1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,399 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:03,399 --> 00:00:08,400 The finest of generations in conduct and exemplar, 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 --> 00:00:26,500 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:26,500 --> 00:00:30,739 May Allah have mercy upon him. 9 00:00:30,739 --> 00:00:32,740 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah, 10 00:00:32,740 --> 00:00:34,740 May Allah have mercy upon him. 11 00:00:43,060 --> 00:00:47,060 Here we are in the final ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, 12 00:00:47,060 --> 00:00:50,060 In the ninety-seventh year of the Hijrah, 13 00:00:50,060 --> 00:00:52,060 And this Ancient House 14 00:00:52,060 --> 00:00:56,060 Is surging with pilgrims journeying to Allah from every distant pass: 15 00:00:56,060 --> 00:00:58,060 On foot and mounted, 16 00:00:58,060 --> 00:01:00,060 The elderly and the young, 17 00:01:00,060 --> 00:01:02,060 Men and women, 18 00:01:02,060 --> 00:01:05,120 Among them the black and the white, 19 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,120 The Arab and the non-Arab, 20 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,120 The master and the servant. 21 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:14,310 All have come before the King of mankind, humble and proclaiming His praise, 22 00:01:14,310 --> 00:01:16,310 Hopeful and expectant. 23 00:01:16,310 --> 00:01:19,340 And here is Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, 24 00:01:19,340 --> 00:01:21,340 The Caliph of the Muslims 25 00:01:21,340 --> 00:01:23,340 And the greatest monarch on earth, 26 00:01:23,340 --> 00:01:26,340 Circumambulating the Ancient House, 27 00:01:26,340 --> 00:01:29,409 Bareheaded and barefoot, 28 00:01:29,409 --> 00:01:32,409 Clad in nothing but an izar and a rida', 29 00:01:32,409 --> 00:01:38,409 No different in that from the rest of his subjects among his brothers in Allah. 30 00:01:38,409 --> 00:01:41,409 Behind him were his two sons, 31 00:01:41,409 --> 00:01:45,409 Two youths as radiant and handsome as the full moon, 32 00:01:45,409 --> 00:01:49,409 And as fresh and fragrant as rosebuds. 33 00:01:49,409 --> 00:01:52,409 No sooner had he finished his circumambulation 34 00:01:52,409 --> 00:01:56,409 Than he turned toward one of his close attendants and asked: 35 00:01:56,409 --> 00:01:58,409 "Where is your master?" 36 00:01:58,409 --> 00:02:03,409 The man replied: "He is over there, standing in prayer," 37 00:02:03,409 --> 00:02:07,409 Pointing toward the western side of the Sacred Mosque. 38 00:02:07,409 --> 00:02:13,409 So the Caliph, followed by his two sons, made his way toward where the attendant pointed. 39 00:02:13,409 --> 00:02:18,409 The royal courtiers moved to follow the Caliph to clear a path for him 40 00:02:18,409 --> 00:02:21,409 And protect him from the crushing crowd, 41 00:02:21,409 --> 00:02:24,409 But he restrained them, saying: 42 00:02:24,409 --> 00:02:28,409 "This is a place where kings and commoners stand equal; 43 00:02:28,409 --> 00:02:32,409 No one holds precedence over another here 44 00:02:32,409 --> 00:02:35,409 Except through acceptance and piety. 45 00:02:35,409 --> 00:02:38,409 Many a disheveled, dust-covered soul has presented himself before Allah, 46 00:02:38,409 --> 00:02:42,409 And He accepted him in a way He never accepted kings." 47 00:02:42,409 --> 00:02:45,699 Then he proceeded toward the man, 48 00:02:45,699 --> 00:02:49,699 Only to find him still engaged in prayer, 49 00:02:49,699 --> 00:02:52,699 Immersed in his bowings and prostrations, 50 00:02:52,699 --> 00:02:56,699 With people seated behind him and to his right and left. 51 00:02:56,699 --> 00:02:59,699 So he sat down wherever the gathering ended, 52 00:02:59,699 --> 00:03:02,699 And seated his two sons beside him. 53 00:03:02,699 --> 00:03:05,699 The two Qurayshi youths began 54 00:03:05,699 --> 00:03:10,699 To gaze intently at this man whom the Commander of the Believers had sought out, 55 00:03:10,699 --> 00:03:15,759 And beside the common folk sat waiting for him to conclude his prayer. 56 00:03:15,759 --> 00:03:18,759 He turned out to be an elderly Abyssinian man: 57 00:03:18,759 --> 00:03:21,759 Dark-skinned, with tightly curled hair, 58 00:03:21,759 --> 00:03:23,759 And a flat nose; 59 00:03:23,759 --> 00:03:26,759 When seated, he appeared like a black raven. 60 00:03:26,759 --> 00:03:31,009 Once the man completed his prayer, 61 00:03:31,009 --> 00:03:35,009 He turned toward the side where the Caliph sat. 62 00:03:35,009 --> 00:03:38,009 Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik greeted him, 63 00:03:38,009 --> 00:03:41,009 And he returned the greeting in like manner. 64 00:03:41,009 --> 00:03:44,009 Thereupon the Caliph approached him 65 00:03:44,009 --> 00:03:48,009 And began asking him about the rites of Hajj, rite by rite, 66 00:03:48,009 --> 00:03:52,009 While the man gave exhaustive answers to every question, 67 00:03:52,009 --> 00:03:58,009 Explaining each matter in such detail that it left no room for further inquiry, 68 00:03:58,009 --> 00:04:04,009 Tracing every single statement back to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 69 00:04:04,009 --> 00:04:07,169 When the Caliph finished questioning him, 70 00:04:07,169 --> 00:04:09,169 He prayed for Allah to reward him with good 71 00:04:09,169 --> 00:04:12,169 And said to his two sons: "Stand up." 72 00:04:12,169 --> 00:04:13,169 So they stood, 73 00:04:13,169 --> 00:04:16,170 And the three of them walked toward the Mas'a. 74 00:04:16,170 --> 00:04:21,199 While on their way to perform the Sa'y between al-Safa and al-Marwah, 75 00:04:21,199 --> 00:04:24,199 The two boys heard criers proclaiming: 76 00:04:24,199 --> 00:04:26,199 "O gathering of Muslims! 77 00:04:26,199 --> 00:04:29,199 No one is to issue fatwas to the people in this sacred place 78 00:04:29,199 --> 00:04:32,199 Except 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah; 79 00:04:32,199 --> 00:04:34,199 And if he cannot be found, 80 00:04:34,199 --> 00:04:36,199 Then Abd Allah ibn Abi Najih." 81 00:04:36,199 --> 00:04:40,420 One of the two boys turned to his father and asked: 82 00:04:40,420 --> 00:04:46,420 "How can the governor of the Commander of the Believers command the people not to seek fatwas from anyone 83 00:04:46,420 --> 00:04:49,420 Other than 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah and his companion, 84 00:04:49,420 --> 00:04:52,420 And then we ourselves come to seek a fatwa from this man 85 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:55,420 Who paid no regard to the Caliph 86 00:04:55,420 --> 00:04:58,420 And did not accord him the deference due to his station?" 87 00:04:58,420 --> 00:05:01,519 Sulayman said to his son: 88 00:05:01,519 --> 00:05:04,519 "This man whom you saw, my son, 89 00:05:04,519 --> 00:05:06,519 And before whom you witnessed our humility, 90 00:05:06,519 --> 00:05:09,519 Is 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah, 91 00:05:09,519 --> 00:05:12,519 The authority of fatwa in the Sacred Mosque, 92 00:05:12,519 --> 00:05:14,519 And the heir to Abd Allah ibn Abbas 93 00:05:14,519 --> 00:05:17,519 In this lofty station." 94 00:05:17,519 --> 00:05:19,519 Then he added, saying: 95 00:05:19,519 --> 00:05:20,519 "O my son, 96 00:05:20,519 --> 00:05:22,519 Acquire knowledge, 97 00:05:22,519 --> 00:05:24,519 For through knowledge the humble is ennobled, 98 00:05:24,519 --> 00:05:26,519 The obscure becomes renowned, 99 00:05:26,519 --> 00:05:30,519 And slaves rise above the ranks of kings." 100 00:05:30,519 --> 00:05:39,149 Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik was not exaggerating in what he told his son concerning knowledge. 101 00:05:39,149 --> 00:05:43,149 For 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah had, in his youth, 102 00:05:43,149 --> 00:05:46,149 Been an enslaved servant belonging to a woman of Makkah. 103 00:05:46,149 --> 00:05:51,149 Yet Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, honored this Abyssinian youth 104 00:05:51,149 --> 00:05:56,149 By guiding his steps onto the path of knowledge from his earliest years. 105 00:05:56,149 --> 00:05:59,149 He divided his time into three parts: 106 00:05:59,149 --> 00:06:02,149 One part he devoted to his mistress, 107 00:06:02,149 --> 00:06:05,149 Serving her in the finest manner possible 108 00:06:05,149 --> 00:06:10,149 And fulfilling his obligations toward her in the most complete way they could be fulfilled; 109 00:06:10,149 --> 00:06:13,250 A second part he dedicated to his Lord, 110 00:06:13,250 --> 00:06:20,250 Devoting himself to His worship in the purest and most sincere devotion to Allah Almighty; 111 00:06:20,250 --> 00:06:23,250 And a third part he reserved for seeking knowledge, 112 00:06:23,250 --> 00:06:30,250 Where he approached those who remained alive of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 113 00:06:30,250 --> 00:06:34,250 And began to draw copiously from their pure, abundant springs. 114 00:06:34,250 --> 00:06:37,250 He studied under Abu Hurayrah, 115 00:06:37,250 --> 00:06:39,250 Abd Allah ibn Umar, 116 00:06:39,250 --> 00:06:41,250 Abd Allah ibn Abbas, 117 00:06:41,250 --> 00:06:43,250 Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr, 118 00:06:43,250 --> 00:06:48,250 And other noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, 119 00:06:48,250 --> 00:06:51,250 Until his heart was filled with knowledge, fiqh, 120 00:06:51,250 --> 00:06:57,529 And transmissions from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. 121 00:06:57,529 --> 00:07:00,529 When the Makkan noblewoman saw 122 00:07:00,529 --> 00:07:03,529 That her servant had sold his soul to Allah 123 00:07:03,529 --> 00:07:06,529 And dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge, 124 00:07:06,529 --> 00:07:08,529 She relinquished her claim over him 125 00:07:08,529 --> 00:07:12,529 And emancipated him seeking closeness to Allah Almighty, 126 00:07:12,529 --> 00:07:16,529 In the hope that Allah would benefit Islam and the Muslims through him. 127 00:07:16,529 --> 00:07:19,529 From that day forth, 128 00:07:19,529 --> 00:07:24,529 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah took the Sacred Mosque as his dwelling: 129 00:07:24,529 --> 00:07:27,529 He made it the home to which he retreated, 130 00:07:27,529 --> 00:07:30,529 The school in which he studied, 131 00:07:30,529 --> 00:07:36,529 And the sanctuary in which he drew near to Allah through piety and obedience, 132 00:07:36,529 --> 00:07:38,529 So much so that historians remarked: 133 00:07:38,529 --> 00:07:45,529 The mosque served as the bed of 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah for nearly twenty years. 134 00:07:45,529 --> 00:07:52,870 The eminent tabi'i 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah attained a station in knowledge 135 00:07:52,870 --> 00:07:54,870 That surpassed all measure, 136 00:07:54,870 --> 00:08:00,870 Rising to a rank attained by only a few of his contemporaries. 137 00:08:00,870 --> 00:08:05,870 It was narrated that Abd Allah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, 138 00:08:05,870 --> 00:08:07,870 Arrived in Makkah for Umrah, 139 00:08:07,870 --> 00:08:11,870 And the people flocked to him, questioning him and seeking his fatwas. 140 00:08:11,870 --> 00:08:13,870 He said: 141 00:08:13,870 --> 00:08:16,870 "I am truly astonished at you, O people of Makkah! 142 00:08:16,870 --> 00:08:22,870 Do you gather questions to ask me while you have among you 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah?" 143 00:08:22,870 --> 00:08:31,339 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah achieved this lofty rank in religion and knowledge 144 00:08:31,339 --> 00:08:33,340 Through two distinct qualities: 145 00:08:33,340 --> 00:08:38,340 First, he mastered complete control over himself, 146 00:08:38,340 --> 00:08:42,340 Never allowing his ego free rein to indulge in that which brought no benefit; 147 00:08:42,340 --> 00:08:47,340 And second, he exercised strict mastery over his time, 148 00:08:47,340 --> 00:08:51,340 Never squandering it in idle speech or useless action. 149 00:08:51,340 --> 00:08:56,340 Muhammad ibn Suqah addressed a group of his visitors, saying: 150 00:08:56,340 --> 00:09:01,340 "Shall I not narrate to you a hadith that may benefit you just as it benefited me?" 151 00:09:01,340 --> 00:09:03,340 They said: "Yes, indeed." 152 00:09:03,340 --> 00:09:07,340 He said: 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah once advised me, 153 00:09:07,340 --> 00:09:10,340 Saying: "O my nephew, 154 00:09:10,340 --> 00:09:15,340 Those before us used to detest superfluous speech." 155 00:09:15,340 --> 00:09:19,340 I asked: "And what was superfluous speech in their view?" 156 00:09:19,340 --> 00:09:24,340 He said: "They considered all speech superfluous 157 00:09:24,340 --> 00:09:28,340 Except the Book of Allah Almighty recited and understood, 158 00:09:28,340 --> 00:09:34,340 Or the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, transmitted and comprehended, 159 00:09:34,340 --> 00:09:37,340 Or enjoining good and forbidding wrong, 160 00:09:37,340 --> 00:09:41,340 Or knowledge through which closeness is sought to Allah the Exalted, 161 00:09:41,340 --> 00:09:47,340 Or speaking of your necessary needs and livelihood without which you cannot manage." 162 00:09:47,340 --> 00:09:50,340 Then he gazed intently into my face and said: 163 00:09:50,340 --> 00:09:55,340 "Do you deny that there are over you guardian scribes, honorable recorders, 164 00:09:55,340 --> 00:09:58,340 And that with each of you are two angels?" 165 00:09:58,340 --> 00:10:01,340 “When the two Receivers receive (him), seated on the right hand and on the left,” (50:17) 166 00:10:01,340 --> 00:10:06,340 “He uttereth no word but there is with him an observer ready.” (50:18) 167 00:10:06,340 --> 00:10:10,340 Then he said: "Is not one of us ashamed 168 00:10:10,340 --> 00:10:15,340 That if his scroll—which he dictated throughout the early part of his day—were spread before him, 169 00:10:15,340 --> 00:10:21,340 He would find that most of it concerns neither his religious affairs nor his worldly well-being?" 170 00:10:21,340 --> 00:10:25,750 Indeed, Allah Almighty brought benefit 171 00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:27,750 Through the knowledge of 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah 172 00:10:27,750 --> 00:10:30,750 To diverse groups of people: 173 00:10:30,750 --> 00:10:33,750 Among them were specialized scholars, 174 00:10:33,750 --> 00:10:36,750 Among them were professional craftsmen, 175 00:10:36,750 --> 00:10:38,750 And among them were others besides. 176 00:10:38,750 --> 00:10:43,820 Imam Abu Hanifah al-Nu'man related of himself, saying: 177 00:10:43,820 --> 00:10:48,820 "I fell into error regarding five matters of the pilgrimage rites in Makkah, 178 00:10:48,820 --> 00:10:50,820 And a cupper-barber taught them to me. 179 00:10:50,820 --> 00:10:55,820 That happened when I wished to shave my head to exit the state of ihram, 180 00:10:55,820 --> 00:10:58,820 So I went to a barber and asked: 181 00:10:58,820 --> 00:11:00,820 'For how much will you shave my head?' 182 00:11:00,820 --> 00:11:03,820 He said: 'May Allah guide you! 183 00:11:03,820 --> 00:11:06,820 A rite of worship is not bargained over; 184 00:11:06,820 --> 00:11:09,820 Sit down and give whatever is easy for you.' 185 00:11:09,820 --> 00:11:11,879 Overcome with embarrassment, I sat down, 186 00:11:11,879 --> 00:11:15,879 But I sat facing away from the Qiblah. 187 00:11:15,879 --> 00:11:18,879 He gestured to me to face the Qiblah, 188 00:11:18,879 --> 00:11:22,879 So I did, feeling all the more embarrassed. 189 00:11:22,879 --> 00:11:26,980 Then I presented the left side of my head for him to shave, 190 00:11:26,980 --> 00:11:30,980 But he said: 'Turn your right side.' 191 00:11:30,980 --> 00:11:33,980 So I turned it, and he began shaving my head 192 00:11:33,980 --> 00:11:37,980 While I sat in silence, looking at him in utter astonishment. 193 00:11:37,980 --> 00:11:41,980 He said to me: 'Why do I see you silent? 194 00:11:41,980 --> 00:11:44,980 Proclaim the Takbir!' So I began reciting the Takbir, 195 00:11:44,980 --> 00:11:47,980 Until I stood up to leave. 196 00:11:47,980 --> 00:11:50,980 He said: 'Where do you intend to go?' 197 00:11:50,980 --> 00:11:54,980 I said: 'I want to head back to my lodging.' 198 00:11:54,980 --> 00:11:57,980 He said: 'Pray two rak'ahs, 199 00:11:57,980 --> 00:12:00,980 Then go wherever you please.' 200 00:12:00,980 --> 00:12:03,100 So I prayed two rak'ahs, 201 00:12:03,100 --> 00:12:05,100 And I thought to myself, 202 00:12:05,100 --> 00:12:08,100 "Such knowledge could not possibly come from a mere cupper, 203 00:12:08,100 --> 00:12:11,100 unless he were a man of profound learning." 204 00:12:11,100 --> 00:12:13,169 So I asked him, 205 00:12:13,169 --> 00:12:16,169 "Where did you learn these pilgrimage rites that you instructed me to perform?" 206 00:12:16,169 --> 00:12:19,259 He replied, "May Allah preserve you! 207 00:12:19,259 --> 00:12:23,259 I saw 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah doing them, 208 00:12:23,259 --> 00:12:25,259 so I learned them from him, 209 00:12:25,259 --> 00:12:28,259 and I have been guiding the people to him ever since." 210 00:12:28,259 --> 00:12:33,669 Indeed, the worldly life came pursuing 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah, 211 00:12:33,669 --> 00:12:36,669 yet he completely turned away from it, 212 00:12:36,669 --> 00:12:39,700 rejecting it with the utmost resolve. 213 00:12:39,700 --> 00:12:42,700 He lived his entire life wearing a simple garment 214 00:12:42,700 --> 00:12:46,700 worth no more than five dirhams. 215 00:12:46,700 --> 00:12:50,700 The caliphs frequently invited him to join their court, 216 00:12:50,700 --> 00:12:52,700 but he never accepted their invitations, 217 00:12:52,700 --> 00:12:55,700 fearing for his religion from the temptations of their worldly allurements. 218 00:12:55,700 --> 00:12:59,799 Nevertheless, he would still travel to visit them 219 00:12:59,799 --> 00:13:04,799 whenever he saw in doing so a benefit for the Muslims or a good for Islam. 220 00:13:04,799 --> 00:13:10,990 Among such accounts is what 'Uthman ibn 'Ata' al-Khurasani narrated, saying: 221 00:13:10,990 --> 00:13:14,990 "I set out with my father heading toward Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik. 222 00:13:14,990 --> 00:13:17,990 When we approached Damascus in the morning, 223 00:13:17,990 --> 00:13:21,990 we suddenly came upon an old man riding a black donkey, 224 00:13:21,990 --> 00:13:25,990 wearing a coarse shirt, a worn-out cloak, 225 00:13:25,990 --> 00:13:29,990 and a small cap clinging tightly to his head, 226 00:13:29,990 --> 00:13:31,990 with stirrups made of wood. 227 00:13:31,990 --> 00:13:36,120 I laughed at his sight and asked my father, 'Who is this?' 228 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:41,120 He said, 'Be quiet! This is the master of the jurists of the Hijaz: 229 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:43,120 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah.' 230 00:13:44,409 --> 00:13:46,409 When he drew near to us, 231 00:13:46,409 --> 00:13:48,409 my father dismounted from his mule, 232 00:13:48,409 --> 00:13:50,409 and 'Ata' dismounted from his donkey. 233 00:13:50,409 --> 00:13:53,409 They embraced and inquired about each other's well-being, 234 00:13:53,409 --> 00:13:55,409 then remounted 235 00:13:55,409 --> 00:14:00,409 and rode on until they arrived at the gates of Hisham ibn 'Abd al-Malik's palace. 236 00:14:00,409 --> 00:14:03,440 No sooner had they sat down 237 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:05,440 than permission was granted for them to enter. 238 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,440 When my father came out, I said to him, 239 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,440 'Tell me what happened between you two.' 240 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:12,440 He replied, 241 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:17,539 'When Hisham learned that 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah was at the door, 242 00:14:17,539 --> 00:14:19,539 he promptly granted him entrance; 243 00:14:19,539 --> 00:14:22,539 and by Allah, I only gained admittance because of him. 244 00:14:22,539 --> 00:14:25,700 When Hisham saw him, he exclaimed, 245 00:14:25,700 --> 00:14:27,700 "Welcome! Welcome! 246 00:14:27,700 --> 00:14:29,700 Come over here, come over here!" 247 00:14:29,700 --> 00:14:31,700 And he kept saying to him, 248 00:14:31,700 --> 00:14:33,700 "Come over here, come over here!" 249 00:14:33,700 --> 00:14:36,700 until he seated him beside him on his couch, 250 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:39,700 with his knee touching his own. 251 00:14:39,700 --> 00:14:42,860 Present in the assembly were the most eminent of the people, 252 00:14:42,860 --> 00:14:44,860 who had been speaking amongst themselves, 253 00:14:44,860 --> 00:14:45,860 but they fell completely silent. 254 00:14:45,860 --> 00:14:48,860 Then Hisham turned to him and asked, 255 00:14:48,860 --> 00:14:51,860 "What is your request, O Abu Muhammad?" 256 00:14:51,860 --> 00:14:52,889 He said, 257 00:14:52,889 --> 00:14:54,889 "O Commander of the Faithful! 258 00:14:54,889 --> 00:14:56,889 The people of the Two Holy Sanctuaries— 259 00:14:56,889 --> 00:15:01,889 who are the people of Allah and the neighbors of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)— 260 00:15:01,889 --> 00:15:05,889 distribute to them their provisions and stipends." 261 00:15:05,889 --> 00:15:06,889 He replied, "Yes. 262 00:15:06,889 --> 00:15:08,889 Boy! 263 00:15:08,889 --> 00:15:13,889 Write down that the people of Makkah and Madinah be granted their stipends and provisions for a full year." 264 00:15:13,889 --> 00:15:16,019 Then he asked, 265 00:15:16,019 --> 00:15:19,019 "Do you have any other request, O Abu Muhammad?" 266 00:15:19,019 --> 00:15:22,049 He replied, "Yes, O Commander of the Faithful. 267 00:15:22,049 --> 00:15:25,049 The people of the Hijaz and the people of Najd, 268 00:15:25,049 --> 00:15:28,049 who are the origin of the Arabs and the vanguards of Islam— 269 00:15:28,049 --> 00:15:31,049 let the surplus of their charity be redistributed among them." 270 00:15:31,049 --> 00:15:33,049 He replied, "Yes. 271 00:15:33,049 --> 00:15:35,049 Boy! 272 00:15:35,049 --> 00:15:39,049 Write that the surplus of their charity be returned to them. 273 00:15:39,049 --> 00:15:43,299 Do you have any other need besides that, O Abu Muhammad?" 274 00:15:43,299 --> 00:15:46,370 He replied, "Yes, O Commander of the Faithful. 275 00:15:46,370 --> 00:15:48,370 The garrison frontier guards, 276 00:15:48,370 --> 00:15:50,370 who stand in the face of your enemies 277 00:15:50,370 --> 00:15:54,370 and slay those who seek evil against the Muslims— 278 00:15:54,370 --> 00:15:58,370 ensure continuous stipends to be distributed to them, 279 00:15:58,370 --> 00:16:01,370 for if they perish, the frontiers will be lost." 280 00:16:01,370 --> 00:16:03,370 He replied, "Yes. 281 00:16:03,370 --> 00:16:04,370 Boy! 282 00:16:04,370 --> 00:16:07,370 Write an order to dispatch their stipends to them. 283 00:16:07,370 --> 00:16:11,460 Is there any other request, O Abu Muhammad?" 284 00:16:11,460 --> 00:16:14,500 He replied, "Yes, O Commander of the Faithful. 285 00:16:14,500 --> 00:16:16,559 The non-Muslim subjects under your covenant of protection (Dhimmah)— 286 00:16:16,559 --> 00:16:19,559 do not burden them with what is beyond their capacity, 287 00:16:19,559 --> 00:16:24,590 for what you collect from them serves as an aid for you against your enemies." 288 00:16:24,590 --> 00:16:26,750 He said, 289 00:16:26,750 --> 00:16:27,750 "Boy! 290 00:16:27,750 --> 00:16:32,750 Write an order regarding the protected non-Muslim subjects that they must not be overburdened beyond their capacity. 291 00:16:32,750 --> 00:16:36,850 Is there any other request, O Abu Muhammad?" 292 00:16:36,850 --> 00:16:38,850 He replied, "Yes. 293 00:16:38,850 --> 00:16:42,850 Fear Allah regarding your own soul, O Commander of the Faithful! 294 00:16:42,850 --> 00:16:45,850 Know that you were created alone, 295 00:16:45,850 --> 00:16:47,850 you will die alone, 296 00:16:47,850 --> 00:16:49,850 you will be resurrected alone, 297 00:16:49,850 --> 00:16:51,850 and you will be held accountable alone; 298 00:16:51,850 --> 00:16:55,850 and by Allah, not a single one of those you see around you will be with you." 299 00:16:55,850 --> 00:16:59,850 Thereupon, Hisham bowed his head, scratching at the ground while weeping profusely. 300 00:16:59,850 --> 00:17:01,850 Then 'Ata' stood up, 301 00:17:01,850 --> 00:17:03,850 and I stood up with him. 302 00:17:03,850 --> 00:17:05,849 When we reached the door, 303 00:17:05,849 --> 00:17:10,849 a man suddenly followed him carrying a pouch—I know not what was in it— 304 00:17:10,849 --> 00:17:11,849 and said to him, 305 00:17:11,849 --> 00:17:15,880 "The Commander of the Faithful has sent this for you." 306 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:16,910 'Ata' replied, 307 00:17:16,910 --> 00:17:18,910 "Far from it! 308 00:17:18,910 --> 00:17:20,910 'And I do not ask you for any reward for it; 309 00:17:20,910 --> 00:17:24,910 my reward is only from the Lord of the worlds.' 310 00:17:24,910 --> 00:17:28,039 So by Allah, he entered upon the caliph 311 00:17:28,039 --> 00:17:30,039 and departed from him, 312 00:17:30,039 --> 00:17:33,039 without having drunk even a single drop of water.' 313 00:17:33,039 --> 00:17:35,640 To conclude: 314 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,640 'Ata' ibn Abi Rabah lived a long life, 315 00:17:38,640 --> 00:17:40,640 reaching one hundred years of age, 316 00:17:40,640 --> 00:17:43,640 which he filled with sacred knowledge and righteous deeds, 317 00:17:43,640 --> 00:17:45,640 imbued with piety and devotion, 318 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:49,640 and purified through ascetic detachment from what people possessed 319 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:52,640 and eager longing for that which is with Allah. 320 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:54,640 So when the certainty of death arrived for him, 321 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:58,640 it found him carrying a light burden of worldly entanglements, 322 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:01,640 abundantly provisioned with righteous deeds for the Hereafter, 323 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,640 and having accomplished alongside that 324 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:05,640 seventy pilgrimages, 325 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:09,640 during which he stood seventy times upon the plains of 'Arafat, 326 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:13,640 imploring Allah Almighty for His pleasure and Paradise, 327 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:17,640 and seeking His refuge from His wrath and the Hellfire. 328 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:24,720 "I have never seen anyone who sought the Countenance of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, through sacred knowledge 329 00:18:24,720 --> 00:18:26,720 other than these three: 330 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,720 'Ata', Tawus, and Mujahid." 331 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:33,009 — Salamah ibn Kuhayl. 332 00:18:59,769 --> 00:19:04,769 Did any shining star ever ascend and illuminate like them? 333 00:19:04,769 --> 00:19:09,769 They filled life with glorious deeds through their lofty heights, 334 00:19:09,769 --> 00:19:13,440 and through them the horizons of humanity flourished with splendor.