WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:06.419 Mawaddah Association 00:00:06.419 --> 00:00:10.539 Presents: "The Ten Promised Paradise" 00:00:10.539 --> 00:00:17.079 Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) 00:00:17.079 --> 00:00:22.079 Love for the Companions and the Prophet's kin is a Sunnah 00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:28.100 By which I shall meet my Lord as long as I live. 00:00:29.100 --> 00:00:33.130 "Every nation has a trustworthy custodian, 00:00:33.130 --> 00:00:35.130 and the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah is 00:00:35.130 --> 00:00:38.130 Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah." 00:00:38.130 --> 00:00:41.259 With these magnificent words, 00:00:41.259 --> 00:00:44.259 the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) adorned 00:00:44.259 --> 00:00:47.259 the noble head of Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:00:47.259 --> 00:00:51.259 robing him in garments of honor and distinction. 00:00:51.259 --> 00:00:54.420 Who, then, is this Abu Ubaydah? 00:00:54.420 --> 00:00:56.420 Let us live through his biography 00:00:56.420 --> 00:01:00.280 and drink deeply from his traditions. 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:02.280 He is the revered Companion, 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:05.280 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah ibn al-Jarrah, 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:07.280 of the Quraysh tribe, from the clan of Banu Fihr— 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:09.409 known as Abu Ubaydah. 00:01:09.409 --> 00:01:14.409 He embraced Islam early, at the very inception of the Prophetic call, 00:01:14.409 --> 00:01:18.409 and endured his share of the harm his companions suffered in the cause of Allah. 00:01:18.409 --> 00:01:22.409 He possessed vast knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah, 00:01:22.409 --> 00:01:26.409 was a dignified master held in high esteem among his people, 00:01:26.409 --> 00:01:29.409 and was an expert in combat, intimately seasoned in war— 00:01:29.409 --> 00:01:32.409 which made him a seasoned commander, 00:01:32.409 --> 00:01:35.409 placed at the forefront of military expeditions and raids. 00:01:35.409 --> 00:01:37.409 May Allah be pleased with him, he was 00:01:37.409 --> 00:01:39.409 a slender man, 00:01:39.409 --> 00:01:40.409 lean-faced, 00:01:40.409 --> 00:01:42.409 sparse-bearded, 00:01:42.409 --> 00:01:45.409 tall, and missing his two front central teeth, 00:01:45.409 --> 00:01:48.409 who dyed his hair with henna and *katam*. 00:01:48.409 --> 00:01:51.409 He had two braids— 00:01:51.409 --> 00:01:53.409 that is, two plaits of hair— 00:01:53.409 --> 00:01:56.409 which he wrapped and tucked behind his ears. 00:01:56.409 --> 00:01:59.109 Abu Ubaydah 00:01:59.109 --> 00:02:02.109 loved the Prophet (peace be upon him) 00:02:02.109 --> 00:02:05.109 with a love that penetrated to the very depths of his heart. 00:02:05.109 --> 00:02:09.110 This was manifest in his constant companionship with him (peace be upon him) 00:02:09.110 --> 00:02:11.110 in every battle, 00:02:11.110 --> 00:02:14.110 and his defending him with all devotion and strength. 00:02:14.110 --> 00:02:18.110 The Prophet (peace be upon him) reciprocated 00:02:18.110 --> 00:02:21.110 his love with love, and his closeness with closeness. 00:02:22.300 --> 00:02:25.300 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) was asked, 00:02:25.300 --> 00:02:29.300 "Which of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:02:29.300 --> 00:02:31.300 was most beloved to him?" 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:33.300 She replied, "Abu Bakr." 00:02:33.300 --> 00:02:35.300 It was asked, "Then who?" 00:02:35.300 --> 00:02:37.300 She replied, "Then 'Umar." 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:39.300 It was asked, "Then who?" 00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:43.300 She replied, "Then Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah." 00:02:43.300 --> 00:02:45.300 It was asked, "Then who?" 00:02:45.300 --> 00:02:47.500 And she remained silent. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:50.500 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:52.500 "What an excellent man is Abu Bakr, 00:02:52.500 --> 00:02:54.500 what an excellent man is 'Umar, 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:58.500 and what an excellent man is Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah." 00:02:58.500 --> 00:03:04.620 Among the evidence showing his status with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:07.620 was his selecting him to accompany the people of Yemen 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:10.620 when they came to him and said, 00:03:10.620 --> 00:03:12.620 "Send with us a trustworthy man 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:15.620 to teach us the Sunnah and Islam." 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:18.750 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) took 00:03:18.750 --> 00:03:20.750 Abu Ubaydah by the hand 00:03:20.750 --> 00:03:24.750 and said, "This is the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah." 00:03:24.750 --> 00:03:28.650 What an excellent man Abu Ubaydah was— 00:03:28.650 --> 00:03:30.650 a devout worshipper and an ascetic! 00:03:30.650 --> 00:03:33.650 The worldly life sought him, but he did not seek it; 00:03:33.650 --> 00:03:36.650 it presented itself to him, yet he turned away from it, 00:03:36.650 --> 00:03:40.650 offering whatever he possessed as provision to meet in the Hereafter. 00:03:40.650 --> 00:03:44.900 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:46.900 used to observe this in him 00:03:46.900 --> 00:03:47.900 and admire it. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:49.969 When 'Umar assumed the Caliphate, 00:03:49.969 --> 00:03:53.969 he once sent him four hundred dinars, 00:03:53.969 --> 00:03:55.969 instructing the messenger, 00:03:55.969 --> 00:03:57.969 "See what he does with it." 00:03:57.969 --> 00:04:02.000 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) distributed it all, 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:06.000 leaving nothing of it for himself or his family. 00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.000 When the messenger informed 'Umar, 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:10.060 he said, 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:15.189 "Praise be to Allah, Who has placed in Islam those who do such deeds." 00:04:15.189 --> 00:04:19.189 On another occasion overflowing with awe and grandeur, 00:04:19.189 --> 00:04:23.189 demonstrating absolute detachment from worldly adornments and splendors, 00:04:23.189 --> 00:04:28.189 the Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), arrived in the Levant, 00:04:28.189 --> 00:04:31.189 where the commanders and notables met him. 00:04:31.189 --> 00:04:32.189 'Umar asked, 00:04:32.189 --> 00:04:34.189 "Where is my brother?" 00:04:34.189 --> 00:04:35.189 They asked, "Who?" 00:04:35.189 --> 00:04:36.189 He replied, 00:04:36.189 --> 00:04:38.189 "Abu Ubaydah." 00:04:38.189 --> 00:04:39.189 They said, 00:04:39.189 --> 00:04:41.189 "He is coming to you now." 00:04:41.189 --> 00:04:46.189 Abu Ubaydah arrived riding a camel reined with a plain rope. 00:04:46.189 --> 00:04:48.189 He greeted 'Umar with peace, 00:04:48.189 --> 00:04:50.189 so 'Umar dismounted and embraced him, 00:04:50.189 --> 00:04:52.189 then said to the people, 00:04:52.189 --> 00:04:54.259 "Leave us." 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. 00:04:59.259 --> 00:05:04.259 'Umar saw nothing in his house except his sword, shield, and saddle-bag. 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:06.259 'Umar said to him, 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:08.259 "You are the commander of the Levant! 00:05:08.259 --> 00:05:10.259 Where are your worldly belongings?" 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:12.259 Abu Ubaydah replied, 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:14.259 "O Commander of the Faithful, 00:05:14.259 --> 00:05:17.319 these are enough to reach the resting place." 00:05:17.319 --> 00:05:19.319 He then went to a vessel, 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:22.319 brought out a few dry crusts of bread, 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:25.319 and presented them to the Commander of the Faithful. 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:29.319 The eyes of the ascetic Caliph welled with tears, and he said, 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.319 "The worldly life has changed us all, 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:35.089 except you, O Abu Ubaydah!" 00:05:35.089 --> 00:05:40.089 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) was not content with personal asceticism alone; 00:05:40.089 --> 00:05:45.089 he would actively urge others to be ascetic in this world and be content with little. 00:05:45.089 --> 00:05:48.089 He used to walk among the people saying: 00:05:48.089 --> 00:05:53.089 "Lo! Many a person who whitens his garments soil his religion! 00:05:53.089 --> 00:05:57.089 Lo! Many a person who honors himself is actually humiliating it! 00:05:57.089 --> 00:06:02.089 Repel old sins with fresh good deeds, 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, 00:06:08.220 --> 00:06:14.220 and then perform a good deed, it would rise above his sins until it overcomes them." 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:19.920 When the people were stricken by the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:24.920 and gathered at the Portico of Banu Sa'idah to choose a leader for themselves, 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:29.920 Abu Ubaydah took a commendable stance for which he is praised and remembered, 00:06:29.920 --> 00:06:32.980 and which the people of virtue will never forget. 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. 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), 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:49.019 the Ansar said to the Emigrants, 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:52.019 "There shall be a leader from us, and a leader from you." 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, 00:06:57.019 --> 00:06:59.019 "O assembly of the Ansar! 00:06:59.019 --> 00:07:02.019 You were the first to support and assist, 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:06.019 so do not be the first to alter and change!" 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:08.019 Thereupon, the people fell silent. 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:11.019 Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and spoke, 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:15.019 delivering an excellent speech that satisfied the people. 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:18.019 Then Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 00:07:18.019 --> 00:07:21.019 "I am pleased for you to choose either of these two men"— 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:24.019 meaning 'Umar and Abu Ubaydah. 00:07:24.019 --> 00:07:27.079 He then said to Abu Ubaydah, 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:29.079 "Extend your hand so that I may pledge allegiance to you, 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:34.079 for I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:37.079 'Every nation has a trustworthy custodian, 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:40.079 and you are the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah.'" 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:43.079 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, 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!" 00:07:50.079 --> 00:07:53.180 So 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) stepped forward 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:56.180 and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr for the Caliphate, 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:59.180 and Abu Ubaydah did the same. 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). 00:08:03.180 --> 00:08:07.750 And when 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was stabbed, 00:08:07.750 --> 00:08:10.750 he said as he was drawing his final breaths, 00:08:10.750 --> 00:08:15.750 "If Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah were alive, I would have appointed him as my successor. 00:08:15.750 --> 00:08:18.750 If my Lord were to ask me about him, I would say: 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.'" 00:08:22.750 --> 00:08:26.360 In the eighth year after the Hijrah, 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) 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:35.360 at the head of a military detachment to the lands of Bali and 'Udhrah, 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:37.360 during the Expedition of Dhat al-Salasil. 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, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:48.360 so he sent word to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) requesting reinforcements. 00:08:48.360 --> 00:08:51.360 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reinforced him 00:08:51.360 --> 00:08:55.360 with two hundred of the noble leaders among the Emigrants and the Ansar, 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:59.360 among whom were Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both). 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 00:09:04.389 --> 00:09:07.389 and instructed him to join 'Amr ibn al-'As, 00:09:07.389 --> 00:09:10.389 telling them to unite and not to differ. 00:09:10.389 --> 00:09:15.389 Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) and those with him joined 'Amr. 00:09:15.389 --> 00:09:17.389 When the time for prayer arrived, 00:09:17.389 --> 00:09:21.389 Abu Ubaydah stepped forward to lead the people in prayer. 00:09:21.389 --> 00:09:22.389 'Amr said to him, 00:09:22.389 --> 00:09:26.389 "You have only come to me as reinforcements, while I am the overall commander." 00:09:26.389 --> 00:09:31.419 Those in the reinforcement force said, "Our commander is Abu Ubaydah, 00:09:31.419 --> 00:09:33.419 while you are the commander of your own companions." 00:09:33.419 --> 00:09:39.419 However, Abu Ubaydah (may Allah be pleased with him) took a different stance, 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), 00:09:44.419 --> 00:09:49.460 who had said to him, "Obey each other and do not differ." 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:52.460 Thus, he yielded the command to 'Amr, 00:09:52.460 --> 00:09:56.460 and 'Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) led the people in prayer. 00:09:56.460 --> 00:10:00.460 Such was his biography (may Allah be pleased with him): 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:04.460 disinclined toward leadership despite being fully qualified for it, 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:10.460 preferring obedience to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) over his own ego, 00:10:10.460 --> 00:10:13.460 and seeking to preserve the unity of the Muslims— 00:10:13.460 --> 00:10:18.460 thus truly becoming the trustworthy custodian of this Ummah in every sense. 00:10:18.460 --> 00:10:24.259 Among his most prominent words rousing the passion of his troops for battle 00:10:24.259 --> 00:10:26.259 and inciting them to strive in the cause of Allah 00:10:26.259 --> 00:10:28.259 is his immortal saying: 00:10:28.259 --> 00:10:30.259 "O servants of Allah! 00:10:30.259 --> 00:10:34.259 Support Allah, and He will support you and plant your feet firmly. 00:10:34.259 --> 00:10:36.259 O servants of Allah! 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:37.259 Endure with patience, 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:40.259 for patience is a salvation from disbelief, 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:42.259 a source of the Lord's pleasure, 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:44.259 and a refutation of shame. 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:46.259 Do not leave your battle ranks, 00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:49.259 do not take a step toward them, 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:52.259 do not initiate combat against them, 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:54.259 level your spears, 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:56.259 Protect yourselves behind your leather shields, 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:58.259 meaning your armor, 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:03.259 and remain silent, except for remembering Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, within yourselves, 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:08.059 until your matter is fulfilled, Allah willing. 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:11.059 Abu 'Ubaydah is an exemplar of humility. 00:11:11.059 --> 00:11:14.120 Among the manifestations of his humility—may Allah be pleased with him— 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:18.120 is that he said to the people of the Levant while serving as their commander: 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:20.120 "O people! 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:23.120 I am simply a Muslim man from Quraysh. 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:28.120 There is no one among you, whether fair or dark-skinned, who surpasses me in righteousness 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:31.120 but that I wish I were in his skin"— 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:33.220 meaning in his very hide. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:38.220 He teaches us a lesson in asceticism and the fear of Allah, the Glorious— 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:40.220 a lesson that shall never be forgotten, 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:43.220 no matter how much time passes. 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:45.220 For he is one glad-tidings of Paradise, 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:47.220 a conqueror of lands, 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:50.220 a commander over the armies of Islam, 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:53.220 yet ascetic regarding this fleeting world, 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:56.220 taking absolutely nothing from it. 00:11:56.220 --> 00:12:00.279 Nevertheless, he spoke with the tongue of one who fears Allah 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:03.279 and humbly supplicates before Him, saying: 00:12:03.279 --> 00:12:05.279 "I wish I were a ram, 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.279 so that my family would slaughter me, 00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:11.279 eat my meat, and sip my broth." 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:15.850 For the Chosen One, 00:12:15.850 --> 00:12:21.850 the finest Companions were preserved by Him; 00:12:21.850 --> 00:12:25.850 in the Eternal Garden, they are preserved. 00:12:25.850 --> 00:12:28.850 He increased them in honor: 00:12:28.850 --> 00:12:31.850 they are Talhah, 00:12:31.850 --> 00:12:33.850 Ibn 'Awf, 00:12:33.850 --> 00:12:37.850 al-Zubayr, along with 00:12:37.850 --> 00:12:39.850 Abu 'Ubaydah, 00:12:39.850 --> 00:12:41.850 the two Sa'ds, 00:12:41.850 --> 00:12:44.850 and the two Caliphs.