Basra on behalf of 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib. 00:14:56.500 --> 00:15:04.500 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas welcomed him most warmly, raised him onto his couch, and seated him to his right. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:12.500 There was a group of the notables of Quraysh in the gathering, and they began to wink at and whisper to one another. 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:19.500 Some said to others, "Do you see how Ibn 'Abbas has raised this former slave onto his couch?" 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:29.500 Ibn 'Abbas realized what they were whispering about, so he turned to them and said, "Knowledge increases the noble in nobility," 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:36.500 "and it elevates the status of its people among men, and seats the formerly enslaved upon couches." 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:50.490 In one year, Abu al-'Aliyah resolved to engage in jihad for the sake of Allah, so he prepared his provisions and firmly decided to set out with the mujahidin. 00:15:50.490 --> 00:16:01.490 When morning broke, he was surprised by excruciating pain in one of his feet, and the pain continued to intensify hour by hour. 00:16:01.490 --> 00:16:14.490 When the physician visited him, he said, "You are afflicted with gangrene." He asked, "What is gangrene?" He replied, "A disease that consumes the limb it settles in." 00:16:14.490 --> 00:16:26.519 "Then it spreads to what is above it until it consumes the entire body." He then asked his permission to proceed with amputating his leg, and he permitted him, though reluctantly. 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:41.970 The physician brought his scalpels to cut the flesh and his saws to cut the bone, then said to him, "Do you want us to give you a dose of anesthetic so you do not feel the pain of the cutting and amputation?" 00:16:41.970 --> 00:17:00.000 He replied, "No, there is something better than that." The physician asked, "What is it?" He said, "Bring me a reciter who masters the Book of Allah and have him recite to me what is easy for him of its clear verses." 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:13.099 "When you see my face redden, my pupils dilate, and my gaze fixed upon the sky, then do with me what you will." They carried out his command and amputated his bone. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:31.099 When he regained consciousness, the physician said to him, "It is as if you did not feel the pain of the cutting and amputation." He replied, "The coolness of the love of Allah and the sweetness of what I heard from the Book of Allah distracted me from the heat of the saws." 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:53.220 Then he took his leg in his hand, looked at it, and said, "If I meet my Lord on the Day of Resurrection and He asks me, 'Have you walked with this for forty years to a forbidden place, or touched with it anything unlawful?' I will say 'No,' and I will be truthful in what I say, if Allah wills." 00:17:53.220 --> 00:18:15.430 Furthermore, the piety of Abu al-'Aliyah, his longing for the Hereafter, and his preparation to meet his Lord reached such a point that he prepared a shroud for himself, and he would wear his shroud once every month before returning it to its place. 00:18:15.430 --> 00:18:34.430 He wrote his will seventeen times while he was healthy and sound, and he would set a deadline for each will; when the time came, he would review it, either amending it, replacing it, or executing it. 00:18:34.430 --> 00:18:52.690 In the month of Shawwal in the year 93 AH, Abu al-'Aliyah passed on to meet his Lord, pure of character, clean of soul, confident in the mercy of his Lord, and longing to meet his Prophet. 00:18:52.690 --> 00:19:10.619 There was no one more knowledgeable of the Qur'an after the Companions than Abu al-'Aliyah, followed by Sa'id Ibn Jubayr and Abu Bakr Ibn Dawud. 00:19:28.490 --> 00:19:31.490 Their mention is exalted. 00:19:31.490 --> 00:19:36.490 They departed and left behind a question in the conscience: 00:19:36.490 --> 00:19:41.490 Is there any star like them that has risen and shone? 00:19:41.490 --> 00:19:50.490 They filled life with pride through their deeds, and the world of the living flourished because of them.