WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:03.459 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:08.460 The best of generations in their conduct and example, 00:00:08.460 --> 00:00:13.460 Following the Messenger when he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:15.460 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:17.460 Presents: 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:21.460 Vignettes from the Lives of the Tabi'un 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:25.910 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:25.910 --> 00:00:27.910 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:27.910 --> 00:00:32.439 Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:34.570 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:34.570 --> 00:00:39.600 He filled life with glorious deeds, 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:43.700 And the world of humanity flourished because of them. 00:00:43.700 --> 00:00:47.700 Speaking of the Tabi'i Caliph, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:49.700 Is a poignant matter. 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:54.700 For you can barely grasp one image of his unique life, 00:00:54.700 --> 00:00:58.700 Before it leads you to another, more radiant, 00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:01.700 More abundant in splendor, and more profound in influence. 00:01:01.700 --> 00:01:04.819 We have already seen in the previous book 00:01:04.819 --> 00:01:08.819 Three images from the life of the fifth Rightly Guided Caliph. 00:01:08.819 --> 00:01:11.819 So come, let us now enjoy three others, 00:01:11.819 --> 00:01:18.260 No less brilliant and luminous than the former. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:20.260 As for the first image, 00:01:20.260 --> 00:01:24.260 It is narrated to you by Dukayn ibn Sa'id al-Darimi, 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:28.260 One of the Bedouin rajaz poets, who says: 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:33.260 "I praised Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz when he was the governor of Medina, 00:01:33.260 --> 00:01:37.260 And he ordered that I be given fifteen camels from the finest of the herd. 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:41.359 When they were in my possession, I examined them, 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:43.359 And their sight filled me with awe. 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, 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:51.359 Yet my soul could not bear to sell them. 00:01:51.359 --> 00:01:53.359 While I was in this state, 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:59.359 A caravan arrived, intending to travel toward our homes in Najd. 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:01.359 I asked to accompany them, 00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:03.359 And they said, 'You are welcome.' 00:02:03.359 --> 00:02:05.359 'We are departing tonight, 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:08.360 So prepare yourself to leave with us.' 00:02:08.360 --> 00:02:12.520 I went to Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz to bid him farewell, 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:16.520 And I found two elderly men in his assembly whom I did not recognize. 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:19.520 When I intended to leave, 00:02:19.520 --> 00:02:21.520 Umar turned to me and said, 00:02:21.520 --> 00:02:23.520 'O Dukayn, 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:25.520 I have a soul that is ever-aspiring. 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:30.520 If you learn that I have attained more than what I am in now, 00:02:30.520 --> 00:02:34.520 Come to me, and you shall have my kindness and generosity.' 00:02:34.520 --> 00:02:38.520 I said, 'Bear witness to that for me, O Prince.' 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:42.520 He replied, 'I call Allah the Exalted to witness that.' 00:02:42.520 --> 00:02:45.520 I said, 'And from His creation?' 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:48.550 He said, 'These two elders.' 00:02:48.550 --> 00:02:51.550 I turned to one of them and said, 00:02:51.550 --> 00:02:53.550 'May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, 00:02:53.550 --> 00:02:56.550 Tell me your name so that I may know you.' 00:02:56.550 --> 00:03:01.550 He said, 'Salim ibn Abd Allah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab.' 00:03:01.550 --> 00:03:04.550 I turned to the Prince and said, 00:03:04.550 --> 00:03:06.550 'I have secured a weighty witness,' 00:03:06.550 --> 00:03:10.550 Meaning I had obtained a witness whose word is heard. 00:03:10.550 --> 00:03:13.550 Then I looked at the other elder and said, 00:03:13.550 --> 00:03:16.550 'And who are you, if you would be so kind?' 00:03:16.550 --> 00:03:20.580 He said, 'Abu Yahya, the freedman of the Prince.' 00:03:20.580 --> 00:03:24.680 I said, 'And this is a witness from among his own household.' 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. 00:03:29.740 --> 00:03:32.740 Allah placed blessing in them, 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:36.870 Until I acquired camels and slaves from their offspring. 00:03:36.870 --> 00:03:39.870 Then time took its course, 00:03:39.870 --> 00:03:44.870 And while I was in the desert of Falaj in the land of Yamama in Najd, 00:03:44.870 --> 00:03:48.870 A herald announced the death of the Commander of the Faithful, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik. 00:03:48.870 --> 00:03:53.870 I said to the herald, 'And who is the Caliph who has risen after him?' 00:03:53.870 --> 00:03:57.870 He said, 'Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz.' 00:03:57.870 --> 00:03:59.870 No sooner had I heard his words, 00:03:59.870 --> 00:04:03.870 Than I packed my belongings and headed toward the Levant. 00:04:03.870 --> 00:04:05.939 When I reached Damascus, 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:09.939 I met Jarir, who was leaving the presence of the Caliph. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:11.939 I greeted him and said, 00:04:11.939 --> 00:04:13.939 'Where from, O Abu Hazra?' 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:19.939 He replied, 'From a Caliph who gives to the poor and denies the poets. 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:21.939 Return from whence you came, 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:23.939 For that is better for you.' 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:28.000 I said, 'I have a matter different from yours.' 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:31.029 He said, 'That is your business.' 00:04:31.029 --> 00:04:35.160 I set off until I reached the Caliph's residence, 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:38.160 And he was in the courtyard of the house, 00:04:38.160 --> 00:04:43.160 Surrounded by orphans, widows, and those seeking justice for grievances. 00:04:43.160 --> 00:04:47.259 I could not find a way to him due to the crowd pressing upon him. 00:04:47.259 --> 00:04:49.259 So I raised my voice, saying: 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:52.259 'O Umar of goodness and nobility, 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:55.259 And Umar of great endeavors, 00:04:55.259 --> 00:04:58.259 A man from the tribe of Darim, 00:04:58.259 --> 00:05:01.259 Seeks his due from the brother of nobility.' 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:06.350 His freedman, Abu Yahya, looked at me for a long time, 00:05:06.350 --> 00:05:08.350 Then turned to him and said, 00:05:08.350 --> 00:05:10.350 'O Commander of the Faithful, 00:05:10.350 --> 00:05:14.350 I have a testimony for this Bedouin against you.' 00:05:14.350 --> 00:05:17.480 Umar said, 'I recognize it.' 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:19.480 Then he turned to me and said, 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:22.480 'Come near to me, O Dukayn.' 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:24.480 When I stood before him, 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:26.480 He leaned toward me and said, 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:29.480 'Do you remember what I said to you in Medina? 00:05:29.480 --> 00:05:33.480 That my soul never attained anything, 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:36.480 But that it yearned for what is higher than it?' 00:05:36.480 --> 00:05:39.540 I said, 'Yes, O Commander of the Faithful.' 00:05:39.540 --> 00:05:44.540 He said, 'And here I have attained the ultimate of what is in this world, 00:05:44.540 --> 00:05:46.540 Which is the Caliphate. 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.540 So my soul yearns for the ultimate of what is in the Hereafter, 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:51.540 Which is Paradise. 00:05:51.540 --> 00:05:55.540 And it strives to attain the pleasure of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 00:05:55.540 --> 00:05:58.540 And if kings make the kingdom, 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:01.540 A means to attain the glory of this world, 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:05.540 Then I shall make it a means to attain the glory of the Hereafter.' 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:08.769 Then he said, 'O Dukayn, 00:06:08.769 --> 00:06:11.769 By Allah, I have not taken from the Muslims, 00:06:11.769 --> 00:06:14.769 A single dirham or dinar of their wealth, 00:06:14.769 --> 00:06:17.769 Since I took charge of this affair. 00:06:17.769 --> 00:06:20.769 And I possess nothing but a thousand dirhams, 00:06:20.769 --> 00:06:23.769 So take half of them and leave me half.' 00:06:23.769 --> 00:06:26.769 I took the money he gave me, 00:06:26.769 --> 00:06:30.769 And by Allah, I have never seen a greater blessing than it. 00:06:30.769 --> 00:06:34.050 As for the second image, 00:06:34.050 --> 00:06:36.050 It is narrated by the judge of Mosul, 00:06:36.050 --> 00:06:39.050 Yahya ibn Yahya al-Ghassani, 00:06:39.050 --> 00:06:41.079 Who says: 00:06:41.079 --> 00:06:44.079 'While Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz was walking one day, 00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:46.079 In the markets of Homs, 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:50.079 To inspect the merchants and learn the prices, 00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:53.079 A man approached him wearing two garments, 00:06:53.079 --> 00:06:55.079 Red and striped. 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:58.079 He said, 'O Commander of the Faithful, 00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:00.079 I have heard that you have ordered, 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:03.079 That whoever is oppressed should come to you.' 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:05.079 He said, 'Yes.' 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:07.079 The man said, 'And here he has come to you.' 00:07:07.079 --> 00:07:10.079 He said, 'An oppressed man from a distant land.' 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:12.079 Umar said, 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.079 'And where is your home?' 00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:15.079 The man said, 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:16.079 'In Aden.' 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:18.079 Umar said, 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:22.079 'By Allah, your place is indeed far from the place of Umar.' 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:24.079 Then he dismounted from his beast, 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:26.079 Stood before him, and said, 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:28.110 'What is your grievance?' 00:07:28.110 --> 00:07:31.110 He said, 'A piece of land of mine, 00:07:31.110 --> 00:07:34.110 Which a man among those who seek your favor has seized, 00:07:34.110 --> 00:07:36.110 And taken from me.' 00:07:36.110 --> 00:07:39.209 Umar wrote a letter to Urwa ibn Muhammad, 00:07:39.209 --> 00:07:41.209 His governor in Aden, 00:07:41.209 --> 00:07:43.209 In which he said: 00:07:43.209 --> 00:07:44.209 'To proceed: 00:07:44.209 --> 00:07:47.209 When this letter of mine reaches you, 00:07:47.209 --> 00:07:49.209 Hear the evidence of its bearer. 00:07:49.209 --> 00:07:51.209 If his right is proven, 00:07:51.209 --> 00:07:53.209 Then restore his right to him.' 00:07:53.209 --> 00:07:55.209 Then he sealed the letter, 00:07:55.209 --> 00:07:57.209 And handed it to the man. 00:07:57.209 --> 00:08:00.269 When the man intended to leave, 00:08:00.269 --> 00:08:02.269 Umar said to him, 00:08:02.269 --> 00:08:03.269 'Wait a moment. 00:08:03.269 --> 00:08:06.269 You have come to us from a distant land, 00:08:06.269 --> 00:08:11.269 And there is no doubt that you have exhausted much provision on this journey, 00:08:11.269 --> 00:08:14.269 And worn out new clothes, 00:08:14.269 --> 00:08:17.269 And perhaps you lost a beast.' 00:08:17.269 --> 00:08:19.399 Then he calculated all of that, 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:22.399 And it amounted to eleven dinars. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:24.399 He gave them to him and said, 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:27.399 'Publicize this among the people, 00:08:27.399 --> 00:08:29.399 So that no oppressed person may feel burdened, 00:08:29.399 --> 00:08:32.399 From seeking justice for their grievance after today, 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:35.399 No matter how distant their home may be.' 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:39.029 And as for the third image, 00:08:39.029 --> 00:08:42.029 It is narrated to us by the devout ascetic, 00:08:42.029 --> 00:08:46.029 Ziyad ibn Maysara al-Makhzumi (by clientage), 00:08:46.029 --> 00:08:47.029 Who says: 00:08:47.029 --> 00:08:50.029 'My master, Abd Allah ibn Ayyash, sent me, 00:08:50.029 --> 00:08:52.029 From Medina to Damascus, 00:08:52.029 --> 00:08:56.029 To meet the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 00:08:56.029 --> 00:08:58.029 Regarding some of his needs. 00:08:58.029 --> 00:09:01.029 There was an old connection between me and Umar, 00:09:01.029 --> 00:09:05.029 Dating back to the time of his governorship in Medina. 00:09:05.029 --> 00:09:07.029 I entered upon him, 00:09:07.029 --> 00:09:10.029 And he had a scribe writing for him. 00:09:10.029 --> 00:09:13.029 When I reached the threshold of the room, 00:09:13.029 --> 00:09:15.029 I said, 'Peace be upon you.' 00:09:15.029 --> 00:09:16.029 He said, 00:09:16.029 --> 00:09:20.029 'And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah, O Ziyad.' 00:09:20.029 --> 00:09:23.059 Then I walked toward him, feeling shy, 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:27.059 Because I had not greeted him with the title 'Commander of the Faithful.' 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:29.059 When I reached him, I said, 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:34.059 'Peace be upon you, O Commander of the Faithful, and the mercy of Allah, 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:35.059 And His blessings.' 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:36.059 He said, 00:09:36.059 --> 00:09:37.059 'O Ziyad, 00:09:37.059 --> 00:09:41.059 We did not reject your first greeting, 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:44.059 So what is the need for the second?' 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:46.159 His scribe was at that time, 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:51.159 Reading to him grievances that had come from Basra with the post. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:52.159 He said to me, 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:56.289 'Sit, O Ziyad, until we are finished with you.' 00:09:56.289 --> 00:09:58.289 So I sat on the wooden frame of the door, 00:09:58.289 --> 00:10:00.289 While the scribe read to him, 00:10:00.289 --> 00:10:04.289 Umar sighed deeply, burdened by his heavy concerns. 00:10:04.289 --> 00:10:08.289 When his scribe finished reading the documents he had with him, 00:10:08.289 --> 00:10:10.289 and went about his business, 00:10:10.289 --> 00:10:12.289 Umar rose from his seat, 00:10:12.289 --> 00:10:17.289 and walked toward me until he sat before me by the door. 00:10:17.289 --> 00:10:19.289 He placed his hands upon my knees, 00:10:19.289 --> 00:10:20.289 and then said, 00:10:20.289 --> 00:10:23.289 "Congratulations to you, Ziyad. 00:10:23.289 --> 00:10:25.289 You have found warmth in your wool cloak, 00:10:25.289 --> 00:10:28.289 and have found rest from the state we are in." 00:10:28.289 --> 00:10:31.289 I was wearing a wool cloak at the time. 00:10:31.289 --> 00:10:35.289 Then he began to ask me about the righteous people of Medina, 00:10:35.289 --> 00:10:39.289 their men and their women, one by one. 00:10:39.289 --> 00:10:43.320 He did not leave anyone out without asking me about them. 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, 00:10:49.320 --> 00:10:52.320 and I informed him about everything he asked. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:55.419 Then he sighed and said, 00:10:55.419 --> 00:10:57.419 "O Ziyad, 00:10:57.419 --> 00:11:00.419 do you not see the situation into which Umar has fallen?" 00:11:00.419 --> 00:11:01.419 I replied, 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:05.419 "I truly hope for goodness and reward for you in this." 00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.419 He said, 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:07.419 "Far from it." 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:11.480 Then he wept until I felt pity for him and said, 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:14.480 "Be gentle with yourself, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:17.480 for I truly hope for goodness for you." 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.480 He said, 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:21.480 "How far is that from what you hope, O Ziyad! 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, 00:11:25.480 --> 00:11:27.480 and I am able to strike others, yet I am not struck, 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:31.480 and I am able to harm people, yet no one harms me." 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:36.480 Then he wept once more until I felt even more pity for him. 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:40.669 I stayed with him for three days, 00:11:40.669 --> 00:11:43.669 until I had fulfilled the mission for which my master had sent me. 00:11:43.669 --> 00:11:46.669 When I intended to depart, 00:11:46.669 --> 00:11:51.669 he provided me with a letter to my master, asking him to sell me to him. 00:11:51.669 --> 00:11:56.669 Then he took twenty dinars from under his bedding and said, 00:11:56.669 --> 00:11:59.669 "Use this money to help you in your worldly affairs; 00:11:59.669 --> 00:12:02.669 for if you had a rightful share in the fay' (spoils of war), 00:12:02.669 --> 00:12:04.669 we would have given you your due." 00:12:04.669 --> 00:12:07.769 I refused to take the money from him, 00:12:07.769 --> 00:12:08.769 but he said, 00:12:08.769 --> 00:12:09.769 "Take it, 00:12:09.769 --> 00:12:11.769 for it is not from the wealth of the Muslims; 00:12:11.769 --> 00:12:14.769 it is merely from my own personal expenses." 00:12:14.769 --> 00:12:16.769 I refrained from taking it, 00:12:16.769 --> 00:12:22.990 but he persisted until I took it from him and left. 00:12:22.990 --> 00:12:24.990 When I reached Medina, 00:12:24.990 --> 00:12:28.990 I handed the letter of the Commander of the Faithful to my master. 00:12:28.990 --> 00:12:30.990 He opened it and said, 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; 00:12:34.990 --> 00:12:37.990 why should I not be the one to set you free myself?" 00:12:37.990 --> 00:12:39.990 Then he set me free. 00:12:39.990 --> 00:12:45.580 Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz was 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:48.809 of excellent character and appearance, 00:12:48.809 --> 00:12:50.840 possessed of abundant knowledge, 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:56.019 a man of deep fiqh, pure of heart, and turning constantly to Allah. 00:12:56.019 --> 00:13:01.419 A model and an example, 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:06.419 he followed the Messenger whenever he acted or spoke. 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:11.419 They were here, watering our lives like rain clouds, 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:16.419 and their memory remains exalted among us. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:21.419 They departed, leaving a question in the conscience: 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:26.419 Is there any star like them that has risen and shone? 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:31.419 They filled life with glorious deeds, 00:13:31.419 --> 00:13:35.519 and the world of the righteous flourished because of them.