WEBVTT 00:00:00.400 --> 00:00:03.399 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.399 --> 00:00:08.400 The best of generations in character and example, 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:13.400 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:17.399 Mawaddah Association presents: 00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.460 "Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un" 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:26.500 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:29.460 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:30.739 --> 00:00:32.740 Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz 00:00:32.740 --> 00:00:35.840 And his son Abd al-Malik. 00:00:42.869 --> 00:00:47.869 No sooner had the venerable Tabi'i, the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, 00:00:47.869 --> 00:00:52.869 Shaken the dust from his hands from the grave of his predecessor, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, 00:00:52.869 --> 00:00:55.869 Than he heard the ground rumbling around him. 00:00:55.869 --> 00:00:57.869 He asked, "What is this?" 00:00:57.869 --> 00:01:02.869 They replied, "These are the royal mounts of the caliphate, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:01:02.869 --> 00:01:05.870 Prepared for you to ride." 00:01:05.870 --> 00:01:08.870 Umar glanced sideways at them 00:01:08.870 --> 00:01:12.870 And said in his quavering voice, exhausted by fatigue 00:01:12.870 --> 00:01:14.870 And worn thin by sleepless nights: 00:01:14.870 --> 00:01:19.870 "What have I to do with them? Take them away from me, may Allah bless you, 00:01:19.870 --> 00:01:21.870 And bring me my mule, 00:01:21.870 --> 00:01:25.129 For it is sufficient for my needs." 00:01:25.129 --> 00:01:28.129 Then, no sooner had he settled firmly onto the back of the mule 00:01:28.129 --> 00:01:33.129 Than the chief of police came to march before him, 00:01:33.129 --> 00:01:38.129 Accompanied by a squadron of his men lined up on his right and left, 00:01:38.129 --> 00:01:41.129 Bearing glistening lances in their hands. 00:01:41.129 --> 00:01:43.129 He turned to him and said: 00:01:43.129 --> 00:01:46.129 "I have no need of you or them; 00:01:46.129 --> 00:01:49.129 I am merely a man from among the Muslims. 00:01:49.129 --> 00:01:51.129 I go out in the morning as they go out, 00:01:51.129 --> 00:01:54.129 And I return in the evening as they return." 00:01:54.129 --> 00:01:59.129 Then he proceeded, and the people walked with him until he entered the mosque, 00:01:59.129 --> 00:02:01.129 Where the call was raised among the people: 00:02:01.129 --> 00:02:03.129 "Assemble for prayer!" 00:02:03.129 --> 00:02:05.290 "Assemble for prayer!" 00:02:05.290 --> 00:02:09.379 The people poured into the mosque from every direction, 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:11.379 And when their assembly was complete, 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:13.379 He stood up among them to deliver a sermon. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:16.379 He praised Allah and extolled Him, 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:19.379 Sent blessings upon His Prophet, and then said: 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:21.379 "O people! 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:26.379 I have been tested with this office without my counsel, 00:02:26.379 --> 00:02:28.379 Without my seeking it, 00:02:28.379 --> 00:02:30.379 And without consultation with the Muslims. 00:02:30.379 --> 00:02:34.379 I hereby release you from the allegiance to me placed upon your necks; 00:02:34.379 --> 00:02:38.379 So choose for yourselves a caliph with whom you are pleased." 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:41.449 Thereupon, the people cried out with a single voice: 00:02:41.449 --> 00:02:45.449 "We have chosen you, O Commander of the Faithful, and are well pleased with you! 00:02:45.449 --> 00:02:48.449 So lead our affairs with good fortune and blessing!" 00:02:48.449 --> 00:02:51.479 When he saw that their voices had quieted 00:02:51.479 --> 00:02:53.479 And their hearts were set at ease, 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:57.539 He praised Allah once more and extolled Him, 00:02:57.539 --> 00:03:01.539 Sent blessings and peace upon Muhammad, His servant and Messenger, 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:04.539 And began urging the people toward mindfulness of Allah (taqwa), 00:03:04.539 --> 00:03:08.539 Fostering their detachment from the worldly life, instilling longing for the Hereafter, 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:13.539 And reminding them of death in a manner that softened hardened hearts 00:03:13.539 --> 00:03:16.539 And drew forth unyielding tears— 00:03:16.539 --> 00:03:19.539 Words that emerged from the speaker's innermost heart 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:22.539 To settle deep within the hearts of his listeners. 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:28.539 Then he raised his weary voice so that everyone could hear him, and said: 00:03:28.539 --> 00:03:33.539 "O people! Whoever obeys Allah, obedience to him is obligatory; 00:03:33.539 --> 00:03:38.539 But whoever disobeys Allah, no one owes him any obedience. 00:03:38.539 --> 00:03:42.539 O people! Obey me so long as I obey Allah concerning you; 00:03:42.539 --> 00:03:47.539 But if I disobey Allah, you owe me no obedience whatsoever." 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:49.539 Then he stepped down from the pulpit, 00:03:49.539 --> 00:03:53.539 Headed to his house, and retired to his room, 00:03:53.539 --> 00:03:57.539 Seeking to take an hour of rest 00:03:57.539 --> 00:04:03.539 After the grueling exertion he had endured since the death of the caliph. 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:07.979 Yet, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz 00:04:07.979 --> 00:04:10.979 Had barely laid his side down on his bed 00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:13.979 When his son Abd al-Malik entered upon him— 00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:18.980 Who was at that time approaching seventeen years of age— 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:23.980 And asked, "What do you intend to do, O Commander of the Faithful?" 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:28.980 He replied, "My dear son, I wish to take a short nap, 00:04:28.980 --> 00:04:31.980 For there is no strength left in my body." 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:38.980 He said, "Will you slumber before restoring usurped rights to their rightful owners, O Commander of the Faithful?" 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:44.980 He answered, "My dear son, I stayed awake all of last night attending to your uncle Sulayman, 00:04:44.980 --> 00:04:48.980 And when noon arrives, I will lead the people in prayer 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:52.980 And restore the usurped rights to their owners, if Allah wills." 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:58.980 He said, "And who can guarantee for you, O Commander of the Faithful, that you will live until noon?" 00:04:58.980 --> 00:05:01.980 This remark ignited Umar’s resolve, 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:04.980 Banished sleep from his eyes, 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:07.980 And infused strength and vigor into his exhausted body. 00:05:07.980 --> 00:05:12.980 He said, "Come close to me, my dear son." So he drew near, 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:17.980 And Umar embraced him, kissed him between the eyes, and said: 00:05:17.980 --> 00:05:22.980 "Praise be to Allah, Who brought forth from my loins one who aids me in my religion." 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:26.980 Then he arose and ordered that an announcement be made among the people: 00:05:26.980 --> 00:05:30.980 "Hear ye! Whoever has suffered an injustice, let him bring it forward!" 00:05:30.980 --> 00:05:34.199 Who, then, was this Abd al-Malik? 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:38.199 What is the story of this youth, concerning whom the people said 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:41.199 That it was he who steered his father into devotion 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:44.199 And guided him along the path of asceticism? 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:50.699 Let us explore the story of this righteous youth from its beginning. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:54.699 Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz had fifteen children, 00:05:54.699 --> 00:05:56.699 Among whom were three daughters. 00:05:56.699 --> 00:06:00.699 All of them possessed an abundant share of piety 00:06:00.699 --> 00:06:03.699 And a high standing in righteousness; 00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:07.699 Yet Abd al-Malik was the centerpiece of his siblings' necklace 00:06:07.699 --> 00:06:09.699 And their radiant, shining star. 00:06:09.699 --> 00:06:12.769 He was cultured, refined, and intelligent, 00:06:12.769 --> 00:06:15.769 Possessing the youth of a boy and the wisdom of a mature elder. 00:06:15.769 --> 00:06:19.769 Furthermore, he grew up in the obedience of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, 00:06:19.769 --> 00:06:21.769 From his earliest childhood. 00:06:21.769 --> 00:06:26.769 He was the closest of people in demeanor to the family of al-Khattab in general, 00:06:26.769 --> 00:06:29.769 And bore the closest resemblance to Abdullah ibn Umar in particular, 00:06:29.769 --> 00:06:31.769 In his reverent fear of Allah, 00:06:31.769 --> 00:06:33.769 His dread of disobeying Him, 00:06:33.769 --> 00:06:36.769 And his drawing near to Him through obedience. 00:06:36.769 --> 00:06:39.930 His cousin Asim narrated, saying: 00:06:39.930 --> 00:06:41.930 "I arrived in Damascus 00:06:41.930 --> 00:06:45.930 And stayed with my cousin Abd al-Malik, who was unmarried at the time. 00:06:45.930 --> 00:06:47.930 We prayed the night prayer (Isha), 00:06:47.930 --> 00:06:50.930 And each of us retired to his bed. 00:06:50.930 --> 00:06:55.089 Abd al-Malik got up, extinguished the lamp, 00:06:55.089 --> 00:06:58.089 And we both surrendered our eyes to sleep. 00:06:58.089 --> 00:07:01.180 Then I awoke in the middle of the night, 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:05.180 Only to find Abd al-Malik standing in prayer in the darkness, 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:08.180 Reciting the words of the Mighty and Sublime. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:12.180 What struck me about him was that he kept repeating the verse, 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:15.180 Sobbing with muffled, stifled weeping 00:07:15.180 --> 00:07:17.180 That tore at the heartstrings. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:21.180 Every time he finished the verse, he returned to it again, 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:24.180 Until I thought his weeping would kill him. 00:07:24.180 --> 00:07:27.180 When I witnessed that, I called out: 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:29.180 'There is no god but Allah! 00:07:29.180 --> 00:07:31.180 And all praise is due to Allah!' 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:34.180 Just as one waking from sleep would do, 00:07:34.180 --> 00:07:36.180 In order to interrupt his weeping. 00:07:36.180 --> 00:07:38.180 When he heard me, he fell silent, 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:42.750 And I did not hear a sound from him thereafter." 00:07:42.750 --> 00:07:44.750 The Umari youth studied 00:07:44.750 --> 00:07:47.750 Under the leading scholars of his era, 00:07:47.750 --> 00:07:49.750 Until he was thoroughly steeped in the Book of Allah, 00:07:49.750 --> 00:07:54.750 Deeply versed in the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:07:54.750 --> 00:07:56.750 And accomplished in fiqh. 00:07:56.750 --> 00:07:59.750 Thus, despite his young age, 00:07:59.750 --> 00:08:04.819 He rivaled the foremost rank of the jurists of the Levant in his time. 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:07.819 It is related that Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz 00:08:07.819 --> 00:08:10.819 Gathered the Qur'an reciters and jurists of the Levant 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:11.819 And said: 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:14.819 "I have summoned you regarding the matter of these usurped properties 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:17.819 Held in the hands of my household; 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:19.819 What is your view concerning them?" 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:20.819 They replied: 00:08:20.819 --> 00:08:22.819 "O Commander of the Faithful! 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:26.819 That was an affair that occurred outside of your rule, 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:30.819 And the burden of these injustices rests upon the one who seized them unlawfully." 00:08:30.819 --> 00:08:33.820 But he was not satisfied with what they said. 00:08:33.820 --> 00:08:38.820 Then one of those who held a different view leaned toward him and said: 00:08:38.820 --> 00:08:41.820 "Send for Abd al-Malik, O Commander of the Faithful, 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:46.820 For he is in no way inferior to those you have summoned in knowledge, fiqh, or intellect." 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:49.940 When Abd al-Malik entered upon him, 00:08:49.940 --> 00:08:51.940 Umar asked him: 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:56.940 "What is your view regarding this wealth that our cousins seized from the people unlawfully, 00:08:56.940 --> 00:09:00.940 Given that its owners have come forth demanding it, 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:02.940 And we have verified their rightful claim to it?" 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:03.940 He answered: 00:09:03.940 --> 00:09:08.940 "I believe you must return it to its rightful owners, so long as you have learned of their entitlement; 00:09:08.940 --> 00:09:10.940 For if you do not do so, 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:14.940 You will be a partner to those who seized it unlawfully." 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:16.940 Umar's face beamed with delight, 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:18.940 His soul found ease, 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:20.940 And the anxiety that weighed upon them both was lifted. 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:27.159 The Umari youth preferred stationing himself along the frontier outposts 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:30.159 And residing in one of the cities nearby 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:33.159 Over remaining in the heart of the Levant. 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:35.159 So he set out for them, 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:39.159 Leaving behind Damascus with its lush gardens, 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:41.159 Plentiful shade, 00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:43.159 And seven rivers. 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:49.159 His father, despite all he knew of his son's righteousness and piety, 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:52.159 Feared greatly for him from the incitements of Satan, 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:56.159 Worried deeply over him regarding the impulses of youth, 00:09:56.159 --> 00:10:01.159 And was eager to know everything he properly could about his affairs, 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:05.159 Never neglecting or overlooking that in the least. 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:07.159 Maymun ibn Mihran, 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:12.159 The minister, judge, and counselor to Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, related: 00:10:12.159 --> 00:10:15.159 "I entered upon Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:19.159 And found him writing a letter to his son Abd al-Malik, 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:22.159 Admonishing him and offering him counsel, 00:10:22.159 --> 00:10:24.159 Guiding him and cautioning him, 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:26.159 Warning him and giving him glad tidings. 00:10:26.159 --> 00:10:29.159 Among the things written therein was: 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.159 'To proceed: 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:36.159 The most deserving of people to heed my instruction and understand my words is you. 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:38.159 Indeed, Allah—praise be to Him— 00:10:38.159 --> 00:10:42.159 Has been gracious to us in matters small and great. 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:46.159 So remember, my son, Allah's favor upon you and upon your parents, 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:49.159 And beware of arrogance and haughtiness, 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:51.159 For they are of the work of Satan, 00:10:51.159 --> 00:10:55.159 And he is to the believers an open enemy. 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:58.159 Know that I have not sent you this letter of mine 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.159 Because of any ill report that has reached me concerning you, 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:03.159 For I have known nothing of your conduct except good; 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:08.159 Rather, something of your self-admiration has been reported to me. 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:12.159 And had this self-admiration led you into what I dislike, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:15.159 You would certainly have seen from me what you would dislike.' 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:16.159 Maymun said: 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:19.159 Then Umar turned to me and said: 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:21.159 "O Maymun, 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:24.159 my son 'Abd al-Malik has been made dear and pleasing in my eyes, 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:27.159 and I suspect myself on that account. 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:31.159 I fear that my love for him may have clouded my true judgment of him, 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:36.159 and that I have been overcome by that blindness which overtakes fathers regarding their children's faults. 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:39.159 Go to him and test his inner character, 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:43.159 and see if you detect in him anything resembling arrogance or boastfulness; 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:45.159 for he is still a young lad, 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:48.159 and I do not consider him safe from the whisperings of Satan." 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:50.159 Maymun said: 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:54.159 "So I set out on the journey to 'Abd al-Malik until I reached him. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:56.159 I asked permission and entered, 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:59.159 and there stood a young man in the prime of his youth, 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:01.159 blooming with vitality, 00:12:01.159 --> 00:12:03.159 radiant of countenance, 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:05.159 abundant in humility, 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:10.159 sitting upon a white cushion over a simple wool rug. 00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:12.159 He welcomed me and then said: 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:17.159 'I have heard my father speak of you with all the goodness that you truly deserve, 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:20.159 and I truly hope that Allah brings benefit through you.' 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:24.259 So I asked him: 'How do you find yourself?' 00:12:24.259 --> 00:12:25.259 He replied: 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:29.259 'In goodness and grace from Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:34.259 However, I fear that my father's good opinion of me may have deceived me, 00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:38.259 for I have not attained all the virtue that he thinks I possess. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:43.259 I truly dread that his love for me has overwhelmed his true knowledge of who I am, 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:46.259 and that I might thus become a source of trial and harm for him.' 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:48.259 I was astonished by the mutual harmony of their perceptions. 00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:53.320 Then I asked him: 'Inform me, from where do you earn your livelihood?' 00:12:53.320 --> 00:12:54.320 He said: 00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:58.320 'From the produce of land I purchased from someone who inherited it from his father, 00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:02.320 paying its price from purely lawful wealth entirely free of doubt; 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:06.379 thus I have made myself independent of the public treasury of the Muslims.' 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:08.509 I asked: 'What is your food?' 00:13:08.509 --> 00:13:09.509 He said: 00:13:09.509 --> 00:13:13.509 'One night meat, one night lentils and olive oil, 00:13:13.509 --> 00:13:15.509 and one night vinegar and olive oil; 00:13:15.509 --> 00:13:17.509 and in this there is ample sustenance.' 00:13:17.509 --> 00:13:19.700 So I asked him: 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:21.700 'Do you not feel any self-admiration?' 00:13:21.700 --> 00:13:23.740 He replied: 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:25.740 'There was indeed something of that in me, 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:27.740 but when my father admonished me, 00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:30.740 he opened my eyes to the reality of my own self, 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:32.740 diminished its worth in my esteem, 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:34.740 and humbled its status before my eyes; 00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:37.740 and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, benefited me greatly through that. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:41.740 So may Allah reward him with the best reward of a father!' 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.740 I sat with him for a while conversing, 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.740 delighted by his eloquence and speech, 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:48.740 for I had never seen anyone with a more handsome face, 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:50.740 nor of more sound intellect, 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:52.740 nor of finer manners and refinement than him, 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:54.740 despite his tender age 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:56.740 and limited experience. 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:58.769 Toward the end of the day, 00:13:58.769 --> 00:14:00.769 a servant came to him and said: 00:14:00.769 --> 00:14:03.769 'May Allah rectify you, we have finished.' 00:14:03.769 --> 00:14:05.769 'Abd al-Malik remained silent. 00:14:05.769 --> 00:14:06.769 I asked: 00:14:06.769 --> 00:14:08.769 'What is this that they have finished?' 00:14:08.769 --> 00:14:09.769 He replied: 00:14:09.769 --> 00:14:11.769 'The public bathhouse.' 00:14:11.769 --> 00:14:13.769 I said: 'What do you mean?' 00:14:13.769 --> 00:14:14.769 He said: 00:14:14.769 --> 00:14:16.769 'They cleared the people out of it for me.' 00:14:16.769 --> 00:14:18.769 I said: 00:14:18.769 --> 00:14:20.769 'You had indeed held in my heart 00:14:20.769 --> 00:14:21.769 a status of great esteem, 00:14:21.769 --> 00:14:23.769 until I heard this!' 00:14:23.769 --> 00:14:25.769 He was startled, uttered the words of grief and turning to Allah, 00:14:25.769 --> 00:14:26.769 and said: 00:14:26.769 --> 00:14:28.769 'And what is wrong with that, uncle, 00:14:28.769 --> 00:14:30.769 may Allah have mercy on you?' 00:14:30.769 --> 00:14:31.769 I said: 00:14:31.769 --> 00:14:32.769 'Does the public bathhouse belong to you?' 00:14:32.769 --> 00:14:34.799 He said: 'No.' 00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:35.799 I said: 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:38.799 'Then what prompted you to have people driven out of it, 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:40.799 as if you desire by doing so 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.799 to elevate yourself above them, 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:44.799 and to assign yourself a status 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:46.799 that towers over their status? 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:48.799 Moreover, you harm 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:50.799 the bathhouse owner regarding his daily earnings, 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:52.799 and you turn away whoever comes 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.799 to his bathhouse disappointed.' 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:55.799 He said: 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:57.799 'As for the owner of the bathhouse, 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:59.799 I satisfy him and give him 00:14:59.799 --> 00:15:01.830 his full daily revenue.' 00:15:01.830 --> 00:15:02.830 I said: 00:15:02.830 --> 00:15:04.830 'This is an extravagant expenditure 00:15:04.830 --> 00:15:05.830 tainted by pride! 00:15:05.830 --> 00:15:07.830 And what prevents you from entering 00:15:07.830 --> 00:15:09.830 the bathhouse alongside the people, 00:15:09.830 --> 00:15:11.830 being just like any one of them?' 00:15:11.830 --> 00:15:12.830 He replied: 00:15:12.830 --> 00:15:14.830 'What prevents me from doing so 00:15:14.830 --> 00:15:16.830 is that a group among the common folk 00:15:16.830 --> 00:15:18.830 enter the bathhouse without waist-wraps, 00:15:18.830 --> 00:15:20.830 and I detest looking upon their nakedness, 00:15:20.830 --> 00:15:22.830 just as I detest compelling them 00:15:22.830 --> 00:15:24.830 to put on waist-wraps, 00:15:24.830 --> 00:15:26.830 lest they take that 00:15:26.830 --> 00:15:28.830 as an exercise of domineering power over them 00:15:28.830 --> 00:15:30.830 through political authority— 00:15:30.830 --> 00:15:32.830 from which I ask Allah to deliver us 00:15:32.830 --> 00:15:34.830 merely breaking even, 00:15:34.830 --> 00:15:36.830 with neither burden against us nor gain for us! 00:15:36.830 --> 00:15:38.830 So admonish me, may Allah have mercy on you, 00:15:38.830 --> 00:15:40.830 and grant me an advice by which I may benefit, 00:15:40.830 --> 00:15:42.830 and provide me an honorable way out of this matter.' 00:15:42.830 --> 00:15:44.830 I said: 00:15:44.830 --> 00:15:46.830 'Wait until 00:15:46.830 --> 00:15:48.830 the people leave the bathhouse at night 00:15:48.830 --> 00:15:50.830 and return to their homes, 00:15:50.830 --> 00:15:52.830 and only then enter it.' 00:15:52.830 --> 00:15:53.830 He said: 00:15:53.830 --> 00:15:54.830 'Without a doubt; 00:15:54.830 --> 00:15:55.830 that is to say, 00:15:55.830 --> 00:15:57.830 I pledge and swear 00:15:57.830 --> 00:15:59.830 that I will never enter it during the daytime 00:15:59.830 --> 00:16:01.830 after this day! 00:16:01.830 --> 00:16:03.830 Were it not for the severe cold of this land, 00:16:03.830 --> 00:16:05.830 I would never enter it at all.' 00:16:05.830 --> 00:16:07.830 He lowered his head for a moment 00:16:07.830 --> 00:16:09.830 as though deep in thought, 00:16:09.830 --> 00:16:11.830 then raised his head toward me 00:16:11.830 --> 00:16:13.830 and said: 00:16:13.830 --> 00:16:15.830 'I implore you by oath 00:16:15.830 --> 00:16:17.830 to conceal this matter from my father; 00:16:17.830 --> 00:16:19.830 for I would loathe for him to remain 00:16:19.830 --> 00:16:21.830 displeased with me, 00:16:21.830 --> 00:16:23.830 and I truly fear that death might intervene 00:16:23.830 --> 00:16:25.830 before securing his pleasure and forgiveness.' 00:16:25.830 --> 00:16:27.830 Maymun said: 00:16:27.830 --> 00:16:29.830 'At that point, I wanted to test 00:16:29.830 --> 00:16:31.830 his discernment, so I said to him: 00:16:31.830 --> 00:16:33.830 "If the Commander of the Believers asks me 00:16:33.830 --> 00:16:35.830 whether I saw anything amiss from you, 00:16:35.830 --> 00:16:37.830 would you be pleased for me to lie 00:16:37.830 --> 00:16:39.830 to him?" 00:16:39.830 --> 00:16:41.830 He said: "No, Allah forbid! 00:16:41.830 --> 00:16:43.830 Rather, tell him: 00:16:43.830 --> 00:16:45.830 'I noticed something in him, 00:16:45.830 --> 00:16:47.830 so I admonished him and magnified it 00:16:47.830 --> 00:16:49.830 in his eyes, 00:16:49.830 --> 00:16:51.830 and he hastened to renounce it.' 00:16:51.830 --> 00:16:53.830 For my father will not demand that you disclose 00:16:53.830 --> 00:16:55.830 what you have not volunteered to reveal to him, 00:16:55.830 --> 00:16:57.830 because Allah, the Sublime and Exalted, 00:16:57.830 --> 00:16:59.830 has protected him from prying into 00:16:59.830 --> 00:17:01.830 that which has been concealed."' 00:17:01.830 --> 00:17:03.830 Maymun said: 00:17:03.830 --> 00:17:05.829 "May Allah be pleased with the fifth 00:17:05.829 --> 00:17:07.829 of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, 00:17:07.829 --> 00:17:11.339 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:13.339 and may He be pleased with him, 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:15.339 and may He illuminate his resting place and the resting place 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:17.339 of his son and dearest part of his heart, 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:19.339 'Abd al-Malik! 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:21.339 And peace be upon them both on the day 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:23.339 they departed to the Highest Companion, 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:25.339 and peace be upon them both on the day 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:27.339 they shall be resurrected alongside 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:29.339 the righteous and pure elect! 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:35.750 Do you not know that every 00:17:35.750 --> 00:17:37.750 people has a noble paragon, 00:17:37.750 --> 00:17:40.230 and that the noble paragon 00:17:40.230 --> 00:17:42.230 of Banu Umayyah is 'Umar 00:17:42.230 --> 00:17:44.740 ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz, 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:46.740 and that he will be resurrected on the Day of 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:49.769 Resurrection as an entire Ummah unto himself?" 00:17:49.769 --> 00:17:51.769 Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn al-Husayn said: 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.980 "They departed, leaving behind 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:16.980 in our conscience a lingering question: 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.980 Was there ever like them 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:21.980 a star that soared and shone so bright? 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:23.980 They filled this life 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:25.980 with glorious deeds 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.980 through their righteous actions, 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:29.980 and by them 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:32.619 our world was made to flourish and shine."