1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,000 --> 00:00:06,419 Mawaddah Association 3 00:00:06,419 --> 00:00:10,539 Presents: "The Ten Promised Paradise" 4 00:00:10,539 --> 00:00:17,079 Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) 5 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:22,079 Love for the Companions and the Prophet's kin is a Sunnah 6 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:28,100 By which I shall meet my Lord as long as I live. 7 00:00:29,100 --> 00:00:33,130 "Every nation has a trustworthy custodian, 8 00:00:33,130 --> 00:00:35,130 and the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah is 9 00:00:35,130 --> 00:00:38,130 Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah." 10 00:00:38,130 --> 00:00:41,259 With these magnificent words, 11 00:00:41,259 --> 00:00:44,259 the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) adorned 12 00:00:44,259 --> 00:00:47,259 the noble head of Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him), 13 00:00:47,259 --> 00:00:51,259 robing him in garments of honor and distinction. 14 00:00:51,259 --> 00:00:54,420 Who, then, is this Abu Ubaydah? 15 00:00:54,420 --> 00:00:56,420 Let us live through his biography 16 00:00:56,420 --> 00:01:00,280 and drink deeply from his traditions. 17 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:02,280 He is the revered Companion, 18 00:01:02,280 --> 00:01:05,280 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah ibn al-Jarrah, 19 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:07,280 of the Quraysh tribe, from the clan of Banu Fihr— 20 00:01:07,280 --> 00:01:09,409 known as Abu Ubaydah. 21 00:01:09,409 --> 00:01:14,409 He embraced Islam early, at the very inception of the Prophetic call, 22 00:01:14,409 --> 00:01:18,409 and endured his share of the harm his companions suffered in the cause of Allah. 23 00:01:18,409 --> 00:01:22,409 He possessed vast knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah, 24 00:01:22,409 --> 00:01:26,409 was a dignified master held in high esteem among his people, 25 00:01:26,409 --> 00:01:29,409 and was an expert in combat, intimately seasoned in war— 26 00:01:29,409 --> 00:01:32,409 which made him a seasoned commander, 27 00:01:32,409 --> 00:01:35,409 placed at the forefront of military expeditions and raids. 28 00:01:35,409 --> 00:01:37,409 May Allah be pleased with him, he was 29 00:01:37,409 --> 00:01:39,409 a slender man, 30 00:01:39,409 --> 00:01:40,409 lean-faced, 31 00:01:40,409 --> 00:01:42,409 sparse-bearded, 32 00:01:42,409 --> 00:01:45,409 tall, and missing his two front central teeth, 33 00:01:45,409 --> 00:01:48,409 who dyed his hair with henna and *katam*. 34 00:01:48,409 --> 00:01:51,409 He had two braids— 35 00:01:51,409 --> 00:01:53,409 that is, two plaits of hair— 36 00:01:53,409 --> 00:01:56,409 which he wrapped and tucked behind his ears. 37 00:01:56,409 --> 00:01:59,109 Abu Ubaydah 38 00:01:59,109 --> 00:02:02,109 loved the Prophet (peace be upon him) 39 00:02:02,109 --> 00:02:05,109 with a love that penetrated to the very depths of his heart. 40 00:02:05,109 --> 00:02:09,110 This was manifest in his constant companionship with him (peace be upon him) 41 00:02:09,110 --> 00:02:11,110 in every battle, 42 00:02:11,110 --> 00:02:14,110 and his defending him with all devotion and strength. 43 00:02:14,110 --> 00:02:18,110 The Prophet (peace be upon him) reciprocated 44 00:02:18,110 --> 00:02:21,110 his love with love, and his closeness with closeness. 45 00:02:22,300 --> 00:02:25,300 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked, 46 00:02:25,300 --> 00:02:29,300 "Which of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 47 00:02:29,300 --> 00:02:31,300 was most beloved to him?" 48 00:02:31,300 --> 00:02:33,300 She replied, "Abu Bakr." 49 00:02:33,300 --> 00:02:35,300 It was asked, "Then who?" 50 00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:37,300 She replied, "Then 'Umar." 51 00:02:37,300 --> 00:02:39,300 It was asked, "Then who?" 52 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:43,300 She replied, "Then Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah." 53 00:02:43,300 --> 00:02:45,300 It was asked, "Then who?" 54 00:02:45,300 --> 00:02:47,500 And she remained silent. 55 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:50,500 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 56 00:02:50,500 --> 00:02:52,500 "What an excellent man is Abu Bakr, 57 00:02:52,500 --> 00:02:54,500 what an excellent man is 'Umar, 58 00:02:54,500 --> 00:02:58,500 and what an excellent man is Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah." 59 00:02:58,500 --> 00:03:04,620 Among the evidence showing his status with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 60 00:03:04,620 --> 00:03:07,620 was his selecting him to accompany the people of Yemen 61 00:03:07,620 --> 00:03:10,620 when they came to him and said, 62 00:03:10,620 --> 00:03:12,620 "Send with us a trustworthy man 63 00:03:12,620 --> 00:03:15,620 to teach us the Sunnah and Islam." 64 00:03:15,620 --> 00:03:18,750 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) took 65 00:03:18,750 --> 00:03:20,750 Abu Ubaydah by the hand 66 00:03:20,750 --> 00:03:24,750 and said, "This is the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah." 67 00:03:24,750 --> 00:03:28,650 What an excellent man Abu Ubaydah was— 68 00:03:28,650 --> 00:03:30,650 a devout worshipper and an ascetic! 69 00:03:30,650 --> 00:03:33,650 The worldly life sought him, but he did not seek it; 70 00:03:33,650 --> 00:03:36,650 it presented itself to him, yet he turned away from it, 71 00:03:36,650 --> 00:03:40,650 offering whatever he possessed as provision to meet in the Hereafter. 72 00:03:40,650 --> 00:03:44,900 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) 73 00:03:44,900 --> 00:03:46,900 used to observe this in him 74 00:03:46,900 --> 00:03:47,900 and admire it. 75 00:03:47,900 --> 00:03:49,969 When 'Umar assumed the Caliphate, 76 00:03:49,969 --> 00:03:53,969 he once sent him four hundred dinars, 77 00:03:53,969 --> 00:03:55,969 instructing the messenger, 78 00:03:55,969 --> 00:03:57,969 "See what he does with it." 79 00:03:57,969 --> 00:04:02,000 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) distributed it all, 80 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:06,000 leaving nothing of it for himself or his family. 81 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:08,000 When the messenger informed 'Umar, 82 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,060 he said, 83 00:04:10,060 --> 00:04:15,189 "Praise be to Allah, Who has placed in Islam those who do such deeds." 84 00:04:15,189 --> 00:04:19,189 On another occasion overflowing with awe and grandeur, 85 00:04:19,189 --> 00:04:23,189 demonstrating absolute detachment from worldly adornments and splendors, 86 00:04:23,189 --> 00:04:28,189 the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), arrived in the Levant, 87 00:04:28,189 --> 00:04:31,189 where the commanders and notables met him. 88 00:04:31,189 --> 00:04:32,189 'Umar asked, 89 00:04:32,189 --> 00:04:34,189 "Where is my brother?" 90 00:04:34,189 --> 00:04:35,189 They asked, "Who?" 91 00:04:35,189 --> 00:04:36,189 He replied, 92 00:04:36,189 --> 00:04:38,189 "Abu Ubaydah." 93 00:04:38,189 --> 00:04:39,189 They said, 94 00:04:39,189 --> 00:04:41,189 "He is coming to you now." 95 00:04:41,189 --> 00:04:46,189 Abu Ubaydah arrived riding a camel reined with a plain rope. 96 00:04:46,189 --> 00:04:48,189 He greeted 'Umar with peace, 97 00:04:48,189 --> 00:04:50,189 so 'Umar dismounted and embraced him, 98 00:04:50,189 --> 00:04:52,189 then said to the people, 99 00:04:52,189 --> 00:04:54,259 "Leave us." 100 00:04:54,259 --> 00:04:59,259 He walked with Abu Ubaydah until they reached his dwelling, where 'Umar stayed with him as a guest. 101 00:04:59,259 --> 00:05:04,259 'Umar saw nothing in his house except his sword, shield, and saddle-bag. 102 00:05:04,259 --> 00:05:06,259 'Umar said to him, 103 00:05:06,259 --> 00:05:08,259 "You are the commander of the Levant! 104 00:05:08,259 --> 00:05:10,259 Where are your worldly belongings?" 105 00:05:10,259 --> 00:05:12,259 Abu Ubaydah replied, 106 00:05:12,259 --> 00:05:14,259 "O Commander of the Faithful, 107 00:05:14,259 --> 00:05:17,319 these are enough to reach the resting place." 108 00:05:17,319 --> 00:05:19,319 He then went to a vessel, 109 00:05:19,319 --> 00:05:22,319 brought out a few dry crusts of bread, 110 00:05:22,319 --> 00:05:25,319 and presented them to the Commander of the Faithful. 111 00:05:25,319 --> 00:05:29,319 The eyes of the ascetic Caliph welled with tears, and he said, 112 00:05:29,319 --> 00:05:31,319 "The worldly life has changed us all, 113 00:05:31,319 --> 00:05:35,089 except you, O Abu Ubaydah!" 114 00:05:35,089 --> 00:05:40,089 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) was not content with personal asceticism alone; 115 00:05:40,089 --> 00:05:45,089 he would actively urge others to be ascetic in this world and be content with little. 116 00:05:45,089 --> 00:05:48,089 He used to walk among the people saying: 117 00:05:48,089 --> 00:05:53,089 "Lo! Many a person who whitens his garments soil his religion! 118 00:05:53,089 --> 00:05:57,089 Lo! Many a person who honors himself is actually humiliating it! 119 00:05:57,089 --> 00:06:02,089 Repel old sins with fresh good deeds, 120 00:06:02,089 --> 00:06:08,220 for if one of you were to commit sins filling the space between him and the sky, 121 00:06:08,220 --> 00:06:14,220 and then perform a good deed, it would rise above his sins until it overcomes them." 122 00:06:14,220 --> 00:06:19,920 When the people were stricken by the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) 123 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:24,920 and gathered at the Portico of Banu Sa'idah to choose a leader for themselves, 124 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:29,920 Abu Ubaydah took a commendable stance for which he is praised and remembered, 125 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,980 and which the people of virtue will never forget. 126 00:06:32,980 --> 00:06:39,019 The Caliphate was presented to him, yet he refused it and returned it to those worthy of it. 127 00:06:39,019 --> 00:06:46,019 For when the Ansar and the Emigrants disagreed over who should succeed the Prophet (peace be upon him), 128 00:06:46,019 --> 00:06:49,019 the Ansar said to the Emigrants, 129 00:06:49,019 --> 00:06:52,019 "There shall be a leader from us, and a leader from you." 130 00:06:52,019 --> 00:06:57,019 The trustworthy custodian, Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him), stood up and said to them, 131 00:06:57,019 --> 00:06:59,019 "O assembly of the Ansar! 132 00:06:59,019 --> 00:07:02,019 You were the first to support and assist, 133 00:07:02,019 --> 00:07:06,019 so do not be the first to alter and change!" 134 00:07:06,019 --> 00:07:08,019 Thereupon, the people fell silent. 135 00:07:08,019 --> 00:07:11,019 Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and spoke, 136 00:07:11,019 --> 00:07:15,019 delivering an excellent speech that satisfied the people. 137 00:07:15,019 --> 00:07:18,019 Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 138 00:07:18,019 --> 00:07:21,019 "I am pleased for you to choose either of these two men"— 139 00:07:21,019 --> 00:07:24,019 meaning 'Umar and Abu Ubaydah. 140 00:07:24,019 --> 00:07:27,079 He then said to Abu Ubaydah, 141 00:07:27,079 --> 00:07:29,079 "Extend your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you, 142 00:07:29,079 --> 00:07:34,079 for I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 143 00:07:34,079 --> 00:07:37,079 'Every nation has a trustworthy custodian, 144 00:07:37,079 --> 00:07:40,079 and you are the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah.'" 145 00:07:40,079 --> 00:07:43,079 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, 146 00:07:43,079 --> 00:07:50,079 "I would never step ahead of a man whom the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) ordered to lead us in prayer!" 147 00:07:50,079 --> 00:07:53,180 So 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) stepped forward 148 00:07:53,180 --> 00:07:56,180 and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr for the Caliphate, 149 00:07:56,180 --> 00:07:59,180 and Abu Ubaydah did the same. 150 00:07:59,180 --> 00:08:03,180 Then the people followed in succession, pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). 151 00:08:03,180 --> 00:08:07,750 And when 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was stabbed, 152 00:08:07,750 --> 00:08:10,750 he said as he was drawing his final breaths, 153 00:08:10,750 --> 00:08:15,750 "If Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah were alive, I would have appointed him as my successor. 154 00:08:15,750 --> 00:08:18,750 If my Lord were to ask me about him, I would say: 155 00:08:18,750 --> 00:08:22,750 'I appointed as my successor the trustworthy custodian of Allah and the trustworthy custodian of His Messenger.'" 156 00:08:22,750 --> 00:08:26,360 In the eighth year after the Hijrah, 157 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:31,360 the Prophet (peace be upon him) dispatched 'Amr ibn al-'As (may Allah be pleased with him) 158 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:35,360 at the head of a military detachment to the lands of Bali and 'Udhrah, 159 00:08:35,360 --> 00:08:37,360 during the Expedition of Dhat al-Salasil. 160 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:43,360 'Amr ibn al-'As (may Allah be pleased with him) found that his enemy's force was vast, 161 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:48,360 so he sent word to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) requesting reinforcements. 162 00:08:48,360 --> 00:08:51,360 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reinforced him 163 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:55,360 with two hundred of the noble leaders among the Emigrants and the Ansar, 164 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:59,360 among whom were Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both). 165 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:04,389 He placed Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) in command over them 166 00:09:04,389 --> 00:09:07,389 and instructed him to join 'Amr ibn al-'As, 167 00:09:07,389 --> 00:09:10,389 telling them to unite and not to differ. 168 00:09:10,389 --> 00:09:15,389 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) and those with him joined 'Amr. 169 00:09:15,389 --> 00:09:17,389 When the time for prayer arrived, 170 00:09:17,389 --> 00:09:21,389 Abu Ubaydah stepped forward to lead the people in prayer. 171 00:09:21,389 --> 00:09:22,389 'Amr said to him, 172 00:09:22,389 --> 00:09:26,389 "You have only come to me as reinforcements, while I am the overall commander." 173 00:09:26,389 --> 00:09:31,419 Those in the reinforcement force said, "Our commander is Abu Ubaydah, 174 00:09:31,419 --> 00:09:33,419 while you are the commander of your own companions." 175 00:09:33,419 --> 00:09:39,419 However, Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) took a different stance, 176 00:09:39,419 --> 00:09:44,419 for he carried within his chest the counsel of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 177 00:09:44,419 --> 00:09:49,460 who had said to him, "Obey each other and do not differ." 178 00:09:49,460 --> 00:09:52,460 Thus, he yielded the command to 'Amr, 179 00:09:52,460 --> 00:09:56,460 and 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) led the people in prayer. 180 00:09:56,460 --> 00:10:00,460 Such was his biography (may Allah be pleased with him): 181 00:10:00,460 --> 00:10:04,460 disinclined toward leadership despite being fully qualified for it, 182 00:10:04,460 --> 00:10:10,460 preferring obedience to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) over his own ego, 183 00:10:10,460 --> 00:10:13,460 and seeking to preserve the unity of the Muslims— 184 00:10:13,460 --> 00:10:18,460 thus truly becoming the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah in every sense. 185 00:10:18,460 --> 00:10:24,259 Among his most prominent words rousing the passion of his troops for battle 186 00:10:24,259 --> 00:10:26,259 and inciting them to strive in the cause of Allah 187 00:10:26,259 --> 00:10:28,259 is his immortal saying: 188 00:10:28,259 --> 00:10:30,259 "O servants of Allah! 189 00:10:30,259 --> 00:10:34,259 Support Allah, and He will support you and plant your feet firmly. 190 00:10:34,259 --> 00:10:36,259 O servants of Allah! 191 00:10:36,259 --> 00:10:37,259 Endure with patience, 192 00:10:37,259 --> 00:10:40,259 for patience is a salvation from disbelief, 193 00:10:40,259 --> 00:10:42,259 a source of the Lord's pleasure, 194 00:10:42,259 --> 00:10:44,259 and a refutation of shame. 195 00:10:44,259 --> 00:10:46,259 Do not leave your battle ranks, 196 00:10:47,259 --> 00:10:49,259 do not take a step toward them, 197 00:10:49,259 --> 00:10:52,259 do not initiate combat against them, 198 00:10:52,259 --> 00:10:54,259 level your spears, 199 00:10:54,259 --> 00:10:56,259 Protect yourselves behind your leather shields, 200 00:10:56,259 --> 00:10:58,259 meaning your armor, 201 00:10:58,259 --> 00:11:03,259 and remain silent, except for remembering Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, within yourselves, 202 00:11:03,259 --> 00:11:08,059 until your matter is fulfilled, Allah willing. 203 00:11:08,059 --> 00:11:11,059 Abu 'Ubaydah is an exemplar of humility. 204 00:11:11,059 --> 00:11:14,120 Among the manifestations of his humility—may Allah be pleased with him— 205 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:18,120 is that he said to the people of the Levant while serving as their commander: 206 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:20,120 "O people! 207 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:23,120 I am simply a Muslim man from Quraysh. 208 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:28,120 There is no one among you, whether fair or dark-skinned, who surpasses me in righteousness 209 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:31,120 but that I wish I were in his skin"— 210 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:33,220 meaning in his very hide. 211 00:11:33,220 --> 00:11:38,220 He teaches us a lesson in asceticism and the fear of Allah, the Glorious— 212 00:11:38,220 --> 00:11:40,220 a lesson that shall never be forgotten, 213 00:11:40,220 --> 00:11:43,220 no matter how much time passes. 214 00:11:43,220 --> 00:11:45,220 For he is one glad-tidings of Paradise, 215 00:11:45,220 --> 00:11:47,220 a conqueror of lands, 216 00:11:47,220 --> 00:11:50,220 a commander over the armies of Islam, 217 00:11:50,220 --> 00:11:53,220 yet ascetic regarding this fleeting world, 218 00:11:53,220 --> 00:11:56,220 taking absolutely nothing from it. 219 00:11:56,220 --> 00:12:00,279 Nevertheless, he spoke with the tongue of one who fears Allah 220 00:12:00,279 --> 00:12:03,279 and humbly supplicates before Him, saying: 221 00:12:03,279 --> 00:12:05,279 "I wish I were a ram, 222 00:12:05,279 --> 00:12:07,279 so that my family would slaughter me, 223 00:12:07,279 --> 00:12:11,279 eat my meat, and sip my broth." 224 00:12:11,279 --> 00:12:15,850 For the Chosen One, 225 00:12:15,850 --> 00:12:21,850 the finest Companions were preserved by Him; 226 00:12:21,850 --> 00:12:25,850 in the Eternal Garden, they are preserved. 227 00:12:25,850 --> 00:12:28,850 He increased them in honor: 228 00:12:28,850 --> 00:12:31,850 they are Talhah, 229 00:12:31,850 --> 00:12:33,850 Ibn 'Awf, 230 00:12:33,850 --> 00:12:37,850 al-Zubayr, along with 231 00:12:37,850 --> 00:12:39,850 Abu 'Ubaydah, 232 00:12:39,850 --> 00:12:41,850 the two Sa'ds, 233 00:12:41,850 --> 00:12:44,850 and the two Caliphs.