1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:15,509 --> 00:00:17,510 The Mawaddah Association is pleased 3 00:00:17,510 --> 00:00:19,510 to present to you 4 00:00:19,510 --> 00:00:22,510 "Portraits from the Lives of the Companions" 5 00:00:22,510 --> 00:00:25,510 by Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 6 00:00:25,510 --> 00:00:30,329 may Allah have mercy on him. 7 00:00:30,329 --> 00:00:34,329 Sa'id Ibn al-'As, may Allah be pleased with him. 8 00:00:50,229 --> 00:00:53,229 Sa'id Ibn al-'As al-Umawi al-Qurashi 9 00:00:53,229 --> 00:00:56,229 was a Companion deeply rooted in glory, 10 00:00:56,229 --> 00:00:58,229 of illustrious nobility. 11 00:00:58,229 --> 00:01:00,229 His grandfather, Sa'id, 12 00:01:00,229 --> 00:01:02,229 used to be called "Dhu al-Taj" (The Crowned One), 13 00:01:02,229 --> 00:01:04,230 because whenever he wore a turban, 14 00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:06,230 no one from Quraysh would wear 15 00:01:06,230 --> 00:01:08,230 a turban of the same color as his 16 00:01:08,230 --> 00:01:10,230 until he took it off, 17 00:01:10,230 --> 00:01:12,230 out of deep respect for him and veneration 18 00:01:12,230 --> 00:01:13,299 of his stature. 19 00:01:13,299 --> 00:01:15,299 His father, al-'As Ibn Sa'id, 20 00:01:15,299 --> 00:01:18,299 was a chieftain among the chieftains of Quraysh, 21 00:01:18,299 --> 00:01:20,299 and one of their foremost leaders. 22 00:01:20,299 --> 00:01:22,299 He fought alongside the polytheists 23 00:01:22,299 --> 00:01:23,299 in the Battle of Badr, 24 00:01:23,299 --> 00:01:25,299 together with his brother 'Utbah, 25 00:01:25,299 --> 00:01:26,299 and both were killed there. 26 00:01:26,299 --> 00:01:28,299 Al-'As met his death 27 00:01:28,299 --> 00:01:30,299 at the hands of 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib, 28 00:01:30,299 --> 00:01:31,299 may Allah be pleased with him. 29 00:01:31,299 --> 00:01:33,489 When his father and uncle were slain at Badr, 30 00:01:33,489 --> 00:01:35,489 Sa'id 31 00:01:35,489 --> 00:01:37,489 was only two years of age. 32 00:01:37,489 --> 00:01:39,489 Thereupon, 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan took him under his guardianship, 33 00:01:39,489 --> 00:01:41,489 may Allah be pleased with him, 34 00:01:41,489 --> 00:01:43,489 owing to the close bonds of kinship 35 00:01:43,489 --> 00:01:45,489 that tied him to the young boy. 36 00:01:45,489 --> 00:01:47,489 Thus, Sa'id Ibn al-'As grew up 37 00:01:47,489 --> 00:01:49,489 under the care of the generous, devout, 38 00:01:49,489 --> 00:01:51,489 constantly prostrating Possessor of the Two Lights, 39 00:01:51,489 --> 00:01:53,489 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan, 40 00:01:53,489 --> 00:01:55,489 and was raised under the watchful eyes of 'Uthman's wives, 41 00:01:55,489 --> 00:01:57,489 Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum, 42 00:01:57,489 --> 00:01:59,489 the daughters of the Master of the Messengers, 43 00:01:59,489 --> 00:02:01,489 Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullah, 44 00:02:01,489 --> 00:02:03,489 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 45 00:02:03,489 --> 00:02:05,489 Thus he inherited glory from generation 46 00:02:05,489 --> 00:02:07,489 to generation, 47 00:02:07,489 --> 00:02:09,490 and imbibed noble Prophetic characteristics 48 00:02:09,490 --> 00:02:11,490 and magnificent morals 49 00:02:11,490 --> 00:02:13,490 from their sweetest 50 00:02:13,490 --> 00:02:15,490 and purest springs, 51 00:02:15,490 --> 00:02:17,490 drawing Islam from its most abundant 52 00:02:17,490 --> 00:02:19,490 and robust sources. 53 00:02:19,490 --> 00:02:21,490 He recited the Qur'an alongside the close companion 54 00:02:21,490 --> 00:02:23,490 of the Book of Allah, 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan, 55 00:02:23,490 --> 00:02:25,490 and received it fresh 56 00:02:25,490 --> 00:02:27,490 and tender from the mouth of the Prophet, 57 00:02:27,490 --> 00:02:29,490 peace be upon him. 58 00:02:29,490 --> 00:02:31,490 He was among the people whose dialect was most similar 59 00:02:31,490 --> 00:02:33,490 to that of the Messenger of Allah, 60 00:02:33,490 --> 00:02:35,490 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 61 00:02:35,490 --> 00:02:37,490 He was also among the twelve 62 00:02:37,490 --> 00:02:39,490 men who transcribed 63 00:02:39,490 --> 00:02:41,490 the Qur'an during the era of 'Uthman 64 00:02:41,490 --> 00:02:43,490 and taught it to the people. 65 00:02:43,490 --> 00:02:45,490 Marks of leadership appeared upon Sa'id Ibn al-'As 66 00:02:45,490 --> 00:02:47,490 ever since 67 00:02:47,490 --> 00:02:49,490 he was a young youth. 68 00:02:49,490 --> 00:02:51,490 It is related that a woman once vowed 69 00:02:51,490 --> 00:02:53,490 to give a precious cloak 70 00:02:53,490 --> 00:02:55,490 she owned to the most noble of the Arabs; 71 00:02:55,490 --> 00:02:57,490 they said, "Give it to this boy," 72 00:02:57,490 --> 00:02:59,490 meaning Sa'id Ibn al-'As. 73 00:02:59,490 --> 00:03:01,490 Thereafter, luxurious garments 74 00:03:01,490 --> 00:03:03,490 were named 75 00:03:03,490 --> 00:03:05,490 "al-Sa'idiyyah" after him. 76 00:03:05,490 --> 00:03:07,550 And indeed, 77 00:03:07,550 --> 00:03:09,550 they were completely right 78 00:03:09,550 --> 00:03:11,550 when they foresaw for Sa'id Ibn al-'As 79 00:03:11,550 --> 00:03:13,550 that eminent leadership 80 00:03:13,550 --> 00:03:15,550 and unmatched generosity. 81 00:03:15,550 --> 00:03:17,550 For Sa'id Ibn al-'As governed 82 00:03:17,550 --> 00:03:19,550 provinces for the Muslims, 83 00:03:19,550 --> 00:03:21,550 led armies on their behalf, 84 00:03:21,550 --> 00:03:23,550 and achieved great conquests for them; 85 00:03:23,550 --> 00:03:25,550 Allah conquered Tabaristan and Jurjan at his hands. 86 00:03:25,550 --> 00:03:27,550 He remained 87 00:03:27,550 --> 00:03:29,550 a governor appointed by 'Uthman 88 00:03:29,550 --> 00:03:31,550 over the city of the Messenger, 89 00:03:31,550 --> 00:03:33,550 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 90 00:03:33,550 --> 00:03:35,550 until the wronged Caliph fell as a martyr, 91 00:03:35,550 --> 00:03:37,550 may Allah be pleased with him. 92 00:03:37,550 --> 00:03:39,550 Yet the trait that predominated 93 00:03:39,550 --> 00:03:41,550 in Sa'id Ibn al-'As 94 00:03:41,550 --> 00:03:43,550 was magnanimity and generosity, 95 00:03:43,550 --> 00:03:45,550 to the extent that Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi 96 00:03:45,550 --> 00:03:47,550 Sufyan nicknamed him "The Generous Man 97 00:03:47,550 --> 00:03:49,550 of Quraysh." 98 00:03:49,550 --> 00:03:51,550 For Allah bestowed abundance upon Sa'id Ibn al-'As 99 00:03:51,550 --> 00:03:53,550 without measure, 100 00:03:53,550 --> 00:03:55,550 and Sa'id bestowed it upon the servants of Allah 101 00:03:55,550 --> 00:03:57,550 without measure as well. 102 00:03:57,550 --> 00:03:59,740 Many splendid accounts 103 00:03:59,740 --> 00:04:01,740 have been related about him 104 00:04:01,740 --> 00:04:03,740 in this regard, 105 00:04:03,740 --> 00:04:05,740 and extraordinary, captivating stories 106 00:04:05,740 --> 00:04:07,740 have been told of him that filled the pages of history 107 00:04:07,740 --> 00:04:09,740 with praise and radiance. 108 00:04:09,740 --> 00:04:11,740 Among these is 109 00:04:11,740 --> 00:04:13,740 that Sa'id Ibn al-'As used to tie up 110 00:04:13,740 --> 00:04:15,740 purses of money every Friday 111 00:04:15,740 --> 00:04:17,740 and place them before 112 00:04:17,740 --> 00:04:19,740 the needy worshippers, 113 00:04:19,740 --> 00:04:21,740 so that when they finished their prayer, 114 00:04:21,740 --> 00:04:23,740 they would take them, rejoicing 115 00:04:23,740 --> 00:04:25,740 in them without having to beg. 116 00:04:25,740 --> 00:04:27,839 A man from among the reciters 117 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:29,839 used to attend his gathering 118 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:31,839 and learn the Book of Allah from him. 119 00:04:31,839 --> 00:04:33,839 He fell into poverty and suffered severe 120 00:04:33,839 --> 00:04:35,839 destitution. 121 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:37,839 His wife said to him, 122 00:04:37,839 --> 00:04:39,839 "Our governor, Sa'id Ibn al-'As, 123 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:41,839 is renowned for generosity. 124 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:43,839 If only you would mention your condition to him, 125 00:04:43,839 --> 00:04:45,839 perhaps he might grant you something." 126 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:47,839 He replied, "Woe to you! 127 00:04:47,839 --> 00:04:49,839 Do you want me to strip away my dignity? 128 00:04:49,839 --> 00:04:51,839 By Allah, I will not do so!" 129 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:53,939 Yet his need continued to grow dire, 130 00:04:53,939 --> 00:04:55,939 and his wife persisted 131 00:04:55,939 --> 00:04:57,939 in urging him to ask, 132 00:04:57,939 --> 00:04:59,939 until he came to the gathering of Sa'id 133 00:04:59,939 --> 00:05:01,939 Ibn al-'As as he was 134 00:05:01,939 --> 00:05:03,939 accustomed to doing every time. 135 00:05:03,939 --> 00:05:05,939 When the people departed, 136 00:05:05,939 --> 00:05:07,939 the man remained sitting in his place. 137 00:05:07,939 --> 00:05:09,939 Sa'id turned to him 138 00:05:09,939 --> 00:05:11,939 and said, "I presume you remain seated 139 00:05:11,939 --> 00:05:13,939 for a need?" 140 00:05:13,939 --> 00:05:15,939 The man remained silent. 141 00:05:15,939 --> 00:05:17,939 Sa'id said to his servants, 142 00:05:17,939 --> 00:05:19,939 "Leave us." 143 00:05:19,939 --> 00:05:21,939 When they left, he said to him, 144 00:05:21,939 --> 00:05:23,939 "None remains except you and me, 145 00:05:23,939 --> 00:05:25,939 so state your need." 146 00:05:25,939 --> 00:05:27,939 The man remained silent. 147 00:05:27,939 --> 00:05:29,939 So he extinguished the lamp and said to him, 148 00:05:29,939 --> 00:05:31,939 "May Allah have mercy on you, 149 00:05:31,939 --> 00:05:33,939 you cannot see my face now, 150 00:05:33,939 --> 00:05:35,939 so state your need." 151 00:05:35,939 --> 00:05:37,939 He said, "May Allah rectify the affairs of the governor! 152 00:05:37,939 --> 00:05:39,939 Destitution has afflicted us, 153 00:05:39,939 --> 00:05:41,939 and I wanted to mention it to you, 154 00:05:41,939 --> 00:05:43,939 but I felt too ashamed." 155 00:05:43,939 --> 00:05:45,939 Sa'id said, "Take it easy! 156 00:05:45,939 --> 00:05:47,939 When morning comes, go meet my agent, so-and-so." 157 00:05:47,939 --> 00:05:49,970 In the morning, 158 00:05:49,970 --> 00:05:51,970 the man met the agent of 159 00:05:51,970 --> 00:05:53,970 Sa'id Ibn al-'As, 160 00:05:53,970 --> 00:05:55,970 who said to him, "The governor 161 00:05:55,970 --> 00:05:57,970 has ordered something for you, 162 00:05:57,970 --> 00:05:59,970 so bring someone to help you carry it." 163 00:05:59,970 --> 00:06:01,970 He replied, "I have no one to carry it." 164 00:06:01,970 --> 00:06:03,970 He then went back to 165 00:06:03,970 --> 00:06:05,970 his wife, blamed her, and said, 166 00:06:05,970 --> 00:06:07,970 "You drove me to forfeit 167 00:06:07,970 --> 00:06:09,970 my self-respect before Sa'id Ibn al-'As, 168 00:06:09,970 --> 00:06:11,970 and he only ordered something for me 169 00:06:11,970 --> 00:06:13,970 that requires someone to carry it! 170 00:06:13,970 --> 00:06:15,970 I do not see that he ordered for me 171 00:06:15,970 --> 00:06:17,970 anything other than flour or food; 172 00:06:17,970 --> 00:06:19,970 had it been money, 173 00:06:19,970 --> 00:06:21,970 it would not have required someone to carry it, 174 00:06:21,970 --> 00:06:24,000 and he would have handed it directly to me!" 175 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,000 The woman said, 176 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,000 "Whatever he gives you, we are 177 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,060 in dire need of it, so go take it!" 178 00:06:30,060 --> 00:06:32,060 The man returned to the agent, 179 00:06:32,060 --> 00:06:34,060 and the agent said, 180 00:06:34,060 --> 00:06:36,060 "I informed the governor that 181 00:06:36,060 --> 00:06:38,060 you have no one to carry 182 00:06:38,060 --> 00:06:40,060 his gift to you, 183 00:06:40,060 --> 00:06:42,060 so he ordered these three servants 184 00:06:42,060 --> 00:06:44,100 to carry it with you." 185 00:06:44,100 --> 00:06:46,100 The man walked ahead of them, 186 00:06:46,100 --> 00:06:48,100 and when they reached the house, 187 00:06:48,100 --> 00:06:50,100 upon the head of each 188 00:06:50,100 --> 00:06:52,100 of them was ten thousand dirhams! 189 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:54,100 He said to the servants, 190 00:06:54,100 --> 00:06:56,100 "Put down what you are carrying and depart." 191 00:06:56,100 --> 00:06:58,100 But they said, 192 00:06:58,100 --> 00:07:00,100 "The governor has gifted us to you as well; 193 00:07:00,100 --> 00:07:02,100 for he never sends a servant 194 00:07:02,100 --> 00:07:04,100 with a gift to anyone 195 00:07:04,100 --> 00:07:06,100 except that the servant himself becomes part of 196 00:07:06,100 --> 00:07:08,189 the gift!" 197 00:07:08,189 --> 00:07:10,189 A Bedouin once came to Sa'id Ibn al-'As, 198 00:07:10,189 --> 00:07:12,189 so he ordered five hundred for him. 199 00:07:12,189 --> 00:07:14,189 So his agent asked him, 200 00:07:14,189 --> 00:07:16,189 "Five hundred dirhams, 201 00:07:16,189 --> 00:07:18,189 or dinars?" 202 00:07:18,189 --> 00:07:20,189 He replied, "I had intended to give you 203 00:07:20,189 --> 00:07:22,189 five hundred dirhams; 204 00:07:22,189 --> 00:07:24,189 but since the thought crossed your mind 205 00:07:24,189 --> 00:07:26,189 that they might be dinars, 206 00:07:26,189 --> 00:07:28,189 then give him five hundred dinars." 207 00:07:28,189 --> 00:07:30,189 When he received the money, 208 00:07:30,189 --> 00:07:32,189 the Bedouin sat down and began to weep. 209 00:07:32,189 --> 00:07:34,189 Sa'id asked him, 210 00:07:34,189 --> 00:07:36,189 "What is the matter with you? Did you not receive it?" 211 00:07:36,189 --> 00:07:38,189 He said, 212 00:07:38,189 --> 00:07:40,189 "Yes, by Allah! 213 00:07:40,189 --> 00:07:42,189 Rather, I weep for the earth: 214 00:07:42,189 --> 00:07:44,420 how can it bury a man like you?" 215 00:07:44,420 --> 00:07:46,420 Sa'id used to advise his son 'Amr, 216 00:07:46,420 --> 00:07:48,420 "O my son, 217 00:07:48,420 --> 00:07:50,420 offer your kindness spontaneously 218 00:07:50,420 --> 00:07:52,420 without being asked. 219 00:07:52,420 --> 00:07:54,420 For if a man comes to you, 220 00:07:54,420 --> 00:07:56,420 you can almost see the blood draining from his face 221 00:07:56,420 --> 00:07:58,420 out of modesty and shame; 222 00:07:58,420 --> 00:08:00,420 or he comes taking a great risk, 223 00:08:00,420 --> 00:08:02,420 not knowing whether you will grant his request or turn him away. 224 00:08:02,420 --> 00:08:04,420 By Allah, even if you were to give him all you possess, 225 00:08:04,420 --> 00:08:06,540 you would still not fully compensate him for that." 226 00:08:06,540 --> 00:08:08,540 And when death approached Sa'id ibn al-'As, 227 00:08:08,540 --> 00:08:10,540 he gathered his sons 228 00:08:10,540 --> 00:08:12,540 and said to them: 229 00:08:12,540 --> 00:08:14,540 "O my sons, let not 230 00:08:14,540 --> 00:08:16,540 my companions lose anything by my death except the sight of my face. 231 00:08:16,540 --> 00:08:18,540 Maintain ties with them just as I used to 232 00:08:18,540 --> 00:08:20,540 maintain ties with them; continue 233 00:08:20,540 --> 00:08:22,540 their stipends just as I used to grant them; 234 00:08:22,540 --> 00:08:24,540 and spare them the hardship 235 00:08:24,540 --> 00:08:26,540 of asking. For indeed, when a man 236 00:08:26,540 --> 00:08:28,540 asks for his need, 237 00:08:28,540 --> 00:08:30,540 his limbs tremble 238 00:08:30,540 --> 00:08:32,539 and his heart quivers with dread. 239 00:08:33,539 --> 00:08:35,539 By Allah, a man tossing and turning restlessly 240 00:08:35,539 --> 00:08:37,539 on his bed, 241 00:08:37,539 --> 00:08:39,539 seeing you as worthy of fulfilling his need, 242 00:08:39,539 --> 00:08:41,539 bestows a greater favor 243 00:08:41,539 --> 00:08:43,539 upon you than anything you could ever give him." 244 00:08:43,539 --> 00:08:45,669 When he passed away, 245 00:08:45,669 --> 00:08:47,669 his son, 'Amr ibn Sa'id— 246 00:08:47,669 --> 00:08:49,669 known as al-Ashdaq— 247 00:08:49,669 --> 00:08:51,669 went to Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan 248 00:08:51,669 --> 00:08:53,669 in Damascus to inform him 249 00:08:53,669 --> 00:08:55,669 of his father's death. 250 00:08:55,669 --> 00:08:57,669 Mu'awiyah wept and recited the verse of returning to Allah, 251 00:08:57,669 --> 00:08:59,669 and asked, "Did 252 00:08:59,669 --> 00:09:01,669 your father leave behind any debt?" 253 00:09:01,669 --> 00:09:03,669 He replied, "Yes." 254 00:09:03,669 --> 00:09:05,669 He asked, "And how much is it?" 255 00:09:05,669 --> 00:09:07,669 He said, "Three hundred thousand dirhams." 256 00:09:07,669 --> 00:09:09,669 Mu'awiyah said, 257 00:09:09,669 --> 00:09:11,700 "It is upon me to pay it." 258 00:09:11,700 --> 00:09:13,700 'Amr replied, "He instructed me 259 00:09:13,700 --> 00:09:15,700 not to settle his debt except from the proceeds 260 00:09:15,700 --> 00:09:17,700 of his own lands." 261 00:09:17,700 --> 00:09:19,700 So Mu'awiyah purchased a land from him 262 00:09:19,700 --> 00:09:21,830 equal to the amount of the debt. 263 00:09:21,830 --> 00:09:23,830 'Amr ibn Sa'id then returned 264 00:09:23,830 --> 00:09:25,830 to Medina 265 00:09:25,830 --> 00:09:27,830 and instructed a herald to announce among the people: 266 00:09:27,830 --> 00:09:29,830 "Whoever is owed a debt, 267 00:09:29,830 --> 00:09:31,830 let him come to his son 'Amr to collect it." 268 00:09:31,830 --> 00:09:33,929 A young man came to him 269 00:09:33,929 --> 00:09:35,929 carrying a piece of leather 270 00:09:35,929 --> 00:09:37,929 on which was written in his favor: 271 00:09:37,929 --> 00:09:39,929 "Twenty thousand." 272 00:09:39,929 --> 00:09:41,929 'Amr asked, "How did this debt become due 273 00:09:41,929 --> 00:09:43,929 against my father?" 274 00:09:43,929 --> 00:09:45,929 The young man replied, 275 00:09:45,929 --> 00:09:47,929 "Your father was leaving the governor's 276 00:09:47,929 --> 00:09:49,929 residence after having been dismissed from office, 277 00:09:49,929 --> 00:09:51,929 so I followed him, walking alongside him. 278 00:09:51,929 --> 00:09:53,929 When he saw me, he asked, 279 00:09:53,929 --> 00:09:55,929 'Do you have a need?' 280 00:09:55,929 --> 00:09:57,929 I replied, 'No, 281 00:09:57,929 --> 00:09:59,929 but I simply wished to be with you 282 00:09:59,929 --> 00:10:01,929 at this hour.' 283 00:10:01,929 --> 00:10:03,929 He said, 284 00:10:03,929 --> 00:10:05,929 'May Allah be with you.' 285 00:10:05,929 --> 00:10:07,929 Then he said, 'O my nephew, 286 00:10:07,929 --> 00:10:09,929 bring me an inkpot and a piece of leather.' 287 00:10:09,929 --> 00:10:11,929 So I brought them to him, 288 00:10:11,929 --> 00:10:13,929 and he wrote down twenty thousand for me, 289 00:10:13,929 --> 00:10:15,929 and said, 290 00:10:15,929 --> 00:10:17,929 'O my nephew, when our 291 00:10:17,929 --> 00:10:19,929 harvest comes, we will pay that to you.'" 292 00:10:19,929 --> 00:10:21,929 So 'Amr paid him 293 00:10:21,929 --> 00:10:23,929 the money and added to it 294 00:10:23,929 --> 00:10:25,929 a generous extra amount. 295 00:10:26,929 --> 00:10:28,929 Whoever leaves behind the likes of 'Amr ibn Sa'id 296 00:10:28,929 --> 00:10:30,929 has not truly died. 297 00:10:30,929 --> 00:10:32,929 May Allah be pleased with the generous and noble soul, 298 00:10:32,929 --> 00:10:34,929 the memorizer of the Book of Allah, 299 00:10:34,929 --> 00:10:36,929 Sa'id ibn al-'As, 300 00:10:36,929 --> 00:10:38,929 and may Allah illuminate his grave. 301 00:10:38,929 --> 00:10:44,190 Sa'id ibn al-'As was 302 00:10:44,190 --> 00:10:46,190 the most similar among the people 303 00:10:46,190 --> 00:10:48,190 in his manner of speech to the Messenger of Allah, 304 00:10:48,190 --> 00:10:50,190 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 305 00:10:59,190 --> 00:11:01,190 Let us proceed to the next account.