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 stances and exemplary deeds, 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 Following 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 --> 00:00:21,460 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un, 7 00:00:21,460 --> 00:00:26,559 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:26,559 --> 00:00:28,559 May Allah have mercy on him. 9 00:00:28,559 --> 00:00:33,090 Al-Hasan al-Basri, 10 00:00:33,090 --> 00:00:35,380 May Allah have mercy on him. 11 00:00:43,439 --> 00:00:46,439 The bearer of glad tidings arrived to give the good news to the Prophet's wife, Umm Salamah, 12 00:00:46,439 --> 00:00:48,439 That her freedwoman, Khayrah, 13 00:00:48,439 --> 00:00:52,439 Had given birth and been delivered of a baby boy. 14 00:00:52,439 --> 00:00:57,570 Joy overwhelmed the heart of the Mother of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with her, 15 00:00:57,570 --> 00:01:02,570 And delight overflowed upon her noble and dignified face. 16 00:01:02,570 --> 00:01:07,569 She promptly dispatched a messenger to bring the mother and her newborn to her, 17 00:01:07,569 --> 00:01:11,569 So that she might spend her post-natal recovery in her house. 18 00:01:11,569 --> 00:01:14,569 For Khayrah was deeply cherished by Umm Salamah, 19 00:01:14,569 --> 00:01:17,569 Dearly beloved to her heart, 20 00:01:17,569 --> 00:01:22,569 And she was eager and longing to see her firstborn child. 21 00:01:22,569 --> 00:01:24,659 It was not long 22 00:01:24,659 --> 00:01:29,659 Before Khayrah arrived, carrying her infant in her arms. 23 00:01:29,659 --> 00:01:33,659 When Umm Salamah laid eyes upon the child, 24 00:01:33,659 --> 00:01:37,659 Her soul was filled with delight in him and deep contentment. 25 00:01:37,659 --> 00:01:41,659 For the newborn infant was handsome and graceful, 26 00:01:41,659 --> 00:01:44,659 Of radiant countenance and perfect form, 27 00:01:44,659 --> 00:01:49,819 Captivating the eye of whoever beheld him and winning over the heart of anyone who saw him. 28 00:01:49,819 --> 00:01:53,819 Umm Salamah then turned to her freedwoman and asked, 29 00:01:53,819 --> 00:01:56,819 "Have you named your boy, Khayrah?" 30 00:01:56,819 --> 00:01:59,819 She replied, "No, dear Mother, 31 00:01:59,819 --> 00:02:05,890 I left that to you, so that you may choose whatever name you wish for him." 32 00:02:05,890 --> 00:02:10,889 She said, "With Allah’s blessing, we shall name him al-Hasan." 33 00:02:10,889 --> 00:02:15,979 Then she raised her hands and prayed for him with righteous supplications. 34 00:02:16,050 --> 00:02:19,050 But the joy over al-Hasan 35 00:02:19,050 --> 00:02:24,050 Was not confined solely to the household of the Mother of the Believers, Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her; 36 00:02:24,050 --> 00:02:29,050 Rather, another household of Medina shared in it as well. 37 00:02:29,050 --> 00:02:33,050 It was the household of the eminent Companion Zayd ibn Thabit, 38 00:02:33,050 --> 00:02:37,050 The scribe of the revelation of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 39 00:02:37,050 --> 00:02:43,050 For Yasar, the boy's father, was a freedman of his as well, 40 00:02:43,050 --> 00:02:47,050 And was among the most favored and beloved of people to him. 41 00:02:47,050 --> 00:02:54,389 Al-Hasan ibn Yasar—who would later be known as al-Hasan al-Basri—grew up 42 00:02:54,389 --> 00:02:59,389 In one of the households of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 43 00:02:59,389 --> 00:03:05,389 And was raised in the care of one of the wives of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 44 00:03:05,389 --> 00:03:10,419 Hind bint Suhayl, known as Umm Salamah. 45 00:03:10,419 --> 00:03:13,419 And Umm Salamah, if you do not know, 46 00:03:13,419 --> 00:03:16,419 Was among the most intellectually sound of Arab women, 47 00:03:16,419 --> 00:03:20,419 Abundant in virtue, and of the most resolute determination. 48 00:03:20,419 --> 00:03:26,419 She was also among the most knowledgeable of the noble Prophet's wives, peace be upon him, 49 00:03:26,419 --> 00:03:29,419 And one of the most prolific in narrating from him, 50 00:03:29,419 --> 00:03:37,419 Having narrated 387 hadiths from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. 51 00:03:37,419 --> 00:03:40,419 In addition to all of that, 52 00:03:40,419 --> 00:03:46,419 She was one of the few rare women who could write during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance. 53 00:03:46,419 --> 00:03:52,419 The fortunate boy's connection with the Mother of the Believers, Umm Salamah, did not stop at this, 54 00:03:52,419 --> 00:03:55,419 But rather extended far beyond it. 55 00:03:55,419 --> 00:03:59,419 For Khayrah, the mother of al-Hasan, would often 56 00:03:59,419 --> 00:04:04,419 Leave the house to attend to some of the Mother of the Believers' needs, 57 00:04:04,419 --> 00:04:07,419 And the nursing infant would cry out of hunger, 58 00:04:07,419 --> 00:04:09,419 His weeping growing intense. 59 00:04:09,419 --> 00:04:12,419 So Umm Salamah would take him into her lap 60 00:04:12,419 --> 00:04:14,419 And offer him her breast, 61 00:04:14,419 --> 00:04:18,420 To soothe him with it and console him during his mother’s absence. 62 00:04:18,420 --> 00:04:21,420 Out of her immense love for him, 63 00:04:21,420 --> 00:04:25,420 Her breast would flow with wholesome milk into his mouth, 64 00:04:25,420 --> 00:04:28,420 Which the boy would nurse from and grow calm. 65 00:04:28,420 --> 00:04:33,420 Thus, Umm Salamah became a mother to al-Hasan in two ways: 66 00:04:33,420 --> 00:04:37,420 She was his mother by virtue of him being one of the believers, 67 00:04:37,420 --> 00:04:40,420 And she was also his mother through suckling. 68 00:04:40,420 --> 00:04:46,610 The close bond between the Mothers of the Believers, 69 00:04:46,610 --> 00:04:49,610 And the proximity of their houses to one another, 70 00:04:49,610 --> 00:04:54,610 Allowed the blessed boy to frequent all of these households, 71 00:04:54,610 --> 00:04:58,610 To adopt the noble character of all their mistresses, 72 00:04:58,610 --> 00:05:00,610 And to be guided by their righteous guidance. 73 00:05:00,610 --> 00:05:03,610 As he would later recount about himself, 74 00:05:03,610 --> 00:05:06,610 He would fill these homes with his continuous movement 75 00:05:06,610 --> 00:05:09,610 And enliven them with his energetic play, 76 00:05:09,610 --> 00:05:15,740 To the point where his hands could touch the ceilings of the Mothers of the Believers' rooms 77 00:05:15,740 --> 00:05:18,740 As he jumped around inside them. 78 00:05:18,740 --> 00:05:25,019 Al-Hasan continued to thrive in this atmosphere, fragrant with the scents of prophecy, 79 00:05:25,019 --> 00:05:27,019 Radiant with its luminous light, 80 00:05:27,019 --> 00:05:30,019 Quenching his thirst from those pure springs 81 00:05:31,019 --> 00:05:35,019 With which the houses of the Mothers of the Believers abounded, 82 00:05:35,019 --> 00:05:42,019 And studying under the senior Companions in the mosque of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 83 00:05:42,019 --> 00:05:45,019 He narrated from 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, 84 00:05:45,019 --> 00:05:47,019 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, 85 00:05:47,019 --> 00:05:49,019 Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, 86 00:05:49,019 --> 00:05:51,019 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, 87 00:05:51,019 --> 00:05:53,019 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas, 88 00:05:53,019 --> 00:05:55,019 Anas ibn Malik, 89 00:05:55,019 --> 00:05:57,019 Jabir ibn 'Abdillah, 90 00:05:57,019 --> 00:05:59,019 And countless others, 91 00:05:59,019 --> 00:06:02,089 May Allah be pleased with them all. 92 00:06:02,089 --> 00:06:09,089 Yet, he was captivated above all by the Commander of the Believers, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. 93 00:06:09,089 --> 00:06:13,089 He was awed by his steadfast firmness in religion, 94 00:06:13,089 --> 00:06:15,089 The excellence of his devotion in worship, 95 00:06:15,089 --> 00:06:19,089 And his ascetic detachment from the adornments and splendor of this worldly life. 96 00:06:19,089 --> 00:06:22,089 He was also mesmerized by his brilliant eloquence, 97 00:06:22,089 --> 00:06:24,089 His profound wisdom, 98 00:06:24,089 --> 00:06:26,089 And his comprehensive words. 99 00:06:27,089 --> 00:06:33,149 Thus, he mirrored his character in piety and worship, 100 00:06:33,149 --> 00:06:37,149 And fashioned himself after his manner in eloquence and rhetoric. 101 00:06:37,149 --> 00:06:41,220 When al-Hasan reached fourteen years of age 102 00:06:41,220 --> 00:06:44,220 And entered into the ranks of manhood, 103 00:06:44,220 --> 00:06:47,220 He relocated with his parents to Basra, 104 00:06:47,220 --> 00:06:50,339 Settling there alongside his family. 105 00:06:50,339 --> 00:06:53,339 From this, al-Hasan was attributed to Basra, 106 00:06:53,339 --> 00:06:58,620 Becoming renowned among the people as al-Hasan al-Basri. 107 00:06:58,620 --> 00:07:01,620 On the day al-Hasan arrived there, Basra was 108 00:07:01,620 --> 00:07:05,620 One of the greatest strongholds of learning in the Islamic lands. 109 00:07:05,620 --> 00:07:07,620 Its grand mosque 110 00:07:07,620 --> 00:07:13,620 Teemed with the senior Companions and prominent Tabi'un who had journeyed to it, 111 00:07:13,620 --> 00:07:17,620 And study circles of various disciplines 112 00:07:17,620 --> 00:07:20,620 Populated the courtyards of the mosque and its prayer halls. 113 00:07:20,620 --> 00:07:23,620 Al-Hasan dedicated himself to the mosque, 114 00:07:23,620 --> 00:07:27,620 Devoting himself exclusively to the study circle of 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas, 115 00:07:27,620 --> 00:07:31,620 The learned scholar of the Ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 116 00:07:31,620 --> 00:07:35,620 From him, he acquired Tafsir, hadith, and the variant Qur'anic recitations, 117 00:07:35,620 --> 00:07:39,620 Just as he acquired fiqh, the Arabic language, and literature from him and others, 118 00:07:39,620 --> 00:07:41,620 Along with many other sciences, 119 00:07:41,620 --> 00:07:46,620 Until he became an encyclopedic scholar, a jurist, and a trustworthy authority. 120 00:07:46,620 --> 00:07:50,620 So the people flocked to him, drinking deeply from his abundant knowledge, 121 00:07:50,620 --> 00:07:56,620 Gathering around him to listen intently to his sermons that softened hardened hearts 122 00:07:56,620 --> 00:07:59,620 And drew forth unyielding tears. 123 00:07:59,620 --> 00:08:03,620 They took in his captivating wisdom 124 00:08:03,620 --> 00:08:08,620 And modeled their conduct after his life, which was sweeter than the scent of musk. 125 00:08:08,620 --> 00:08:12,879 Al-Hasan al-Basri's renown spread across the lands, 126 00:08:12,879 --> 00:08:15,879 And his fame became widespread among the people, 127 00:08:15,879 --> 00:08:19,879 So much so that caliphs and princes began inquiring about him 128 00:08:19,879 --> 00:08:21,879 And eagerly seeking news of him. 129 00:08:21,879 --> 00:08:26,129 Khalid ibn Safwan related: 130 00:08:26,129 --> 00:08:30,129 "I met Maslamah ibn 'Abd al-Malik in al-Hirah, 131 00:08:30,129 --> 00:08:35,129 And he said to me, 'Tell me, O Khalid, about al-Hasan of Basra, 132 00:08:35,129 --> 00:08:40,259 For I believe you know of him what no one else knows.' 133 00:08:40,259 --> 00:08:43,259 I replied, 'May Allah reform the prince, 134 00:08:43,259 --> 00:08:47,259 I am the best person to inform you of him with firsthand knowledge; 135 00:08:47,259 --> 00:08:51,259 I am his neighbor at his home, his companion in his gatherings, 136 00:08:51,259 --> 00:08:54,289 And the most knowledgeable of the people of Basra concerning him.' 137 00:08:54,289 --> 00:08:57,289 Maslamah said, 'Bring forward what you have.' 138 00:08:57,289 --> 00:09:02,379 I said, 'He is a man whose inner self is identical to his outward conduct, 139 00:09:02,379 --> 00:09:05,379 And whose words match his actions. 140 00:09:05,379 --> 00:09:09,379 Whenever he enjoins what is right, he is the foremost of people in practicing it; 141 00:09:09,379 --> 00:09:13,379 And whenever he forbids what is wrong, he is the foremost of people in avoiding it. 142 00:09:13,379 --> 00:09:16,379 I have seen him completely independent of people, 143 00:09:16,379 --> 00:09:19,379 Spurning whatever is in their hands, 144 00:09:19,379 --> 00:09:22,379 While seeing the people utterly in need of him, 145 00:09:22,379 --> 00:09:24,379 Seeking the knowledge he possesses.' 146 00:09:24,379 --> 00:09:28,379 Maslamah exclaimed, 'Enough, O Khalid, enough! 147 00:09:28,379 --> 00:09:32,379 How could a people go astray when such a man is among them?'" 148 00:09:32,379 --> 00:09:38,600 When al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi was appointed governor of Iraq, 149 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,600 And transgressed with tyranny and oppression throughout his rule, 150 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,600 Al-Hasan al-Basri was one of the few men 151 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:47,600 Who stood firm against his tyranny, 152 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,600 Openly denouncing his evil deeds before the people, 153 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:53,600 And proclaiming the word of truth directly to his face. 154 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:57,600 An instance of this occurred when al-Hajjaj built for himself 155 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,600 A grand residence in Wasit. 156 00:09:59,600 --> 00:10:01,600 When he completed its construction, 157 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:04,600 He summoned the people to come out and admire it, 158 00:10:04,600 --> 00:10:06,600 And to pray for him to be blessed. 159 00:10:06,600 --> 00:10:09,600 Al-Hasan was unwilling to let 160 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:12,600 This gathering of people pass by, 161 00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,600 So he went out to them to preach to them, admonish them, 162 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:18,600 Make them renounce the fleeting trinkets of this world, 163 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,600 And instill in them a longing for what is with Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 164 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,600 When he reached the place 165 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,600 And looked at the crowds of people walking around the towering palace, 166 00:10:28,600 --> 00:10:31,600 Captivated by the magnificence of its construction, 167 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:34,600 Astounded by its spacious courtyards, 168 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:37,629 And enthralled by the splendor of its ornaments, 169 00:10:37,629 --> 00:10:40,629 He stood before them to deliver a sermon. 170 00:10:40,629 --> 00:10:43,629 Among the words he spoke was: 171 00:10:43,629 --> 00:10:46,629 "We have examined the building of the vilest of the vile, 172 00:10:46,629 --> 00:10:50,629 And found that Pharaoh built grander than what he has built, 173 00:10:50,629 --> 00:10:53,629 And erected structures taller than what he has erected; 174 00:10:53,629 --> 00:10:56,629 Then Allah destroyed Pharaoh 175 00:10:56,629 --> 00:10:59,629 And obliterated all that he had built and erected. 176 00:10:59,629 --> 00:11:03,629 Would that al-Hajjaj knew that the inhabitants of the heavens detest him, 177 00:11:03,629 --> 00:11:06,629 And that the inhabitants of the earth have deceived him!" 178 00:11:06,629 --> 00:11:09,629 He continued to speak forcefully in this vein, 179 00:11:09,629 --> 00:11:12,629 Until one of the listeners grew fearful for him 180 00:11:12,629 --> 00:11:14,629 Regarding the vengeance of al-Hajjaj, 181 00:11:14,629 --> 00:11:17,629 And whispered to him, "Enough, O Abu Sa'id! 182 00:11:17,629 --> 00:11:19,629 Enough!" 183 00:11:19,629 --> 00:11:21,629 But al-Hasan said to him, 184 00:11:21,629 --> 00:11:24,629 "Allah took a covenant from the people of knowledge 185 00:11:24,629 --> 00:11:27,629 That they must make it clear to the people and not conceal it." 186 00:11:27,629 --> 00:11:30,700 The following day, 187 00:11:30,700 --> 00:11:34,700 Al-Hajjaj entered his assembly bursting with fury, 188 00:11:34,700 --> 00:11:36,700 And said to those seated with him, 189 00:11:36,700 --> 00:11:38,700 "Woe to you, and ruin! 190 00:11:38,700 --> 00:11:41,700 A slave from among the slaves of the people of Basra stands up 191 00:11:41,700 --> 00:11:44,700 And says whatever he pleases concerning us, 192 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:48,700 And not one among you steps forward to refute him or denounce him?! 193 00:11:48,700 --> 00:11:53,700 By Allah, I shall make you drink from his blood, you crowd of cowards!" 194 00:11:53,700 --> 00:11:55,700 He then ordered the sword and the leather execution mat, 195 00:11:55,700 --> 00:11:57,700 And they were brought forward. 196 00:11:57,700 --> 00:11:59,700 He called for the executioner, 197 00:11:59,700 --> 00:12:01,700 Who stood ready before him. 198 00:12:02,700 --> 00:12:05,700 Then he dispatched some of his guards to al-Hasan, 199 00:12:05,700 --> 00:12:07,700 and ordered them to bring him before him. 200 00:12:07,700 --> 00:12:09,700 And it was only a brief moment 201 00:12:09,700 --> 00:12:11,700 before al-Hasan arrived. 202 00:12:11,700 --> 00:12:14,700 All eyes fixed upon him, 203 00:12:14,700 --> 00:12:16,700 and hearts trembled for his sake. 204 00:12:16,700 --> 00:12:20,700 When al-Hasan saw the sword, the leather execution mat, and the executioner, 205 00:12:20,700 --> 00:12:22,700 he moved his lips, 206 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:24,700 then approached al-Hajjaj 207 00:12:24,700 --> 00:12:26,700 with the majesty of a believer, 208 00:12:26,700 --> 00:12:28,700 the dignity of a Muslim, 209 00:12:28,700 --> 00:12:31,759 and the solemnity of a caller to Allah. 210 00:12:31,759 --> 00:12:34,759 When al-Hajjaj saw him in this state, 211 00:12:34,759 --> 00:12:36,759 he was struck with profound awe of him, 212 00:12:36,759 --> 00:12:38,759 and said to him, 213 00:12:38,759 --> 00:12:40,759 "Over here, O Abu Sa'id! 214 00:12:40,759 --> 00:12:42,759 Over here!" 215 00:12:42,759 --> 00:12:44,759 He continued to make room for him, saying, 216 00:12:44,759 --> 00:12:46,759 "Over here!" 217 00:12:46,759 --> 00:12:49,759 while the people looked on in utter astonishment and bewilderment, 218 00:12:49,759 --> 00:12:52,759 until he seated him beside himself on his own cushion. 219 00:12:52,759 --> 00:12:55,759 Once al-Hasan had taken his seat, 220 00:12:55,759 --> 00:12:57,759 al-Hajjaj turned to him 221 00:12:57,759 --> 00:13:00,759 and began asking him about various matters of religion, 222 00:13:00,759 --> 00:13:03,759 and al-Hasan answered every question 223 00:13:03,759 --> 00:13:05,759 with an unwavering heart, 224 00:13:05,759 --> 00:13:07,759 mesmerizing eloquence, 225 00:13:07,759 --> 00:13:09,759 and vast knowledge. 226 00:13:09,759 --> 00:13:11,759 Thereupon al-Hajjaj said to him, 227 00:13:11,759 --> 00:13:14,759 "You are the master of the scholars, O Abu Sa'id!" 228 00:13:14,759 --> 00:13:16,759 Then he called for ghaliyah— 229 00:13:16,759 --> 00:13:18,759 which is a type of precious perfume— 230 00:13:18,759 --> 00:13:21,759 perfumed his beard with it, 231 00:13:21,759 --> 00:13:23,820 and bid him farewell. 232 00:13:23,820 --> 00:13:25,820 When al-Hasan departed from his presence, 233 00:13:25,820 --> 00:13:28,820 al-Hajjaj's chamberlain followed him and said, 234 00:13:28,820 --> 00:13:30,820 "O Abu Sa'id! 235 00:13:30,820 --> 00:13:34,820 Al-Hajjaj summoned you for a purpose entirely different from how he treated you! 236 00:13:34,820 --> 00:13:36,820 Indeed, I saw you when you entered 237 00:13:36,820 --> 00:13:38,820 and saw the sword and the leather execution mat, 238 00:13:38,820 --> 00:13:40,820 that you moved your lips. 239 00:13:40,820 --> 00:13:42,820 What did you say?" 240 00:13:42,820 --> 00:13:44,820 Al-Hasan replied, 241 00:13:44,820 --> 00:13:46,820 "I said: 242 00:13:46,820 --> 00:13:50,820 'O Master of my blessings and my refuge in my distress, 243 00:13:50,820 --> 00:13:53,820 make his vengeance coolness and peace upon me, 244 00:13:53,820 --> 00:14:00,009 just as You made the fire coolness and peace upon Ibrahim.'" 245 00:14:00,009 --> 00:14:03,009 Many such stances were taken by al-Hasan al-Basri 246 00:14:03,009 --> 00:14:05,009 with governors and rulers; 247 00:14:05,009 --> 00:14:08,009 he would emerge from every encounter magnified 248 00:14:08,009 --> 00:14:10,009 in the eyes of those in authority, 249 00:14:10,009 --> 00:14:12,009 honored through Allah, 250 00:14:12,009 --> 00:14:14,009 and preserved by His protection. 251 00:14:14,009 --> 00:14:16,009 An example of this 252 00:14:16,009 --> 00:14:18,009 is that after the ascetic caliph, 253 00:14:18,009 --> 00:14:20,009 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, 254 00:14:20,009 --> 00:14:22,009 passed away to the mercy of his Lord, 255 00:14:22,009 --> 00:14:25,009 and the caliphate passed to Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik, 256 00:14:25,009 --> 00:14:29,009 he appointed 'Umar ibn Hubayrah al-Fazari over Iraq. 257 00:14:29,009 --> 00:14:32,009 Then he expanded his authority even further, 258 00:14:32,009 --> 00:14:35,009 annexing Khurasan to his realm as well. 259 00:14:35,009 --> 00:14:37,009 Yazid governed the people 260 00:14:37,009 --> 00:14:40,009 with a conduct quite unlike that of his great predecessor. 261 00:14:40,009 --> 00:14:43,009 He would send to 'Umar ibn Hubayrah 262 00:14:43,009 --> 00:14:45,009 letter after letter, 263 00:14:45,009 --> 00:14:48,009 ordering him to execute their contents, 264 00:14:48,009 --> 00:14:51,009 even if they were at times contrary to the truth. 265 00:14:51,009 --> 00:14:53,009 So 'Umar ibn Hubayrah summoned 266 00:14:53,009 --> 00:14:55,009 both al-Hasan al-Basri 267 00:14:55,009 --> 00:14:57,009 and 'Amir ibn Sharahbil, 268 00:14:57,009 --> 00:14:59,009 known as al-Sha'bi, 269 00:14:59,009 --> 00:15:01,009 and said to them: 270 00:15:01,009 --> 00:15:03,009 "The Commander of the Believers, 271 00:15:03,009 --> 00:15:05,009 Yazid ibn 'Abd al-Malik, 272 00:15:05,009 --> 00:15:07,009 has been appointed by Allah as caliph over His servants, 273 00:15:07,009 --> 00:15:10,009 and He has made obedience to him incumbent upon the people. 274 00:15:10,009 --> 00:15:12,009 He has granted me authority, as you see, 275 00:15:12,009 --> 00:15:14,009 over the affairs of Iraq, 276 00:15:14,009 --> 00:15:17,009 then extended it by appointing me over Persia as well. 277 00:15:17,009 --> 00:15:20,009 Yet he sometimes sends me letters 278 00:15:20,009 --> 00:15:22,009 commanding me to carry out directives 279 00:15:22,009 --> 00:15:25,009 whose justice I cannot feel assured of. 280 00:15:25,009 --> 00:15:28,009 Do you find for me, in complying with him 281 00:15:28,009 --> 00:15:31,009 and executing his commands, any religious leeway?" 282 00:15:31,009 --> 00:15:34,009 Al-Sha'bi gave an answer 283 00:15:34,009 --> 00:15:36,009 that was gentle toward the caliph 284 00:15:36,009 --> 00:15:38,009 and accommodating to the governor, 285 00:15:38,009 --> 00:15:40,009 while al-Hasan remained silent. 286 00:15:40,009 --> 00:15:42,009 So 'Umar ibn Hubayrah turned 287 00:15:42,009 --> 00:15:44,009 to al-Hasan and said, 288 00:15:44,009 --> 00:15:47,009 "And what do you say, O Abu Sa'id?" 289 00:15:47,009 --> 00:15:49,009 He said: 290 00:15:49,009 --> 00:15:51,009 "O Ibn Hubayrah! 291 00:15:51,009 --> 00:15:53,009 Fear Allah regarding Yazid, 292 00:15:53,009 --> 00:15:55,009 and do not fear Yazid regarding Allah. 293 00:15:55,009 --> 00:15:58,039 Know that Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, 294 00:15:58,039 --> 00:16:00,039 will protect you from Yazid, 295 00:16:00,039 --> 00:16:03,039 but Yazid can never protect you from Allah. 296 00:16:03,039 --> 00:16:05,039 O Ibn Hubayrah! 297 00:16:05,039 --> 00:16:07,039 An angel, stern and severe, 298 00:16:07,039 --> 00:16:09,039 who does not disobey what Allah commands him, 299 00:16:09,039 --> 00:16:11,039 is about to descend upon you. 300 00:16:11,039 --> 00:16:14,039 He will remove you from this throne of yours 301 00:16:14,039 --> 00:16:16,039 and transfer you from the vastness of your palace 302 00:16:16,039 --> 00:16:18,039 to the narrow confines of your grave, 303 00:16:18,039 --> 00:16:21,039 where you will not find Yazid, 304 00:16:21,039 --> 00:16:23,039 but will find only your deeds 305 00:16:23,039 --> 00:16:26,039 in which you disobeyed the Lord of Yazid. 306 00:16:26,039 --> 00:16:28,039 O Ibn Hubayrah! 307 00:16:28,039 --> 00:16:30,039 If you are with Allah Almighty 308 00:16:30,039 --> 00:16:32,039 and in obedience to Him, 309 00:16:32,039 --> 00:16:34,039 He will spare you the harm of Yazid 310 00:16:34,039 --> 00:16:37,039 ibn 'Abd al-Malik in this world and the Hereafter. 311 00:16:37,039 --> 00:16:39,039 But if you stand with Yazid 312 00:16:39,039 --> 00:16:41,039 in disobedience to Allah Almighty, 313 00:16:41,039 --> 00:16:44,039 Allah will leave you to the mercy of Yazid. 314 00:16:44,039 --> 00:16:46,039 And know, O Ibn Hubayrah, 315 00:16:46,039 --> 00:16:50,039 that there is no obedience to any created being, whoever he may be, 316 00:16:50,039 --> 00:16:53,039 in disobedience to the Creator, Exalted and Glorious is He." 317 00:16:53,039 --> 00:16:56,070 Thereupon 'Umar ibn Hubayrah wept 318 00:16:56,070 --> 00:16:59,070 until his tears soaked his beard; 319 00:16:59,070 --> 00:17:02,070 he turned away from al-Sha'bi toward al-Hasan, 320 00:17:02,070 --> 00:17:05,069 and treated him with the utmost reverence and honor. 321 00:17:05,069 --> 00:17:07,069 When the two of them left his presence, 322 00:17:07,069 --> 00:17:09,069 they headed toward the mosque, 323 00:17:09,069 --> 00:17:11,069 where the people gathered around them 324 00:17:11,069 --> 00:17:13,069 and began asking them 325 00:17:13,069 --> 00:17:16,069 about their meeting with the governor of the two Iraqs. 326 00:17:16,069 --> 00:17:19,069 Al-Sha'bi turned to them and said: 327 00:17:19,069 --> 00:17:21,069 "O people! 328 00:17:21,069 --> 00:17:25,069 Whoever among you is able to prefer Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, 329 00:17:25,069 --> 00:17:27,069 over His creation in every circumstance, 330 00:17:27,069 --> 00:17:29,069 let him do so! 331 00:17:29,069 --> 00:17:31,069 For by the One in Whose hand is my soul, 332 00:17:31,069 --> 00:17:34,069 al-Hasan did not say anything to 'Umar ibn Hubayrah 333 00:17:34,069 --> 00:17:35,069 that I did not already know; 334 00:17:35,069 --> 00:17:39,069 rather, in what I said, I sought the favor of Ibn Hubayrah, 335 00:17:39,069 --> 00:17:42,069 while in what he said, he sought the countenance of Allah. 336 00:17:42,069 --> 00:17:45,069 Thus Allah distanced me from Ibn Hubayrah, 337 00:17:45,069 --> 00:17:49,069 while drawing al-Hasan close to him and endearing him to his heart." 338 00:17:49,069 --> 00:17:54,450 Al-Hasan al-Basri lived for about eighty years, 339 00:17:54,450 --> 00:17:58,450 during which he filled the world with knowledge, wisdom, and fiqh. 340 00:17:58,450 --> 00:18:02,480 Among the greatest legacies he left to future generations 341 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:07,480 were his heart-softening counsels, which remained across time a spring for the hearts, 342 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:11,480 and his sermons that shook and continue to shake souls, 343 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:13,480 draw forth tears, 344 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:16,480 guide the lost to Allah, 345 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:20,480 and awaken the deluded and heedless to the reality of this worldly life 346 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,480 and the condition of people regarding it. 347 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:27,539 Among these was his response to an enquirer who asked him about this world and its nature: 348 00:18:27,539 --> 00:18:30,539 "You ask me concerning this world and the Hereafter? 349 00:18:30,539 --> 00:18:33,539 The parable of this world and the Hereafter 350 00:18:33,539 --> 00:18:35,539 is like that of the East and the West: 351 00:18:35,539 --> 00:18:38,539 whenever you draw nearer to one of them, 352 00:18:38,539 --> 00:18:41,539 you grow further away from the other. 353 00:18:41,539 --> 00:18:44,539 And you say to me, 'Describe this abode to me.' 354 00:18:44,539 --> 00:18:47,539 What can I describe to you of an abode 355 00:18:47,539 --> 00:18:49,539 whose beginning is hardship, 356 00:18:49,539 --> 00:18:51,539 whose end is annihilation, 357 00:18:51,539 --> 00:18:53,539 in whose lawful matters lies an accounting, 358 00:18:53,539 --> 00:18:56,539 in whose unlawful matters lies punishment, 359 00:18:56,539 --> 00:18:58,539 wherein whoever becomes wealthy is tried, 360 00:18:58,539 --> 00:19:01,539 and whoever becomes impoverished is grieved?" 361 00:19:01,539 --> 00:19:04,799 And among them as well is his saying to another 362 00:19:05,799 --> 00:19:08,799 who asked him about his condition and the condition of the people: 363 00:19:08,799 --> 00:19:11,799 "Woe to us! What have we done to ourselves? 364 00:19:11,799 --> 00:19:14,799 We have starved our religion 365 00:19:14,799 --> 00:19:17,799 and fattened our worldly life; 366 00:19:17,799 --> 00:19:19,799 we have worn out our morals— 367 00:19:19,799 --> 00:19:22,799 meaning, we have degraded our character— 368 00:19:22,799 --> 00:19:25,799 while renewing our furnishings and garments! 369 00:19:25,799 --> 00:19:28,799 One of us reclines on his left side 370 00:19:28,799 --> 00:19:31,829 and eats from wealth that is not his own, 371 00:19:31,829 --> 00:19:33,829 his food acquired through extortion, 372 00:19:33,829 --> 00:19:35,829 demanding it through forced labor— 373 00:19:35,829 --> 00:19:37,829 meaning, unjustly and without compensation. 374 00:19:37,829 --> 00:19:40,829 He calls for sweet after sour, 375 00:19:40,829 --> 00:19:42,829 hot after cold, 376 00:19:42,829 --> 00:19:44,829 and moist after dry, 377 00:19:44,829 --> 00:19:47,829 until, when he is overcome with fullness, 378 00:19:47,829 --> 00:19:49,829 he belches from indigestion. 379 00:19:49,829 --> 00:19:50,829 Then he says, 380 00:19:50,829 --> 00:19:52,829 'Boy! 381 00:19:52,829 --> 00:19:55,829 Bring something to digest the food!' 382 00:19:55,829 --> 00:19:57,829 O foolish fool! 383 00:19:57,829 --> 00:20:00,829 By Allah, you will digest nothing but your own religion! 384 00:20:00,829 --> 00:20:02,829 Where is your needy neighbor? 385 00:20:02,829 --> 00:20:05,829 Where is the hungry orphan of your people? 386 00:20:05,829 --> 00:20:08,829 Where is your destitute one who looks to you? 387 00:20:08,829 --> 00:20:11,829 Where is that which Allah, Exalted and Glorious is He, commanded you? 388 00:20:11,829 --> 00:20:14,829 If only you knew that you are merely a number of days, 389 00:20:14,829 --> 00:20:17,829 and that whenever the sun of a day sets upon you, 390 00:20:17,829 --> 00:20:20,829 a part of your count has diminished, 391 00:20:20,829 --> 00:20:25,109 and a portion of you has departed with it!" 392 00:20:25,109 --> 00:20:28,109 On the eve of Friday, the first of Rajab, 393 00:20:28,109 --> 00:20:30,109 in the year 110, 394 00:20:30,109 --> 00:20:33,109 al-Hasan al-Basri answered the call of his Lord. 395 00:20:33,109 --> 00:20:35,109 When morning came upon the people 396 00:20:35,109 --> 00:20:37,109 and the news of his death spread among them, 397 00:20:37,109 --> 00:20:41,109 Basra was shaken to its core by his death. 398 00:20:41,109 --> 00:20:43,109 He was washed and shrouded, 399 00:20:43,109 --> 00:20:45,109 and the funeral prayer was offered for him after the Friday prayer 400 00:20:45,109 --> 00:20:48,109 in the very grand mosque within whose precincts he had spent 401 00:20:48,109 --> 00:20:51,109 most of his life as a scholar, a teacher, 402 00:20:51,109 --> 00:20:54,240 and a caller to Allah. 403 00:20:54,240 --> 00:20:57,240 Then all the people followed his funeral procession, 404 00:20:57,240 --> 00:21:00,240 so that the 'Asr prayer was not held on that day 405 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:02,240 in the Grand Mosque of Basra, 406 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:04,240 because not a single person remained in it 407 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:06,240 to establish the prayer. 408 00:21:06,240 --> 00:21:08,240 And people know of no instance where the congregational prayer 409 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:10,240 was suspended in the Grand Mosque of Basra, 410 00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:12,240 ever since the Muslims built it, 411 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:14,240 except on that singular day— 412 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,240 the day al-Hasan al-Basri passed away 413 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:19,240 into the presence of his Lord. 414 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:26,690 How could a people go astray when among them is the likes of 415 00:21:26,690 --> 00:21:28,690 al-Hasan al-Basri? 416 00:21:28,690 --> 00:21:31,200 Maslamah Ibn 'Abd al-Malik— 417 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:36,500 as a gentle soul and an exemplar— 418 00:21:36,500 --> 00:21:38,500 followed the Messenger 419 00:21:38,500 --> 00:21:41,500 in whatever he strived for or said. 420 00:21:41,500 --> 00:21:43,500 They were once here, 421 00:21:43,500 --> 00:21:46,500 watering our lives like rain clouds, 422 00:21:46,500 --> 00:21:48,500 and though they have passed on among us, 423 00:21:48,500 --> 00:21:51,500 their memory continues to rise high. 424 00:21:51,500 --> 00:21:53,500 They departed, leaving 425 00:21:53,500 --> 00:21:56,500 a question within our conscience: 426 00:21:56,500 --> 00:21:58,500 "Could there ever be like them 427 00:21:58,500 --> 00:22:01,500 a star that ascended and shone so bright?" 428 00:22:01,500 --> 00:22:03,500 They filled life 429 00:22:03,500 --> 00:22:06,500 with glorious achievements through their deeds, 430 00:22:06,500 --> 00:22:10,599 and the world of mankind flourished through them.