1 00:00:00,460 --> 00:00:03,459 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,459 --> 00:00:08,460 The best of generations in their conduct and example, 3 00:00:08,460 --> 00:00:13,460 Following the Messenger when he strove or spoke. 4 00:00:13,460 --> 00:00:15,460 Mawaddah Association 5 00:00:15,460 --> 00:00:17,460 Presents: 6 00:00:17,460 --> 00:00:21,460 Vignettes from the Lives of the Tabi'un 7 00:00:21,460 --> 00:00:25,910 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:25,910 --> 00:00:27,910 May Allah have mercy upon him. 9 00:00:27,910 --> 00:00:32,439 Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 10 00:00:32,439 --> 00:00:34,570 May Allah have mercy upon him. 11 00:00:34,570 --> 00:00:39,600 He filled life with glorious deeds, 12 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:43,700 And the world of humanity flourished because of them. 13 00:00:43,700 --> 00:00:47,700 Speaking of the Tabi'i Caliph, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 14 00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:49,700 Is a poignant matter. 15 00:00:49,700 --> 00:00:54,700 For you can barely grasp one image of his unique life, 16 00:00:54,700 --> 00:00:58,700 Before it leads you to another, more radiant, 17 00:00:58,700 --> 00:01:01,700 More abundant in splendor, and more profound in influence. 18 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:04,819 We have already seen in the previous book 19 00:01:04,819 --> 00:01:08,819 Three images from the life of the fifth Rightly Guided Caliph. 20 00:01:08,819 --> 00:01:11,819 So come, let us now enjoy three others, 21 00:01:11,819 --> 00:01:18,260 No less brilliant and luminous than the former. 22 00:01:18,260 --> 00:01:20,260 As for the first image, 23 00:01:20,260 --> 00:01:24,260 It is narrated to you by Dukayn ibn Sa'id al-Darimi, 24 00:01:24,260 --> 00:01:28,260 One of the Bedouin rajaz poets, who says: 25 00:01:28,260 --> 00:01:33,260 "I praised Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz when he was the governor of Medina, 26 00:01:33,260 --> 00:01:37,260 And he ordered that I be given fifteen camels from the finest of the herd. 27 00:01:37,260 --> 00:01:41,359 When they were in my possession, I examined them, 28 00:01:41,359 --> 00:01:43,359 And their sight filled me with awe. 29 00:01:43,359 --> 00:01:48,359 I disliked the idea of traveling with them alone through the vast lands for fear of losing them, 30 00:01:48,359 --> 00:01:51,359 Yet my soul could not bear to sell them. 31 00:01:51,359 --> 00:01:53,359 While I was in this state, 32 00:01:54,359 --> 00:01:59,359 A caravan arrived, intending to travel toward our homes in Najd. 33 00:01:59,359 --> 00:02:01,359 I asked to accompany them, 34 00:02:01,359 --> 00:02:03,359 And they said, 'You are welcome.' 35 00:02:03,359 --> 00:02:05,359 'We are departing tonight, 36 00:02:05,359 --> 00:02:08,360 So prepare yourself to leave with us.' 37 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,520 I went to Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz to bid him farewell, 38 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:16,520 And I found two elderly men in his assembly whom I did not recognize. 39 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,520 When I intended to leave, 40 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:21,520 Umar turned to me and said, 41 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:23,520 'O Dukayn, 42 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,520 I have a soul that is ever-aspiring. 43 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:30,520 If you learn that I have attained more than what I am in now, 44 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:34,520 Come to me, and you shall have my kindness and generosity.' 45 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:38,520 I said, 'Bear witness to that for me, O Prince.' 46 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:42,520 He replied, 'I call Allah the Exalted to witness that.' 47 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,520 I said, 'And from His creation?' 48 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:48,550 He said, 'These two elders.' 49 00:02:48,550 --> 00:02:51,550 I turned to one of them and said, 50 00:02:51,550 --> 00:02:53,550 'May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, 51 00:02:53,550 --> 00:02:56,550 Tell me your name so that I may know you.' 52 00:02:56,550 --> 00:03:01,550 He said, 'Salim ibn Abd Allah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab.' 53 00:03:01,550 --> 00:03:04,550 I turned to the Prince and said, 54 00:03:04,550 --> 00:03:06,550 'I have secured a weighty witness,' 55 00:03:06,550 --> 00:03:10,550 Meaning I had obtained a witness whose word is heard. 56 00:03:10,550 --> 00:03:13,550 Then I looked at the other elder and said, 57 00:03:13,550 --> 00:03:16,550 'And who are you, if you would be so kind?' 58 00:03:16,550 --> 00:03:20,580 He said, 'Abu Yahya, the freedman of the Prince.' 59 00:03:20,580 --> 00:03:24,680 I said, 'And this is a witness from among his own household.' 60 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:29,740 Then I greeted him and departed with the camels to the homes of my people in Najd. 61 00:03:29,740 --> 00:03:32,740 Allah placed blessing in them, 62 00:03:32,740 --> 00:03:36,870 Until I acquired camels and slaves from their offspring. 63 00:03:36,870 --> 00:03:39,870 Then time took its course, 64 00:03:39,870 --> 00:03:44,870 And while I was in the desert of Falaj in the land of Yamama in Najd, 65 00:03:44,870 --> 00:03:48,870 A herald announced the death of the Commander of the Faithful, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik. 66 00:03:48,870 --> 00:03:53,870 I said to the herald, 'And who is the Caliph who has risen after him?' 67 00:03:53,870 --> 00:03:57,870 He said, 'Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz.' 68 00:03:57,870 --> 00:03:59,870 No sooner had I heard his words, 69 00:03:59,870 --> 00:04:03,870 Than I packed my belongings and headed toward the Levant. 70 00:04:03,870 --> 00:04:05,939 When I reached Damascus, 71 00:04:05,939 --> 00:04:09,939 I met Jarir, who was leaving the presence of the Caliph. 72 00:04:09,939 --> 00:04:11,939 I greeted him and said, 73 00:04:11,939 --> 00:04:13,939 'Where from, O Abu Hazra?' 74 00:04:13,939 --> 00:04:19,939 He replied, 'From a Caliph who gives to the poor and denies the poets. 75 00:04:19,939 --> 00:04:21,939 Return from whence you came, 76 00:04:21,939 --> 00:04:23,939 For that is better for you.' 77 00:04:23,939 --> 00:04:28,000 I said, 'I have a matter different from yours.' 78 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:31,029 He said, 'That is your business.' 79 00:04:31,029 --> 00:04:35,160 I set off until I reached the Caliph's residence, 80 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,160 And he was in the courtyard of the house, 81 00:04:38,160 --> 00:04:43,160 Surrounded by orphans, widows, and those seeking justice for grievances. 82 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:47,259 I could not find a way to him due to the crowd pressing upon him. 83 00:04:47,259 --> 00:04:49,259 So I raised my voice, saying: 84 00:04:49,259 --> 00:04:52,259 'O Umar of goodness and nobility, 85 00:04:52,259 --> 00:04:55,259 And Umar of great endeavors, 86 00:04:55,259 --> 00:04:58,259 A man from the tribe of Darim, 87 00:04:58,259 --> 00:05:01,259 Seeks his due from the brother of nobility.' 88 00:05:01,259 --> 00:05:06,350 His freedman, Abu Yahya, looked at me for a long time, 89 00:05:06,350 --> 00:05:08,350 Then turned to him and said, 90 00:05:08,350 --> 00:05:10,350 'O Commander of the Faithful, 91 00:05:10,350 --> 00:05:14,350 I have a testimony for this Bedouin against you.' 92 00:05:14,350 --> 00:05:17,480 Umar said, 'I recognize it.' 93 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:19,480 Then he turned to me and said, 94 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:22,480 'Come near to me, O Dukayn.' 95 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:24,480 When I stood before him, 96 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:26,480 He leaned toward me and said, 97 00:05:26,480 --> 00:05:29,480 'Do you remember what I said to you in Medina? 98 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:33,480 That my soul never attained anything, 99 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,480 But that it yearned for what is higher than it?' 100 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:39,540 I said, 'Yes, O Commander of the Faithful.' 101 00:05:39,540 --> 00:05:44,540 He said, 'And here I have attained the ultimate of what is in this world, 102 00:05:44,540 --> 00:05:46,540 Which is the Caliphate. 103 00:05:46,540 --> 00:05:49,540 So my soul yearns for the ultimate of what is in the Hereafter, 104 00:05:49,540 --> 00:05:51,540 Which is Paradise. 105 00:05:51,540 --> 00:05:55,540 And it strives to attain the pleasure of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 106 00:05:55,540 --> 00:05:58,540 And if kings make the kingdom, 107 00:05:58,540 --> 00:06:01,540 A means to attain the glory of this world, 108 00:06:01,540 --> 00:06:05,540 Then I shall make it a means to attain the glory of the Hereafter.' 109 00:06:05,540 --> 00:06:08,769 Then he said, 'O Dukayn, 110 00:06:08,769 --> 00:06:11,769 By Allah, I have not taken from the Muslims, 111 00:06:11,769 --> 00:06:14,769 A single dirham or dinar of their wealth, 112 00:06:14,769 --> 00:06:17,769 Since I took charge of this affair. 113 00:06:17,769 --> 00:06:20,769 And I possess nothing but a thousand dirhams, 114 00:06:20,769 --> 00:06:23,769 So take half of them and leave me half.' 115 00:06:23,769 --> 00:06:26,769 I took the money he gave me, 116 00:06:26,769 --> 00:06:30,769 And by Allah, I have never seen a greater blessing than it. 117 00:06:30,769 --> 00:06:34,050 As for the second image, 118 00:06:34,050 --> 00:06:36,050 It is narrated by the judge of Mosul, 119 00:06:36,050 --> 00:06:39,050 Yahya ibn Yahya al-Ghassani, 120 00:06:39,050 --> 00:06:41,079 Who says: 121 00:06:41,079 --> 00:06:44,079 'While Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz was walking one day, 122 00:06:44,079 --> 00:06:46,079 In the markets of Homs, 123 00:06:46,079 --> 00:06:50,079 To inspect the merchants and learn the prices, 124 00:06:50,079 --> 00:06:53,079 A man approached him wearing two garments, 125 00:06:53,079 --> 00:06:55,079 Red and striped. 126 00:06:55,079 --> 00:06:58,079 He said, 'O Commander of the Faithful, 127 00:06:58,079 --> 00:07:00,079 I have heard that you have ordered, 128 00:07:00,079 --> 00:07:03,079 That whoever is oppressed should come to you.' 129 00:07:03,079 --> 00:07:05,079 He said, 'Yes.' 130 00:07:05,079 --> 00:07:07,079 The man said, 'And here he has come to you.' 131 00:07:07,079 --> 00:07:10,079 He said, 'An oppressed man from a distant land.' 132 00:07:10,079 --> 00:07:12,079 Umar said, 133 00:07:12,079 --> 00:07:13,079 'And where is your home?' 134 00:07:13,079 --> 00:07:15,079 The man said, 135 00:07:15,079 --> 00:07:16,079 'In Aden.' 136 00:07:16,079 --> 00:07:18,079 Umar said, 137 00:07:18,079 --> 00:07:22,079 'By Allah, your place is indeed far from the place of Umar.' 138 00:07:22,079 --> 00:07:24,079 Then he dismounted from his beast, 139 00:07:24,079 --> 00:07:26,079 Stood before him, and said, 140 00:07:26,079 --> 00:07:28,110 'What is your grievance?' 141 00:07:28,110 --> 00:07:31,110 He said, 'A piece of land of mine, 142 00:07:31,110 --> 00:07:34,110 Which a man among those who seek your favor has seized, 143 00:07:34,110 --> 00:07:36,110 And taken from me.' 144 00:07:36,110 --> 00:07:39,209 Umar wrote a letter to Urwa ibn Muhammad, 145 00:07:39,209 --> 00:07:41,209 His governor in Aden, 146 00:07:41,209 --> 00:07:43,209 In which he said: 147 00:07:43,209 --> 00:07:44,209 'To proceed: 148 00:07:44,209 --> 00:07:47,209 When this letter of mine reaches you, 149 00:07:47,209 --> 00:07:49,209 Hear the evidence of its bearer. 150 00:07:49,209 --> 00:07:51,209 If his right is proven, 151 00:07:51,209 --> 00:07:53,209 Then restore his right to him.' 152 00:07:53,209 --> 00:07:55,209 Then he sealed the letter, 153 00:07:55,209 --> 00:07:57,209 And handed it to the man. 154 00:07:57,209 --> 00:08:00,269 When the man intended to leave, 155 00:08:00,269 --> 00:08:02,269 Umar said to him, 156 00:08:02,269 --> 00:08:03,269 'Wait a moment. 157 00:08:03,269 --> 00:08:06,269 You have come to us from a distant land, 158 00:08:06,269 --> 00:08:11,269 And there is no doubt that you have exhausted much provision on this journey, 159 00:08:11,269 --> 00:08:14,269 And worn out new clothes, 160 00:08:14,269 --> 00:08:17,269 And perhaps you lost a beast.' 161 00:08:17,269 --> 00:08:19,399 Then he calculated all of that, 162 00:08:19,399 --> 00:08:22,399 And it amounted to eleven dinars. 163 00:08:22,399 --> 00:08:24,399 He gave them to him and said, 164 00:08:24,399 --> 00:08:27,399 'Publicize this among the people, 165 00:08:27,399 --> 00:08:29,399 So that no oppressed person may feel burdened, 166 00:08:29,399 --> 00:08:32,399 From seeking justice for their grievance after today, 167 00:08:32,399 --> 00:08:35,399 No matter how distant their home may be.' 168 00:08:35,399 --> 00:08:39,029 And as for the third image, 169 00:08:39,029 --> 00:08:42,029 It is narrated to us by the devout ascetic, 170 00:08:42,029 --> 00:08:46,029 Ziyad ibn Maysara al-Makhzumi (by clientage), 171 00:08:46,029 --> 00:08:47,029 Who says: 172 00:08:47,029 --> 00:08:50,029 'My master, Abd Allah ibn Ayyash, sent me, 173 00:08:50,029 --> 00:08:52,029 From Medina to Damascus, 174 00:08:52,029 --> 00:08:56,029 To meet the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 175 00:08:56,029 --> 00:08:58,029 Regarding some of his needs. 176 00:08:58,029 --> 00:09:01,029 There was an old connection between me and Umar, 177 00:09:01,029 --> 00:09:05,029 Dating back to the time of his governorship in Medina. 178 00:09:05,029 --> 00:09:07,029 I entered upon him, 179 00:09:07,029 --> 00:09:10,029 And he had a scribe writing for him. 180 00:09:10,029 --> 00:09:13,029 When I reached the threshold of the room, 181 00:09:13,029 --> 00:09:15,029 I said, 'Peace be upon you.' 182 00:09:15,029 --> 00:09:16,029 He said, 183 00:09:16,029 --> 00:09:20,029 'And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah, O Ziyad.' 184 00:09:20,029 --> 00:09:23,059 Then I walked toward him, feeling shy, 185 00:09:23,059 --> 00:09:27,059 Because I had not greeted him with the title 'Commander of the Faithful.' 186 00:09:27,059 --> 00:09:29,059 When I reached him, I said, 187 00:09:29,059 --> 00:09:34,059 'Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful, and the mercy of Allah, 188 00:09:34,059 --> 00:09:35,059 And His blessings.' 189 00:09:35,059 --> 00:09:36,059 He said, 190 00:09:36,059 --> 00:09:37,059 'O Ziyad, 191 00:09:37,059 --> 00:09:41,059 We did not reject your first greeting, 192 00:09:41,059 --> 00:09:44,059 So what is the need for the second?' 193 00:09:44,059 --> 00:09:46,159 His scribe was at that time, 194 00:09:46,159 --> 00:09:51,159 Reading to him grievances that had come from Basra with the post. 195 00:09:51,159 --> 00:09:52,159 He said to me, 196 00:09:52,159 --> 00:09:56,289 'Sit, O Ziyad, until we are finished with you.' 197 00:09:56,289 --> 00:09:58,289 So I sat on the wooden frame of the door, 198 00:09:58,289 --> 00:10:00,289 While the scribe read to him, 199 00:10:00,289 --> 00:10:04,289 Umar sighed deeply, burdened by his heavy concerns. 200 00:10:04,289 --> 00:10:08,289 When his scribe finished reading the documents he had with him, 201 00:10:08,289 --> 00:10:10,289 and went about his business, 202 00:10:10,289 --> 00:10:12,289 Umar rose from his seat, 203 00:10:12,289 --> 00:10:17,289 and walked toward me until he sat before me by the door. 204 00:10:17,289 --> 00:10:19,289 He placed his hands upon my knees, 205 00:10:19,289 --> 00:10:20,289 and then said, 206 00:10:20,289 --> 00:10:23,289 "Congratulations to you, Ziyad. 207 00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:25,289 You have found warmth in your wool cloak, 208 00:10:25,289 --> 00:10:28,289 and have found rest from the state we are in." 209 00:10:28,289 --> 00:10:31,289 I was wearing a wool cloak at the time. 210 00:10:31,289 --> 00:10:35,289 Then he began to ask me about the righteous people of Medina, 211 00:10:35,289 --> 00:10:39,289 their men and their women, one by one. 212 00:10:39,289 --> 00:10:43,320 He did not leave anyone out without asking me about them. 213 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:49,320 Then he asked me about various matters he had ordered in Medina when he was its governor, 214 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,320 and I informed him about everything he asked. 215 00:10:53,419 --> 00:10:55,419 Then he sighed and said, 216 00:10:55,419 --> 00:10:57,419 "O Ziyad, 217 00:10:57,419 --> 00:11:00,419 do you not see the situation into which Umar has fallen?" 218 00:11:00,419 --> 00:11:01,419 I replied, 219 00:11:01,419 --> 00:11:05,419 "I truly hope for goodness and reward for you in this." 220 00:11:05,419 --> 00:11:06,419 He said, 221 00:11:06,419 --> 00:11:07,419 "Far from it." 222 00:11:07,419 --> 00:11:11,480 Then he wept until I felt pity for him and said, 223 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,480 "Be gentle with yourself, O Commander of the Faithful, 224 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:17,480 for I truly hope for goodness for you." 225 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:18,480 He said, 226 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:21,480 "How far is that from what you hope, O Ziyad! 227 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:25,480 It has reached the point where I am able to insult others, yet I am not insulted, 228 00:11:25,480 --> 00:11:27,480 and I am able to strike others, yet I am not struck, 229 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:31,480 and I am able to harm people, yet no one harms me." 230 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:36,480 Then he wept once more until I felt even more pity for him. 231 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:40,669 I stayed with him for three days, 232 00:11:40,669 --> 00:11:43,669 until I had fulfilled the mission for which my master had sent me. 233 00:11:43,669 --> 00:11:46,669 When I intended to depart, 234 00:11:46,669 --> 00:11:51,669 he provided me with a letter to my master, asking him to sell me to him. 235 00:11:51,669 --> 00:11:56,669 Then he took twenty dinars from under his bedding and said, 236 00:11:56,669 --> 00:11:59,669 "Use this money to help you in your worldly affairs; 237 00:11:59,669 --> 00:12:02,669 for if you had a rightful share in the fay' (spoils of war), 238 00:12:02,669 --> 00:12:04,669 we would have given you your due." 239 00:12:04,669 --> 00:12:07,769 I refused to take the money from him, 240 00:12:07,769 --> 00:12:08,769 but he said, 241 00:12:08,769 --> 00:12:09,769 "Take it, 242 00:12:09,769 --> 00:12:11,769 for it is not from the wealth of the Muslims; 243 00:12:11,769 --> 00:12:14,769 it is merely from my own personal expenses." 244 00:12:14,769 --> 00:12:16,769 I refrained from taking it, 245 00:12:16,769 --> 00:12:22,990 but he persisted until I took it from him and left. 246 00:12:22,990 --> 00:12:24,990 When I reached Medina, 247 00:12:24,990 --> 00:12:28,990 I handed the letter of the Commander of the Faithful to my master. 248 00:12:28,990 --> 00:12:30,990 He opened it and said, 249 00:12:30,990 --> 00:12:34,990 "He is only asking me to sell you to him so that he may set you free; 250 00:12:34,990 --> 00:12:37,990 why should I not be the one to set you free myself?" 251 00:12:37,990 --> 00:12:39,990 Then he set me free. 252 00:12:39,990 --> 00:12:45,580 Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz was 253 00:12:45,580 --> 00:12:48,809 of excellent character and appearance, 254 00:12:48,809 --> 00:12:50,840 possessed of abundant knowledge, 255 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:56,019 a man of deep fiqh, pure of heart, and turning constantly to Allah. 256 00:12:56,019 --> 00:13:01,419 A model and an example, 257 00:13:01,419 --> 00:13:06,419 he followed the Messenger whenever he acted or spoke. 258 00:13:06,419 --> 00:13:11,419 They were here, watering our lives like rain clouds, 259 00:13:11,419 --> 00:13:16,419 and their memory remains exalted among us. 260 00:13:16,419 --> 00:13:21,419 They departed, leaving a question in the conscience: 261 00:13:21,419 --> 00:13:26,419 Is there any star like them that has risen and shone? 262 00:13:26,419 --> 00:13:31,419 They filled life with glorious deeds, 263 00:13:31,419 --> 00:13:35,519 and the world of the righteous flourished because of them.