1 00:00:00,430 --> 00:00:03,430 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,430 --> 00:00:08,429 The best of generations in their conduct and example, 3 00:00:08,429 --> 00:00:13,429 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 4 00:00:13,429 --> 00:00:15,429 The Mawadda Association 5 00:00:15,429 --> 00:00:17,429 Presents: 6 00:00:17,429 --> 00:00:21,500 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un 7 00:00:21,500 --> 00:00:25,910 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:25,910 --> 00:00:27,910 May Allah have mercy upon him. 9 00:00:27,910 --> 00:00:33,020 Silah Ibn Ashyam al-'Adawi, 10 00:00:33,020 --> 00:00:35,020 May Allah have mercy upon him. 11 00:00:41,310 --> 00:00:46,579 Silah Ibn Ashyam al-'Adawi: 12 00:00:46,579 --> 00:00:48,579 A worshiper among the worshipers of the night, 13 00:00:48,579 --> 00:00:51,579 And a knight among the knights of the day. 14 00:00:51,579 --> 00:00:55,869 When the darkness would spread its curtains over the universe, 15 00:00:55,869 --> 00:00:58,869 And people would surrender their sides to their beds, 16 00:00:58,869 --> 00:01:00,869 He would rise and perform a perfect ablution. 17 00:01:00,869 --> 00:01:04,870 Then he would stand in his prayer niche and enter into his prayer, 18 00:01:04,870 --> 00:01:06,870 Becoming lost in longing for his Lord. 19 00:01:06,870 --> 00:01:09,969 A divine radiance would shine within his soul, 20 00:01:09,969 --> 00:01:13,969 Illuminating the horizons of the universe for his inner vision, 21 00:01:13,969 --> 00:01:16,969 And showing him the signs of Allah in the heavens and the earth. 22 00:01:16,969 --> 00:01:21,030 Furthermore, he was passionate about the Qur'an of the dawn. 23 00:01:21,030 --> 00:01:24,030 When the final watch of the night approached, 24 00:01:24,030 --> 00:01:28,030 He would bow his back over the parts of the Qur'an, 25 00:01:28,030 --> 00:01:31,030 And begin to recite the clear verses of Allah 26 00:01:31,030 --> 00:01:35,030 With a tender voice and a poignant tone. 27 00:01:35,030 --> 00:01:38,060 Sometimes he would find a sweetness in the Qur'an 28 00:01:38,060 --> 00:01:40,060 That would seize the depths of his heart, 29 00:01:40,060 --> 00:01:44,060 And captivate the innermost recesses of his mind out of fear of Allah. 30 00:01:44,060 --> 00:01:47,060 At other times, he would feel from the Qur'an 31 00:01:47,060 --> 00:01:50,219 A reverence that would shatter his very soul. 32 00:01:50,219 --> 00:01:52,219 Silah Ibn Ashyam never 33 00:01:52,219 --> 00:01:55,379 Slackened in this worship of his at all; 34 00:01:55,379 --> 00:01:57,379 There was no difference in that regard between his staying at home 35 00:01:57,379 --> 00:02:00,379 And his traveling, or his being busy and his being free. 36 00:02:00,379 --> 00:02:03,609 Ja'far Ibn Zayd narrated, saying: 37 00:02:03,609 --> 00:02:06,609 We went out with an army of the Muslim armies 38 00:02:06,609 --> 00:02:09,610 On an expedition to the city of Kabul, 39 00:02:09,610 --> 00:02:12,610 Hoping that Allah would grant us its conquest. 40 00:02:12,610 --> 00:02:15,610 Silah Ibn Ashyam was in the army. 41 00:02:15,610 --> 00:02:18,669 When the night let down its veils, 42 00:02:18,669 --> 00:02:20,669 And we were on the road, 43 00:02:20,669 --> 00:02:22,669 The soldiers set down their baggage, 44 00:02:22,669 --> 00:02:24,669 Ate some food, 45 00:02:24,669 --> 00:02:27,669 And performed the final evening prayer. 46 00:02:27,669 --> 00:02:30,669 Then they went to their resting places, seeking 47 00:02:30,669 --> 00:02:32,669 A share of rest. 48 00:02:32,669 --> 00:02:34,669 I saw Silah Ibn Ashyam 49 00:02:34,669 --> 00:02:37,669 Going to his resting place just as they did, 50 00:02:37,669 --> 00:02:40,669 And surrendering his side to sleep just as they did. 51 00:02:40,669 --> 00:02:42,669 So I said to myself, 52 00:02:42,669 --> 00:02:45,669 "Where is what they say about this man's prayer, 53 00:02:45,669 --> 00:02:47,669 And his worship, 54 00:02:47,669 --> 00:02:49,669 And what they report of his standing in prayer 55 00:02:49,669 --> 00:02:51,669 Until his feet would swell? 56 00:02:51,669 --> 00:02:53,830 By Allah, I will watch him tonight 57 00:02:53,830 --> 00:02:57,060 Until I see what becomes of him." 58 00:02:57,060 --> 00:03:00,060 No sooner had the soldiers drowned in their sleep 59 00:03:00,060 --> 00:03:03,060 Than I saw him wake from his slumber, 60 00:03:03,060 --> 00:03:05,060 Move away from the camp, 61 00:03:05,060 --> 00:03:07,060 Concealed by the darkness, 62 00:03:07,060 --> 00:03:09,060 And enter a dense forest 63 00:03:09,060 --> 00:03:11,060 Of towering trees 64 00:03:11,060 --> 00:03:13,060 And wild thickets, 65 00:03:13,060 --> 00:03:17,060 As if no feet had trodden there for a long age. 66 00:03:17,060 --> 00:03:20,060 I followed in his footsteps. 67 00:03:20,060 --> 00:03:23,060 When he reached a remote place within it, 68 00:03:23,060 --> 00:03:26,060 He sought the direction of the Qibla and turned toward it, 69 00:03:26,060 --> 00:03:28,060 Said the takbir for prayer, 70 00:03:28,060 --> 00:03:30,060 And became absorbed in it. 71 00:03:30,060 --> 00:03:32,060 I looked at him from a distance, 72 00:03:32,060 --> 00:03:34,060 And saw his face radiant, 73 00:03:34,060 --> 00:03:36,060 His limbs still, 74 00:03:36,060 --> 00:03:38,060 His soul tranquil, 75 00:03:38,060 --> 00:03:40,060 As if he found companionship in the wilderness, 76 00:03:40,060 --> 00:03:42,060 Nearness in the distance, 77 00:03:42,060 --> 00:03:45,060 And a shining light in the darkness. 78 00:03:45,060 --> 00:03:47,060 While he was in that state, 79 00:03:47,060 --> 00:03:51,060 A lion appeared to us from the eastern side of the forest. 80 00:03:52,060 --> 00:03:56,060 As soon as I caught sight of it, my heart was torn with terror. 81 00:03:56,060 --> 00:03:58,060 I climbed a towering tree 82 00:03:58,060 --> 00:04:00,060 To hide from its harm. 83 00:04:00,060 --> 00:04:04,060 The lion kept drawing closer to Silah Ibn Ashyam, 84 00:04:04,060 --> 00:04:06,060 While he was drowned in his prayer, 85 00:04:06,060 --> 00:04:10,060 Until it was only steps away from him. 86 00:04:10,060 --> 00:04:13,060 By Allah, he did not turn toward it, nor did he pay it any mind. 87 00:04:13,060 --> 00:04:15,060 When he prostrated, 88 00:04:15,060 --> 00:04:17,060 I said, "Now he will be devoured." 89 00:04:17,060 --> 00:04:20,060 But when he rose from his prostration and sat, 90 00:04:20,060 --> 00:04:24,060 The lion stood before him as if it were observing him. 91 00:04:24,060 --> 00:04:26,060 When he finished his prayer with the taslim, 92 00:04:26,060 --> 00:04:28,060 He looked at the lion in calmness, 93 00:04:28,060 --> 00:04:32,060 And moved his lips with words I did not hear. 94 00:04:32,060 --> 00:04:35,060 Suddenly, the lion turned away from him in peace, 95 00:04:35,060 --> 00:04:37,060 And returned from whence it came. 96 00:04:37,060 --> 00:04:40,750 When the dawn broke, 97 00:04:40,750 --> 00:04:43,750 He rose and performed the obligatory prayer, 98 00:04:43,750 --> 00:04:46,750 Then he began to praise Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 99 00:04:46,750 --> 00:04:49,750 With praises the likes of which I had never heard before. 100 00:04:49,750 --> 00:04:51,819 Then he said, 101 00:04:51,819 --> 00:04:55,819 "O Allah, I ask You to protect me from the Fire. 102 00:04:55,819 --> 00:04:58,819 And would a sinful servant like me dare 103 00:04:58,819 --> 00:05:00,819 To ask for Paradise?" 104 00:05:00,819 --> 00:05:04,819 He kept repeating it until he wept and made me weep. 105 00:05:04,819 --> 00:05:08,879 Then he returned to the army without anyone noticing him. 106 00:05:08,879 --> 00:05:13,879 And to the eyes of the people, he appeared as if he had spent the night on soft cushions. 107 00:05:13,879 --> 00:05:15,879 I returned in his footsteps, 108 00:05:15,879 --> 00:05:19,879 Suffering from the wakefulness of the night, the exhaustion of the body, and the fear of the lion, 109 00:05:19,879 --> 00:05:24,220 To a degree known only to Allah. 110 00:05:24,220 --> 00:05:27,220 Silah Ibn Ashyam, along with all this, 111 00:05:27,220 --> 00:05:32,220 Would not let any opportunity for exhortation and reminding pass 112 00:05:32,220 --> 00:05:34,220 Without seizing it. 113 00:05:34,220 --> 00:05:36,220 His method in that was 114 00:05:36,220 --> 00:05:38,220 To call to the path of his Lord 115 00:05:38,220 --> 00:05:41,220 With wisdom and beautiful preaching, 116 00:05:41,220 --> 00:05:43,220 Thereby winning over alienated souls, 117 00:05:43,220 --> 00:05:46,220 And softening hardened hearts. 118 00:05:46,220 --> 00:05:50,220 Among these instances was that he would go out to the wilderness 119 00:05:50,220 --> 00:05:53,220 On the outskirts of Basra for seclusion and worship. 120 00:05:53,220 --> 00:05:57,220 A group of young men would pass by him, 121 00:05:57,220 --> 00:05:59,220 Who had given free rein to their youth, 122 00:05:59,220 --> 00:06:03,220 Playing, having fun, wandering, and frolicking. 123 00:06:03,220 --> 00:06:05,220 He would greet them with friendliness, 124 00:06:05,220 --> 00:06:09,220 Address them gently, and say to them, 125 00:06:09,220 --> 00:06:14,220 "What do you say about a people who have resolved to travel for a great matter, 126 00:06:14,220 --> 00:06:20,220 Yet during the day they deviate from the path to play and have fun, 127 00:06:20,220 --> 00:06:23,220 And at night they sleep to rest? 128 00:06:23,220 --> 00:06:26,220 When do you think they will complete their journey, 129 00:06:26,220 --> 00:06:28,220 And reach their destination?" 130 00:06:28,220 --> 00:06:32,220 He persisted in saying this time after time. 131 00:06:32,220 --> 00:06:35,319 Once, he met them, 132 00:06:35,319 --> 00:06:37,319 And said that statement of his to them. 133 00:06:37,319 --> 00:06:40,480 A young man among them stood up and said, 134 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:45,480 "By Allah, he means no one but us! 135 00:06:45,480 --> 00:06:49,480 For we play by day and sleep by night." 136 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,579 Then the young man separated from his companions, 137 00:06:52,579 --> 00:06:56,579 And followed Silah Ibn Ashyam from that day on, 138 00:06:56,579 --> 00:07:00,579 Remaining in his company until certainty (death) came to him. 139 00:07:00,579 --> 00:07:02,699 Also among these instances 140 00:07:02,699 --> 00:07:08,699 Is that he was walking one day with a group of his companions toward a destination of theirs, 141 00:07:08,699 --> 00:07:13,699 When a young man passed by them, in the prime of his youth and the freshness of his age, 142 00:07:13,699 --> 00:07:19,699 Who had let his garment hang so low that he was dragging it on the ground like the proud. 143 00:07:19,699 --> 00:07:21,699 His companions were about to confront the young man, 144 00:07:21,699 --> 00:07:26,699 And wanted to seize him severely with their tongues and hands. 145 00:07:26,699 --> 00:07:28,699 But Silah said to them, 146 00:07:28,699 --> 00:07:31,740 "Leave him to me; I will handle his matter for you." 147 00:07:31,740 --> 00:07:33,740 Then he approached the young man, 148 00:07:33,740 --> 00:07:36,740 And said with the gentleness of a compassionate father, 149 00:07:36,740 --> 00:07:38,740 And the tone of an intimate friend, 150 00:07:38,740 --> 00:07:40,740 "O son of my brother, 151 00:07:40,740 --> 00:07:42,769 I have a need of you." 152 00:07:42,769 --> 00:07:44,769 The young man stopped, 153 00:07:44,769 --> 00:07:46,769 And said, "What is it, O uncle?" 154 00:07:46,769 --> 00:07:49,769 He said, "That you raise your garment, 155 00:07:49,769 --> 00:07:52,769 For that is cleaner for your garment, 156 00:07:52,769 --> 00:07:54,769 More pious before your Lord, 157 00:07:54,769 --> 00:07:56,769 And closer to the Sunnah of your Prophet." 158 00:07:56,769 --> 00:07:58,769 The young man said in shyness, 159 00:07:58,769 --> 00:08:01,769 "Yes, and with pleasure." 160 00:08:01,769 --> 00:08:05,060 Then he hastened and raised his garment. 161 00:08:05,060 --> 00:08:07,060 Silah said to his companions, 162 00:08:07,060 --> 00:08:10,060 "This is better than what you intended. 163 00:08:10,060 --> 00:08:14,060 Had you struck him and insulted him, 164 00:08:14,060 --> 00:08:16,060 He would have struck you and insulted you, 165 00:08:16,060 --> 00:08:21,779 And kept his garment trailing, wiping the ground with it." 166 00:08:21,779 --> 00:08:25,779 Once, a young man from the youth of Basra came to him, 167 00:08:25,779 --> 00:08:26,779 And said, 168 00:08:26,779 --> 00:08:30,779 "Teach me, O Abu al-Sahba', from what Allah has taught you." 169 00:08:30,779 --> 00:08:32,779 Silah welcomed him warmly, 170 00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:34,779 And said, 171 00:08:34,779 --> 00:08:38,779 "O son of my brother, you have reminded me of a past I do not forget, 172 00:08:38,779 --> 00:08:41,779 When I was a young man like you, 173 00:08:41,779 --> 00:08:47,879 And I came to those who remained of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 174 00:08:47,879 --> 00:08:48,879 And said to them, 175 00:08:48,879 --> 00:08:51,879 'Teach me from what Allah has taught you.' 176 00:08:51,879 --> 00:08:53,879 They said to me, 177 00:08:53,879 --> 00:08:57,879 'Make the Qur'an the protection of your soul and the spring of your heart, 178 00:08:57,879 --> 00:09:01,879 Seek advice from it and advise the Muslims with it, 179 00:09:01,879 --> 00:09:05,879 And supplicate to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, as much as you can.'" 180 00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:08,070 The young man said to him, 181 00:09:08,070 --> 00:09:10,070 "Supplicate for me, may you be rewarded with good." 182 00:09:10,070 --> 00:09:12,070 He said, 183 00:09:12,070 --> 00:09:15,070 "May Allah, the Exalted, make you desire what remains, 184 00:09:15,070 --> 00:09:18,070 Make you ascetic toward what perishes, 185 00:09:18,070 --> 00:09:22,070 And grant you the certainty in which souls find rest, 186 00:09:22,070 --> 00:09:26,740 And upon which one relies in religion." 187 00:09:26,740 --> 00:09:29,740 Silah Ibn Ashyam had 188 00:09:29,740 --> 00:09:32,740 A cousin named Mu'adhah al-'Adawiyyah. 189 00:09:32,740 --> 00:09:35,740 She was also a Tabi'iyyah like him, 190 00:09:35,740 --> 00:09:40,740 Having met the Mother of the Believers, 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, 191 00:09:40,740 --> 00:09:42,740 And learned from her. 192 00:09:42,740 --> 00:09:44,740 Then al-Hasan al-Basri met her, 193 00:09:44,740 --> 00:09:46,740 May Allah brighten his soul, 194 00:09:46,740 --> 00:09:47,740 And heard from her. 195 00:09:47,740 --> 00:09:52,740 She was pious, pure, a worshiper, and an ascetic. 196 00:09:52,740 --> 00:09:57,740 It was her habit, when the night approached, to say, 197 00:09:57,740 --> 00:10:00,740 "This might be my last night," 198 00:10:00,740 --> 00:10:03,740 And she would not sleep until morning. 199 00:10:03,740 --> 00:10:06,740 And when the day dawned, she would say: 200 00:10:06,740 --> 00:10:09,740 "This may well be my final day." 201 00:10:09,740 --> 00:10:13,740 Thus, she would not allow herself any rest until evening fell. 202 00:10:13,740 --> 00:10:17,740 She would wear thin garments during the winter, 203 00:10:17,740 --> 00:10:21,740 so that the cold would prevent her from succumbing to sleep 204 00:10:21,740 --> 00:10:23,740 and becoming distracted from her worship. 205 00:10:23,740 --> 00:10:27,740 She would spend the night in prayer and recitation. 206 00:10:27,740 --> 00:10:29,740 And when drowsiness overcame her, 207 00:10:29,740 --> 00:10:32,740 she would stand and pace the house, saying: 208 00:10:32,740 --> 00:10:36,740 "O soul, a long sleep lies ahead of you; 209 00:10:36,740 --> 00:10:39,740 tomorrow your slumber in the grave will be long, 210 00:10:39,740 --> 00:10:43,740 either in regret or in joy. 211 00:10:43,740 --> 00:10:46,740 So choose for yourself today, O Mu'adhah, 212 00:10:46,740 --> 00:10:50,740 what you would wish to be upon tomorrow." 213 00:10:52,110 --> 00:10:58,110 Despite his intense worship and extreme asceticism, Silah Ibn Ashyam 214 00:10:58,110 --> 00:11:03,110 would never turn away from the Sunnah of his Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 215 00:11:03,110 --> 00:11:06,110 He sought the hand of his cousin, Mu'adhah, in marriage. 216 00:11:06,110 --> 00:11:10,240 When the day came for her to be brought to him, 217 00:11:10,240 --> 00:11:12,240 his nephew took charge of the preparations. 218 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:15,240 He took him to the bathhouse, 219 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:18,240 and then led him to her in a perfumed room. 220 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,240 Once they were alone together, 221 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:24,240 he stood to perform the two Sunnah rak'ahs. 222 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:27,240 She stood to pray behind him, following his lead. 223 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,399 Then, the sweetness of prayer drew them both in, 224 00:11:30,399 --> 00:11:34,399 and they continued praying together until the dawn broke. 225 00:11:34,399 --> 00:11:36,460 When morning came, 226 00:11:36,460 --> 00:11:39,460 his nephew came to him and said, 227 00:11:39,460 --> 00:11:42,460 "O uncle, I brought your cousin to you, 228 00:11:42,460 --> 00:11:46,460 yet you stood praying all night and left her alone." 229 00:11:46,460 --> 00:11:49,460 He replied, "O my nephew, 230 00:11:49,460 --> 00:11:54,460 you brought me yesterday into a house that reminded me of the Fire, 231 00:11:54,460 --> 00:11:56,460 and then you brought me into another 232 00:11:56,460 --> 00:11:58,460 that reminded me of Paradise. 233 00:11:58,460 --> 00:12:02,460 My thoughts remained fixed on them until morning." 234 00:12:02,460 --> 00:12:04,720 The young man asked, 235 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,720 "How so, uncle?" 236 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:07,720 He replied, 237 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:09,720 "You took me to the bathhouse, 238 00:12:09,720 --> 00:12:12,720 and its heat reminded me of the heat of Hell. 239 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:15,720 Then you took me to the bridal chamber, 240 00:12:15,720 --> 00:12:18,720 and its fragrance reminded me of the fragrance of Paradise." 241 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:24,190 Silah Ibn Ashyam was not merely a devout worshiper 242 00:12:24,190 --> 00:12:27,190 and an ascetic; 243 00:12:27,190 --> 00:12:31,190 he was also a valiant warrior 244 00:12:31,190 --> 00:12:33,190 and a heroic fighter. 245 00:12:33,190 --> 00:12:38,190 Rarely did the battlefields know a man of greater might, 246 00:12:38,190 --> 00:12:41,190 or stronger spirit, or sharper sword. 247 00:12:41,190 --> 00:12:47,190 So much so that the Muslim commanders would compete to have him in their ranks, 248 00:12:47,190 --> 00:12:51,190 each of them wanting to secure him for their army 249 00:12:51,190 --> 00:12:56,320 to reap, through his courage, the great victory they aspired to. 250 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:58,320 Ja'far Ibn Zayd narrated: 251 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:02,320 "We went out on an expedition, and with us were Silah Ibn Ashyam 252 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:04,320 and Hisham Ibn 'Amir. 253 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:06,320 When we encountered the enemy, 254 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:10,320 Silah and his companion stepped forward from the ranks of the Muslims 255 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:15,320 and plunged into the enemy lines, thrusting with spears and striking with swords, 256 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:20,320 until they made a profound impact on the vanguard of the army." 257 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,320 Some of the enemy commanders said to one another, 258 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:28,320 "Two men from the Muslim army have brought all this upon us; 259 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,320 what would it be like if they all fought us?" 260 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:36,320 "Submit to the rule of the Muslims and pledge them your obedience." 261 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:40,700 In the year 76 AH, 262 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:45,700 Silah Ibn Ashyam went out on a campaign with the Muslim armies 263 00:13:45,700 --> 00:13:48,700 heading toward Transoxiana. 264 00:13:48,700 --> 00:13:51,700 His son was in his company. 265 00:13:51,700 --> 00:13:53,759 When the two armies met 266 00:13:53,759 --> 00:13:55,759 and the battle grew fierce, 267 00:13:55,759 --> 00:13:57,759 Silah said to his son, 268 00:13:57,759 --> 00:13:59,759 "O my son, 269 00:13:59,759 --> 00:14:01,759 go forward and fight the enemies of Allah 270 00:14:01,759 --> 00:14:06,759 until I count you as a martyr before the One with Whom no trust is ever lost." 271 00:14:06,759 --> 00:14:09,950 The young man set out to fight the enemy 272 00:14:09,950 --> 00:14:12,950 like an arrow released from a bow, 273 00:14:12,950 --> 00:14:18,019 and he continued fighting until he fell as a martyr. 274 00:14:18,019 --> 00:14:22,019 His father did nothing but follow in his footsteps, 275 00:14:22,019 --> 00:14:26,019 and he continued to fight until he, too, fell as a martyr beside him. 276 00:14:26,019 --> 00:14:29,080 When the news of their death reached Basra, 277 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:34,080 the women went to Mu'adhah al-'Adawiyyah to console her. 278 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,080 She said to them, 279 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:39,080 "If you have come to congratulate me, 280 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:41,080 then welcome. 281 00:14:41,080 --> 00:14:45,080 But if you have come for any other reason, 282 00:14:45,080 --> 00:14:48,080 then turn back, and may you be rewarded with good." 283 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:53,580 May Allah illuminate these noble and generous faces, 284 00:14:53,580 --> 00:14:57,580 and reward them well on behalf of Islam and the Muslims. 285 00:14:57,580 --> 00:15:03,580 For the history of humanity has known none more pious or pure than them. 286 00:15:03,580 --> 00:15:10,720 Silah Ibn Ashyam learned from the great Companions, 287 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:13,720 drew inspiration from them, 288 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:16,940 and embodied their character. 289 00:15:16,940 --> 00:15:19,490 Al-Asbahani said: 290 00:15:19,490 --> 00:15:24,289 "The best of the flock, in standing and example, 291 00:15:24,289 --> 00:15:29,289 following the Messenger whether in action or word. 292 00:15:29,289 --> 00:15:34,289 They were here, watering the clouds of our lives, 293 00:15:34,289 --> 00:15:40,289 and their memory remains exalted among us. 294 00:15:40,289 --> 00:15:45,289 They departed, leaving a question in the conscience: 295 00:15:45,289 --> 00:15:50,289 Is there any star like them that has risen and shone? 296 00:15:50,289 --> 00:15:55,289 They filled life with pride through their deeds, 297 00:15:55,289 --> 00:15:59,289 and the world of humanity flourished because of them."