WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:03.399 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:08.400 The best of generations in stances and exemplary conduct, 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:13.400 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.400 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:17.399 Presents: 00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.429 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un, 00:00:21.429 --> 00:00:26.500 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:30.320 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:33.320 Iyas ibn Mu'awiyah al-Muzani, 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:35.609 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:42.770 --> 00:00:45.770 The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, spent 00:00:45.770 --> 00:00:48.770 That night sleepless and watchful, 00:00:48.770 --> 00:00:50.770 With eyelids that found no rest 00:00:50.770 --> 00:00:53.770 And a body that found no comfort on its bed. 00:00:53.770 --> 00:00:56.770 For his mind was thoroughly preoccupied on that cold night 00:00:56.770 --> 00:00:58.770 Of the nights of Damascus 00:00:58.770 --> 00:01:01.770 With the matter of selecting a judge for Basra, 00:01:01.770 --> 00:01:04.769 Who would establish the scales of justice among the people, 00:01:04.769 --> 00:01:07.769 Rule among them by what Allah had revealed, 00:01:07.769 --> 00:01:11.930 And fear neither intimidation nor favor when upholding the truth. 00:01:11.930 --> 00:01:15.930 His choice had settled upon two men 00:01:15.930 --> 00:01:17.930 Who were like two thoroughbred steeds running neck and neck 00:01:17.930 --> 00:01:20.930 In their deep understanding of religion, firmness in the truth, 00:01:20.930 --> 00:01:24.930 Brilliance of intellect, and piercing insight. 00:01:24.930 --> 00:01:27.930 Whenever he found in one of them a distinguishing merit 00:01:27.930 --> 00:01:30.930 That tipped the scales in his favor over his companion, 00:01:30.930 --> 00:01:34.989 He found in the other a quality that matched it. 00:01:34.989 --> 00:01:37.989 When morning broke, he summoned his governor over Iraq, 00:01:37.989 --> 00:01:39.989 'Adi ibn Artah, 00:01:39.989 --> 00:01:42.989 Who was with him in Damascus at the time, 00:01:42.989 --> 00:01:44.989 And said to him: 00:01:44.989 --> 00:01:48.989 "O 'Adi, bring together Iyas ibn Mu'awiyah al-Muzani 00:01:48.989 --> 00:01:51.989 And al-Qasim ibn Rabi'ah al-Harithi, 00:01:51.989 --> 00:01:54.989 Speak to them regarding the judgeship of Basra, 00:01:54.989 --> 00:01:56.989 And appoint one of them over it." 00:01:56.989 --> 00:02:01.989 He replied, "To hear is to obey, O Commander of the Faithful." 00:02:01.989 --> 00:02:06.980 'Adi ibn Artah brought Iyas and al-Qasim together 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:11.979 And said, "The Commander of the Faithful, may Allah prolong his life, 00:02:11.979 --> 00:02:15.979 Has commanded me to appoint one of you to the judgeship of Basra. 00:02:15.979 --> 00:02:17.979 What do you both think?" 00:02:17.979 --> 00:02:20.979 Each of them began to say of his companion 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:23.979 That he was more worthy of this position than himself, 00:02:23.979 --> 00:02:26.979 Recounting of his virtue, knowledge, and understanding of fiqh 00:02:26.979 --> 00:02:28.979 Whatever Allah willed he should recount. 00:02:28.979 --> 00:02:30.979 Thereupon 'Adi said, 00:02:30.979 --> 00:02:33.979 "You shall not leave this gathering of mine 00:02:33.979 --> 00:02:35.979 Until you have settled this matter." 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:37.979 Iyas then said to him, 00:02:37.979 --> 00:02:39.979 "O Amir, 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:43.979 Inquire about me and al-Qasim from the two jurists of Iraq: 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:46.979 Al-Hasan al-Basri and Muhammad ibn Sirin, 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:50.979 For they are the best equipped of all people to distinguish between us." 00:02:50.979 --> 00:02:53.979 Now al-Qasim used to visit them and they would visit him, 00:02:53.979 --> 00:02:57.979 Whereas Iyas had no such connection with them. 00:02:57.979 --> 00:03:02.139 So al-Qasim realized that Iyas intended to outmaneuver him, 00:03:02.139 --> 00:03:04.139 And that if the governor consulted them, 00:03:04.139 --> 00:03:07.139 They would surely recommend him over his companion. 00:03:07.139 --> 00:03:11.139 Thus, he had no choice but to turn to the governor and say: 00:03:11.139 --> 00:03:15.139 "Ask no one about me or about him, O Amir! 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:18.139 For by Allah, besides Whom there is no deity worthy of worship, 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:22.139 Iyas has a deeper understanding of Allah's religion than I do 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:24.139 And possesses greater knowledge of judicial administration. 00:03:24.139 --> 00:03:27.210 If I am lying in this oath of mine, 00:03:27.210 --> 00:03:30.210 It is not lawful for you to appoint me as a judge 00:03:30.210 --> 00:03:32.210 While I am guilty of lying; 00:03:32.210 --> 00:03:34.210 And if I am telling the truth, 00:03:34.210 --> 00:03:39.210 It is not permissible for you to pass over the more virtuous for the less virtuous." 00:03:39.210 --> 00:03:42.210 At that, Iyas turned to the governor and said: 00:03:42.210 --> 00:03:44.210 "O Amir, 00:03:44.210 --> 00:03:48.210 You brought a man and summoned him to judicial office, 00:03:48.210 --> 00:03:51.210 Standing him right upon the brink of Hellfire; 00:03:51.210 --> 00:03:55.210 Yet he rescued himself from it with a false oath 00:03:55.210 --> 00:03:58.210 For which he will promptly seek Allah's forgiveness, 00:03:58.210 --> 00:04:01.210 Thereby saving himself from what he fears." 00:04:01.210 --> 00:04:03.240 'Adi said to him: 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:06.240 "Indeed, one who possesses understanding such as yours 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:09.240 Is truly fit and deserving of the judgeship!" 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:12.240 He then appointed him as the judge of Basra. 00:04:14.389 --> 00:04:17.389 Who, then, was this man chosen by the ascetic caliph, 00:04:17.389 --> 00:04:19.389 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, 00:04:19.389 --> 00:04:21.389 To be his judge over Basra? 00:04:21.389 --> 00:04:25.389 Who was this man whose intelligence, acumen, 00:04:25.389 --> 00:04:27.389 And quick-wittedness became proverbial, 00:04:27.389 --> 00:04:31.389 Just as proverbs were coined about the generosity of Hatim al-Ta'i, 00:04:31.389 --> 00:04:33.389 The forbearance of al-Ahnaf ibn Qays, 00:04:33.389 --> 00:04:36.389 And the valor of 'Amr ibn Ma'dikarib? 00:04:36.389 --> 00:04:41.389 Until Abu Tammam said in praise of Ahmad ibn al-Mu'tasim: 00:04:41.389 --> 00:04:45.389 "The valor of 'Amr, in the generosity of Hatim, 00:04:45.389 --> 00:04:49.649 In the forbearance of Ahnaf, in the intelligence of Iyas." 00:04:49.649 --> 00:04:53.649 Come, let us begin the story of this man's life from its very outset, 00:04:53.649 --> 00:04:58.649 For his biography is a thrilling and unique masterpiece among great lives. 00:04:58.649 --> 00:05:03.800 Iyas ibn Mu'awiyah ibn Qurrah al-Muzani was born 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:06.800 In the year 46 of the Hijrah 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:09.800 In the region of al-Yamamah in Najd. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:11.800 He moved with his family to Basra, 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:14.800 Where he grew up and acquired knowledge. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:17.829 He frequented Damascus during his youth, 00:05:17.829 --> 00:05:21.829 Learning from whichever surviving noble Companions he could meet 00:05:21.829 --> 00:05:23.829 As well as the leading figures among the Tabi'un. 00:05:23.829 --> 00:05:26.829 Signs of noble distinction and marks of genius appeared 00:05:26.829 --> 00:05:31.829 In the Muzani youth from his earliest childhood, 00:05:31.829 --> 00:05:35.829 And people began to recount his anecdotes and remarkable stories 00:05:35.829 --> 00:05:38.829 While he was still a young boy. 00:05:39.829 --> 00:05:48.860 It was related of him that he was learning arithmetic in an elementary school run by a dhimmi Jewish man, 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:52.860 When some of the teacher's Jewish companions gathered around him 00:05:52.860 --> 00:05:55.860 And began conversing about religious matters, 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:59.920 While the boy listened to them without their realizing it. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:01.920 The teacher said to his companions: 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:04.949 "Are you not amazed by the Muslims? 00:06:04.949 --> 00:06:09.949 They claim that they will eat in Paradise and yet not excrete!" 00:06:09.949 --> 00:06:13.050 Iyas turned to him and said: 00:06:13.050 --> 00:06:18.050 "Do you permit me, teacher, to speak on what you are discussing?" 00:06:18.050 --> 00:06:20.050 The teacher said, "Yes." 00:06:20.050 --> 00:06:22.050 The boy asked: 00:06:22.050 --> 00:06:26.050 "Does everything eaten in this world turn into waste?" 00:06:26.050 --> 00:06:28.050 The teacher replied, "No." 00:06:28.050 --> 00:06:30.110 The boy asked: 00:06:30.110 --> 00:06:33.110 "Where, then, does that which is not excreted go?" 00:06:33.110 --> 00:06:37.110 The teacher replied, "It is absorbed as bodily nourishment." 00:06:37.110 --> 00:06:39.139 The boy said: 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:42.139 "Then why do you find it so strange, 00:06:42.139 --> 00:06:46.139 If part of what we eat in this world is absorbed as nourishment, 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:50.139 That all of it should be absorbed as nourishment in Paradise?" 00:06:50.139 --> 00:06:53.139 The teacher threw up his hands and said to him: 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:57.300 "May Allah confound you! What a boy you are!" 00:06:57.300 --> 00:07:00.300 The youth advanced in age year after year, 00:07:00.300 --> 00:07:04.300 And the reports of his brilliant intellect spread wherever he went. 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:09.300 It is related that he entered Damascus while still an adolescent boy, 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:14.300 And had a dispute with an elderly man of Damascus over a certain right. 00:07:14.300 --> 00:07:19.300 When he despaired of convincing him by argument, he summoned him before the judge. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:22.420 Once standing before the judge, 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:26.420 Iyas became impassioned and raised his voice against his adversary. 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:28.420 The judge said to him: 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:30.420 "Lower your voice, boy! 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:34.420 For your opponent is an elder of great age and stature." 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:36.420 Iyas replied: 00:07:36.420 --> 00:07:39.420 "Yet the truth is greater than he!" 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:41.420 The judge grew angry and said: 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:42.420 "Be silent!" 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:44.420 The youth retorted: 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:47.420 "And who will voice my argument if I remain silent?" 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:50.459 The judge became even angrier and said: 00:07:50.459 --> 00:07:55.459 "I see that you have spoken nothing but falsehood since entering this court!" 00:07:55.459 --> 00:07:57.459 Iyas said: 00:07:57.459 --> 00:08:01.459 "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner; 00:08:01.459 --> 00:08:04.459 Is this truth or falsehood?" 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:06.459 The judge calmed down and said: 00:08:06.459 --> 00:08:10.459 "It is the truth, by the Lord of the Ka'bah, it is the truth!" 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:14.860 The young Muzani devoted himself wholeheartedly to knowledge, 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:17.860 Quenching his thirst from it as much as Allah willed. 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:20.860 He eventually attained such an eminence in it 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:22.860 That elder scholars deferred to him, 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:24.860 Followed his lead, 00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:26.860 And sat as students before him, 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:29.860 Despite his tender age. 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:31.860 One year, 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:34.860 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan visited Basra 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:36.860 Before assuming the caliphate. 00:08:36.860 --> 00:08:40.860 He saw Iyas, who was then a young lad 00:08:40.860 --> 00:08:43.860 Whose mustache had not yet begun to grow, 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:47.860 Followed by four bearded reciters of the Qur'an 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:49.860 Draped in their green robes, 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:51.860 With him walking ahead of them. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:53.860 'Abd al-Malik remarked: 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:56.860 "Fie upon these beards! 00:08:56.860 --> 00:08:59.860 Was there not an elder among them to lead the way, 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:01.860 That they put this boy forward?" 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:04.860 Then he turned to Iyas and asked: 00:09:04.860 --> 00:09:06.860 "How old are you, young man?" 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.860 Iyas replied: 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:12.860 "My age, may Allah prolong the Amir's life, 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.860 Is the age of Usamah ibn Zayd 00:09:14.860 --> 00:09:18.860 When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, appointed him to command 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:21.860 An army that included Abu Bakr and 'Umar." 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:23.860 Thereupon 'Abd al-Malik said to him: 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:27.860 "Step forward, young man, step forward! May Allah bless you." 00:09:27.860 --> 00:09:30.950 And in a certain year, 00:09:30.950 --> 00:09:33.950 The people went out searching for the crescent moon of Ramadan, 00:09:33.950 --> 00:09:36.950 Led by the illustrious Companion 00:09:36.950 --> 00:09:39.950 Anas ibn Malik al-Ansari, 00:09:39.950 --> 00:09:43.950 Who was then an old man nearly a hundred years of age. 00:09:43.950 --> 00:09:45.950 The people looked into the sky, 00:09:45.950 --> 00:09:47.950 But saw nothing. 00:09:47.950 --> 00:09:49.950 Yet Anas ibn Malik 00:09:49.950 --> 00:09:52.950 Stared intently at the sky and said: 00:09:52.950 --> 00:09:54.950 "I have seen the crescent moon! 00:09:54.950 --> 00:09:55.950 There it is!" 00:09:55.950 --> 00:09:58.950 And he kept pointing toward it with his hand, 00:09:58.950 --> 00:10:00.950 Though no one else could see it. 00:10:00.950 --> 00:10:04.950 At that moment, Iyas looked at Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, 00:10:04.950 --> 00:10:07.950 And noticed a long hair from his eyebrow 00:10:07.950 --> 00:10:11.950 That had curved down until it hung directly in front of his eye. 00:10:11.950 --> 00:10:13.980 He politely asked his permission, 00:10:13.980 --> 00:10:15.980 Reached out his hand to the hair, 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:17.980 And smoothed it back into place. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.980 Then he said to him: 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:24.980 "Do you still see the crescent moon now, O companion of the Messenger of Allah?" 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:27.980 Anas looked again and said: 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:33.039 No, I do not see it that way. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:37.039 News of Iyas’s intelligence spread far and wide. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:40.039 People began coming to him from every direction. 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:46.039 They would place before him the problems they encountered regarding knowledge and religion. 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:48.039 Some sought true understanding. 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:53.039 Others sought only to challenge him or engage in vain argumentation. 00:10:53.039 --> 00:10:58.039 Among these instances is the report that a Dihqan (a local dignitary) came to his assembly and said: 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:02.039 "O Abu Wa'ilah, what do you say about intoxicants?" 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:04.039 He replied, "They are forbidden." 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:07.039 The man asked, "And what is the basis for their prohibition?" 00:11:07.039 --> 00:11:12.039 "They are nothing more than fruit and water boiled over a fire." 00:11:12.039 --> 00:11:15.039 "All of these things are permissible, and there is no harm in them." 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:18.039 Iyas said, "Have you finished what you have to say, O Dihqan?" 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:20.840 "Is there anything left for you to say?" 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:23.039 The man replied, "Yes, I am finished." 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:28.039 Iyas said, "If I took a handful of water and struck you with it," 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:29.840 "would it cause you pain?" 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.899 The man said, "No." 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:36.500 Iyas said, "And if I took a handful of dirt and struck you with it," 00:11:36.500 --> 00:11:38.100 "would it cause you pain?" 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:39.299 The man said, "No." 00:11:39.299 --> 00:11:40.799 Iyas then said, 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:46.799 "And if I took a handful of straw and struck you with it, would it cause you pain?" 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:57.799 The man said, "No." Iyas continued, "But if I took the dirt, placed the straw upon it, poured the water over them, and mixed them together," 00:11:57.799 --> 00:12:04.799 "then left the mass in the sun until it hardened, and then struck you with it, would it cause you pain?" 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:15.799 The man said, "Yes, it might even kill me." Iyas said, "Such is the nature of wine; when its components are gathered and fermented, it becomes forbidden." 00:12:15.799 --> 00:12:28.759 When Iyas assumed the position of judge, he demonstrated stances that revealed his extreme intelligence, his vast resourcefulness, and his unique ability to uncover the truth. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:37.799 Among these is the case of two men who brought a dispute before him; one claimed that he had entrusted a sum of money to his companion. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:54.799 When he asked for it back, the other denied it, saying, "If my companion has proof, let him bring it; otherwise, he has no claim against me except for my oath." 00:12:54.799 --> 00:13:04.860 Fearing that the man might consume the money by swearing a false oath, Iyas turned to the depositor and asked, "In what place did you entrust him with the money?" 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:19.919 He replied, "In such-and-such a place." Iyas asked, "And what is in that place?" He said, "A large tree under which we sat and ate together in its shade." 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:33.919 "When we were about to leave, I handed him the money." Iyas said to him, "Go to the place where the tree is; perhaps when you arrive, it will remind you where you placed your money." 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:48.960 "And it will remind you of what you did with it. Then return to me and tell me what you saw." The man left for the location, and Iyas said to the defendant, "Sit here until your companion returns." 00:13:48.960 --> 00:14:05.960 He sat down, and Iyas turned to the other litigants present, proceeding to judge between them while keeping a watchful eye on the man. When he saw that the man had become calm and reassured, he turned to him and immediately asked: 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:28.960 "Do you think your companion has reached the place where you entrusted him with the money?" The man replied without hesitation, "No, it is far from here." Iyas said to him, "O enemy of Allah, you deny the money, yet you know the place where you took it! By Allah, you are a traitor." 00:14:28.960 --> 00:14:49.019 The man was stunned and confessed to his betrayal. Iyas detained him until his companion returned and ordered him to return the deposit. Another story is that two men disputed over two garments of the type worn on the head and draped over the shoulders. 00:14:49.019 --> 00:15:12.179 One was green, new, and valuable, while the other was red and worn. The plaintiff said, "I went down to the pool to bathe and placed my green garment with my clothes on the edge of the pool. My opponent came, placed his red garment next to mine, and went down into the pool." 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:29.210 "He came out before me, put on his clothes, took my garment, threw it over his head and shoulders, and walked away. I came out after him, followed him, and demanded my garment, but he claimed it was his." 00:15:29.210 --> 00:15:50.279 Iyas said to the defendant, "And what do you say?" He replied, "It is my garment, and it is in my possession." Iyas said to the plaintiff, "Do you have proof?" He said, "No." Iyas said to his attendant, "Bring me a comb," and he brought it. 00:15:50.279 --> 00:16:12.399 He combed the hair of both men; from the head of one, red fuzz from the wool of the garment fell, and from the head of the other, green fuzz fell. He ruled the red garment for the owner of the red fuzz and the green garment for the owner of the green fuzz. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:37.399 Among the stories of his sagacity and intelligence is that there was a man in Kufa who appeared righteous to the people, showing them piety and godliness, until he was highly praised. Some people took him as their trustee, entrusting him with their wealth when they traveled and appointing him as guardian over their children when they felt death approaching. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:57.399 A man came to him and entrusted him with money. When the man needed his money, he asked for it back, but the trustee denied it. The man went to Iyas and complained about him. Iyas asked the complainant, "Did you let your companion know that you were coming to me?" He said, "No." 00:16:57.399 --> 00:17:20.400 Iyas said, "Go, and return to me tomorrow." Then Iyas sent for the trusted man and said, "I have gathered a large sum of money for orphans who have no provider, and I have decided to entrust it to you and appoint you as their guardian. Is your house secure, and do you have enough time?" 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:42.430 The man said, "Yes, O Judge." Iyas said, "Come to me the day after tomorrow, prepare a place for the money, and bring porters with you to carry it." The next day, the complainant came, and Iyas said to him, "Go to your companion and ask him for the money." 00:17:42.430 --> 00:18:02.430 "If he denies it, tell him, 'I will complain about you to the judge.'" The man went to him and asked for his money. The trustee refused to give it to him and denied it, so the man said, "Then I will complain about you to the judge." When the trustee heard this, he gave him the money and appeased him. 00:18:02.430 --> 00:18:26.430 The man returned to Iyas and said, "My companion has given me my due; may Allah reward you with good." Then the trustee came to Iyas at the appointed time with the porters. Iyas rebuked him, exposed him, and said, "What a wretched man you are, O enemy of Allah! You have made religion a trap for worldly gain." 00:18:26.430 --> 00:18:48.390 Yet, despite Iyas’s extreme intelligence, sharp wit, and quick thinking, he sometimes encountered those who countered his arguments with their own, blocked his lines of reasoning, and silenced him. He spoke of himself, saying, "No one ever defeated me in argument except for one man." 00:18:48.390 --> 00:19:09.390 "I was in the court of justice in Basra when a man entered and testified before me that such-and-such an orchard was the property of so-and-so, and he described its boundaries to me. I wanted to test his testimony, so I asked him, 'How many trees are in the orchard?' He paused for a moment." 00:19:09.390 --> 00:19:29.390 "Then he raised his head and said, 'How long has our master the judge been presiding in this court?' I said, 'For so many years.' He asked, 'How many wooden beams are in the ceiling of this court?' I did not know, so I said, 'You are right,' and I accepted his testimony." 00:19:29.390 --> 00:19:50.440 When Iyas Ibn Mu'awiyah reached the age of seventy-six, he saw himself and his father in a dream riding two horses; they raced together, and he did not outstrip his father, nor did his father outstrip him. His father had died at the age of seventy-six. 00:19:50.440 --> 00:20:09.440 One night, Iyas went to his bed and said to his family, "Do you know what night this is?" They said, "No." He said, "On this night, my father completed his lifespan." When they woke up, they found him dead. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:24.539 May Allah have mercy on Iyas the Judge, for he was a rarity among the rarities of his time and a marvel among the wonders of the age in sagacity, intelligence, the search for truth, and reaching it. 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:40.880 The boldness of 'Umar, the generosity of Hatim, the forbearance of Ahnaf, and the intelligence of Iyas, as Abu Tammam said. 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:09.880 They departed and left behind a question in the conscience: Has any star like them ever risen and shone? 00:21:09.880 --> 00:21:18.950 They filled life with pride through their virtues, and the world of humanity flourished because of them.