1 00:00:00,020 --> 00:00:03,540 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,540 --> 00:00:09,150 Treasures of the Prophetic biography. 3 00:00:09,150 --> 00:00:15,169 The story of Abu Muhammad al-Mayurqi. 4 00:00:15,169 --> 00:00:19,570 It is a remarkable story, quite similar to this one. 5 00:00:19,570 --> 00:00:24,050 Abu Muhammad 'Abdullah al-Mayurqi relates it to us. 6 00:00:24,050 --> 00:00:27,410 "Al-Mayurqi" refers to Majorca, in Spain. 7 00:00:27,410 --> 00:00:30,449 He was formerly a Christian who embraced Islam. 8 00:00:30,449 --> 00:00:32,929 He recounted the story of his conversion, 9 00:00:33,229 --> 00:00:34,350 saying: 10 00:00:34,350 --> 00:00:37,390 "When I reached six years of age, 11 00:00:37,390 --> 00:00:41,469 my father entrusted me to a instructor among the priests. 12 00:00:41,469 --> 00:00:43,630 I read the Gospel under his tutelage, 13 00:00:43,630 --> 00:00:47,630 until I had memorized more than half of it over a period of two years. 14 00:00:47,630 --> 00:00:53,229 Then I spent six years learning the language of the Gospel and logic. 15 00:00:53,229 --> 00:00:58,429 After that, I traveled from my hometown to the city of Lleida in Catalonia, 16 00:00:58,429 --> 00:01:01,789 which was the seat of learning among the Christians. 17 00:01:01,869 --> 00:01:07,469 I took up residence in a church belonging to an elderly priest of great prestige among them, 18 00:01:07,469 --> 00:01:10,030 named Nicolau Martí. 19 00:01:10,030 --> 00:01:15,870 His standing among them in knowledge, devotion, and asceticism was exceedingly high— 20 00:01:15,870 --> 00:01:20,829 unmatched in his time by any of the adherents of Christianity. 21 00:01:20,829 --> 00:01:25,390 Inquiries regarding their religion used to pour in to him from all horizons, 22 00:01:25,390 --> 00:01:27,870 from kings and commoners alike. 23 00:01:27,950 --> 00:01:32,109 These inquiries were accompanied by numerous lavish gifts, 24 00:01:32,109 --> 00:01:37,150 as everyone sought his blessing and hoped he would accept their offerings, 25 00:01:37,150 --> 00:01:39,629 considering it an honor. 26 00:01:39,629 --> 00:01:44,030 I studied foundational theology and legal rulings under this priest, 27 00:01:44,030 --> 00:01:49,469 and I continually sought his favor through my service and by fulfilling many of his duties, 28 00:01:49,469 --> 00:01:52,909 until he made me one of his closest confidants. 29 00:01:52,909 --> 00:01:56,349 My dedicated service and closeness to him eventually reached a point 30 00:01:56,510 --> 00:01:59,549 where he handed over to me the keys to his residence, 31 00:01:59,549 --> 00:02:02,349 as well as the storerooms for his food and drink; 32 00:02:02,349 --> 00:02:05,469 all of it was placed under my management. 33 00:02:05,469 --> 00:02:07,469 He made no exception to this, 34 00:02:07,469 --> 00:02:09,789 save for the key to a small room 35 00:02:09,789 --> 00:02:11,629 inside his private residence, 36 00:02:11,629 --> 00:02:14,030 in which he used to retreat by himself. 37 00:02:14,030 --> 00:02:20,189 I remained with him, continuing my studies under his guidance and serving him as mentioned, for ten years. 38 00:02:20,189 --> 00:02:23,310 Then, one day, he was stricken with an illness, 39 00:02:23,310 --> 00:02:26,349 causing him to miss the assembly of his fellow scholars. 40 00:02:26,349 --> 00:02:28,509 The members of the assembly waited for him, 41 00:02:28,509 --> 00:02:31,789 discussing various scholarly issues among themselves, 42 00:02:31,789 --> 00:02:35,710 until their conversation led them to the word of Allah Almighty, 43 00:02:35,710 --> 00:02:37,710 delivered on the tongue of Jesus, 44 00:02:37,710 --> 00:02:40,349 that there would come after him a prophet 45 00:02:40,349 --> 00:02:42,539 named the Paraclete. 46 00:02:42,539 --> 00:02:45,099 They engaged in a debate to identify this prophet, 47 00:02:45,099 --> 00:02:47,180 asking who among the prophets he might be. 48 00:02:47,180 --> 00:02:51,500 Each of them offered an opinion according to his knowledge and understanding, 49 00:02:51,580 --> 00:02:54,699 and their debate on the matter grew intense, 50 00:02:54,699 --> 00:02:56,620 leading to lengthy arguments. 51 00:02:56,620 --> 00:03:01,659 Ultimately, they departed without reaching any definitive conclusion on the issue. 52 00:03:01,659 --> 00:03:05,340 I then went to the lodging of the master scholar who led the aforementioned lesson, 53 00:03:05,340 --> 00:03:06,699 and he asked me: 54 00:03:06,699 --> 00:03:11,500 'What was the topic of your debate today in my absence?' 55 00:03:11,500 --> 00:03:15,340 I informed him of their disagreement regarding the name Paraclete, 56 00:03:15,340 --> 00:03:18,060 telling him that so-and-so had answered with such-and-such, 57 00:03:18,060 --> 00:03:20,860 and so-and-so had answered with another view, 58 00:03:20,860 --> 00:03:23,259 detailing their responses to him. 59 00:03:23,259 --> 00:03:24,699 He said to me: 60 00:03:24,699 --> 00:03:26,939 'And how did you answer?' 61 00:03:26,939 --> 00:03:28,139 I replied: 62 00:03:28,139 --> 00:03:30,139 'I offered the answer of Judge So-and-So 63 00:03:30,139 --> 00:03:32,460 from his commentary on the Gospel.' 64 00:03:32,460 --> 00:03:33,900 He said to me: 65 00:03:33,900 --> 00:03:36,379 'You did not fall too short and came close; 66 00:03:36,379 --> 00:03:38,060 so-and-so was mistaken, 67 00:03:38,060 --> 00:03:40,939 and so-and-so was nearly correct.' 68 00:03:40,939 --> 00:03:43,659 'Abdullah al-Mayurqi continues: 69 00:03:43,659 --> 00:03:45,500 When he said to me, 70 00:03:45,500 --> 00:03:46,860 'So-and-so was mistaken, 71 00:03:46,860 --> 00:03:48,539 and so-and-so came close, 72 00:03:48,539 --> 00:03:51,900 but the truth is entirely different from all of that, 73 00:03:51,900 --> 00:03:54,539 because the interpretation of this noble knowledge 74 00:03:54,539 --> 00:03:58,539 is known only to those deeply rooted in knowledge, 75 00:03:58,539 --> 00:04:02,500 and you have attained only a small fraction of knowledge,' 76 00:04:02,500 --> 00:04:05,780 I quickly fell to his feet and kissed them, 77 00:04:05,780 --> 00:04:08,099 saying to him: 'O my master, 78 00:04:08,099 --> 00:04:11,860 you know that I traveled to you from a distant land, 79 00:04:11,860 --> 00:04:14,580 and I have been in your service for ten years, 80 00:04:14,580 --> 00:04:18,500 acquiring from you an unquantifiable amount of knowledge. 81 00:04:18,500 --> 00:04:20,980 Perhaps, out of your gracious benevolence, 82 00:04:20,980 --> 00:04:24,579 you might bestow upon me the knowledge of this name.' 83 00:04:24,579 --> 00:04:27,060 The old scholar wept and said to me: 84 00:04:27,060 --> 00:04:28,420 'O my son, 85 00:04:28,420 --> 00:04:31,620 by Allah, you are indeed very dear to me 86 00:04:31,620 --> 00:04:35,220 because of your service to me and your devotion to my company. 87 00:04:35,220 --> 00:04:37,699 In knowing this noble name 88 00:04:37,699 --> 00:04:39,620 there is immense benefit, 89 00:04:39,620 --> 00:04:42,019 but I fear for you; 90 00:04:42,019 --> 00:04:43,939 for if that knowledge becomes apparent from you, 91 00:04:43,939 --> 00:04:46,819 the Christian populace will slay you.' 92 00:04:46,899 --> 00:04:49,139 I said to him: 'O my master, 93 00:04:49,139 --> 00:04:50,660 by Allah the Almighty, 94 00:04:50,660 --> 00:04:53,459 and by the truth of the Gospel and the one who brought it, 95 00:04:53,459 --> 00:04:56,980 I shall not utter a single word of what you entrust to me 96 00:04:56,980 --> 00:04:58,899 except by your command.' 97 00:04:58,899 --> 00:05:00,339 He said to me: 98 00:05:00,339 --> 00:05:01,699 'O my son, 99 00:05:01,699 --> 00:05:05,620 when you first came to me, I asked you about your homeland, 100 00:05:05,620 --> 00:05:08,420 whether it was close to the Muslims, 101 00:05:08,420 --> 00:05:11,379 and whether they raided you or you raided them, 102 00:05:11,379 --> 00:05:15,620 in order to test the extent of your aversion to Islam. 103 00:05:15,620 --> 00:05:17,379 Know, my son, 104 00:05:17,379 --> 00:05:19,139 that the Paraclete 105 00:05:19,139 --> 00:05:22,500 is one of the names of their Prophet, Muhammad, 106 00:05:22,500 --> 00:05:25,060 unto whom was revealed the fourth scripture, 107 00:05:25,060 --> 00:05:29,220 mentioned on the tongue of Daniel, peace be upon him.' 108 00:05:29,220 --> 00:05:32,019 I said to him: 'O my master, 109 00:05:32,019 --> 00:05:35,620 what then do you say regarding the religion of these Christians?' 110 00:05:35,620 --> 00:05:36,819 He said to me: 111 00:05:36,819 --> 00:05:38,259 'O my son, 112 00:05:38,259 --> 00:05:42,259 had the Christians remained upon the original religion of Jesus, 113 00:05:42,259 --> 00:05:44,579 they would have been upon the religion of Allah.' 114 00:05:44,740 --> 00:05:47,540 He added that Jesus and all the prophets 115 00:05:47,540 --> 00:05:49,620 followed the religion of Allah, 116 00:05:49,620 --> 00:05:52,259 'but they altered it and fell into disbelief.' 117 00:05:52,259 --> 00:05:53,540 I asked him: 118 00:05:53,540 --> 00:05:55,060 'O my master, 119 00:05:55,060 --> 00:05:57,620 how can one find salvation from this predicament?' 120 00:05:57,620 --> 00:05:58,819 He replied: 121 00:05:58,819 --> 00:06:00,259 'O my son, 122 00:06:00,259 --> 00:06:03,139 by entering the religion of Islam.' 123 00:06:03,139 --> 00:06:04,500 I asked him: 124 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:06,819 'Will one who enters it be saved?' 125 00:06:06,819 --> 00:06:08,420 He said to me: 'Yes, 126 00:06:08,420 --> 00:06:11,139 he will be saved in this world and the Hereafter.' 127 00:06:11,139 --> 00:06:12,100 So I said: 128 00:06:12,100 --> 00:06:13,699 'O my master, 129 00:06:13,779 --> 00:06:18,019 a wise person chooses for himself only the best of what he knows; 130 00:06:18,019 --> 00:06:20,819 since you know the superiority of the religion of Islam, 131 00:06:20,819 --> 00:06:22,740 what prevents you from embracing it?' 132 00:06:22,740 --> 00:06:24,019 He said to me: 133 00:06:24,019 --> 00:06:25,459 'O my son, 134 00:06:25,459 --> 00:06:31,220 Allah did not disclose to me the reality of what I have told you regarding the virtue of Islam 135 00:06:31,220 --> 00:06:33,860 and the honor of the Prophet of the Muslims 136 00:06:33,860 --> 00:06:37,379 except in my old age and after my body had grown feeble. 137 00:06:37,379 --> 00:06:39,139 Yet we have no excuse; 138 00:06:39,139 --> 00:06:42,339 rather, it remains an established proof against us. 139 00:06:42,420 --> 00:06:46,019 Had Allah guided me to this while I was your age, 140 00:06:46,019 --> 00:06:50,000 I would have abandoned everything and entered the religion of truth. 141 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:53,439 But love of the world is the root of all sin; 142 00:06:53,439 --> 00:06:56,560 and you see the status I hold among the Christians— 143 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,439 the high prestige, honor, luxury, 144 00:06:59,439 --> 00:07:01,759 and abundant worldly possessions. 145 00:07:01,759 --> 00:07:06,240 Were the slightest inclination toward the religion of Islam to appear from me, 146 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,439 the common folk would kill me in the shortest time. 147 00:07:09,519 --> 00:07:12,879 Suppose I were to escape and reach the Muslims, 148 00:07:12,879 --> 00:07:14,480 and say to them: 149 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,879 "I have come to you as a Muslim." 150 00:07:16,879 --> 00:07:18,560 They would say to me: 151 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:22,879 "You have benefited only yourself by entering the religion of truth, 152 00:07:22,879 --> 00:07:25,920 so do not confer a favor upon us by embracing a religion 153 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:29,120 through which you saved yourself from the punishment of Allah." 154 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,480 I would then remain among them as a destitute old man, 155 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:34,480 ninety years of age, 156 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,240 unable to understand their language while they do not recognize my true worth, 157 00:07:38,319 --> 00:07:40,800 and I would die among them of hunger. 158 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:43,920 Whereas I—praise be to Allah—am upon the religion of Jesus 159 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,000 and upon that which he brought; 160 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:48,560 Allah knows that of me.' 161 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:50,000 I said to him: 162 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:51,360 'O my master, 163 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:54,959 do you advise me to travel to the lands of the Muslims 164 00:07:54,959 --> 00:07:57,040 and enter their religion?' 165 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:58,480 He said to me: 166 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,600 'If you are wise and seeking salvation, 167 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:03,360 hasten to do so, 168 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:06,399 and you will gain both this world and the Hereafter.' 169 00:08:06,399 --> 00:08:08,160 Now, regarding his statement: 170 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,199 'I am, praise be to Allah, upon the religion of Jesus,' 171 00:08:11,199 --> 00:08:13,519 he was lying to himself, 172 00:08:13,519 --> 00:08:15,519 because he had also said: 173 00:08:15,519 --> 00:08:17,920 'They altered it and fell into disbelief'— 174 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:21,040 unless he was secretly a Muslim concealing his Islam, 175 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:24,319 affirming monotheism, disbelieving in the Trinity, 176 00:08:24,319 --> 00:08:29,420 and hiding his belief in Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 177 00:08:29,420 --> 00:08:31,019 Then the priest said to me: 178 00:08:31,019 --> 00:08:32,779 'However, my son, 179 00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:36,139 this matter was not witnessed by anyone else with us, 180 00:08:36,220 --> 00:08:38,539 so conceal it to the utmost of your ability. 181 00:08:38,539 --> 00:08:41,019 For if anything of it should be exposed about you, 182 00:08:41,019 --> 00:08:43,500 the common folk will slay you instantly, 183 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:45,740 and I will be unable to benefit you. 184 00:08:45,740 --> 00:08:48,940 Nor will it benefit you to report this from me, 185 00:08:48,940 --> 00:08:50,539 for I will deny it, 186 00:08:50,539 --> 00:08:52,779 and my word will be believed against you, 187 00:08:52,779 --> 00:08:55,919 while your word will not be believed against me.' 188 00:08:55,919 --> 00:08:58,320 Thereupon, I made preparations for the journey, 189 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:01,600 until I subsequently traveled to Tunis, 190 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:05,600 where I entered the religion of Allah, Blessed and Exalted. 191 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:08,080 Regarding this word, 'Paraclete', 192 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,679 Ustadh 'Abd al-Wahhab al-Najjar says: 193 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:15,039 'I sat with Dr. Carlo Nallino 194 00:09:15,039 --> 00:09:16,320 and said to him: 195 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:17,679 "Dr., 196 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:20,080 what is the meaning of Paracletos?" 197 00:09:20,080 --> 00:09:22,080 He replied to me saying: 198 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:24,240 "The priests say 199 00:09:24,240 --> 00:09:27,679 "Indeed, this word means 'the Comforter.'" 200 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:29,039 So I said to him, 201 00:09:29,039 --> 00:09:32,240 "I am asking Dr. Carlo Nallino, 202 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:34,159 holder of a doctorate 203 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:37,440 in Ancient Greek literature; 204 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,840 I am not asking a priest." 205 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:41,039 So he said, 206 00:09:41,039 --> 00:09:44,080 "Its meaning is 'the one who is greatly praised.'" 207 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:45,519 So I said to him, 208 00:09:45,519 --> 00:09:47,679 "Does that correspond to the superlative form 209 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:49,679 derived from praise (*ḥamd*)?" 210 00:09:49,679 --> 00:09:51,120 He said, "Yes." 211 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:52,159 I said, 212 00:09:52,159 --> 00:09:54,960 "Indeed, among the names of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 213 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:57,279 is Aḥmad." 214 00:09:57,279 --> 00:09:58,720 Thereupon he said to me, 215 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:01,759 "My brother, you possess much knowledge!" 216 00:10:01,759 --> 00:10:04,580 and then he fell silent. 217 00:10:04,580 --> 00:10:07,539 Ibn 'Abbās said regarding the delegation of Najrān: 218 00:10:07,539 --> 00:10:11,139 The Christians of Najrān and the Jewish rabbis gathered 219 00:10:11,139 --> 00:10:14,740 before the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 220 00:10:14,740 --> 00:10:16,179 and began arguing with one another. 221 00:10:16,179 --> 00:10:18,019 The rabbis said, 222 00:10:18,019 --> 00:10:21,379 "Abraham was nothing but a Jew!" 223 00:10:21,379 --> 00:10:23,299 While the Christians said, 224 00:10:23,299 --> 00:10:26,100 "He was nothing but a Christian!" 225 00:10:26,100 --> 00:10:29,059 So Allah (blessed and exalted be He) revealed: 226 00:10:29,059 --> 00:10:30,820 "O People of the Book! 227 00:10:30,820 --> 00:10:37,740 Why do you argue concerning Abraham, 228 00:10:37,740 --> 00:10:41,980 “O People of the Scripture! Why will ye argue about Abraham, when the Torah and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye then no sense?” (3:65) 229 00:10:41,980 --> 00:10:44,460 except after him? 230 00:10:44,460 --> 00:10:46,779 Do you not then understand? 231 00:10:46,779 --> 00:10:49,980 Here you are! 232 00:10:49,980 --> 00:10:54,139 You have argued about that of which you have knowledge; 233 00:10:54,139 --> 00:11:01,759 “Lo! ye are those who argue about that whereof ye have some knowledge: Why then argue ye concerning that whereof ye have no knowledge? Allah knoweth. Ye know not.” (3:66) 234 00:11:01,759 --> 00:11:03,679 and Allah knows, 235 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:07,039 while you do not know. 236 00:11:07,039 --> 00:11:10,399 “Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was an upright man who had surrendered (to Allah), and he was not of the idolaters.” (3:67) 237 00:11:10,399 --> 00:11:12,639 nor a Christian, 238 00:11:12,639 --> 00:11:16,480 “Abraham was not a Jew, nor yet a Christian; but he was an upright man who had surrendered (to Allah), and he was not of the idolaters.” (3:67) 239 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:19,519 and he was not of the polytheists. 240 00:11:19,519 --> 00:11:23,279 “Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is the Protecting Guardian of the believers.” (3:68) 241 00:11:23,279 --> 00:11:25,279 are those who followed him, 242 00:11:25,279 --> 00:11:31,600 “Lo! those of mankind who have the best claim to Abraham are those who followed him, and this Prophet and those who believe (with him); and Allah is the Protecting Guardian of the believers.” (3:68) 243 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,799 and Allah is the Guardian of the believers." 244 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:59,200 “Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.” (3:59) 245 00:11:59,279 --> 00:12:04,720 “Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! and he is.” (3:59) 246 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,320 "Be!" and it is. 247 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:11,519 “(This is) the truth from thy Lord (O Muhammad), so be not thou of those who waver.” (3:60) 248 00:12:11,519 --> 00:12:19,700 “And whoso disputeth with thee concerning him, after the knowledge which hath come unto thee, say (unto him): Come! We will summon our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, then we will pray humbly (to our Lord) and (solemnly) invoke the curse of Allah upon those who lie.” (3:61) 249 00:12:19,700 --> 00:12:25,700 "Say: 'Come, let us call our sons 250 00:12:25,700 --> 00:12:29,700 and your sons, our women 251 00:12:29,700 --> 00:12:31,700 and your women, 252 00:12:31,700 --> 00:12:33,700 our women 253 00:12:33,700 --> 00:12:35,700 and your women, 254 00:12:35,700 --> 00:12:37,700 and ourselves 255 00:12:37,700 --> 00:12:39,700 and yourselves, 256 00:12:39,700 --> 00:12:41,700 then let us pray humbly 257 00:12:41,700 --> 00:12:43,700 and invoke solemnly, 258 00:12:43,700 --> 00:12:45,700 invoking the curse of Allah 259 00:12:45,700 --> 00:12:47,700 upon the liars.'" 260 00:12:47,700 --> 00:12:50,740 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) challenged them 261 00:12:50,740 --> 00:12:52,740 to the mutual imprecation (*mubāhalah*), 262 00:12:52,740 --> 00:12:54,740 and they initially agreed to the mutual imprecation. 263 00:12:55,700 --> 00:12:58,740 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) summoned 264 00:12:58,740 --> 00:13:00,740 'Alī, Fāṭimah, 265 00:13:00,740 --> 00:13:02,740 al-Ḥasan, and al-Ḥusayn (may Allah be pleased with them) 266 00:13:02,740 --> 00:13:04,740 to perform the mutual imprecation with them. 267 00:13:04,740 --> 00:13:08,740 But when they saw the truthfulness of the Prophet (peace be upon him) 268 00:13:08,740 --> 00:13:10,740 and that he truly intended to execute the imprecation, 269 00:13:10,740 --> 00:13:12,740 they said to him, 270 00:13:12,740 --> 00:13:14,740 "Rather, send with us someone who will teach us 271 00:13:14,740 --> 00:13:16,740 this religion." 272 00:13:16,740 --> 00:13:18,740 And Sharahbīl said to his two companions, 273 00:13:18,740 --> 00:13:20,740 "You both know well 274 00:13:20,740 --> 00:13:22,740 that whenever this entire valley gathers— 275 00:13:22,740 --> 00:13:24,740 its upper part and its lower part— 276 00:13:24,740 --> 00:13:26,740 they neither issue forth nor decide 277 00:13:26,740 --> 00:13:28,740 except upon my counsel. 278 00:13:28,740 --> 00:13:30,740 And by Allah, I foresee 279 00:13:30,740 --> 00:13:32,740 a momentous matter approaching! 280 00:13:32,740 --> 00:13:34,740 By Allah, if this man is 281 00:13:34,740 --> 00:13:36,740 a king who has been dispatched, 282 00:13:36,740 --> 00:13:38,740 then we would be the first of the Arabs to defy him to his face 283 00:13:38,740 --> 00:13:40,740 and reject his authority, 284 00:13:40,740 --> 00:13:42,740 and his resentment will never leave his chest 285 00:13:42,740 --> 00:13:44,740 nor the chests of his people 286 00:13:44,740 --> 00:13:46,740 until he afflicts us with a devastating calamity, 287 00:13:46,740 --> 00:13:48,740 especially since I am the closest of the Arabs to them in neighborly proximity. 288 00:13:48,740 --> 00:13:50,740 On the other hand, if this man is—" 289 00:13:50,740 --> 00:13:52,740 Then the man said: "—a messenger sent as a prophet, 290 00:13:52,740 --> 00:13:54,740 and we invoke curses upon him, 291 00:13:54,740 --> 00:13:56,740 then there will not remain upon the face of the earth 292 00:13:56,740 --> 00:13:58,740 a single hair or fingernail of ours 293 00:13:58,740 --> 00:14:00,830 but that it will perish!" 294 00:14:00,830 --> 00:14:02,830 His two companions said to him, 295 00:14:02,830 --> 00:14:04,830 "So what is your opinion? 296 00:14:04,830 --> 00:14:06,830 Matters have become critical, 297 00:14:06,830 --> 00:14:08,830 so give us your counsel." 298 00:14:08,830 --> 00:14:10,830 He said, "My counsel 299 00:14:10,830 --> 00:14:12,830 is that I appoint him as arbiter over me; 300 00:14:12,830 --> 00:14:14,830 for I see a man who would never judge 301 00:14:14,830 --> 00:14:16,830 unjustly or tyrannically." 302 00:14:16,830 --> 00:14:18,830 They said to him, "The choice is yours." 303 00:14:18,830 --> 00:14:20,830 So he met the Prophet (peace be upon him) 304 00:14:20,830 --> 00:14:22,830 and said, 305 00:14:22,830 --> 00:14:24,830 "I have seen a better course 306 00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:26,830 than engaging in mutual imprecation with you." 307 00:14:26,830 --> 00:14:28,830 He asked, "And what is that?" 308 00:14:28,830 --> 00:14:30,830 He replied, "Your judgment today until nightfall, 309 00:14:30,830 --> 00:14:32,830 and your night until morning; 310 00:14:32,830 --> 00:14:34,830 whatever you decree concerning us, 311 00:14:34,830 --> 00:14:36,830 it shall be binding and permissible." 312 00:14:36,830 --> 00:14:38,830 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 313 00:14:38,830 --> 00:14:40,830 "Perhaps behind you 314 00:14:40,830 --> 00:14:42,830 is someone who will criticize or overrule you?" 315 00:14:42,830 --> 00:14:44,830 He said, 316 00:14:44,830 --> 00:14:46,830 "Ask my two companions." 317 00:14:46,830 --> 00:14:48,830 So he asked them both, 318 00:14:48,830 --> 00:14:50,830 and they replied, 319 00:14:50,830 --> 00:14:52,830 "The valley neither issues forth nor decides 320 00:14:52,830 --> 00:14:54,830 except upon the counsel of Sharahbīl." 321 00:14:54,830 --> 00:14:56,830 Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 322 00:14:56,830 --> 00:14:58,830 "A disbeliever, 323 00:14:58,830 --> 00:15:00,830 yet granted divine accord (*muwaffaq*)." 324 00:15:00,830 --> 00:15:02,830 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) returned 325 00:15:02,830 --> 00:15:04,830 and did not perform the mutual imprecation with them. 326 00:15:04,830 --> 00:15:06,830 He wrote a lengthy decree for them 327 00:15:06,830 --> 00:15:08,830 and then sent 328 00:15:08,830 --> 00:15:10,830 Abū 'Ubaydah 'Āmir Ibn al-Jarrāḥ 329 00:15:10,830 --> 00:15:12,830 to instruct them in the religion of Allah 330 00:15:12,830 --> 00:15:14,830 (blessed and exalted be He). 331 00:15:14,830 --> 00:15:16,830 He had previously said to them, 332 00:15:16,830 --> 00:15:18,830 "I will surely send with you 333 00:15:18,830 --> 00:15:20,830 a trustworthy man, truly trustworthy." 334 00:15:20,830 --> 00:15:22,830 So he sent Abū 'Ubaydah 335 00:15:22,830 --> 00:15:24,830 and said, "This is the trustworthy man of 336 00:15:24,830 --> 00:15:27,409 this Ummah." 337 00:15:27,409 --> 00:15:29,409 *Treasures of the Seerah* 338 00:15:29,409 --> 00:15:33,870 The Delegation of the Tribe of 339 00:15:33,870 --> 00:15:37,950 Sa'd Ibn Bakr 340 00:15:37,950 --> 00:15:39,950 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), 341 00:15:39,950 --> 00:15:41,950 who said: The tribe 342 00:15:41,950 --> 00:15:43,950 of Sa'd Ibn Bakr sent 343 00:15:43,950 --> 00:15:45,950 Ḍimām Ibn Tha'labah 344 00:15:45,950 --> 00:15:47,950 as an envoy to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). 345 00:15:47,950 --> 00:15:49,950 So he came to him, 346 00:15:49,950 --> 00:15:51,950 made his camel kneel 347 00:15:51,950 --> 00:15:53,950 at the gate of the mosque, hobbled it, 348 00:15:53,950 --> 00:15:56,049 and then entered 349 00:15:56,049 --> 00:15:58,049 upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 350 00:15:58,049 --> 00:16:00,049 while he was in the mosque sitting among 351 00:16:00,049 --> 00:16:02,049 his Companions. 352 00:16:02,049 --> 00:16:04,049 He said, "Which of you is 353 00:16:04,049 --> 00:16:06,049 the son of 'Abd al-Muṭṭalib?" 354 00:16:06,049 --> 00:16:08,049 —And this was characteristic of the Bedouins' roughness. 355 00:16:08,049 --> 00:16:10,049 So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, 356 00:16:10,049 --> 00:16:12,049 "I am 357 00:16:12,049 --> 00:16:14,049 the son of 'Abd al-Muṭṭalib." 358 00:16:14,049 --> 00:16:16,049 He asked, "Muḥammad?" 359 00:16:16,049 --> 00:16:18,049 He said, "Yes." 360 00:16:18,049 --> 00:16:20,049 He said, 361 00:16:20,049 --> 00:16:22,049 "O son of 'Abd al-Muṭṭalib! 362 00:16:22,049 --> 00:16:24,049 I am going to ask you and be stern with you 363 00:16:24,049 --> 00:16:26,049 in my questioning, 364 00:16:26,049 --> 00:16:28,110 so take no offense in your heart." 365 00:16:28,110 --> 00:16:30,110 He (peace be upon him) said, 366 00:16:30,110 --> 00:16:32,110 "I shall take no offense in my heart; 367 00:16:32,110 --> 00:16:34,110 ask whatever seems fit to you." 368 00:16:34,110 --> 00:16:36,240 So he said, 369 00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:38,240 "I adjure you by Allah, your God, 370 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:40,240 the God of your family, 371 00:16:40,240 --> 00:16:42,240 the God of those before you, 372 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:44,240 and the God of those who will come after you: 373 00:16:44,240 --> 00:16:46,269 Has Allah sent you 374 00:16:46,269 --> 00:16:48,269 to us as a messenger?" 375 00:16:48,269 --> 00:16:50,269 He said, 376 00:16:50,269 --> 00:16:52,269 "O Allah, yes!" 377 00:16:52,269 --> 00:16:54,269 He said, 378 00:16:54,269 --> 00:16:56,269 "I adjure you by Allah, your God, 379 00:16:56,269 --> 00:16:58,269 the God of your family, 380 00:16:58,269 --> 00:17:00,269 the God of those before you, 381 00:17:00,269 --> 00:17:02,269 and the God of those who will come after you: 382 00:17:02,269 --> 00:17:04,269 Has Allah commanded you 383 00:17:04,269 --> 00:17:06,269 that we worship Him alone and not associate 384 00:17:06,269 --> 00:17:08,269 anything with Him, 385 00:17:08,269 --> 00:17:10,269 and that we cast off these idols 386 00:17:10,269 --> 00:17:12,269 that our forefathers used to worship?" 387 00:17:12,269 --> 00:17:14,269 He (peace be upon him) said, 388 00:17:14,269 --> 00:17:16,269 "O Allah, yes!" 389 00:17:16,269 --> 00:17:18,269 Then he proceeded to mention 390 00:17:18,269 --> 00:17:20,269 the obligatory duties of Islam, one obligation 391 00:17:20,269 --> 00:17:22,269 after another: 392 00:17:22,269 --> 00:17:24,269 prayer, zakat, Hajj, 393 00:17:24,269 --> 00:17:26,269 and fasting, 394 00:17:26,269 --> 00:17:28,269 asking him about each in this manner. 395 00:17:28,269 --> 00:17:30,269 Then he said, 396 00:17:30,269 --> 00:17:32,269 "I bear witness that there is no god 397 00:17:32,269 --> 00:17:34,269 except Allah, 398 00:17:34,269 --> 00:17:36,269 and I bear witness that Muḥammad is His servant 399 00:17:36,269 --> 00:17:38,269 and His Messenger; 400 00:17:38,269 --> 00:17:40,269 and I shall fulfill these obligations, 401 00:17:40,269 --> 00:17:42,269 abstain from what you have forbidden me, 402 00:17:42,269 --> 00:17:44,269 and add nothing nor diminish anything." 403 00:17:44,269 --> 00:17:46,269 Then he turned away toward his camel. 404 00:17:46,269 --> 00:17:48,269 Thereupon 405 00:17:48,269 --> 00:17:50,269 the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 406 00:17:50,269 --> 00:17:52,269 "If the man with the two braids speaks the truth, 407 00:17:52,269 --> 00:17:54,299 he will enter Paradise." 408 00:17:54,299 --> 00:17:56,299 In another narration, 409 00:17:56,299 --> 00:17:58,299 this man said, 410 00:17:58,299 --> 00:18:00,299 "By Allah, I will not add anything to these, 411 00:18:00,299 --> 00:18:02,299 nor will I subtract anything from them." 412 00:18:02,299 --> 00:18:04,299 Thereupon, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: 413 00:18:04,299 --> 00:18:06,299 "By Allah, he will succeed if he is truthful." 414 00:18:06,299 --> 00:18:08,339 Then Dhimam 415 00:18:08,339 --> 00:18:10,339 returned to his people, 416 00:18:10,339 --> 00:18:12,339 and they gathered around him. 417 00:18:12,339 --> 00:18:14,339 The very first thing he uttered was: 418 00:18:14,339 --> 00:18:16,339 "Wretched are al-Lat and al-'Uzza!" 419 00:18:16,339 --> 00:18:18,339 They exclaimed, 420 00:18:18,339 --> 00:18:20,339 "Hold your tongue, O Dhimam! 421 00:18:20,339 --> 00:18:22,339 Beware of vitiligo, madness, and leprosy!" 422 00:18:22,339 --> 00:18:24,339 He replied, 423 00:18:24,339 --> 00:18:26,339 "Woe to you! Indeed, they 424 00:18:26,339 --> 00:18:28,339 can neither harm nor benefit anyone! 425 00:18:28,339 --> 00:18:30,339 Allah has truly sent a Messenger 426 00:18:30,339 --> 00:18:32,339 and revealed a Book to him, 427 00:18:32,339 --> 00:18:34,339 delivering you through it 428 00:18:34,339 --> 00:18:36,339 from the state you were in. 429 00:18:36,339 --> 00:18:38,339 I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, 430 00:18:38,339 --> 00:18:40,339 and that Muhammad 431 00:18:40,339 --> 00:18:42,339 is His servant and His Messenger. 432 00:18:42,339 --> 00:18:44,339 I have come to you from him 433 00:18:44,339 --> 00:18:46,339 with what he has commanded you to do 434 00:18:46,339 --> 00:18:48,339 and what he has forbidden you from." 435 00:18:48,339 --> 00:18:50,339 By Allah, before the evening of that very day arrived, 436 00:18:50,339 --> 00:18:52,339 not a single man 437 00:18:52,339 --> 00:18:54,339 or woman in his settlement remained except that they had embraced Islam. 438 00:18:54,339 --> 00:18:56,339 This is among the blessings 439 00:18:56,339 --> 00:18:58,339 that some individuals bring to their people: 440 00:18:58,339 --> 00:19:00,339 they embrace Islam through the virtue of 441 00:19:00,339 --> 00:19:02,339 their preaching to them, 442 00:19:02,339 --> 00:19:04,339 or their people's love for them, 443 00:19:04,339 --> 00:19:06,339 or their sincere counsel to them, 444 00:19:06,339 --> 00:19:08,339 or other such reasons. 445 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,400 When the Prophet (peace be upon him) departed 446 00:19:20,400 --> 00:19:22,400 from al-Ji'ranah, 447 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,400 he dispatched several expeditions. 448 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:26,400 He prepared an expedition 449 00:19:26,400 --> 00:19:28,400 and placed Qays ibn Sa'd 450 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,400 ibn 'Ubadah in command of it, 451 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:32,400 binding a white banner for him, 452 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:34,400 handing him a black flag, 453 00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:36,400 and assembling under his command 454 00:19:36,400 --> 00:19:38,400 four hundred of the Muslims. 455 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:40,400 The Prophet 456 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,400 (peace be upon him) ordered him 457 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,400 to march into an area of Yemen 458 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:46,400 inhabited by Suda', 459 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:48,400 a clan of Kahlan 460 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:50,400 from Qahtan. 461 00:19:50,400 --> 00:19:52,400 Then a man from them 462 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:54,400 came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 463 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:56,400 named Ziyad 464 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,400 ibn al-Harith, 465 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:00,400 who had learned that the army was going to raid his people. 466 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:02,400 He said to the Messenger of Allah 467 00:20:02,400 --> 00:20:04,400 (peace be upon him): 468 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,400 "O Messenger of Allah, 469 00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:08,430 I have come to you as an envoy 470 00:20:08,430 --> 00:20:10,430 representing those I left behind. 471 00:20:10,430 --> 00:20:12,430 So call back the army, 472 00:20:12,430 --> 00:20:14,430 and I guarantee you my people." 473 00:20:14,430 --> 00:20:16,430 Thus the Messenger (peace be upon him) recalled 474 00:20:16,430 --> 00:20:18,430 Qays ibn Sa'd, 475 00:20:18,430 --> 00:20:20,430 and the man of Suda' returned to his people. 476 00:20:20,430 --> 00:20:22,430 Afterwards, there came to the Messenger of Allah 477 00:20:22,430 --> 00:20:24,430 (peace be upon him) 478 00:20:24,430 --> 00:20:26,430 fifteen men from them. 479 00:20:26,430 --> 00:20:28,430 Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah said, 480 00:20:28,430 --> 00:20:30,430 "O Messenger of Allah, 481 00:20:30,430 --> 00:20:32,430 let them stay with me." 482 00:20:32,430 --> 00:20:34,430 So they stayed with him, 483 00:20:34,430 --> 00:20:36,430 and he welcomed them, honored them, 484 00:20:36,430 --> 00:20:38,430 and provided them with clothes. 485 00:20:38,430 --> 00:20:40,430 He then brought them to the Messenger of Allah 486 00:20:40,430 --> 00:20:42,430 (peace be upon him), 487 00:20:42,430 --> 00:20:44,430 and they pledged allegiance to him upon Islam. 488 00:20:44,430 --> 00:20:46,430 They said, 489 00:20:46,430 --> 00:20:48,430 "We guarantee for you those who are behind us 490 00:20:48,430 --> 00:20:50,430 among our people." 491 00:20:50,430 --> 00:20:52,430 They then returned to their people, 492 00:20:52,430 --> 00:20:54,430 and Islam spread among them, 493 00:20:54,430 --> 00:20:56,430 so much so that there joined the Messenger (peace be upon him) 494 00:20:56,430 --> 00:20:58,430 from them 495 00:20:58,430 --> 00:21:00,430 one hundred men during the Farewell Pilgrimage. 496 00:21:00,430 --> 00:21:02,559 There were also other delegations 497 00:21:02,559 --> 00:21:04,559 that arrived to meet the Messenger 498 00:21:04,559 --> 00:21:06,559 (peace be upon him), 499 00:21:06,559 --> 00:21:08,559 but what we have mentioned 500 00:21:08,559 --> 00:21:10,559 regarding these delegations is sufficient. 501 00:21:10,559 --> 00:21:12,660 Treasures of the Prophetic Biography (Seerah).