WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:03.399 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:08.400 The best of generations in character and exemplary conduct, 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:13.400 Followed the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.400 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:17.399 Presents: 00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.399 "Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un" 00:00:21.399 --> 00:00:26.429 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:26.429 --> 00:00:28.429 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:28.429 --> 00:00:33.539 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi, 00:00:33.539 --> 00:00:35.539 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:45.700 We are now in the fourteenth year after the Hijrah, 00:00:45.700 --> 00:00:51.829 And here are the guiding builders among the noble Companions and the leading Tabi'un, 00:00:51.829 --> 00:00:54.829 Planning and laying out the city of Basra, 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. 00:01:00.829 --> 00:01:04.959 For they resolved to make this new city 00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:09.959 A base for the Muslim armies campaigning in the lands of Persia, 00:01:09.959 --> 00:01:13.959 A stronghold for calling people to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:17.959 And a beacon for elevating His word in the earth. 00:01:19.219 --> 00:01:21.219 And here are the throngs of Muslims, 00:01:21.219 --> 00:01:27.219 Migrating to this nascent city from every corner of the Arabian Peninsula— 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:31.219 From Najd, the Hijaz, and Yemen— 00:01:31.219 --> 00:01:35.219 To garrison one of the vital frontiers of the Muslims. 00:01:35.219 --> 00:01:39.280 Among the migrants who came to it from Najd 00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:41.280 Was a young man from Banu Tamim 00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:47.370 Named 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi al-'Anbari. 00:01:47.370 --> 00:01:52.370 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah was then a youth in the prime of his early years, 00:01:52.370 --> 00:01:55.370 Radiant with fresh vigor and youthful vitality, 00:01:55.370 --> 00:01:59.370 Luminous-faced, pure of soul, and pious of heart. 00:01:59.370 --> 00:02:05.370 Despite its recent founding, Basra was among the wealthiest of Muslim lands, 00:02:05.370 --> 00:02:07.370 And the most abundant in riches, 00:02:07.370 --> 00:02:11.370 Due to the spoils of war that poured into it 00:02:11.370 --> 00:02:14.370 And the pure, gleaming gold that flowed abundantly through it— 00:02:14.370 --> 00:02:16.370 That is, pure, unalloyed gold. 00:02:16.370 --> 00:02:20.370 Yet the young Tamimi, 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah, 00:02:20.370 --> 00:02:24.370 Had no desire for any of that at all; 00:02:24.370 --> 00:02:27.370 He was thoroughly detached from what was in the hands of people, 00:02:27.370 --> 00:02:30.370 Longing earnestly for what is with Allah, 00:02:30.370 --> 00:02:33.370 Turning away from this worldly life and its adornments, 00:02:33.370 --> 00:02:37.389 Wholly devoted to Allah and seeking His pleasure. 00:02:37.389 --> 00:02:40.389 The foremost leader and preeminent figure of Basra in those days was 00:02:40.389 --> 00:02:45.389 The illustrious Companion Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:02:45.389 --> 00:02:48.389 May Allah brighten his face in Paradise. 00:02:48.389 --> 00:02:51.389 He was the governor of the flourishing city, 00:02:51.389 --> 00:02:56.389 The commander of the Muslim armies advancing from it in every direction, 00:02:56.389 --> 00:02:59.389 The imam of its people and their teacher, 00:02:59.389 --> 00:03:02.389 And their guide to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 00:03:02.389 --> 00:03:09.669 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah adhered closely to Abu Musa al-Ash'ari in peace and war, 00:03:09.669 --> 00:03:12.669 Accompanying him in residence and travel. 00:03:12.669 --> 00:03:16.669 From him he received the Book of Allah fresh and vibrant, 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. 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:26.740 He narrated from him the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 00:03:26.740 --> 00:03:29.740 Authentically and directly connected to the Noble Prophet, 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:34.770 And acquired deep fiqh under his guidance in the religion of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 00:03:34.770 --> 00:03:37.770 When he had acquired all the knowledge he sought, 00:03:37.770 --> 00:03:40.770 He divided his life into three distinct parts: 00:03:40.770 --> 00:03:43.770 One portion was devoted to circles of remembrance, 00:03:43.770 --> 00:03:47.770 In which he taught the people the Qur'an in the Mosque of Basra; 00:03:47.770 --> 00:03:50.770 Another portion was spent in secluded worship, 00:03:50.770 --> 00:03:53.770 Standing in prayer before Allah 00:03:53.770 --> 00:03:56.770 Until his feet grew weary; 00:03:56.770 --> 00:03:59.770 And the third portion was dedicated to the arenas of jihad, 00:03:59.770 --> 00:04:03.900 Drawing his sword as a warrior in the cause of Allah. 00:04:03.900 --> 00:04:08.900 He never left any room in his life for anything else, 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:12.900 To the point that he was called the devout worshiper and ascetic of Basra. 00:04:12.900 --> 00:04:16.980 Among the accounts related about 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah 00:04:16.980 --> 00:04:19.980 Is a story narrated by one of the men of Basra, 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:25.980 Who said: "I traveled in a caravan in which 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah was present. 00:04:25.980 --> 00:04:29.050 When night fell upon us, 00:04:29.050 --> 00:04:31.050 We halted near a dense thicket— 00:04:31.050 --> 00:04:34.050 A cluster of trees where rainwater collects. 00:04:34.050 --> 00:04:37.050 'Amir gathered his belongings, 00:04:37.050 --> 00:04:39.050 Tied his horse to a tree, 00:04:39.050 --> 00:04:41.050 Lengthened its tether, 00:04:41.050 --> 00:04:45.050 Gathered enough grass from the ground to satisfy its hunger, 00:04:45.050 --> 00:04:47.050 And placed it before it. 00:04:47.050 --> 00:04:50.079 He then entered the thicket and went deep into it. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:52.079 I said to myself, 00:04:52.079 --> 00:04:54.079 'By Allah, I will surely follow him 00:04:54.079 --> 00:05:00.079 And see what he does in the depths of the thicket tonight.' 00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:04.139 He walked on until he reached a knoll surrounded by dense trees, 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:07.139 Concealed from all eyes. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:09.139 He faced the Qiblah 00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:12.139 And stood upright in prayer. 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. 00:05:17.180 --> 00:05:21.180 When he had prayed as much as Allah willed for him to pray, 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:24.180 He began to supplicate Allah and converse intimately with Him. 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:26.180 Among the words he uttered were: 00:05:26.180 --> 00:05:30.240 'O my Lord, You created me by Your command, 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:35.370 And You placed me amidst the trials of this world by Your will, 00:05:35.370 --> 00:05:37.370 Then You said to me, 00:05:37.370 --> 00:05:38.370 "Hold fast!" 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? 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:46.560 O my Lord, 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:51.560 You know that if this entire world and all it contains belonged to me, 00:05:51.560 --> 00:05:54.560 And it were demanded of me for Your pleasure, 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:57.560 I would willingly surrender it to whoever sought it. 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:01.560 So grant me my own soul, O Most Merciful of the merciful! 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:03.779 O my Lord, 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, 00:06:08.779 --> 00:06:11.779 And made me well-pleased with all of Your decrees, 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:14.819 So with my love for You, I care not 00:06:14.819 --> 00:06:20.000 In what state I greet the morning or enter the evening.' 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:22.000 The man from Basra continued: 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:25.000 'Then drowsiness overcame me, 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:28.000 So I surrendered my eyes to sleep. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:31.000 I kept waking up and falling back asleep, 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:34.000 While 'Amir remained standing upright where he was, 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:37.000 Continuing his prayer and intimate supplication, 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:40.060 Until the break of dawn. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:42.060 When dawn became distinct to him, 00:06:42.060 --> 00:06:44.060 He performed the obligatory prayer, 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:47.060 Then turned to supplicate, saying: 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:50.060 "O Allah, morning has arrived, 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:53.060 And the people have begun going forth and returning, 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.060 Seeking from Your bounty, 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:58.060 And each of them has a need; 00:06:58.060 --> 00:07:01.060 But 'Amir's only need with You 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:03.060 Is that You forgive him. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:06.060 O Allah, fulfill my need and fulfill their needs, 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:09.129 O Most Generous of the generous! 00:07:09.129 --> 00:07:12.129 O Allah, I asked You for three things; 00:07:12.129 --> 00:07:14.129 You granted me two 00:07:14.129 --> 00:07:16.129 And withheld one from me. 00:07:16.129 --> 00:07:18.129 O Allah, grant it to me, 00:07:18.129 --> 00:07:22.129 So that I may worship You as I love and desire."' 00:07:22.129 --> 00:07:25.259 Then he stood up from his place, 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:27.259 And his gaze fell upon me. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:30.259 He realized that I had been watching him throughout the night, 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:33.259 Which distressed him exceedingly, 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:35.259 And he said to me in sorrow: 00:07:35.259 --> 00:07:39.259 'I see you were watching me tonight, O brother of Basra.' 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:41.259 I said, 'Yes.' 00:07:41.259 --> 00:07:42.259 He said: 00:07:42.259 --> 00:07:46.259 'Conceal what you saw of me, may Allah conceal your faults.' 00:07:46.259 --> 00:07:47.319 I replied: 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:52.319 'By Allah, you must tell me about those three things you asked of your Lord, 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:56.319 Or else I will inform the people of what I saw of you.' 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:57.319 He said: 00:07:57.319 --> 00:07:59.319 'Woe to you, do not do so!' 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:02.319 I said, 'It is just as I have told you.' 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:05.509 When he saw my insistence, he said: 00:08:05.509 --> 00:08:09.509 'I will tell you, on condition that you give me the pledge and covenant of Allah 00:08:09.509 --> 00:08:12.509 That you will not inform anyone of this.' 00:08:12.509 --> 00:08:14.509 I said: 00:08:14.509 --> 00:08:17.509 'You have my pledge and covenant with Allah 00:08:17.509 --> 00:08:20.509 That I will never disclose your secret as long as you live.' 00:08:20.509 --> 00:08:22.509 He said: 00:08:22.509 --> 00:08:26.509 'There was nothing I feared more regarding my religion than women, 00:08:27.509 --> 00:08:31.509 So I asked my Lord to remove the desire for them from my heart, 00:08:31.509 --> 00:08:33.509 And He answered my prayer, 00:08:33.509 --> 00:08:35.509 To the extent that I no longer care 00:08:35.509 --> 00:08:38.509 Whether I see a woman or a wall.' 00:08:38.509 --> 00:08:40.509 I said, 'That is the first; 00:08:40.509 --> 00:08:42.509 What is the second?' 00:08:42.509 --> 00:08:43.509 He said: 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, 00:08:48.509 --> 00:08:50.509 And He answered my prayer, 00:08:50.509 --> 00:08:56.509 So that, by Allah, I fear nothing in the earth nor in the heavens besides Him.' 00:08:56.509 --> 00:08:58.509 I said, 'And what is the third?' 00:08:58.509 --> 00:09:00.509 He said: 00:09:00.509 --> 00:09:03.509 'I asked my Lord to take sleep away from me, 00:09:03.509 --> 00:09:07.509 So that I might worship Him night and day as I desire, 00:09:07.509 --> 00:09:10.639 But He withheld this third one from me.' 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:12.639 When I heard that from him, 00:09:12.639 --> 00:09:14.639 I said to him: 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:16.639 'Be gentle with yourself, 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:19.639 For you spend your night standing in prayer 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:22.639 And pass your day fasting. 00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:26.639 Paradise can be attained with less than what you do, 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:30.639 And the Fire can be avoided with less hardship than you endure.' 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.639 He said: 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:36.639 'I truly fear that I might regret when regret is of no avail. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:39.639 By Allah, I will strive in worship 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:42.639 As long as I find any way to strive. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:44.639 If I am saved, 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:46.639 It is by the mercy of Allah; 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:48.639 And if I enter the Fire, 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:51.919 It is due to my own shortcomings.' 00:09:51.919 --> 00:09:53.919 Yet 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah 00:09:53.919 --> 00:09:57.919 Was not merely a monk of the night; 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:01.919 Rather, he was also a knight of the day. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:05.919 Whenever a caller summoned to jihad in the cause of Allah, 00:10:05.919 --> 00:10:09.919 He was in the forefront of those answering the call. 00:10:09.919 --> 00:10:15.139 Whenever he set out for an expedition with the fighters, 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:17.139 He would stand inspecting the men 00:10:17.139 --> 00:10:19.139 In order to choose his companions. 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:22.139 When he found a company that suited him, 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:23.139 He would say to them: 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:25.139 'O you people, 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:27.139 I wish to accompany you, 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:31.139 Provided you grant me three conditions from yourselves.' 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:34.139 They would ask, 'What are they?' 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:35.139 And he would say: 00:10:35.139 --> 00:10:38.139 'The first is that I be your servant, 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:42.139 And that none of you ever dispute with me over serving; 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:46.139 The second is that I be your caller to prayer, 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:50.139 And that none of you dispute with me over calling to prayer; 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:55.179 And the third is that I spend upon you according to my means.' 00:10:55.179 --> 00:10:59.179 If they agreed, then yes, provided they joined them. 00:10:59.179 --> 00:11:03.179 Whenever anyone disputed any of that with him, 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:05.179 he would depart from them and go to others. 00:11:05.179 --> 00:11:10.490 Indeed, 'Amir was among those warriors 00:11:10.490 --> 00:11:13.490 who are numerous in times of panic, 00:11:13.490 --> 00:11:15.490 and few in times of greed. 00:11:15.490 --> 00:11:17.490 He plunged into the thick of battle 00:11:17.490 --> 00:11:20.490 as no one else did, 00:11:20.490 --> 00:11:23.549 yet he showed restraint regarding the spoils 00:11:23.549 --> 00:11:26.549 like no one else could. 00:11:26.549 --> 00:11:29.549 Here is Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, 00:11:29.549 --> 00:11:33.549 after the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, taking residence in the White Palace of Khosrow. 00:11:33.549 --> 00:11:35.549 He ordered 'Umar ibn Muqarrin 00:11:35.549 --> 00:11:38.549 to gather and inventory the spoils of war, 00:11:38.549 --> 00:11:42.549 in order to send a fifth to the Treasury of the Muslims 00:11:42.549 --> 00:11:45.549 and distribute the rest among the fighters. 00:11:45.549 --> 00:11:50.549 Before him were gathered riches, precious artifacts, and valuables 00:11:50.549 --> 00:11:54.549 beyond description and too vast to count. 00:11:54.549 --> 00:11:56.549 There were large baskets 00:11:56.549 --> 00:11:58.549 sealed with lead, 00:11:58.549 --> 00:12:01.549 filled with gold and silver vessels 00:12:01.549 --> 00:12:04.549 used by the kings of Persia. 00:12:04.549 --> 00:12:08.549 And over there were chests of fine wood, 00:12:08.549 --> 00:12:11.549 piled high with the garments, sashes, 00:12:11.549 --> 00:12:15.549 and armor of Khosrow, encrusted with jewels and pearls. 00:12:15.549 --> 00:12:19.549 There were leather hampers filled with exquisite jewelry 00:12:19.549 --> 00:12:21.549 and marvelous treasures, 00:12:21.549 --> 00:12:25.549 and scabbards containing the swords of the Persian kings, 00:12:25.549 --> 00:12:27.549 passed down monarch after monarch, 00:12:27.549 --> 00:12:29.549 as well as the swords of kings and commanders 00:12:29.549 --> 00:12:33.549 who had submitted to the Persians throughout history. 00:12:33.549 --> 00:12:38.899 As the officials were taking inventory of these spoils 00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:41.899 in full view and hearing of the Muslims, 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.899 a disheveled, dust-covered man approached the people, 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:47.899 carrying a large, 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:49.899 heavy casket 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:52.899 in both his hands. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:54.899 They looked closely, 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.899 and behold, it was a casket 00:12:56.899 --> 00:12:59.899 the likes of which their eyes had never seen, 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:01.899 nor had they found among all they had collected 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:04.899 anything that equaled or even approached it. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.899 They looked inside 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:10.899 and found it filled with splendid pearls and jewels. 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:12.899 They asked the man, 00:13:12.899 --> 00:13:15.899 "Where did you acquire this precious treasure?" 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:16.929 He replied, 00:13:16.929 --> 00:13:18.929 "I took it as spoils in such-and-such battle, 00:13:18.929 --> 00:13:20.929 in such-and-such place." 00:13:20.929 --> 00:13:22.929 They asked, 00:13:22.929 --> 00:13:24.929 "And did you take anything from it for yourself?" 00:13:24.929 --> 00:13:26.929 He said, 00:13:26.929 --> 00:13:28.929 "May Allah guide you! 00:13:28.929 --> 00:13:30.929 By Allah, this casket 00:13:30.929 --> 00:13:33.929 and everything the kings of Persia ever owned 00:13:33.929 --> 00:13:36.929 are not worth a fingernail clipping to me. 00:13:36.929 --> 00:13:39.960 Were it not for the right of the Muslim Treasury to it, 00:13:39.960 --> 00:13:41.960 I would not have picked it up from the ground, 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:43.960 nor brought it to you." 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:48.019 They said, "Who are you, may Allah honor you?" 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:50.019 He replied, 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.019 "No, by Allah! 00:13:51.019 --> 00:13:53.019 I will not tell you so that you praise me, 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:57.019 nor will I tell anyone else so that they commend me—" 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:59.019 meaning, so that they extol him— 00:13:59.019 --> 00:14:01.019 "rather, I praise Allah Almighty 00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:03.019 and hope for His reward." 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:06.019 He then left them and walked away. 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:08.019 They ordered a man from among them to follow him 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:11.019 and bring back news of who he was. 00:14:11.019 --> 00:14:14.019 The man kept walking behind him 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:16.019 without his knowledge, 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:18.019 until he reached his companions. 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:20.019 When he asked them about him, 00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:23.019 they said, "Do you not know him? 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:25.019 He is the ascetic of Basra, 00:14:25.019 --> 00:14:28.019 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi." 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:32.019 Yet the life of 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah, 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:35.019 despite what you have learned about him, 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:37.019 was not devoid of hardship, 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:40.019 nor was it free from the harm of people. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:43.019 For he was subjected to what all truthful proclaimers face 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:45.019 when speaking the word of truth, 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:47.019 denouncing wrongdoing, 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:49.019 and striving to eradicate it. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:51.049 The direct cause 00:14:51.049 --> 00:14:54.049 of the harm that befell him 00:14:54.049 --> 00:14:56.049 was that he saw an officer from among the guards 00:14:56.049 --> 00:14:58.049 of the chief of police in Basra 00:14:58.049 --> 00:15:00.049 seizing by the throat 00:15:00.049 --> 00:15:02.049 a non-Muslim protected subject (*dhimmi*) 00:15:02.049 --> 00:15:05.049 and dragging him along, 00:15:05.049 --> 00:15:08.049 while the *dhimmi* was appealing to the people for help, saying, 00:15:08.049 --> 00:15:11.049 "Protect me, may Allah protect you! 00:15:11.049 --> 00:15:15.049 Protect the covenant of your Prophet, O gathering of Muslims!" 00:15:15.049 --> 00:15:18.049 'Amir approached him and asked, 00:15:18.049 --> 00:15:20.049 "Have you paid your *jizyah*?" 00:15:20.049 --> 00:15:23.049 He replied, "Yes, I have paid it." 00:15:23.049 --> 00:15:27.110 'Amir turned to the man holding him by the throat and said, 00:15:27.110 --> 00:15:29.110 "What do you want from him?" 00:15:29.110 --> 00:15:30.110 He answered, 00:15:30.110 --> 00:15:32.110 "I want him to come with me 00:15:32.110 --> 00:15:35.110 to sweep the garden of the chief of police"— 00:15:35.110 --> 00:15:37.110 meaning, to clean it. 00:15:37.110 --> 00:15:39.110 He asked the *dhimmi*, 00:15:39.110 --> 00:15:42.110 "Are you willingly agreeable to this work?" 00:15:42.110 --> 00:15:44.110 He said, "No, 00:15:44.110 --> 00:15:46.110 for it breaks my strength 00:15:46.110 --> 00:15:49.110 and diverts me from earning sustenance for my family." 00:15:49.110 --> 00:15:53.110 'Amir turned to the man and said, "Let him go." 00:15:53.110 --> 00:15:55.110 He replied, "I will not let him go." 00:15:55.110 --> 00:15:57.210 Thereupon, 'Amir 00:15:57.210 --> 00:15:59.210 threw his cloak 00:15:59.210 --> 00:16:01.210 over the *dhimmi* and said, 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!" 00:16:07.210 --> 00:16:09.240 Then the people gathered 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:12.240 and assisted 'Amir against the man, 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:15.269 rescuing the *dhimmi* by force. 00:16:15.269 --> 00:16:18.269 The guards of the chief of police then 00:16:18.269 --> 00:16:21.269 accused 'Amir of defying authority 00:16:21.269 --> 00:16:25.269 and charged him with dissenting from the Sunnah and the community. 00:16:25.269 --> 00:16:26.269 They said, 00:16:26.269 --> 00:16:29.269 "He is a man who does not marry women, 00:16:29.269 --> 00:16:33.269 does not eat the meat or milk of animals, 00:16:33.269 --> 00:16:37.269 and considers himself above attending the gatherings of governors." 00:16:37.269 --> 00:16:40.269 They raised his matter to the Commander of the Faithful, 00:16:40.269 --> 00:16:43.269 'Uthman ibn 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him). 00:16:43.269 --> 00:16:47.490 The Caliph ordered his governor over Basra 00:16:47.490 --> 00:16:51.490 to summon 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah to his council, 00:16:51.490 --> 00:16:54.490 question him about what was attributed to him, 00:16:54.490 --> 00:16:56.490 and report back to him. 00:16:56.490 --> 00:16:59.490 The governor of Basra summoned 'Amir and said, 00:16:59.490 --> 00:17:03.490 "The Commander of the Faithful—may Allah prolong his life— 00:17:03.490 --> 00:17:07.490 has ordered me to question you regarding matters attributed to you." 00:17:07.490 --> 00:17:08.490 He said, 00:17:08.490 --> 00:17:12.619 "Ask about whatever the Commander of the Faithful has commanded." 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:13.650 He said, 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) 00:17:18.650 --> 00:17:21.650 and refuse to marry?" 00:17:21.650 --> 00:17:22.710 He replied, 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), 00:17:28.710 --> 00:17:32.710 for I bear witness that there is no monasticism in Islam. 00:17:32.710 --> 00:17:37.710 Rather, I am a man who realized he has only one soul, 00:17:37.710 --> 00:17:40.710 so he dedicated it to Allah Almighty, 00:17:40.710 --> 00:17:43.710 and feared that a wife might distract him from Him." 00:17:43.710 --> 00:17:45.839 He then asked, 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:47.839 "Why do you not eat meat?" 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.839 He replied, 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:52.839 "Indeed I eat it if I crave it and find it. 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:54.940 But if I do not crave it, 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:56.940 or if I crave it and do not find it, 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:59.940 then I do not eat it." 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.099 He asked, 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:04.099 "Why do you not eat cheese?" 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:05.259 He replied, 00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:10.259 "We live in a region where Zoroastrians make cheese, 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:15.259 and they are a people who do not distinguish between carrion and ritually slaughtered meat. 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:19.259 I fear that the rennet used to make the cheese 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:22.259 might come from an unslaughtered sheep. 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:25.380 Whenever two Muslim witnesses bear witness 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:30.380 that it is cheese made with the rennet of a ritually slaughtered sheep, 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.380 I eat it." 00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.579 He asked, 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:37.579 "And what prevents you from visiting the governors and attending their gatherings?" 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:39.670 He replied, 00:18:39.670 --> 00:18:43.670 "At your doors are many seekers of needs, 00:18:43.670 --> 00:18:45.670 so call them to you 00:18:45.670 --> 00:18:48.670 and fulfill their needs, 00:18:48.670 --> 00:18:51.670 and leave alone him who has no need of you." 00:18:51.670 --> 00:18:55.789 The statements of 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah were conveyed 00:18:55.789 --> 00:18:58.789 to the Commander of the Faithful, 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, 00:18:58.789 --> 00:19:01.789 who found in them no defiance of authority 00:19:01.789 --> 00:19:04.789 nor any departure from the Sunnah and the community. 00:19:04.789 --> 00:19:08.789 However, that did not extinguish the fire of discord, 00:19:08.789 --> 00:19:12.789 as gossip and rumor multiplied around 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah, 00:19:12.789 --> 00:19:17.789 nearly causing sedition between the man's supporters and his detractors. 00:19:17.789 --> 00:19:22.819 So 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered that he be relocated to the Levant 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:25.819 to make it his place of residence. 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:28.819 He commended him to his governor over the Levant, 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:30.819 Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:32.819 instructing him to receive him warmly 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:34.819 and uphold his honor. 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:40.230 On the day 'Amir ibn 'Abd Allah resolved 00:19:40.230 --> 00:19:42.230 to depart from Basra, 00:19:42.230 --> 00:19:47.230 a vast crowd of his brothers and students went out to bid him farewell. 00:19:47.230 --> 00:19:51.230 They escorted him until they reached the outskirts of al-Mirbad, 00:19:51.230 --> 00:19:54.230 a district on the outer edge of Basra. 00:19:54.230 --> 00:19:56.230 There, he said to them, 00:19:56.230 --> 00:20:01.230 "I am going to supplicate, so say *amin* to my supplication." 00:20:01.230 --> 00:20:04.259 The people craned their necks toward him, 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:06.259 fell completely still, 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:09.259 and fixed their eyes upon him. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:11.259 He raised his hands and said, 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:15.359 "O Allah, whoever slandered me and lied against me, 00:20:15.359 --> 00:20:18.359 and was the cause of my expulsion from my homeland 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:21.359 and the separation between me and my companions— 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:24.359 O Allah, I have forgiven him, 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:26.359 so forgive him, 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:29.359 Grant him well-being in his religious and worldly affairs, 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:33.359 and encompass me, him, and the rest of the Muslims 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:36.359 in Your mercy, Your pardon, and Your benevolence, 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:38.359 O Most Merciful of those who show mercy. 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:42.650 Then he turned his mount toward the lands of the Levant 00:20:42.650 --> 00:20:44.650 and went on his way. 00:20:44.650 --> 00:20:48.250 'Amr ibn 'Abd Allah spent 00:20:48.250 --> 00:20:51.250 the remainder of his life in the lands of the Levant. 00:20:51.250 --> 00:20:55.250 He chose Jerusalem as his residence, 00:20:55.250 --> 00:20:58.250 and he received from the righteousness of the governor of the Levant, 00:20:58.250 --> 00:21:00.250 Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, 00:21:00.250 --> 00:21:04.250 as well as his veneration and honor, that which he truly deserved. 00:21:04.250 --> 00:21:09.380 When he fell terminally ill, his companions entered upon him, 00:21:09.380 --> 00:21:11.380 and they found him weeping. 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:15.410 They asked, "What makes you weep, when you were such and such?" 00:21:15.410 --> 00:21:17.410 He replied, 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; 00:21:22.410 --> 00:21:26.410 rather, I weep because of the length of the journey and the scantiness of my provisions. 00:21:26.410 --> 00:21:30.500 I have reached the evening standing between ascent and descent, 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:34.500 leading either to Paradise or to the Fire, 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:37.500 and I do not know to which of the two I shall go." 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:39.539 Then he breathed his last, 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:43.539 while his tongue was moist with the remembrance of Allah. 00:21:43.789 --> 00:21:47.819 And there, at the first of the two qiblahs, 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:49.819 the third of the Two Holy Sanctuaries, 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, 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:57.819 'Amr ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi was laid to rest. 00:21:57.819 --> 00:22:00.920 May Allah illuminate 'Amr's grave, 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:04.920 and may He brighten his countenance in the Gardens of Eternity. 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:10.769 Asceticism culminated in eight individuals, 00:22:10.769 --> 00:22:15.829 chief among them 'Amr ibn 'Abd Allah al-Tamimi, 00:22:15.829 --> 00:22:18.250 as reported by 'Alqamah ibn Marthad. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:54.460 They filled life with glorious deeds by their actions, 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:58.519 and through them, the world of mankind flourished.