1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,399 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,399 --> 00:00:08,400 The best of generations in character and exemplary conduct, 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 Followed the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 4 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:15,400 Mawaddah Association 5 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,399 Presents: 6 00:00:17,399 --> 00:00:21,399 "Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un" 7 00:00:21,399 --> 00:00:26,429 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:26,429 --> 00:00:28,429 May Allah have mercy on him. 9 00:00:28,429 --> 00:00:33,539 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi, 10 00:00:33,539 --> 00:00:35,539 May Allah have mercy on him. 11 00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:45,700 We are now in the fourteenth year after the Hijrah, 12 00:00:45,700 --> 00:00:51,829 And here are the guiding builders among the noble Companions and the leading Tabi'un, 13 00:00:51,829 --> 00:00:54,829 Planning and laying out the city of Basra, 14 00:00:54,829 --> 00:01:00,829 By the command of the Caliph of the Muslims, 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him. 15 00:01:00,829 --> 00:01:04,959 For they resolved to make this new city 16 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:09,959 A base for the Muslim armies campaigning in the lands of Persia, 17 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:13,959 A stronghold for calling people to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, 18 00:01:13,959 --> 00:01:17,959 And a beacon for elevating His word in the earth. 19 00:01:19,219 --> 00:01:21,219 And here are the throngs of Muslims, 20 00:01:21,219 --> 00:01:27,219 Migrating to this nascent city from every corner of the Arabian Peninsula— 21 00:01:27,219 --> 00:01:31,219 From Najd, the Hijaz, and Yemen— 22 00:01:31,219 --> 00:01:35,219 To garrison one of the vital frontiers of the Muslims. 23 00:01:35,219 --> 00:01:39,280 Among the migrants who came to it from Najd 24 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:41,280 Was a young man from Banu Tamim 25 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:47,370 Named 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi al-'Anbari. 26 00:01:47,370 --> 00:01:52,370 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah was then a youth in the prime of his early years, 27 00:01:52,370 --> 00:01:55,370 Radiant with fresh vigor and youthful vitality, 28 00:01:55,370 --> 00:01:59,370 Luminous-faced, pure of soul, and pious of heart. 29 00:01:59,370 --> 00:02:05,370 Despite its recent founding, Basra was among the wealthiest of Muslim lands, 30 00:02:05,370 --> 00:02:07,370 And the most abundant in riches, 31 00:02:07,370 --> 00:02:11,370 Due to the spoils of war that poured into it 32 00:02:11,370 --> 00:02:14,370 And the pure, gleaming gold that flowed abundantly through it— 33 00:02:14,370 --> 00:02:16,370 That is, pure, unalloyed gold. 34 00:02:16,370 --> 00:02:20,370 Yet the young Tamimi, 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah, 35 00:02:20,370 --> 00:02:24,370 Had no desire for any of that at all; 36 00:02:24,370 --> 00:02:27,370 He was thoroughly detached from what was in the hands of people, 37 00:02:27,370 --> 00:02:30,370 Longing earnestly for what is with Allah, 38 00:02:30,370 --> 00:02:33,370 Turning away from this worldly life and its adornments, 39 00:02:33,370 --> 00:02:37,389 Wholly devoted to Allah and seeking His pleasure. 40 00:02:37,389 --> 00:02:40,389 The foremost leader and preeminent figure of Basra in those days was 41 00:02:40,389 --> 00:02:45,389 The illustrious Companion Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, 42 00:02:45,389 --> 00:02:48,389 May Allah brighten his face in Paradise. 43 00:02:48,389 --> 00:02:51,389 He was the governor of the flourishing city, 44 00:02:51,389 --> 00:02:56,389 The commander of the Muslim armies advancing from it in every direction, 45 00:02:56,389 --> 00:02:59,389 The imam of its people and their teacher, 46 00:02:59,389 --> 00:03:02,389 And their guide to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 47 00:03:02,389 --> 00:03:09,669 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah adhered closely to Abu Musa al-Ash'ari in peace and war, 48 00:03:09,669 --> 00:03:12,669 Accompanying him in residence and travel. 49 00:03:12,669 --> 00:03:16,669 From him he received the Book of Allah fresh and vibrant, 50 00:03:16,669 --> 00:03:21,740 Just as it was revealed to the heart of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 51 00:03:21,740 --> 00:03:26,740 He narrated from him the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 52 00:03:26,740 --> 00:03:29,740 Authentically and directly connected to the Noble Prophet, 53 00:03:29,740 --> 00:03:34,770 And acquired deep fiqh under his guidance in the religion of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 54 00:03:34,770 --> 00:03:37,770 When he had acquired all the knowledge he sought, 55 00:03:37,770 --> 00:03:40,770 He divided his life into three distinct parts: 56 00:03:40,770 --> 00:03:43,770 One portion was devoted to circles of remembrance, 57 00:03:43,770 --> 00:03:47,770 In which he taught the people the Qur'an in the Mosque of Basra; 58 00:03:47,770 --> 00:03:50,770 Another portion was spent in secluded worship, 59 00:03:50,770 --> 00:03:53,770 Standing in prayer before Allah 60 00:03:53,770 --> 00:03:56,770 Until his feet grew weary; 61 00:03:56,770 --> 00:03:59,770 And the third portion was dedicated to the arenas of jihad, 62 00:03:59,770 --> 00:04:03,900 Drawing his sword as a warrior in the cause of Allah. 63 00:04:03,900 --> 00:04:08,900 He never left any room in his life for anything else, 64 00:04:08,900 --> 00:04:12,900 To the point that he was called the devout worshiper and ascetic of Basra. 65 00:04:12,900 --> 00:04:16,980 Among the accounts related about 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah 66 00:04:16,980 --> 00:04:19,980 Is a story narrated by one of the men of Basra, 67 00:04:19,980 --> 00:04:25,980 Who said: "I traveled in a caravan in which 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah was present. 68 00:04:25,980 --> 00:04:29,050 When night fell upon us, 69 00:04:29,050 --> 00:04:31,050 We halted near a dense thicket— 70 00:04:31,050 --> 00:04:34,050 A cluster of trees where rainwater collects. 71 00:04:34,050 --> 00:04:37,050 'Amir gathered his belongings, 72 00:04:37,050 --> 00:04:39,050 Tied his horse to a tree, 73 00:04:39,050 --> 00:04:41,050 Lengthened its tether, 74 00:04:41,050 --> 00:04:45,050 Gathered enough grass from the ground to satisfy its hunger, 75 00:04:45,050 --> 00:04:47,050 And placed it before it. 76 00:04:47,050 --> 00:04:50,079 He then entered the thicket and went deep into it. 77 00:04:50,079 --> 00:04:52,079 I said to myself, 78 00:04:52,079 --> 00:04:54,079 'By Allah, I will surely follow him 79 00:04:54,079 --> 00:05:00,079 And see what he does in the depths of the thicket tonight.' 80 00:05:00,079 --> 00:05:04,139 He walked on until he reached a knoll surrounded by dense trees, 81 00:05:04,139 --> 00:05:07,139 Concealed from all eyes. 82 00:05:07,139 --> 00:05:09,139 He faced the Qiblah 83 00:05:09,139 --> 00:05:12,139 And stood upright in prayer. 84 00:05:12,139 --> 00:05:17,180 I have never seen a prayer more beautiful, more complete, or more filled with humility and awe than his. 85 00:05:17,180 --> 00:05:21,180 When he had prayed as much as Allah willed for him to pray, 86 00:05:21,180 --> 00:05:24,180 He began to supplicate Allah and converse intimately with Him. 87 00:05:24,180 --> 00:05:26,180 Among the words he uttered were: 88 00:05:26,180 --> 00:05:30,240 'O my Lord, You created me by Your command, 89 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:35,370 And You placed me amidst the trials of this world by Your will, 90 00:05:35,370 --> 00:05:37,370 Then You said to me, 91 00:05:37,370 --> 00:05:38,370 "Hold fast!" 92 00:05:38,370 --> 00:05:44,459 So how can I hold fast unless You sustain me with Your gentle grace, O All-Powerful, O Ever-Enduring? 93 00:05:44,459 --> 00:05:46,560 O my Lord, 94 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:51,560 You know that if this entire world and all it contains belonged to me, 95 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,560 And it were demanded of me for Your pleasure, 96 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,560 I would willingly surrender it to whoever sought it. 97 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:01,560 So grant me my own soul, O Most Merciful of the merciful! 98 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:03,779 O my Lord, 99 00:06:03,779 --> 00:06:08,779 I have loved You with a love that has made every calamity easy for me to bear, 100 00:06:08,779 --> 00:06:11,779 And made me well-pleased with all of Your decrees, 101 00:06:11,779 --> 00:06:14,819 So with my love for You, I care not 102 00:06:14,819 --> 00:06:20,000 In what state I greet the morning or enter the evening.' 103 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:22,000 The man from Basra continued: 104 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:25,000 'Then drowsiness overcame me, 105 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:28,000 So I surrendered my eyes to sleep. 106 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:31,000 I kept waking up and falling back asleep, 107 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:34,000 While 'Amir remained standing upright where he was, 108 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,000 Continuing his prayer and intimate supplication, 109 00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:40,060 Until the break of dawn. 110 00:06:40,060 --> 00:06:42,060 When dawn became distinct to him, 111 00:06:42,060 --> 00:06:44,060 He performed the obligatory prayer, 112 00:06:44,060 --> 00:06:47,060 Then turned to supplicate, saying: 113 00:06:47,060 --> 00:06:50,060 "O Allah, morning has arrived, 114 00:06:50,060 --> 00:06:53,060 And the people have begun going forth and returning, 115 00:06:53,060 --> 00:06:55,060 Seeking from Your bounty, 116 00:06:55,060 --> 00:06:58,060 And each of them has a need; 117 00:06:58,060 --> 00:07:01,060 But 'Amir's only need with You 118 00:07:01,060 --> 00:07:03,060 Is that You forgive him. 119 00:07:03,060 --> 00:07:06,060 O Allah, fulfill my need and fulfill their needs, 120 00:07:06,060 --> 00:07:09,129 O Most Generous of the generous! 121 00:07:09,129 --> 00:07:12,129 O Allah, I asked You for three things; 122 00:07:12,129 --> 00:07:14,129 You granted me two 123 00:07:14,129 --> 00:07:16,129 And withheld one from me. 124 00:07:16,129 --> 00:07:18,129 O Allah, grant it to me, 125 00:07:18,129 --> 00:07:22,129 So that I may worship You as I love and desire."' 126 00:07:22,129 --> 00:07:25,259 Then he stood up from his place, 127 00:07:25,259 --> 00:07:27,259 And his gaze fell upon me. 128 00:07:27,259 --> 00:07:30,259 He realized that I had been watching him throughout the night, 129 00:07:30,259 --> 00:07:33,259 Which distressed him exceedingly, 130 00:07:33,259 --> 00:07:35,259 And he said to me in sorrow: 131 00:07:35,259 --> 00:07:39,259 'I see you were watching me tonight, O brother of Basra.' 132 00:07:39,259 --> 00:07:41,259 I said, 'Yes.' 133 00:07:41,259 --> 00:07:42,259 He said: 134 00:07:42,259 --> 00:07:46,259 'Conceal what you saw of me, may Allah conceal your faults.' 135 00:07:46,259 --> 00:07:47,319 I replied: 136 00:07:47,319 --> 00:07:52,319 'By Allah, you must tell me about those three things you asked of your Lord, 137 00:07:52,319 --> 00:07:56,319 Or else I will inform the people of what I saw of you.' 138 00:07:56,319 --> 00:07:57,319 He said: 139 00:07:57,319 --> 00:07:59,319 'Woe to you, do not do so!' 140 00:07:59,319 --> 00:08:02,319 I said, 'It is just as I have told you.' 141 00:08:02,319 --> 00:08:05,509 When he saw my insistence, he said: 142 00:08:05,509 --> 00:08:09,509 'I will tell you, on condition that you give me the pledge and covenant of Allah 143 00:08:09,509 --> 00:08:12,509 That you will not inform anyone of this.' 144 00:08:12,509 --> 00:08:14,509 I said: 145 00:08:14,509 --> 00:08:17,509 'You have my pledge and covenant with Allah 146 00:08:17,509 --> 00:08:20,509 That I will never disclose your secret as long as you live.' 147 00:08:20,509 --> 00:08:22,509 He said: 148 00:08:22,509 --> 00:08:26,509 'There was nothing I feared more regarding my religion than women, 149 00:08:27,509 --> 00:08:31,509 So I asked my Lord to remove the desire for them from my heart, 150 00:08:31,509 --> 00:08:33,509 And He answered my prayer, 151 00:08:33,509 --> 00:08:35,509 To the extent that I no longer care 152 00:08:35,509 --> 00:08:38,509 Whether I see a woman or a wall.' 153 00:08:38,509 --> 00:08:40,509 I said, 'That is the first; 154 00:08:40,509 --> 00:08:42,509 What is the second?' 155 00:08:42,509 --> 00:08:43,509 He said: 156 00:08:43,509 --> 00:08:48,509 'The second is that I asked my Lord not to let me fear anyone other than Him, 157 00:08:48,509 --> 00:08:50,509 And He answered my prayer, 158 00:08:50,509 --> 00:08:56,509 So that, by Allah, I fear nothing in the earth nor in the heavens besides Him.' 159 00:08:56,509 --> 00:08:58,509 I said, 'And what is the third?' 160 00:08:58,509 --> 00:09:00,509 He said: 161 00:09:00,509 --> 00:09:03,509 'I asked my Lord to take sleep away from me, 162 00:09:03,509 --> 00:09:07,509 So that I might worship Him night and day as I desire, 163 00:09:07,509 --> 00:09:10,639 But He withheld this third one from me.' 164 00:09:10,639 --> 00:09:12,639 When I heard that from him, 165 00:09:12,639 --> 00:09:14,639 I said to him: 166 00:09:14,639 --> 00:09:16,639 'Be gentle with yourself, 167 00:09:16,639 --> 00:09:19,639 For you spend your night standing in prayer 168 00:09:19,639 --> 00:09:22,639 And pass your day fasting. 169 00:09:22,639 --> 00:09:26,639 Paradise can be attained with less than what you do, 170 00:09:26,639 --> 00:09:30,639 And the Fire can be avoided with less hardship than you endure.' 171 00:09:30,639 --> 00:09:32,639 He said: 172 00:09:32,639 --> 00:09:36,639 'I truly fear that I might regret when regret is of no avail. 173 00:09:36,639 --> 00:09:39,639 By Allah, I will strive in worship 174 00:09:39,639 --> 00:09:42,639 As long as I find any way to strive. 175 00:09:42,639 --> 00:09:44,639 If I am saved, 176 00:09:44,639 --> 00:09:46,639 It is by the mercy of Allah; 177 00:09:46,639 --> 00:09:48,639 And if I enter the Fire, 178 00:09:48,639 --> 00:09:51,919 It is due to my own shortcomings.' 179 00:09:51,919 --> 00:09:53,919 Yet 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah 180 00:09:53,919 --> 00:09:57,919 Was not merely a monk of the night; 181 00:09:57,919 --> 00:10:01,919 Rather, he was also a knight of the day. 182 00:10:01,919 --> 00:10:05,919 Whenever a caller summoned to jihad in the cause of Allah, 183 00:10:05,919 --> 00:10:09,919 He was in the forefront of those answering the call. 184 00:10:09,919 --> 00:10:15,139 Whenever he set out for an expedition with the fighters, 185 00:10:15,139 --> 00:10:17,139 He would stand inspecting the men 186 00:10:17,139 --> 00:10:19,139 In order to choose his companions. 187 00:10:19,139 --> 00:10:22,139 When he found a company that suited him, 188 00:10:22,139 --> 00:10:23,139 He would say to them: 189 00:10:23,139 --> 00:10:25,139 'O you people, 190 00:10:25,139 --> 00:10:27,139 I wish to accompany you, 191 00:10:27,139 --> 00:10:31,139 Provided you grant me three conditions from yourselves.' 192 00:10:31,139 --> 00:10:34,139 They would ask, 'What are they?' 193 00:10:34,139 --> 00:10:35,139 And he would say: 194 00:10:35,139 --> 00:10:38,139 'The first is that I be your servant, 195 00:10:38,139 --> 00:10:42,139 And that none of you ever dispute with me over serving; 196 00:10:42,139 --> 00:10:46,139 The second is that I be your caller to prayer, 197 00:10:46,139 --> 00:10:50,139 And that none of you dispute with me over calling to prayer; 198 00:10:50,139 --> 00:10:55,179 And the third is that I spend upon you according to my means.' 199 00:10:55,179 --> 00:10:59,179 If they agreed, then yes, provided they joined them. 200 00:10:59,179 --> 00:11:03,179 Whenever anyone disputed any of that with him, 201 00:11:03,179 --> 00:11:05,179 he would depart from them and go to others. 202 00:11:05,179 --> 00:11:10,490 Indeed, 'Amir was among those warriors 203 00:11:10,490 --> 00:11:13,490 who are numerous in times of panic, 204 00:11:13,490 --> 00:11:15,490 and few in times of greed. 205 00:11:15,490 --> 00:11:17,490 He plunged into the thick of battle 206 00:11:17,490 --> 00:11:20,490 as no one else did, 207 00:11:20,490 --> 00:11:23,549 yet he showed restraint regarding the spoils 208 00:11:23,549 --> 00:11:26,549 like no one else could. 209 00:11:26,549 --> 00:11:29,549 Here is Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, 210 00:11:29,549 --> 00:11:33,549 after the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, taking residence in the White Palace of Khosrow. 211 00:11:33,549 --> 00:11:35,549 He ordered 'Umar ibn Muqarrin 212 00:11:35,549 --> 00:11:38,549 to gather and inventory the spoils of war, 213 00:11:38,549 --> 00:11:42,549 in order to send a fifth to the Treasury of the Muslims 214 00:11:42,549 --> 00:11:45,549 and distribute the rest among the fighters. 215 00:11:45,549 --> 00:11:50,549 Before him were gathered riches, precious artifacts, and valuables 216 00:11:50,549 --> 00:11:54,549 beyond description and too vast to count. 217 00:11:54,549 --> 00:11:56,549 There were large baskets 218 00:11:56,549 --> 00:11:58,549 sealed with lead, 219 00:11:58,549 --> 00:12:01,549 filled with gold and silver vessels 220 00:12:01,549 --> 00:12:04,549 used by the kings of Persia. 221 00:12:04,549 --> 00:12:08,549 And over there were chests of fine wood, 222 00:12:08,549 --> 00:12:11,549 piled high with the garments, sashes, 223 00:12:11,549 --> 00:12:15,549 and armor of Khosrow, encrusted with jewels and pearls. 224 00:12:15,549 --> 00:12:19,549 There were leather hampers filled with exquisite jewelry 225 00:12:19,549 --> 00:12:21,549 and marvelous treasures, 226 00:12:21,549 --> 00:12:25,549 and scabbards containing the swords of the Persian kings, 227 00:12:25,549 --> 00:12:27,549 passed down monarch after monarch, 228 00:12:27,549 --> 00:12:29,549 as well as the swords of kings and commanders 229 00:12:29,549 --> 00:12:33,549 who had submitted to the Persians throughout history. 230 00:12:33,549 --> 00:12:38,899 As the officials were taking inventory of these spoils 231 00:12:38,899 --> 00:12:41,899 in full view and hearing of the Muslims, 232 00:12:41,899 --> 00:12:44,899 a disheveled, dust-covered man approached the people, 233 00:12:44,899 --> 00:12:47,899 carrying a large, 234 00:12:47,899 --> 00:12:49,899 heavy casket 235 00:12:49,899 --> 00:12:52,899 in both his hands. 236 00:12:52,899 --> 00:12:54,899 They looked closely, 237 00:12:54,899 --> 00:12:56,899 and behold, it was a casket 238 00:12:56,899 --> 00:12:59,899 the likes of which their eyes had never seen, 239 00:12:59,899 --> 00:13:01,899 nor had they found among all they had collected 240 00:13:01,899 --> 00:13:04,899 anything that equaled or even approached it. 241 00:13:04,899 --> 00:13:06,899 They looked inside 242 00:13:06,899 --> 00:13:10,899 and found it filled with splendid pearls and jewels. 243 00:13:10,899 --> 00:13:12,899 They asked the man, 244 00:13:12,899 --> 00:13:15,899 "Where did you acquire this precious treasure?" 245 00:13:15,899 --> 00:13:16,929 He replied, 246 00:13:16,929 --> 00:13:18,929 "I took it as spoils in such-and-such battle, 247 00:13:18,929 --> 00:13:20,929 in such-and-such place." 248 00:13:20,929 --> 00:13:22,929 They asked, 249 00:13:22,929 --> 00:13:24,929 "And did you take anything from it for yourself?" 250 00:13:24,929 --> 00:13:26,929 He said, 251 00:13:26,929 --> 00:13:28,929 "May Allah guide you! 252 00:13:28,929 --> 00:13:30,929 By Allah, this casket 253 00:13:30,929 --> 00:13:33,929 and everything the kings of Persia ever owned 254 00:13:33,929 --> 00:13:36,929 are not worth a fingernail clipping to me. 255 00:13:36,929 --> 00:13:39,960 Were it not for the right of the Muslim Treasury to it, 256 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:41,960 I would not have picked it up from the ground, 257 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:43,960 nor brought it to you." 258 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:48,019 They said, "Who are you, may Allah honor you?" 259 00:13:48,019 --> 00:13:50,019 He replied, 260 00:13:50,019 --> 00:13:51,019 "No, by Allah! 261 00:13:51,019 --> 00:13:53,019 I will not tell you so that you praise me, 262 00:13:53,019 --> 00:13:57,019 nor will I tell anyone else so that they commend me—" 263 00:13:57,019 --> 00:13:59,019 meaning, so that they extol him— 264 00:13:59,019 --> 00:14:01,019 "rather, I praise Allah Almighty 265 00:14:01,019 --> 00:14:03,019 and hope for His reward." 266 00:14:03,019 --> 00:14:06,019 He then left them and walked away. 267 00:14:06,019 --> 00:14:08,019 They ordered a man from among them to follow him 268 00:14:09,019 --> 00:14:11,019 and bring back news of who he was. 269 00:14:11,019 --> 00:14:14,019 The man kept walking behind him 270 00:14:14,019 --> 00:14:16,019 without his knowledge, 271 00:14:16,019 --> 00:14:18,019 until he reached his companions. 272 00:14:18,019 --> 00:14:20,019 When he asked them about him, 273 00:14:20,019 --> 00:14:23,019 they said, "Do you not know him? 274 00:14:23,019 --> 00:14:25,019 He is the ascetic of Basra, 275 00:14:25,019 --> 00:14:28,019 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi." 276 00:14:28,019 --> 00:14:32,019 Yet the life of 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah, 277 00:14:32,019 --> 00:14:35,019 despite what you have learned about him, 278 00:14:35,019 --> 00:14:37,019 was not devoid of hardship, 279 00:14:37,019 --> 00:14:40,019 nor was it free from the harm of people. 280 00:14:40,019 --> 00:14:43,019 For he was subjected to what all truthful proclaimers face 281 00:14:43,019 --> 00:14:45,019 when speaking the word of truth, 282 00:14:45,019 --> 00:14:47,019 denouncing wrongdoing, 283 00:14:47,019 --> 00:14:49,019 and striving to eradicate it. 284 00:14:49,019 --> 00:14:51,049 The direct cause 285 00:14:51,049 --> 00:14:54,049 of the harm that befell him 286 00:14:54,049 --> 00:14:56,049 was that he saw an officer from among the guards 287 00:14:56,049 --> 00:14:58,049 of the chief of police in Basra 288 00:14:58,049 --> 00:15:00,049 seizing by the throat 289 00:15:00,049 --> 00:15:02,049 a non-Muslim protected subject (*dhimmi*) 290 00:15:02,049 --> 00:15:05,049 and dragging him along, 291 00:15:05,049 --> 00:15:08,049 while the *dhimmi* was appealing to the people for help, saying, 292 00:15:08,049 --> 00:15:11,049 "Protect me, may Allah protect you! 293 00:15:11,049 --> 00:15:15,049 Protect the covenant of your Prophet, O gathering of Muslims!" 294 00:15:15,049 --> 00:15:18,049 'Amir approached him and asked, 295 00:15:18,049 --> 00:15:20,049 "Have you paid your *jizyah*?" 296 00:15:20,049 --> 00:15:23,049 He replied, "Yes, I have paid it." 297 00:15:23,049 --> 00:15:27,110 'Amir turned to the man holding him by the throat and said, 298 00:15:27,110 --> 00:15:29,110 "What do you want from him?" 299 00:15:29,110 --> 00:15:30,110 He answered, 300 00:15:30,110 --> 00:15:32,110 "I want him to come with me 301 00:15:32,110 --> 00:15:35,110 to sweep the garden of the chief of police"— 302 00:15:35,110 --> 00:15:37,110 meaning, to clean it. 303 00:15:37,110 --> 00:15:39,110 He asked the *dhimmi*, 304 00:15:39,110 --> 00:15:42,110 "Are you willingly agreeable to this work?" 305 00:15:42,110 --> 00:15:44,110 He said, "No, 306 00:15:44,110 --> 00:15:46,110 for it breaks my strength 307 00:15:46,110 --> 00:15:49,110 and diverts me from earning sustenance for my family." 308 00:15:49,110 --> 00:15:53,110 'Amir turned to the man and said, "Let him go." 309 00:15:53,110 --> 00:15:55,110 He replied, "I will not let him go." 310 00:15:55,110 --> 00:15:57,210 Thereupon, 'Amir 311 00:15:57,210 --> 00:15:59,210 threw his cloak 312 00:15:59,210 --> 00:16:01,210 over the *dhimmi* and said, 313 00:16:01,210 --> 00:16:07,210 "By Allah, the protection guaranteed by Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) shall not be violated while I live!" 314 00:16:07,210 --> 00:16:09,240 Then the people gathered 315 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:12,240 and assisted 'Amir against the man, 316 00:16:12,240 --> 00:16:15,269 rescuing the *dhimmi* by force. 317 00:16:15,269 --> 00:16:18,269 The guards of the chief of police then 318 00:16:18,269 --> 00:16:21,269 accused 'Amir of defying authority 319 00:16:21,269 --> 00:16:25,269 and charged him with dissenting from the Sunnah and the community. 320 00:16:25,269 --> 00:16:26,269 They said, 321 00:16:26,269 --> 00:16:29,269 "He is a man who does not marry women, 322 00:16:29,269 --> 00:16:33,269 does not eat the meat or milk of animals, 323 00:16:33,269 --> 00:16:37,269 and considers himself above attending the gatherings of governors." 324 00:16:37,269 --> 00:16:40,269 They raised his matter to the Commander of the Faithful, 325 00:16:40,269 --> 00:16:43,269 'Uthman ibn 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him). 326 00:16:43,269 --> 00:16:47,490 The Caliph ordered his governor over Basra 327 00:16:47,490 --> 00:16:51,490 to summon 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah to his council, 328 00:16:51,490 --> 00:16:54,490 question him about what was attributed to him, 329 00:16:54,490 --> 00:16:56,490 and report back to him. 330 00:16:56,490 --> 00:16:59,490 The governor of Basra summoned 'Amir and said, 331 00:16:59,490 --> 00:17:03,490 "The Commander of the Faithful—may Allah prolong his life— 332 00:17:03,490 --> 00:17:07,490 has ordered me to question you regarding matters attributed to you." 333 00:17:07,490 --> 00:17:08,490 He said, 334 00:17:08,490 --> 00:17:12,619 "Ask about whatever the Commander of the Faithful has commanded." 335 00:17:12,619 --> 00:17:13,650 He said, 336 00:17:13,650 --> 00:17:18,650 "Why do you turn away from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 337 00:17:18,650 --> 00:17:21,650 and refuse to marry?" 338 00:17:21,650 --> 00:17:22,710 He replied, 339 00:17:22,710 --> 00:17:28,710 "I did not forego marriage out of aversion to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 340 00:17:28,710 --> 00:17:32,710 for I bear witness that there is no monasticism in Islam. 341 00:17:32,710 --> 00:17:37,710 Rather, I am a man who realized he has only one soul, 342 00:17:37,710 --> 00:17:40,710 so he dedicated it to Allah Almighty, 343 00:17:40,710 --> 00:17:43,710 and feared that a wife might distract him from Him." 344 00:17:43,710 --> 00:17:45,839 He then asked, 345 00:17:45,839 --> 00:17:47,839 "Why do you not eat meat?" 346 00:17:47,839 --> 00:17:48,839 He replied, 347 00:17:48,839 --> 00:17:52,839 "Indeed I eat it if I crave it and find it. 348 00:17:52,839 --> 00:17:54,940 But if I do not crave it, 349 00:17:54,940 --> 00:17:56,940 or if I crave it and do not find it, 350 00:17:57,940 --> 00:17:59,940 then I do not eat it." 351 00:17:59,940 --> 00:18:01,099 He asked, 352 00:18:01,099 --> 00:18:04,099 "Why do you not eat cheese?" 353 00:18:04,099 --> 00:18:05,259 He replied, 354 00:18:05,259 --> 00:18:10,259 "We live in a region where Zoroastrians make cheese, 355 00:18:10,259 --> 00:18:15,259 and they are a people who do not distinguish between carrion and ritually slaughtered meat. 356 00:18:15,259 --> 00:18:19,259 I fear that the rennet used to make the cheese 357 00:18:19,259 --> 00:18:22,259 might come from an unslaughtered sheep. 358 00:18:22,380 --> 00:18:25,380 Whenever two Muslim witnesses bear witness 359 00:18:25,380 --> 00:18:30,380 that it is cheese made with the rennet of a ritually slaughtered sheep, 360 00:18:30,380 --> 00:18:31,380 I eat it." 361 00:18:31,380 --> 00:18:32,579 He asked, 362 00:18:32,579 --> 00:18:37,579 "And what prevents you from visiting the governors and attending their gatherings?" 363 00:18:37,579 --> 00:18:39,670 He replied, 364 00:18:39,670 --> 00:18:43,670 "At your doors are many seekers of needs, 365 00:18:43,670 --> 00:18:45,670 so call them to you 366 00:18:45,670 --> 00:18:48,670 and fulfill their needs, 367 00:18:48,670 --> 00:18:51,670 and leave alone him who has no need of you." 368 00:18:51,670 --> 00:18:55,789 The statements of 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah were conveyed 369 00:18:55,789 --> 00:18:58,789 to the Commander of the Faithful, 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, 370 00:18:58,789 --> 00:19:01,789 who found in them no defiance of authority 371 00:19:01,789 --> 00:19:04,789 nor any departure from the Sunnah and the community. 372 00:19:04,789 --> 00:19:08,789 However, that did not extinguish the fire of discord, 373 00:19:08,789 --> 00:19:12,789 as gossip and rumor multiplied around 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah, 374 00:19:12,789 --> 00:19:17,789 nearly causing sedition between the man's supporters and his detractors. 375 00:19:17,789 --> 00:19:22,819 So 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered that he be relocated to the Levant 376 00:19:22,819 --> 00:19:25,819 to make it his place of residence. 377 00:19:25,819 --> 00:19:28,819 He commended him to his governor over the Levant, 378 00:19:28,819 --> 00:19:30,819 Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, 379 00:19:30,819 --> 00:19:32,819 instructing him to receive him warmly 380 00:19:32,819 --> 00:19:34,819 and uphold his honor. 381 00:19:34,819 --> 00:19:40,230 On the day 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah resolved 382 00:19:40,230 --> 00:19:42,230 to depart from Basra, 383 00:19:42,230 --> 00:19:47,230 a vast crowd of his brothers and students went out to bid him farewell. 384 00:19:47,230 --> 00:19:51,230 They escorted him until they reached the outskirts of al-Mirbad, 385 00:19:51,230 --> 00:19:54,230 a district on the outer edge of Basra. 386 00:19:54,230 --> 00:19:56,230 There, he said to them, 387 00:19:56,230 --> 00:20:01,230 "I am going to supplicate, so say *amin* to my supplication." 388 00:20:01,230 --> 00:20:04,259 The people craned their necks toward him, 389 00:20:04,259 --> 00:20:06,259 fell completely still, 390 00:20:06,259 --> 00:20:09,259 and fixed their eyes upon him. 391 00:20:09,259 --> 00:20:11,259 He raised his hands and said, 392 00:20:11,259 --> 00:20:15,359 "O Allah, whoever slandered me and lied against me, 393 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:18,359 and was the cause of my expulsion from my homeland 394 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:21,359 and the separation between me and my companions— 395 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:24,359 O Allah, I have forgiven him, 396 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:26,359 so forgive him, 397 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:29,359 Grant him well-being in his religious and worldly affairs, 398 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:33,359 and encompass me, him, and the rest of the Muslims 399 00:20:33,359 --> 00:20:36,359 in Your mercy, Your pardon, and Your benevolence, 400 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:38,359 O Most Merciful of those who show mercy. 401 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:42,650 Then he turned his mount toward the lands of the Levant 402 00:20:42,650 --> 00:20:44,650 and went on his way. 403 00:20:44,650 --> 00:20:48,250 'Amr ibn 'Abd Allah spent 404 00:20:48,250 --> 00:20:51,250 the remainder of his life in the lands of the Levant. 405 00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:55,250 He chose Jerusalem as his residence, 406 00:20:55,250 --> 00:20:58,250 and he received from the righteousness of the governor of the Levant, 407 00:20:58,250 --> 00:21:00,250 Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, 408 00:21:00,250 --> 00:21:04,250 as well as his veneration and honor, that which he truly deserved. 409 00:21:04,250 --> 00:21:09,380 When he fell terminally ill, his companions entered upon him, 410 00:21:09,380 --> 00:21:11,380 and they found him weeping. 411 00:21:11,380 --> 00:21:15,410 They asked, "What makes you weep, when you were such and such?" 412 00:21:15,410 --> 00:21:17,410 He replied, 413 00:21:17,410 --> 00:21:22,410 "By Allah, I do not weep out of eagerness for this world, nor out of panic over death; 414 00:21:22,410 --> 00:21:26,410 rather, I weep because of the length of the journey and the scantiness of my provisions. 415 00:21:26,410 --> 00:21:30,500 I have reached the evening standing between ascent and descent, 416 00:21:30,500 --> 00:21:34,500 leading either to Paradise or to the Fire, 417 00:21:34,500 --> 00:21:37,500 and I do not know to which of the two I shall go." 418 00:21:37,500 --> 00:21:39,539 Then he breathed his last, 419 00:21:39,539 --> 00:21:43,539 while his tongue was moist with the remembrance of Allah. 420 00:21:43,789 --> 00:21:47,819 And there, at the first of the two qiblahs, 421 00:21:47,819 --> 00:21:49,819 the third of the Two Holy Sanctuaries, 422 00:21:49,819 --> 00:21:53,819 and the place of the Night Journey of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 423 00:21:53,819 --> 00:21:57,819 'Amr ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi was laid to rest. 424 00:21:57,819 --> 00:22:00,920 May Allah illuminate 'Amr's grave, 425 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:04,920 and may He brighten his countenance in the Gardens of Eternity. 426 00:22:04,920 --> 00:22:10,769 Asceticism culminated in eight individuals, 427 00:22:10,769 --> 00:22:15,829 chief among them 'Amr ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi, 428 00:22:15,829 --> 00:22:18,250 as reported by 'Alqamah ibn Marthad. 429 00:22:49,460 --> 00:22:54,460 They filled life with glorious deeds by their actions, 430 00:22:54,460 --> 00:22:58,519 and through them, the world of mankind flourished.