1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:15,449 --> 00:00:18,449 Mawaddah Association is pleased 3 00:00:18,449 --> 00:00:22,449 to present to you snapshots from the lives of the Companions, 4 00:00:22,449 --> 00:00:25,449 authored by 'Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 5 00:00:25,449 --> 00:00:30,260 may Allah have mercy on him. 6 00:00:30,260 --> 00:00:32,259 The Family of Yasir, 7 00:00:32,259 --> 00:00:36,189 may Allah be pleased with them. 8 00:00:47,979 --> 00:00:53,509 On a dewy, cool morning, 9 00:00:53,509 --> 00:00:55,509 fragrant with fresh air, 10 00:00:55,509 --> 00:00:58,509 one of the caravans arriving from Yemen reached 11 00:00:58,509 --> 00:01:00,509 the outskirts of Mecca. 12 00:01:00,509 --> 00:01:02,509 As Yasir ibn 'Amir 13 00:01:02,509 --> 00:01:05,510 al-Kinani looked upon the Venerable Ka'bah, 14 00:01:05,510 --> 00:01:07,510 its brilliance dazzled him, 15 00:01:07,510 --> 00:01:10,510 and his heart fluttered with joy at the sight of it, 16 00:01:10,510 --> 00:01:15,510 for his eyes had never enjoyed the pleasure of beholding it before. 17 00:01:15,510 --> 00:01:19,579 Yasir's arrival in Mecca was not for trade, 18 00:01:19,579 --> 00:01:22,579 as was the case with the men of the caravan; 19 00:01:22,579 --> 00:01:26,579 rather, he had come alongside his brothers, al-Harith and Malik, 20 00:01:26,579 --> 00:01:30,579 to search for a brother of theirs who had gone missing years ago, 21 00:01:30,579 --> 00:01:33,769 leaving behind no trace. 22 00:01:33,769 --> 00:01:38,769 The three young men set out searching for their brother everywhere 23 00:01:38,769 --> 00:01:41,769 and asking every group about him, 24 00:01:41,769 --> 00:01:44,769 until, despairing of ever finding him, 25 00:01:44,769 --> 00:01:46,989 their paths diverged. 26 00:01:46,989 --> 00:01:48,989 As for al-Harith and Malik, 27 00:01:48,989 --> 00:01:50,989 they returned to the haunts of their childhood 28 00:01:50,989 --> 00:01:53,989 and the pastures of their youth in happy Yemen. 29 00:01:53,989 --> 00:01:55,989 As for Yasir, 30 00:01:55,989 --> 00:01:57,989 Mecca captivated him 31 00:01:57,989 --> 00:02:03,120 and enticed him to make it his home and settled abode. 32 00:02:03,120 --> 00:02:06,120 Yasir ibn 'Amir al-Kinani did not know, 33 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:09,120 when he made this decision, 34 00:02:09,120 --> 00:02:11,120 what glory was destined for him, 35 00:02:11,120 --> 00:02:16,120 nor did he realize that he was entering history through its widest gates, 36 00:02:16,120 --> 00:02:21,120 and that from his loin would come a youth who would adorn the brow of the world 37 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,120 whenever it wished to bedeck itself before humanity. 38 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:30,280 However, Yasir had no tribal allies in Mecca to protect him, 39 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,280 nor a family to shield him, 40 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:38,340 so a stranger like him had no choice but to ally himself with one of the town's chief nobles, 41 00:02:38,340 --> 00:02:45,340 so that he could live safely and securely in a society that had no place for the weak. 42 00:02:45,340 --> 00:02:51,379 Thus, he entered into an alliance with Abu Hudhayfah ibn al-Mughirah al-Makhzumi. 43 00:02:51,379 --> 00:02:58,569 Abu Hudhayfah saw in Yasir such noble traits and honorable character as endeared him to his heart, 44 00:02:58,569 --> 00:03:03,569 so he married him to a bondwoman of his named Sumayyah bint Khabbat. 45 00:03:03,569 --> 00:03:09,659 The first fruit of this marriage was a boy in whom both parents rejoiced exceedingly, 46 00:03:09,659 --> 00:03:12,659 and whom they named 'Ammar. 47 00:03:12,659 --> 00:03:18,659 Their joy in him multiplied when Abu Hudhayfah manumitted him and set him free. 48 00:03:18,659 --> 00:03:24,949 The family lived under the care and protection of Banu Makhzum, enjoying a pleasant and content life. 49 00:03:24,949 --> 00:03:28,949 As the days rolled on and the years passed, 50 00:03:28,949 --> 00:03:33,949 Yasir and Sumayyah grew into aged, elderly people, 51 00:03:33,949 --> 00:03:39,139 while 'Ammar became a young man who commanded the admiration of all who saw and heard him. 52 00:03:39,139 --> 00:03:42,139 Then the earth shone with the light of its Lord, 53 00:03:42,139 --> 00:03:48,139 and from the valleys of Mecca burst forth a light that flooded the universe with goodness and blessing, 54 00:03:48,139 --> 00:03:51,240 filling it with justice and benevolence. 55 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:56,240 For the Unlettered Prophet arose, proclaiming the message of his Lord, 56 00:03:56,240 --> 00:03:59,240 warning his people and giving them glad tidings, 57 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:04,270 inviting them to that which brings honor in this world and happiness in the Hereafter. 58 00:04:04,270 --> 00:04:09,270 'Ammar ibn Yasir heard news of the new call from the mouths of the people, 59 00:04:09,270 --> 00:04:13,270 and he opened his ears, heart, and mind to it. 60 00:04:13,270 --> 00:04:18,269 But when he found that what reached him about it was scant and meager, 61 00:04:18,269 --> 00:04:21,300 and unreliable news that did not quench his thirst, 62 00:04:21,300 --> 00:04:24,300 he said to himself: "Woe to you, 'Ammar! 63 00:04:24,300 --> 00:04:29,300 What makes you suffer from thirst when the spring is so near? 64 00:04:29,300 --> 00:04:31,300 Hasten to the bearer of the Message! 65 00:04:31,300 --> 00:04:34,300 Hasten to Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah, 66 00:04:34,300 --> 00:04:38,300 for with him and his companions lies the certain truth." 67 00:04:38,300 --> 00:04:44,560 'Ammar ibn Yasir went at once to the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, 68 00:04:44,660 --> 00:04:50,660 and there he was blessed with meeting the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 69 00:04:50,660 --> 00:04:54,660 He heard words from him that stirred his heart profoundly, 70 00:04:54,660 --> 00:04:59,660 and he absorbed from his guidance that which filled his heart with wisdom and light. 71 00:04:59,660 --> 00:05:02,660 So he extended his hand to him and said: 72 00:05:02,660 --> 00:05:05,660 "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, 73 00:05:05,660 --> 00:05:08,660 and I bear witness that you are His servant and His Messenger." 74 00:05:08,660 --> 00:05:12,819 'Ammar ibn Yasir turned to his mother, Sumayyah, 75 00:05:13,819 --> 00:05:15,819 and invited her to Islam, 76 00:05:15,819 --> 00:05:18,819 and how swiftly she responded to his call, 77 00:05:18,819 --> 00:05:21,819 as though she had been waiting for a prior appointment with him! 78 00:05:21,819 --> 00:05:25,009 Then he turned to his father, Yasir, 79 00:05:25,009 --> 00:05:28,009 and invited him to that which he had invited his mother, 80 00:05:28,009 --> 00:05:32,009 and his father was no less responsive than his mother. 81 00:05:32,009 --> 00:05:37,009 Thus, with the conversion of this blessed family, there joined the procession of light 82 00:05:37,009 --> 00:05:39,009 three shining stars 83 00:05:39,009 --> 00:05:44,009 whose radiance continues to flood the hearts of the believers to this day, 84 00:05:44,009 --> 00:05:47,009 and will remain so, by Allah's leave, 85 00:05:47,009 --> 00:05:51,009 until Allah inherits the earth and all who are upon it. 86 00:05:51,009 --> 00:05:55,389 News of the three individuals' conversion to Islam flew to Banu Makhzum, 87 00:05:55,389 --> 00:05:59,389 and they flew into a rage, consumed with fury, 88 00:05:59,389 --> 00:06:02,389 swearing to turn them back from their Islam 89 00:06:02,389 --> 00:06:05,389 or else send them to their ruin. 90 00:06:06,420 --> 00:06:10,420 So they began taking the parents and their young son out to the open desert of Mecca, 91 00:06:10,420 --> 00:06:13,420 dressing them in iron suits of armor, 92 00:06:13,420 --> 00:06:16,420 scorching them under the burning rays of the sun, 93 00:06:16,420 --> 00:06:18,420 depriving them of water, 94 00:06:18,420 --> 00:06:21,420 and taking turns beating them, 95 00:06:21,420 --> 00:06:25,420 until, when their throats went dry, their veins withered, 96 00:06:25,420 --> 00:06:29,420 their skins cracked, and their blood flowed, 97 00:06:29,420 --> 00:06:31,420 they left them for that day, 98 00:06:31,420 --> 00:06:35,420 only to repeat the ordeal with them on the morning of the very next day. 99 00:06:35,420 --> 00:06:40,620 The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, passed by them one day 100 00:06:40,620 --> 00:06:43,620 while they were being subjected to that excruciating torment, 101 00:06:43,620 --> 00:06:48,680 and it grieved him deeply that he possessed no power or means to succor them. 102 00:06:48,680 --> 00:06:51,680 He stood over them and said: 103 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:53,680 "Patience, O family of Yasir, 104 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:56,680 for your promised appointment is Paradise!" 105 00:06:56,680 --> 00:06:58,839 Thereupon, the tormented souls found tranquility, 106 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,839 the fixed eyes settled in relief, 107 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:05,839 and upon the exhausted faces appeared a contented smile. 108 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:10,189 The two elderly parents did not last much longer under this state. 109 00:07:10,189 --> 00:07:12,319 As for Sumayyah, 110 00:07:12,319 --> 00:07:15,319 Abu Jahl passed by her while she was being tortured 111 00:07:15,319 --> 00:07:17,319 and hurled the vilest insults at her, 112 00:07:17,319 --> 00:07:20,319 raining biting words upon her ears, 113 00:07:20,319 --> 00:07:22,319 but she paid him no heed. 114 00:07:22,319 --> 00:07:23,319 So he unsheathed his spear 115 00:07:23,319 --> 00:07:26,319 and stabbed her with it in her lower abdomen, 116 00:07:26,319 --> 00:07:29,319 the spear's point piercing through her back. 117 00:07:29,319 --> 00:07:33,319 Thus, she became the first martyr in Islam, 118 00:07:33,319 --> 00:07:36,319 and sufficient glory and honor is that for her! 119 00:07:36,319 --> 00:07:38,480 As for Yasir, 120 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:40,480 he died under torture 121 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:43,480 while bearing witness that there is no god but Allah, 122 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,480 and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. 123 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:51,800 The persecution intensified against 'Ammar after the martyrdom of his parents, 124 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:55,800 and his tormentors exceeded all bounds in torturing him. 125 00:07:55,800 --> 00:08:02,019 One day, he came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 126 00:08:02,019 --> 00:08:04,019 crestfallen, sorrowful, and ashamed. 127 00:08:04,019 --> 00:08:09,019 He tried to look at the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 128 00:08:09,019 --> 00:08:11,019 and fill his eyes with his sight, 129 00:08:11,019 --> 00:08:15,019 but he could not raise his gaze to him. 130 00:08:15,019 --> 00:08:18,279 So the Messenger, peace be upon him, said to him: 131 00:08:18,279 --> 00:08:21,279 "What is behind you, O 'Ammar?" 132 00:08:21,279 --> 00:08:23,500 'Ammar replied: 133 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:26,500 "A terrible evil, O Messenger of Allah!" 134 00:08:26,500 --> 00:08:29,569 He asked: "And what is that?" 135 00:08:29,569 --> 00:08:32,570 'Ammar said: "I was tortured yesterday 136 00:08:32,570 --> 00:08:35,570 until I suffered such hardship and distress 137 00:08:35,570 --> 00:08:38,570 as would have split a mountain asunder had it descended upon it. 138 00:08:38,570 --> 00:08:43,600 Moreover, the enemies of Allah were not satisfied with exposing me to the midday heat, 139 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,600 but burned my body with fire 140 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,629 and kept forcing me to revile you 141 00:08:49,629 --> 00:08:52,629 and speak well of their gods until I did so." 142 00:08:52,629 --> 00:08:56,629 Then he began to sob with heart-wrenching weeping. 143 00:08:56,629 --> 00:09:00,889 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to him: 144 00:09:00,889 --> 00:09:03,889 "How do you find your heart, O 'Ammar?" 145 00:09:03,889 --> 00:09:08,950 He replied: "I find it firmly at peace in faith, O Messenger of Allah." 146 00:09:08,950 --> 00:09:12,080 He said: "There is no blame upon you. 147 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:16,080 If they return to the like of it, then return to saying what you said." 148 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:19,080 Then Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, honored 'Ammar 149 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:21,080 and revealed Qur'an concerning him, 150 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:23,080 as the Almighty said: ﴿ Except for one who is forced while his heart is secure in faith ﴾. 151 00:09:23,080 --> 00:09:28,080 When the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, permitted his Companions to migrate to Medina, 152 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:34,080 'Ammar ibn Yasir was in the vanguard of those who migrated there, fleeing to preserve his religion. 153 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:38,179 No sooner had he reached Quba', where the emigrants were alighting, 154 00:09:38,179 --> 00:09:43,179 than he called upon them to build a mosque in which they could establish the prayer. 155 00:09:43,179 --> 00:09:45,179 They responded to his request, 156 00:09:45,179 --> 00:09:49,399 and thus the mosque erected by 'Ammar ibn Yasir 157 00:09:49,399 --> 00:09:52,399 was the very first mosque built in Islam— 158 00:09:52,399 --> 00:09:56,399 a sufficient precedence and virtue for him! 159 00:09:56,399 --> 00:10:01,529 When the Supreme Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, migrated to Medina, 160 00:10:01,529 --> 00:10:03,529 'Ammar's eyes were delighted by his presence, 161 00:10:03,529 --> 00:10:06,529 and he rejoiced over him as a beloved rejoices over his beloved. 162 00:10:06,529 --> 00:10:10,529 He adhered to him as a close friend adheres to his bosom companion, 163 00:10:10,529 --> 00:10:14,529 hardly ever parting from him by night or by day. 164 00:10:14,529 --> 00:10:20,590 The noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, reciprocated his love, 165 00:10:20,590 --> 00:10:23,659 and whenever 'Ammar approached him, he would say: 166 00:10:23,659 --> 00:10:26,659 "Welcome to the good and purified one!" 167 00:10:26,659 --> 00:10:28,779 On the day of Badr, 168 00:10:28,779 --> 00:10:32,779 'Ammar fought under the banner of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 169 00:10:32,779 --> 00:10:34,779 with the valor of the bravest heroes. 170 00:10:34,779 --> 00:10:38,779 He was the only Muslim who fought in this battle 171 00:10:38,779 --> 00:10:41,779 whose parents were both believing martyrs. 172 00:10:41,779 --> 00:10:47,200 When the Messenger, peace be upon him, passed away to the proximity of his Lord 173 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:50,200 and most of the Arabs apostatized from Islam, 174 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:55,200 'Ammar had a famous and noble stance on the Day of al-Yamamah. 175 00:10:55,200 --> 00:11:01,200 For when slaughter intensified among the Companions of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 176 00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:05,200 and death began snatching away the memorizers of the Qur'an, 177 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:09,200 shaking the ground beneath the feet of the Muslims, 178 00:11:09,200 --> 00:11:11,200 at that critical moment, 179 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:14,200 'Ammar ibn Yasir stood upon a prominent rock, 180 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:16,200 with his ear severed 181 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,200 and dangling from his head, 182 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:20,200 and called out: 183 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:22,200 "O assembly of Muslims! 184 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:24,200 Is it from Paradise that you are fleeing? 185 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:28,200 To me! To me, O assembly of Muslims!" 186 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,200 Then he charged ahead of them, 187 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:33,200 his ear swaying against the side of his cheek, 188 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:35,200 and the army launched an assault following his charge 189 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,200 until Musaylimah the Liar was killed, 190 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:42,200 and people began returning to the religion of Allah in crowds, 191 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,200 just as they had exited from it in crowds. 192 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:48,389 When the Caliphate passed to al-Faruq, 193 00:11:48,389 --> 00:11:50,389 he appointed him governor over Kufa, 194 00:11:50,389 --> 00:11:53,389 placing 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud alongside him, 195 00:11:53,389 --> 00:11:56,389 and wrote to its people saying: 196 00:11:56,389 --> 00:11:58,389 "To proceed: 197 00:11:58,389 --> 00:12:01,389 I have sent 'Ammar to you as a governor, 198 00:12:01,389 --> 00:12:05,389 and 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud as a teacher and advisor. 199 00:12:05,389 --> 00:12:11,389 Both of them are among the noble Companions of your Prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 200 00:12:11,389 --> 00:12:13,389 So listen to them, 201 00:12:13,389 --> 00:12:15,389 and follow their example. 202 00:12:15,389 --> 00:12:17,419 Later, a different judgment occurred to 'Umar, 203 00:12:17,419 --> 00:12:19,419 so he relieved him of his governorship. 204 00:12:19,419 --> 00:12:22,419 When he met him afterward, he asked him, 205 00:12:22,419 --> 00:12:25,419 "Did what I did distress you, O 'Ammar?" 206 00:12:25,419 --> 00:12:27,419 He replied, 207 00:12:27,419 --> 00:12:29,419 "By Allah, holding office distressed me far more 208 00:12:29,419 --> 00:12:33,419 than being relieved of it." 209 00:12:33,419 --> 00:12:36,580 May Allah be pleased with 'Ammar Ibn Yasir, 210 00:12:36,580 --> 00:12:41,580 for he was filled with faith from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet. 211 00:12:41,580 --> 00:12:44,580 And may Allah be pleased with his father, Yasir, 212 00:12:44,580 --> 00:12:46,580 and his mother, Sumayyah; 213 00:12:46,580 --> 00:12:50,580 for theirs was truly a household of faith. 214 00:12:50,580 --> 00:12:56,330 "Be patient, O family of Yasir, 215 00:12:56,330 --> 00:12:59,389 for your destination is Paradise." 216 00:12:59,389 --> 00:13:02,740 Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. 217 00:13:07,740 --> 00:13:09,740 Inspire me, O poetry! 218 00:13:09,740 --> 00:13:11,740 Assist me, so I may pour forth; 219 00:13:11,740 --> 00:13:13,740 is there any praise left unsaid in their honor?