Stop.
Learn about the Companions, the scholars, and those of the highest rank.
A new challenge: who am I?
I am a servant to the sons of Rabi'ah.
My people are from the land of Nineveh in Iraq.
A tribe from among the Arab tribes raided us.
They took me captive and sold me in the Hijaz.
I was a Christian.
I worked in an orchard belonging to my masters.
In a place called Qarn al-Tha'alib.
Near Ta'if.
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went out.
From Ta'if, distressed and sorrowful.
After their notables had driven him away.
And incited their fools and slaves against him.
They would insult him and shout at him.
And pelt him with stones.
So he, peace be upon him, went out.
Wandering aimlessly.
And he did not regain his composure until he reached Qarn al-Tha'alib.
So he, peace be upon him, sought refuge.
In an orchard of grapes belonging to my masters.
A sense of compassion stirred in the hearts of the sons of Rabi'ah.
When they saw the Prophet, peace be upon him.
They called me and said to me:
"Take a bunch of grapes."
"And go with it to that man."
I did so, though I did not know the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
When I placed it before him.
He reached out his hand toward it and said:
"In the name of Allah," then he ate.
I said, "This speech..."
"...is not what the people of this town say."
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said to me:
"From which land are you?"
I said, "I am a Christian from Nineveh."
He said, "From the village of the righteous man,"
"Yunus Ibn Matta?"
I said to him, "And what makes you know who Yunus is?"
He, peace be upon him, said:
"He is my brother; he was a prophet, and I am a prophet."
So I fell upon the hands of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
And his feet, kissing them and weeping with joy.
One of the sons of Rabi'ah said to the other:
"As for your servant, he has corrupted him for you."
When I came to them, they said to me:
"Woe to you, what is this?"
I said to them, "There is no one on earth..."
"...better than this man."
So, who am I?
The best of generations.
In their stances and their example.
Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke.
They were here, watering our lives like clouds.
As for those among us, their mention is exalted.
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
As for those among us, their mention is exalted.
They departed and left a question in the conscience:
Is there any star like them that has risen and shone?
They filled life with pride through their deeds.
And the world of mankind flourished with their grace.