1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:05,080 Among the beautiful aspects of the Prophetic biography (Seerah) 2 00:00:06,370 --> 00:00:08,369 is the testing and vetting of men. 3 00:00:13,339 --> 00:00:18,339 Every new mission requires supporters to uphold it, 4 00:00:18,339 --> 00:00:23,460 and dedicated individuals who strive and sacrifice for its sake. 5 00:00:23,460 --> 00:00:27,460 It is never sufficient to rely merely on good intentions when gathering followers and forming ranks, 6 00:00:27,460 --> 00:00:31,460 lest the mission be infiltrated and its core principles distorted. 7 00:00:31,460 --> 00:00:37,560 For this reason, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to vet strangers coming from outside Mecca, 8 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,560 keep the identities of his followers concealed, 9 00:00:40,560 --> 00:00:44,560 and address these visitors with utmost wisdom and extreme caution. 10 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:48,880 'Amr Ibn 'Abasah al-Sulami (may Allah be pleased with him) relates: 11 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:54,909 "During the pre-Islamic era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), I used to believe that people were in deep error 12 00:00:54,909 --> 00:00:58,909 and stood on nothing of truth while worshipping idols. 13 00:00:58,909 --> 00:01:02,939 Then I heard of a man in Mecca who was delivering profound news, 14 00:01:02,939 --> 00:01:06,939 so I mounted my riding camel and journeyed to him. 15 00:01:06,939 --> 00:01:11,939 I found the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, keeping a low profile, 16 00:01:11,939 --> 00:01:13,939 while his people were acting insolently and aggressively toward him. 17 00:01:13,939 --> 00:01:18,010 I used tact and discretion until I managed to enter upon him in Mecca, 18 00:01:18,010 --> 00:01:21,010 and I asked him: 'What are you?' 19 00:01:21,010 --> 00:01:24,010 He replied: 'I am a Prophet.' 20 00:01:24,010 --> 00:01:26,069 I asked: 'And what is a Prophet?' 21 00:01:26,069 --> 00:01:29,069 He answered: 'Allah has sent me.' 22 00:01:29,069 --> 00:01:33,099 I asked: 'With what message has He sent you?' 23 00:01:33,099 --> 00:01:38,170 He said: 'He sent me to uphold family ties, break the idols, 24 00:01:38,170 --> 00:01:42,170 and proclaim the absolute oneness of Allah, associating nothing with Him.' 25 00:01:42,170 --> 00:01:45,260 I said to him: 'Who is with you in this matter?' 26 00:01:45,260 --> 00:01:48,260 He replied: 'A free man and a slave.'" 27 00:01:48,260 --> 00:01:52,129 He did not name anyone specifically, 28 00:01:52,129 --> 00:01:56,129 nor that they were distinct groups among the people; 29 00:01:56,129 --> 00:02:01,129 he simply meant that Abu Bakr and Bilal were with him at that time 30 00:02:01,129 --> 00:02:03,219 among those who believed in him. 31 00:02:03,219 --> 00:02:06,219 "I said: 'I am ready to follow you.' 32 00:02:06,219 --> 00:02:11,219 He said: 'You cannot do so at the present time. 33 00:02:11,219 --> 00:02:14,219 Do you not see my vulnerable state and the hostility of the people? 34 00:02:14,219 --> 00:02:17,219 Rather, return to your family, 35 00:02:17,219 --> 00:02:22,020 and when you hear that I have prevailed, come to me.'" 36 00:02:22,020 --> 00:02:25,020 'Amr may well have practiced a form of calling to the faith, 37 00:02:25,020 --> 00:02:29,020 spreading news of the miracles of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 38 00:02:29,020 --> 00:02:32,020 as well as his noble character and greatness. 39 00:02:32,020 --> 00:02:35,060 He continued: "So I returned to my family, 40 00:02:35,060 --> 00:02:40,060 and eventually the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, arrived in Medina. 41 00:02:40,060 --> 00:02:42,060 While I was among my people, 42 00:02:42,060 --> 00:02:45,060 I began seeking out news 43 00:02:45,060 --> 00:02:48,060 and asking travelers after he arrived in Medina, 44 00:02:48,060 --> 00:02:53,060 until a group of people from Yathrib—from the residents of Medina—came to me. 45 00:02:53,060 --> 00:02:58,060 I asked them: 'What has become of this man who arrived in Medina?' 46 00:02:58,060 --> 00:03:02,060 They said: 'The people are rushing eagerly to him, 47 00:03:02,060 --> 00:03:07,150 and his tribe sought to kill him, but they were unable to do so.' 48 00:03:07,150 --> 00:03:10,150 So I traveled to Medina and entered upon him, 49 00:03:10,150 --> 00:03:14,180 and I asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you recognize me?' 50 00:03:14,180 --> 00:03:19,439 He replied: 'Yes, you are the one who met me in Mecca.'" 51 00:03:19,439 --> 00:03:22,439 Thus the Chosen One recognized him and did not fail to remember him, 52 00:03:22,439 --> 00:03:25,439 which demonstrates his exceptional discernment 53 00:03:25,439 --> 00:03:29,439 and his meticulous attention to everyone who entered and left his presence, 54 00:03:29,439 --> 00:03:33,439 reflecting the sharp alertness and profound awareness required of a caller to Allah. 55 00:03:33,439 --> 00:03:36,469 He said: "I replied: 'Indeed, that is so.' 56 00:03:36,469 --> 00:03:42,469 Then I said: 'O Prophet of Allah, teach me from what Allah has taught you and of which I am ignorant; 57 00:03:42,469 --> 00:03:44,469 teach me about the prayer.' 58 00:03:44,469 --> 00:03:48,569 He said: 'Perform the dawn prayer...' to the end of the hadith." 59 00:03:48,569 --> 00:03:52,020 Thus the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, welcomed him warmly, 60 00:03:52,020 --> 00:03:54,020 rejoiced at his arrival, 61 00:03:54,020 --> 00:03:58,020 and then taught him the rulings of ablution and prayer. 62 00:03:58,020 --> 00:04:00,139 And Allah is the Granter of success. 63 00:04:00,139 --> 00:04:04,139 Among the beautiful aspects of the Prophetic biography (Seerah)...