1 00:00:00,460 --> 00:00:03,459 Pause, 2 00:00:03,459 --> 00:00:08,460 and get to know the Companions, the scholars, and the great figures. 3 00:00:12,460 --> 00:00:16,460 A serious challenge: who am I? 4 00:00:16,460 --> 00:00:21,570 I am one of the Companions, 5 00:00:21,570 --> 00:00:25,570 among the early Emigrants (Muhajirun) who embraced Islam. 6 00:00:25,570 --> 00:00:27,600 I am of Arab descent, 7 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:30,600 but the Byzantines raided us 8 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:32,600 and took me as a captive. 9 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:34,600 So I grew up among them, 10 00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:38,600 until a foreign accent lingered in my speech. 11 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:42,659 Then a man from the tribe of Kalb bought me, 12 00:00:42,659 --> 00:00:44,789 and sold me in Mecca. 13 00:00:44,789 --> 00:00:47,789 'Abdullah ibn Jud'an purchased me, 14 00:00:47,789 --> 00:00:49,789 was impressed by my intelligence, 15 00:00:49,789 --> 00:00:51,789 and set me free. 16 00:00:51,789 --> 00:00:53,789 We then became partners in trade, 17 00:00:53,789 --> 00:00:56,789 until I acquired great wealth. 18 00:00:56,789 --> 00:01:00,590 I embraced Islam at the very dawn of the call, 19 00:01:00,590 --> 00:01:03,590 and decided to emigrate with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 20 00:01:03,590 --> 00:01:06,590 and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), 21 00:01:06,590 --> 00:01:08,590 to be the third among them. 22 00:01:08,590 --> 00:01:11,590 But the disbelievers prevented me 23 00:01:11,590 --> 00:01:13,590 when they sensed my intention. 24 00:01:13,590 --> 00:01:17,590 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companion went ahead of me, 25 00:01:17,590 --> 00:01:19,590 while I was held back. 26 00:01:19,590 --> 00:01:25,450 Later, when I managed to slip away from the polytheists, 27 00:01:25,450 --> 00:01:27,450 I emigrated to Medina. 28 00:01:27,450 --> 00:01:29,450 They pursued me, 29 00:01:29,450 --> 00:01:31,450 and when they caught up with me, 30 00:01:31,450 --> 00:01:33,450 I dismounted from my camel 31 00:01:33,450 --> 00:01:35,450 and said to them: 32 00:01:35,450 --> 00:01:38,450 "You well know that I am one of the best archers among you, 33 00:01:38,450 --> 00:01:40,450 and by Allah, 34 00:01:40,450 --> 00:01:42,450 you shall not reach me 35 00:01:42,450 --> 00:01:47,450 until I shoot a man among you with every single arrow in my quiver, 36 00:01:47,450 --> 00:01:50,450 then I will strike you with my sword 37 00:01:50,450 --> 00:01:53,450 until nothing remains of it in my hand. 38 00:01:53,450 --> 00:01:56,450 So advance if you wish!" 39 00:01:56,450 --> 00:01:57,450 They replied: 40 00:01:57,450 --> 00:02:00,450 "You came to us as a destitute pauper, 41 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:02,450 your wealth grew abundant among us, 42 00:02:02,450 --> 00:02:05,450 and you attained whatever stature you attained here, 43 00:02:05,450 --> 00:02:08,449 and now you depart with both yourself and your wealth?!" 44 00:02:08,449 --> 00:02:10,449 So I said to them: 45 00:02:10,449 --> 00:02:12,449 "If I tell you where my wealth is, 46 00:02:12,449 --> 00:02:14,449 will you leave me be?" 47 00:02:14,449 --> 00:02:16,449 They said, "Yes." 48 00:02:16,449 --> 00:02:18,449 So I told them where to find it. 49 00:02:18,449 --> 00:02:23,280 When I arrived before the Prophet (peace be upon him), 50 00:02:23,280 --> 00:02:26,280 I found that divine revelation had already preceded me to him. 51 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,280 He said: 52 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:30,280 "A profitable transaction, O Abu Yahya!" 53 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,280 repeating it three times. 54 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:33,280 So I said: 55 00:02:33,280 --> 00:02:36,280 "O Messenger of Allah, who informed you? 56 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:39,280 No one has preceded me to you; 57 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,280 none could have told you except Gabriel!" 58 00:02:42,280 --> 00:02:45,280 And concerning me, Allah's saying was revealed: 59 00:02:45,280 --> 00:02:50,280 “And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah; and Allah hath compassion on (His) bondmen.” (2:207) 60 00:02:50,280 --> 00:02:54,280 seeking the pleasure of Allah, 61 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:59,280 and Allah is Ever Gracious to His servants. 62 00:03:01,430 --> 00:03:03,430 I was light-hearted, 63 00:03:03,430 --> 00:03:05,590 quick-witted and jovial. 64 00:03:05,590 --> 00:03:08,590 The Prophet (peace be upon him) once saw me 65 00:03:08,590 --> 00:03:11,590 eating fresh dates one day, 66 00:03:11,590 --> 00:03:14,590 while I was suffering from an inflamed eye. 67 00:03:14,590 --> 00:03:16,590 So he said to me, smiling: 68 00:03:16,590 --> 00:03:20,590 "Do you eat fresh dates while your eye is inflamed?" 69 00:03:20,590 --> 00:03:21,590 I replied: 70 00:03:21,590 --> 00:03:23,590 "What harm is there? 71 00:03:23,590 --> 00:03:27,590 I am only chewing on the side of my healthy eye!" 72 00:03:28,590 --> 00:03:34,419 The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), 73 00:03:34,419 --> 00:03:37,419 instructed me to lead the people in prayer 74 00:03:37,419 --> 00:03:41,419 until the members of the consultative council chose the Caliph after him. 75 00:03:41,419 --> 00:03:43,419 So I led them in prayer. 76 00:03:43,419 --> 00:03:45,460 So, who am I? 77 00:04:01,340 --> 00:04:06,569 The best of generations in stances and exemplary deeds, 78 00:04:06,569 --> 00:04:11,569 following the Messenger in whatever he strove for or uttered. 79 00:04:11,569 --> 00:04:16,569 They were here, quenching our lives like rain-bearing clouds; 80 00:04:16,569 --> 00:04:21,569 their memory stands tall among us, ever exalted. 81 00:04:21,569 --> 00:04:26,569 They departed, leaving in the conscience a lingering question: 82 00:04:27,569 --> 00:04:32,569 Has any star ever risen and shone as brightly as they did? 83 00:04:32,569 --> 00:04:37,569 They filled life with glorious feats through their deeds, 84 00:04:37,569 --> 00:04:41,569 and the world of mankind flourished through them.