WEBVTT 00:00:00.430 --> 00:00:03.430 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.430 --> 00:00:08.429 The best of generations in their conduct and example, 00:00:08.429 --> 00:00:13.429 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.429 --> 00:00:15.429 The Mawadda Association 00:00:15.429 --> 00:00:17.429 Presents: 00:00:17.429 --> 00:00:21.500 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:25.910 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:25.910 --> 00:00:27.910 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:27.910 --> 00:00:33.020 Silah Ibn Ashyam al-'Adawi, 00:00:33.020 --> 00:00:35.020 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:41.310 --> 00:00:46.579 Silah Ibn Ashyam al-'Adawi: 00:00:46.579 --> 00:00:48.579 A worshiper among the worshipers of the night, 00:00:48.579 --> 00:00:51.579 And a knight among the knights of the day. 00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:55.869 When the darkness would spread its curtains over the universe, 00:00:55.869 --> 00:00:58.869 And people would surrender their sides to their beds, 00:00:58.869 --> 00:01:00.869 He would rise and perform a perfect ablution. 00:01:00.869 --> 00:01:04.870 Then he would stand in his prayer niche and enter into his prayer, 00:01:04.870 --> 00:01:06.870 Becoming lost in longing for his Lord. 00:01:06.870 --> 00:01:09.969 A divine radiance would shine within his soul, 00:01:09.969 --> 00:01:13.969 Illuminating the horizons of the universe for his inner vision, 00:01:13.969 --> 00:01:16.969 And showing him the signs of Allah in the heavens and the earth. 00:01:16.969 --> 00:01:21.030 Furthermore, he was passionate about the Qur'an of the dawn. 00:01:21.030 --> 00:01:24.030 When the final watch of the night approached, 00:01:24.030 --> 00:01:28.030 He would bow his back over the parts of the Qur'an, 00:01:28.030 --> 00:01:31.030 And begin to recite the clear verses of Allah 00:01:31.030 --> 00:01:35.030 With a tender voice and a poignant tone. 00:01:35.030 --> 00:01:38.060 Sometimes he would find a sweetness in the Qur'an 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:40.060 That would seize the depths of his heart, 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:44.060 And captivate the innermost recesses of his mind out of fear of Allah. 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:47.060 At other times, he would feel from the Qur'an 00:01:47.060 --> 00:01:50.219 A reverence that would shatter his very soul. 00:01:50.219 --> 00:01:52.219 Silah Ibn Ashyam never 00:01:52.219 --> 00:01:55.379 Slackened in this worship of his at all; 00:01:55.379 --> 00:01:57.379 There was no difference in that regard between his staying at home 00:01:57.379 --> 00:02:00.379 And his traveling, or his being busy and his being free. 00:02:00.379 --> 00:02:03.609 Ja'far Ibn Zayd narrated, saying: 00:02:03.609 --> 00:02:06.609 We went out with an army of the Muslim armies 00:02:06.609 --> 00:02:09.610 On an expedition to the city of Kabul, 00:02:09.610 --> 00:02:12.610 Hoping that Allah would grant us its conquest. 00:02:12.610 --> 00:02:15.610 Silah Ibn Ashyam was in the army. 00:02:15.610 --> 00:02:18.669 When the night let down its veils, 00:02:18.669 --> 00:02:20.669 And we were on the road, 00:02:20.669 --> 00:02:22.669 The soldiers set down their baggage, 00:02:22.669 --> 00:02:24.669 Ate some food, 00:02:24.669 --> 00:02:27.669 And performed the final evening prayer. 00:02:27.669 --> 00:02:30.669 Then they went to their resting places, seeking 00:02:30.669 --> 00:02:32.669 A share of rest. 00:02:32.669 --> 00:02:34.669 I saw Silah Ibn Ashyam 00:02:34.669 --> 00:02:37.669 Going to his resting place just as they did, 00:02:37.669 --> 00:02:40.669 And surrendering his side to sleep just as they did. 00:02:40.669 --> 00:02:42.669 So I said to myself, 00:02:42.669 --> 00:02:45.669 "Where is what they say about this man's prayer, 00:02:45.669 --> 00:02:47.669 And his worship, 00:02:47.669 --> 00:02:49.669 And what they report of his standing in prayer 00:02:49.669 --> 00:02:51.669 Until his feet would swell? 00:02:51.669 --> 00:02:53.830 By Allah, I will watch him tonight 00:02:53.830 --> 00:02:57.060 Until I see what becomes of him." 00:02:57.060 --> 00:03:00.060 No sooner had the soldiers drowned in their sleep 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:03.060 Than I saw him wake from his slumber, 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:05.060 Move away from the camp, 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:07.060 Concealed by the darkness, 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:09.060 And enter a dense forest 00:03:09.060 --> 00:03:11.060 Of towering trees 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:13.060 And wild thickets, 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:17.060 As if no feet had trodden there for a long age. 00:03:17.060 --> 00:03:20.060 I followed in his footsteps. 00:03:20.060 --> 00:03:23.060 When he reached a remote place within it, 00:03:23.060 --> 00:03:26.060 He sought the direction of the Qibla and turned toward it, 00:03:26.060 --> 00:03:28.060 Said the takbir for prayer, 00:03:28.060 --> 00:03:30.060 And became absorbed in it. 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:32.060 I looked at him from a distance, 00:03:32.060 --> 00:03:34.060 And saw his face radiant, 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:36.060 His limbs still, 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:38.060 His soul tranquil, 00:03:38.060 --> 00:03:40.060 As if he found companionship in the wilderness, 00:03:40.060 --> 00:03:42.060 Nearness in the distance, 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:45.060 And a shining light in the darkness. 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:47.060 While he was in that state, 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:51.060 A lion appeared to us from the eastern side of the forest. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:56.060 As soon as I caught sight of it, my heart was torn with terror. 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:58.060 I climbed a towering tree 00:03:58.060 --> 00:04:00.060 To hide from its harm. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:04.060 The lion kept drawing closer to Silah Ibn Ashyam, 00:04:04.060 --> 00:04:06.060 While he was drowned in his prayer, 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:10.060 Until it was only steps away from him. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:13.060 By Allah, he did not turn toward it, nor did he pay it any mind. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:15.060 When he prostrated, 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:17.060 I said, "Now he will be devoured." 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:20.060 But when he rose from his prostration and sat, 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:24.060 The lion stood before him as if it were observing him. 00:04:24.060 --> 00:04:26.060 When he finished his prayer with the taslim, 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:28.060 He looked at the lion in calmness, 00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:32.060 And moved his lips with words I did not hear. 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:35.060 Suddenly, the lion turned away from him in peace, 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:37.060 And returned from whence it came. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:40.750 When the dawn broke, 00:04:40.750 --> 00:04:43.750 He rose and performed the obligatory prayer, 00:04:43.750 --> 00:04:46.750 Then he began to praise Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, 00:04:46.750 --> 00:04:49.750 With praises the likes of which I had never heard before. 00:04:49.750 --> 00:04:51.819 Then he said, 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:55.819 "O Allah, I ask You to protect me from the Fire. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:58.819 And would a sinful servant like me dare 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:00.819 To ask for Paradise?" 00:05:00.819 --> 00:05:04.819 He kept repeating it until he wept and made me weep. 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:08.879 Then he returned to the army without anyone noticing him. 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. 00:05:13.879 --> 00:05:15.879 I returned in his footsteps, 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, 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:24.220 To a degree known only to Allah. 00:05:24.220 --> 00:05:27.220 Silah Ibn Ashyam, along with all this, 00:05:27.220 --> 00:05:32.220 Would not let any opportunity for exhortation and reminding pass 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:34.220 Without seizing it. 00:05:34.220 --> 00:05:36.220 His method in that was 00:05:36.220 --> 00:05:38.220 To call to the path of his Lord 00:05:38.220 --> 00:05:41.220 With wisdom and beautiful preaching, 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:43.220 Thereby winning over alienated souls, 00:05:43.220 --> 00:05:46.220 And softening hardened hearts. 00:05:46.220 --> 00:05:50.220 Among these instances was that he would go out to the wilderness 00:05:50.220 --> 00:05:53.220 On the outskirts of Basra for seclusion and worship. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:57.220 A group of young men would pass by him, 00:05:57.220 --> 00:05:59.220 Who had given free rein to their youth, 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:03.220 Playing, having fun, wandering, and frolicking. 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:05.220 He would greet them with friendliness, 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:09.220 Address them gently, and say to them, 00:06:09.220 --> 00:06:14.220 "What do you say about a people who have resolved to travel for a great matter, 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:20.220 Yet during the day they deviate from the path to play and have fun, 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:23.220 And at night they sleep to rest? 00:06:23.220 --> 00:06:26.220 When do you think they will complete their journey, 00:06:26.220 --> 00:06:28.220 And reach their destination?" 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:32.220 He persisted in saying this time after time. 00:06:32.220 --> 00:06:35.319 Once, he met them, 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:37.319 And said that statement of his to them. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:40.480 A young man among them stood up and said, 00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:45.480 "By Allah, he means no one but us! 00:06:45.480 --> 00:06:49.480 For we play by day and sleep by night." 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:52.579 Then the young man separated from his companions, 00:06:52.579 --> 00:06:56.579 And followed Silah Ibn Ashyam from that day on, 00:06:56.579 --> 00:07:00.579 Remaining in his company until certainty (death) came to him. 00:07:00.579 --> 00:07:02.699 Also among these instances 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, 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, 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. 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:21.699 His companions were about to confront the young man, 00:07:21.699 --> 00:07:26.699 And wanted to seize him severely with their tongues and hands. 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:28.699 But Silah said to them, 00:07:28.699 --> 00:07:31.740 "Leave him to me; I will handle his matter for you." 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:33.740 Then he approached the young man, 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:36.740 And said with the gentleness of a compassionate father, 00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:38.740 And the tone of an intimate friend, 00:07:38.740 --> 00:07:40.740 "O son of my brother, 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:42.769 I have a need of you." 00:07:42.769 --> 00:07:44.769 The young man stopped, 00:07:44.769 --> 00:07:46.769 And said, "What is it, O uncle?" 00:07:46.769 --> 00:07:49.769 He said, "That you raise your garment, 00:07:49.769 --> 00:07:52.769 For that is cleaner for your garment, 00:07:52.769 --> 00:07:54.769 More pious before your Lord, 00:07:54.769 --> 00:07:56.769 And closer to the Sunnah of your Prophet." 00:07:56.769 --> 00:07:58.769 The young man said in shyness, 00:07:58.769 --> 00:08:01.769 "Yes, and with pleasure." 00:08:01.769 --> 00:08:05.060 Then he hastened and raised his garment. 00:08:05.060 --> 00:08:07.060 Silah said to his companions, 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:10.060 "This is better than what you intended. 00:08:10.060 --> 00:08:14.060 Had you struck him and insulted him, 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:16.060 He would have struck you and insulted you, 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:21.779 And kept his garment trailing, wiping the ground with it." 00:08:21.779 --> 00:08:25.779 Once, a young man from the youth of Basra came to him, 00:08:25.779 --> 00:08:26.779 And said, 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:30.779 "Teach me, O Abu al-Sahba', from what Allah has taught you." 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:32.779 Silah welcomed him warmly, 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:34.779 And said, 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:38.779 "O son of my brother, you have reminded me of a past I do not forget, 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:41.779 When I was a young man like you, 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, 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:48.879 And said to them, 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:51.879 'Teach me from what Allah has taught you.' 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:53.879 They said to me, 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:57.879 'Make the Qur'an the protection of your soul and the spring of your heart, 00:08:57.879 --> 00:09:01.879 Seek advice from it and advise the Muslims with it, 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:05.879 And supplicate to Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, as much as you can.'" 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:08.070 The young man said to him, 00:09:08.070 --> 00:09:10.070 "Supplicate for me, may you be rewarded with good." 00:09:10.070 --> 00:09:12.070 He said, 00:09:12.070 --> 00:09:15.070 "May Allah, the Exalted, make you desire what remains, 00:09:15.070 --> 00:09:18.070 Make you ascetic toward what perishes, 00:09:18.070 --> 00:09:22.070 And grant you the certainty in which souls find rest, 00:09:22.070 --> 00:09:26.740 And upon which one relies in religion." 00:09:26.740 --> 00:09:29.740 Silah Ibn Ashyam had 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:32.740 A cousin named Mu'adhah al-'Adawiyyah. 00:09:32.740 --> 00:09:35.740 She was also a Tabi'iyyah like him, 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:40.740 Having met the Mother of the Believers, 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:42.740 And learned from her. 00:09:42.740 --> 00:09:44.740 Then al-Hasan al-Basri met her, 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:46.740 May Allah brighten his soul, 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:47.740 And heard from her. 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:52.740 She was pious, pure, a worshiper, and an ascetic. 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:57.740 It was her habit, when the night approached, to say, 00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:00.740 "This might be my last night," 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:03.740 And she would not sleep until morning. 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:06.740 And when the day dawned, she would say: 00:10:06.740 --> 00:10:09.740 "This may well be my final day." 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:13.740 Thus, she would not allow herself any rest until evening fell. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:17.740 She would wear thin garments during the winter, 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:21.740 so that the cold would prevent her from succumbing to sleep 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:23.740 and becoming distracted from her worship. 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:27.740 She would spend the night in prayer and recitation. 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:29.740 And when drowsiness overcame her, 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:32.740 she would stand and pace the house, saying: 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:36.740 "O soul, a long sleep lies ahead of you; 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:39.740 tomorrow your slumber in the grave will be long, 00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:43.740 either in regret or in joy. 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:46.740 So choose for yourself today, O Mu'adhah, 00:10:46.740 --> 00:10:50.740 what you would wish to be upon tomorrow." 00:10:52.110 --> 00:10:58.110 Despite his intense worship and extreme asceticism, Silah Ibn Ashyam 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. 00:11:03.110 --> 00:11:06.110 He sought the hand of his cousin, Mu'adhah, in marriage. 00:11:06.110 --> 00:11:10.240 When the day came for her to be brought to him, 00:11:10.240 --> 00:11:12.240 his nephew took charge of the preparations. 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:15.240 He took him to the bathhouse, 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:18.240 and then led him to her in a perfumed room. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:20.240 Once they were alone together, 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:24.240 he stood to perform the two Sunnah rak'ahs. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:27.240 She stood to pray behind him, following his lead. 00:11:27.240 --> 00:11:30.399 Then, the sweetness of prayer drew them both in, 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:34.399 and they continued praying together until the dawn broke. 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:36.460 When morning came, 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:39.460 his nephew came to him and said, 00:11:39.460 --> 00:11:42.460 "O uncle, I brought your cousin to you, 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:46.460 yet you stood praying all night and left her alone." 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:49.460 He replied, "O my nephew, 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:54.460 you brought me yesterday into a house that reminded me of the Fire, 00:11:54.460 --> 00:11:56.460 and then you brought me into another 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:58.460 that reminded me of Paradise. 00:11:58.460 --> 00:12:02.460 My thoughts remained fixed on them until morning." 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:04.720 The young man asked, 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:06.720 "How so, uncle?" 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:07.720 He replied, 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:09.720 "You took me to the bathhouse, 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:12.720 and its heat reminded me of the heat of Hell. 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:15.720 Then you took me to the bridal chamber, 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:18.720 and its fragrance reminded me of the fragrance of Paradise." 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:24.190 Silah Ibn Ashyam was not merely a devout worshiper 00:12:24.190 --> 00:12:27.190 and an ascetic; 00:12:27.190 --> 00:12:31.190 he was also a valiant warrior 00:12:31.190 --> 00:12:33.190 and a heroic fighter. 00:12:33.190 --> 00:12:38.190 Rarely did the battlefields know a man of greater might, 00:12:38.190 --> 00:12:41.190 or stronger spirit, or sharper sword. 00:12:41.190 --> 00:12:47.190 So much so that the Muslim commanders would compete to have him in their ranks, 00:12:47.190 --> 00:12:51.190 each of them wanting to secure him for their army 00:12:51.190 --> 00:12:56.320 to reap, through his courage, the great victory they aspired to. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:12:58.320 Ja'far Ibn Zayd narrated: 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:02.320 "We went out on an expedition, and with us were Silah Ibn Ashyam 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.320 and Hisham Ibn 'Amir. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:06.320 When we encountered the enemy, 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:10.320 Silah and his companion stepped forward from the ranks of the Muslims 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:15.320 and plunged into the enemy lines, thrusting with spears and striking with swords, 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:20.320 until they made a profound impact on the vanguard of the army." 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:23.320 Some of the enemy commanders said to one another, 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:28.320 "Two men from the Muslim army have brought all this upon us; 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:31.320 what would it be like if they all fought us?" 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:36.320 "Submit to the rule of the Muslims and pledge them your obedience." 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:40.700 In the year 76 AH, 00:13:40.700 --> 00:13:45.700 Silah Ibn Ashyam went out on a campaign with the Muslim armies 00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:48.700 heading toward Transoxiana. 00:13:48.700 --> 00:13:51.700 His son was in his company. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.759 When the two armies met 00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:55.759 and the battle grew fierce, 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:57.759 Silah said to his son, 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:59.759 "O my son, 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:01.759 go forward and fight the enemies of Allah 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." 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:09.950 The young man set out to fight the enemy 00:14:09.950 --> 00:14:12.950 like an arrow released from a bow, 00:14:12.950 --> 00:14:18.019 and he continued fighting until he fell as a martyr. 00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:22.019 His father did nothing but follow in his footsteps, 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:26.019 and he continued to fight until he, too, fell as a martyr beside him. 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:29.080 When the news of their death reached Basra, 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:34.080 the women went to Mu'adhah al-'Adawiyyah to console her. 00:14:34.080 --> 00:14:36.080 She said to them, 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:39.080 "If you have come to congratulate me, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:41.080 then welcome. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:45.080 But if you have come for any other reason, 00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:48.080 then turn back, and may you be rewarded with good." 00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:53.580 May Allah illuminate these noble and generous faces, 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:57.580 and reward them well on behalf of Islam and the Muslims. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:03.580 For the history of humanity has known none more pious or pure than them. 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:10.720 Silah Ibn Ashyam learned from the great Companions, 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:13.720 drew inspiration from them, 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:16.940 and embodied their character. 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:19.490 Al-Asbahani said: 00:15:19.490 --> 00:15:24.289 "The best of the flock, in standing and example, 00:15:24.289 --> 00:15:29.289 following the Messenger whether in action or word. 00:15:29.289 --> 00:15:34.289 They were here, watering the clouds of our lives, 00:15:34.289 --> 00:15:40.289 and their memory remains exalted among us. 00:15:40.289 --> 00:15:45.289 They departed, leaving a question in the conscience: 00:15:45.289 --> 00:15:50.289 Is there any star like them that has risen and shone? 00:15:50.289 --> 00:15:55.289 They filled life with pride through their deeds, 00:15:55.289 --> 00:15:59.289 and the world of humanity flourished because of them."