Pause.
Get to know the Companions, the scholars, and the most exalted.
That is, the generations, their stances, and their examples.
A new challenge: who am I?
I am one of the Companions from the tribe of Thaqif.
I am a poet of fine poetry.
I am among the famous brave warriors of the Jahiliyyah and Islam.
I am also generous and open-handed.
However, I was afflicted with the drinking of wine.
I would not abandon it for fear of the prescribed punishment or blame.
I embraced Islam with my people, Thaqif.
When they came as a delegation to the Prophet, peace be upon him.
I was lashed for drinking wine repeatedly.
Yet that did not deter me.
When we set out for the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah,
I drank wine.
So Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, imprisoned me,
until he could look into my case after the battle.
He placed shackles on my legs.
The people rose to fight,
and I could hear the clashing of swords and the neighing of horses,
and the cries of the people while I was in my place.
I heard that the polytheists had inflicted losses upon the Muslims,
and that the tide was turning in their favor.
So I sent for Salma, the wife of Sa'd,
as I was imprisoned in her house,
and I said to her,
"O Salma, is there any good in you?"
She said, "What is it?"
I said, "Release me and lend me the horse of Sa'd,
so that I may fight alongside the Muslims.
I swear by Allah, if Allah grants me safety,
I will return and place my legs back in the shackles as they were.
And if I am killed, then you have been relieved of me."
She refused and said,
"What do I have to do with that?"
So I returned, dragging my shackles,
my soul yearning for jihad in the way of Allah.
I saw the Muslims suffering what they were suffering,
so I said:
"It is enough grief that the horses are pierced by spears,
while I am bound in my shackles.
When I stand, the iron rings hold me, and the doors
are locked against me, deafening those who call out.
I have a covenant with Allah that I will not break,
that if I am released, I will not return to the wine shops."
Salma then said,
"I have chosen Allah and I am satisfied with your covenant."
She released me and gave me the horse of Sa'd,
and she also gave me a weapon.
I went out, charging like a lion,
until I caught up with the Muslim army.
I began to crush the ranks of the enemy, crushing them completely.
I charged at the left flank of the army,
until they retreated.
Then I charged at the right flank of the army as well,
until the people were amazed by me.
They thought I was an angel fighting alongside them.
Sa'd was amazed as he watched the battle, and he said,
"The charge is the charge of the piebald horse,
and the strike is the strike of the Thaqafi,
yet the Thaqafi is in shackles!"
So who is the man?
It was not long,
before Allah defeated the enemies.
I returned to my place,
and I placed my legs back in the shackles.
Salma, the wife of Sa'd, came,
and she told her husband my story.
Sa'd, may Allah be pleased with him, did nothing
but release me from the shackles with his own hands.
He said,
"I swear by Allah, I hope
that I will never lash you for wine
after today, ever."
I said,
"And I, by Allah, will not drink it
after today, ever."
So who am I?
Share your answers with us
in the comments below the video.
We will pin the correct answer
in the comments.
We will present the next episode,
if Allah wills.
The best of generations,
in their stances and examples.
They followed the Messenger,
whether he strove or spoke.
They were here,
watering our lives like clouds.
They were faithful, and we were faithful,
their memory remains exalted.
They departed and left behind
a question in the conscience:
Is there anyone like them,
a star that rose and shone?
They filled life
with pride through their deeds,
and the world of humanity
was adorned by them.