WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:03.459 Pause, 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:08.460 and get to know the Companions, the scholars, and the great figures. 00:00:12.460 --> 00:00:16.460 A serious challenge: who am I? 00:00:16.460 --> 00:00:21.570 I am one of the Companions, 00:00:21.570 --> 00:00:25.570 among the early Emigrants (Muhajirun) who embraced Islam. 00:00:25.570 --> 00:00:27.600 I am of Arab descent, 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:30.600 but the Byzantines raided us 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:32.600 and took me as a captive. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:34.600 So I grew up among them, 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:38.600 until a foreign accent lingered in my speech. 00:00:38.600 --> 00:00:42.659 Then a man from the tribe of Kalb bought me, 00:00:42.659 --> 00:00:44.789 and sold me in Mecca. 00:00:44.789 --> 00:00:47.789 'Abdullah ibn Jud'an purchased me, 00:00:47.789 --> 00:00:49.789 was impressed by my intelligence, 00:00:49.789 --> 00:00:51.789 and set me free. 00:00:51.789 --> 00:00:53.789 We then became partners in trade, 00:00:53.789 --> 00:00:56.789 until I acquired great wealth. 00:00:56.789 --> 00:01:00.590 I embraced Islam at the very dawn of the call, 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) 00:01:03.590 --> 00:01:06.590 and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:01:06.590 --> 00:01:08.590 to be the third among them. 00:01:08.590 --> 00:01:11.590 But the disbelievers prevented me 00:01:11.590 --> 00:01:13.590 when they sensed my intention. 00:01:13.590 --> 00:01:17.590 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companion went ahead of me, 00:01:17.590 --> 00:01:19.590 while I was held back. 00:01:19.590 --> 00:01:25.450 Later, when I managed to slip away from the polytheists, 00:01:25.450 --> 00:01:27.450 I emigrated to Medina. 00:01:27.450 --> 00:01:29.450 They pursued me, 00:01:29.450 --> 00:01:31.450 and when they caught up with me, 00:01:31.450 --> 00:01:33.450 I dismounted from my camel 00:01:33.450 --> 00:01:35.450 and said to them: 00:01:35.450 --> 00:01:38.450 "You well know that I am one of the best archers among you, 00:01:38.450 --> 00:01:40.450 and by Allah, 00:01:40.450 --> 00:01:42.450 you shall not reach me 00:01:42.450 --> 00:01:47.450 until I shoot a man among you with every single arrow in my quiver, 00:01:47.450 --> 00:01:50.450 then I will strike you with my sword 00:01:50.450 --> 00:01:53.450 until nothing remains of it in my hand. 00:01:53.450 --> 00:01:56.450 So advance if you wish!" 00:01:56.450 --> 00:01:57.450 They replied: 00:01:57.450 --> 00:02:00.450 "You came to us as a destitute pauper, 00:02:00.450 --> 00:02:02.450 your wealth grew abundant among us, 00:02:02.450 --> 00:02:05.450 and you attained whatever stature you attained here, 00:02:05.450 --> 00:02:08.449 and now you depart with both yourself and your wealth?!" 00:02:08.449 --> 00:02:10.449 So I said to them: 00:02:10.449 --> 00:02:12.449 "If I tell you where my wealth is, 00:02:12.449 --> 00:02:14.449 will you leave me be?" 00:02:14.449 --> 00:02:16.449 They said, "Yes." 00:02:16.449 --> 00:02:18.449 So I told them where to find it. 00:02:18.449 --> 00:02:23.280 When I arrived before the Prophet (peace be upon him), 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:26.280 I found that divine revelation had already preceded me to him. 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:28.280 He said: 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:30.280 "A profitable transaction, O Abu Yahya!" 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:32.280 repeating it three times. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:33.280 So I said: 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:36.280 "O Messenger of Allah, who informed you? 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:39.280 No one has preceded me to you; 00:02:39.280 --> 00:02:42.280 none could have told you except Gabriel!" 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:45.280 And concerning me, Allah's saying was revealed: 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) 00:02:50.280 --> 00:02:54.280 seeking the pleasure of Allah, 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:59.280 and Allah is Ever Gracious to His servants. 00:03:01.430 --> 00:03:03.430 I was light-hearted, 00:03:03.430 --> 00:03:05.590 quick-witted and jovial. 00:03:05.590 --> 00:03:08.590 The Prophet (peace be upon him) once saw me 00:03:08.590 --> 00:03:11.590 eating fresh dates one day, 00:03:11.590 --> 00:03:14.590 while I was suffering from an inflamed eye. 00:03:14.590 --> 00:03:16.590 So he said to me, smiling: 00:03:16.590 --> 00:03:20.590 "Do you eat fresh dates while your eye is inflamed?" 00:03:20.590 --> 00:03:21.590 I replied: 00:03:21.590 --> 00:03:23.590 "What harm is there? 00:03:23.590 --> 00:03:27.590 I am only chewing on the side of my healthy eye!" 00:03:28.590 --> 00:03:34.419 The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), 00:03:34.419 --> 00:03:37.419 instructed me to lead the people in prayer 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:41.419 until the members of the consultative council chose the Caliph after him. 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:43.419 So I led them in prayer. 00:03:43.419 --> 00:03:45.460 So, who am I? 00:04:01.340 --> 00:04:06.569 The best of generations in stances and exemplary deeds, 00:04:06.569 --> 00:04:11.569 following the Messenger in whatever he strove for or uttered. 00:04:11.569 --> 00:04:16.569 They were here, quenching our lives like rain-bearing clouds; 00:04:16.569 --> 00:04:21.569 their memory stands tall among us, ever exalted. 00:04:21.569 --> 00:04:26.569 They departed, leaving in the conscience a lingering question: 00:04:27.569 --> 00:04:32.569 Has any star ever risen and shone as brightly as they did? 00:04:32.569 --> 00:04:37.569 They filled life with glorious feats through their deeds, 00:04:37.569 --> 00:04:41.569 and the world of mankind flourished through them.