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 Who followed the Messenger in all he strove for and spoke. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:15.400 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:17.399 Presents: 00:00:17.399 --> 00:00:21.500 "Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un" 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:26.530 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:26.530 --> 00:00:28.530 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:28.530 --> 00:00:32.799 Sa'id ibn Jubayr, 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:34.899 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:47.240 He was a sturdy, well-proportioned young man of noble character, 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:51.240 Overflowing with vigor and vitality. 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:55.240 Moreover, he possessed a brilliant mind and sharp intellect, 00:00:55.240 --> 00:00:57.240 Always aspiring to noble virtues, 00:00:57.240 --> 00:01:00.460 And conscientiously abstaining from forbidden matters. 00:01:00.460 --> 00:01:03.460 Neither his dark complexion, his tightly curled hair, 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:05.459 Nor his Abyssinian lineage 00:01:05.459 --> 00:01:09.459 Ever detracted from his distinguished and extraordinary personality, 00:01:09.459 --> 00:01:13.750 Even despite his youth. 00:01:13.750 --> 00:01:16.750 This young man—Abyssinian by descent 00:01:16.750 --> 00:01:18.750 And Arab by allegiance (wala')—fully realized 00:01:18.750 --> 00:01:23.750 That sacred knowledge was the straight path leading him to Allah, 00:01:23.750 --> 00:01:25.750 And that God-fearing piety (taqwa) 00:01:25.750 --> 00:01:30.750 Was his paved way to reach Paradise. 00:01:30.750 --> 00:01:34.750 So he took piety in his right hand and knowledge in his left, 00:01:34.750 --> 00:01:37.750 Clinging firmly to both with all his might, 00:01:37.750 --> 00:01:43.750 And set forth on the journey of life without languor or hesitation. 00:01:43.750 --> 00:01:46.750 From his earliest youth, 00:01:46.750 --> 00:01:51.750 People would see him either devotedly studying his book, 00:01:51.750 --> 00:01:54.750 Or standing upright in his prayer niche, engrossed in worship. 00:01:54.750 --> 00:01:58.750 Such was the luminary of the Muslims in his era: 00:01:58.750 --> 00:02:03.750 Sa'id ibn Jubayr, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:02:03.750 --> 00:02:10.379 The young Sa'id ibn Jubayr acquired knowledge from an elite group of eminent Companions, 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:13.379 Such as Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:16.379 'Adi ibn Hatim al-Ta'i, 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:18.379 Abu Musa al-Ash'ari, 00:02:18.379 --> 00:02:20.379 Abu Hurayrah al-Dawsi, 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:22.379 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.379 And 'A'ishah, Mother of the Believers, 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:27.379 May Allah be pleased with her and all of them. 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:31.379 Yet his foremost teacher and greatest mentor 00:02:31.379 --> 00:02:34.379 Was 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas, 00:02:34.379 --> 00:02:36.379 The grand scholar of the Ummah of Muhammad 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:38.379 And the vast, boundless ocean of its knowledge. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:42.449 Sa'id ibn Jubayr attached himself to 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas 00:02:42.449 --> 00:02:44.449 As closely as a shadow accompanies its owner, 00:02:44.449 --> 00:02:47.449 Learning from him the Qur'an and its Tafsir, 00:02:47.449 --> 00:02:49.449 Hadith and its rare vocabulary, 00:02:49.449 --> 00:02:52.449 Mastering fiqh in religion under his guidance, 00:02:52.449 --> 00:02:55.449 Learning from him Qur'anic interpretation (ta'wil), 00:02:55.449 --> 00:02:57.449 And studying the Arabic language under him 00:02:57.449 --> 00:03:00.449 Until he achieved absolute mastery over it, 00:03:00.449 --> 00:03:05.449 To the extent that there remained no one on the face of the earth in his time 00:03:05.449 --> 00:03:08.449 Except that he was in need of his knowledge. 00:03:08.449 --> 00:03:11.449 He then traveled throughout the Muslim lands 00:03:11.449 --> 00:03:15.449 In search of knowledge for as long as Allah willed him to travel. 00:03:15.449 --> 00:03:18.449 Once he had acquired the full measure of knowledge he sought, 00:03:19.449 --> 00:03:22.449 He made Kufa his home and residence, 00:03:22.449 --> 00:03:26.449 Becoming a teacher and an imam for its people. 00:03:26.449 --> 00:03:29.449 He used to lead the people in prayer during Ramadan; 00:03:29.449 --> 00:03:33.449 One night he would recite according to the reading of 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, 00:03:33.449 --> 00:03:36.449 Another night according to the reading of Zayd ibn Thabit, 00:03:36.449 --> 00:03:39.449 And a third night according to yet another reading, 00:03:39.449 --> 00:03:41.509 And so on. 00:03:41.509 --> 00:03:43.509 Whenever he prayed alone, 00:03:43.509 --> 00:03:46.509 He would often recite the entire Qur'an. 00:03:47.509 --> 00:03:50.509 Whenever he passed by the words of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, 00:03:50.509 --> 00:04:15.699 Or passed by similar verses of promise and warning, 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:19.699 His skin would shiver, his heart would tremble, 00:04:19.699 --> 00:04:22.699 And his eyes would overflow with tears. 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:25.699 He would repeatedly recite the verse over and over again 00:04:25.699 --> 00:04:28.699 Until it seemed as though he were about to perish. 00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:35.139 He made a regular habit of journeying to the Sacred House twice every year: 00:04:35.139 --> 00:04:38.139 Once in Rajab, entering into ihram 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:40.139 For 'Umrah, 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:44.139 And another in Dhu al-Qi'dah, entering into ihram for Hajj. 00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:49.139 Students of knowledge and seekers of good, virtue, and counsel 00:04:49.139 --> 00:04:51.139 Used to flock to Kufa 00:04:51.139 --> 00:04:56.139 To drink deeply from the abundant, pure springs of Sa'id ibn Jubayr 00:04:56.139 --> 00:04:59.139 And to partake of his upright guidance. 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:02.139 One would ask him, "What is true awe (khashyah)?" 00:05:02.139 --> 00:05:04.139 To which he would reply, 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:07.139 "True awe is that you fear Allah, the Glorious and Exalted, 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:11.139 Such that your awe of Him stands between you and your sins." 00:05:11.139 --> 00:05:15.139 Another would ask him, "What is remembrance (dhikr)?" 00:05:15.139 --> 00:05:20.170 He would answer, "Remembrance is obedience to Allah, the Exalted and Majestic. 00:05:20.170 --> 00:05:24.170 Whoever turns to Allah and obeys Him has truly remembered Him, 00:05:24.170 --> 00:05:27.170 While whoever turns away from Him and disobeys Him 00:05:27.170 --> 00:05:34.740 Has not remembered Him, even if he spends his whole night glorifying Allah and reciting." 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:40.740 When Sa'id ibn Jubayr took Kufa as his place of residence, 00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:43.740 It was under the rule of al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:48.740 For al-Hajjaj was then the governor of Iraq, the East, 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:51.740 And the lands beyond the river (Transoxiana). 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:56.740 At that time, he was at the very pinnacle of his power and authority, 00:05:56.740 --> 00:06:00.740 Having killed 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.740 Crushed his movement, 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:05.740 Brought Iraq firmly under the rule of the Umayyads, 00:06:05.740 --> 00:06:09.740 Extinguished the flames of revolts raging here and there, 00:06:09.740 --> 00:06:12.740 Put the sword to the necks of the people, 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:15.740 And spread terror throughout the land, 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:21.930 Until hearts were filled with dread of him and fear of his ruthless might. 00:06:21.930 --> 00:06:26.930 Then Allah willed that a clash occur between al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi 00:06:26.930 --> 00:06:29.930 And 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Ash'ath, 00:06:29.930 --> 00:06:31.930 One of his senior commanders, 00:06:31.930 --> 00:06:36.930 And that this clash turn into a devastating civil strife that consumed everything in its path 00:06:36.930 --> 00:06:41.930 And left deep wounds in the body of the Muslim Ummah. 00:06:41.930 --> 00:06:44.930 The account of this strife was 00:06:44.930 --> 00:06:48.930 That al-Hajjaj dispatched Ibn al-Ash'ath with an army to fight Rutbil, 00:06:48.930 --> 00:06:53.930 The king of the Turks in the territories lying beyond Sijistan. 00:06:53.930 --> 00:06:59.930 The brave and victorious commander conquered a vast portion of Rutbil's lands, 00:06:59.930 --> 00:07:02.930 Seized fortified strongholds in his domain, 00:07:02.930 --> 00:07:08.120 And acquired immense spoils of war from its cities and villages. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:13.120 He then sent emissaries to al-Hajjaj bringing glad tidings of the great victory, 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:16.120 Carrying with them the one-fifth share of the spoils 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:21.120 To be deposited into the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal) of the Muslims. 00:07:21.120 --> 00:07:23.120 He also wrote him a letter 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:28.120 Asking permission to halt military operations for a period of time 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:31.120 In order to examine the country's access routes and exits, 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:35.120 To understand its terrain and conditions, 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:40.120 Before advancing deeply into its remote, unknown mountain passes 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:43.120 And exposing the victorious army to peril. 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:45.250 Al-Hajjaj was enraged with him 00:07:45.250 --> 00:07:50.250 And sent him a letter accusing him of cowardice and submission, 00:07:50.250 --> 00:07:53.250 Warning him of doom and destruction, 00:07:53.250 --> 00:07:57.250 And threatening to dismiss him from the command of the army. 00:07:57.250 --> 00:08:02.279 Thereupon, 'Abd al-Rahman gathered the prominent figures of the army and the battalion commanders, 00:08:02.279 --> 00:08:05.279 Read al-Hajjaj's letter to them, 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:07.310 And consulted them regarding the matter. 00:08:07.310 --> 00:08:09.310 They urged him to revolt against him 00:08:09.310 --> 00:08:12.310 And to renounce allegiance to him immediately. 00:08:12.310 --> 00:08:14.410 'Abd al-Rahman said to them, 00:08:14.410 --> 00:08:17.410 "Will you pledge allegiance to me on this basis, 00:08:17.410 --> 00:08:19.410 Support me in fighting him, 00:08:19.410 --> 00:08:23.410 Until Allah purges the land of Iraq of his filth?" 00:08:23.410 --> 00:08:27.410 So the soldiers pledged allegiance to him according to what he called them to. 00:08:27.410 --> 00:08:31.069 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Ash'ath mobilized 00:08:31.069 --> 00:08:35.070 With his army, which was filled with hatred for al-Hajjaj, 00:08:35.070 --> 00:08:39.070 And fierce battles broke out between him 00:08:39.070 --> 00:08:41.070 And the armies of Ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, 00:08:41.070 --> 00:08:44.070 In which he scored decisive victories, 00:08:44.070 --> 00:08:47.070 Successfully taking control of Sijistan 00:08:47.070 --> 00:08:49.070 And most of Persia. 00:08:49.070 --> 00:08:54.070 He then advanced, intending to wrest Kufa and Basra from the hands of al-Hajjaj. 00:08:54.070 --> 00:08:59.100 While the flames of war were raging between the two factions, 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:03.100 And Ibn al-Ash'ath was moving from one victory to another, 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:07.100 An event befell al-Hajjaj that further strengthened his opponent. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:13.139 Namely, the provincial governors wrote letters to al-Hajjaj stating 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:18.139 That the non-Muslim subjects (Dhimmi) had begun entering Islam in droves 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:20.139 In order to be exempt from paying the jizya, 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:24.139 That they had abandoned the villages where they worked 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:26.139 And settled in the cities, 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:29.139 Causing the land tax (kharaj) to dwindle 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:32.139 And tax revenues to collapse. 00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:37.139 So al-Hajjaj wrote letters to his governors in Basra and elsewhere, 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:42.139 Ordering them to round up all the non-Muslim subjects who had migrated to the cities 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:44.139 And return them to their villages, 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:47.139 No matter how long they had been away from them. 00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:49.230 The governors carried out the order, 00:09:49.230 --> 00:09:54.230 Evicting large numbers of them from their homes, 00:09:54.230 --> 00:09:57.230 Depriving them of their means of livelihood, 00:09:57.230 --> 00:10:00.230 Herding them onto the outskirts of the cities, 00:10:00.230 --> 00:10:04.230 Expelling their women and children along with them, 00:10:04.230 --> 00:10:07.230 And forcibly driving them back to the villages 00:10:07.230 --> 00:10:12.230 Long after they had parted from them. 00:10:12.230 --> 00:10:16.230 The women, children, and elderly began to weep, 00:10:16.230 --> 00:10:19.230 Crying out and pleading for help, 00:10:19.230 --> 00:10:23.230 Calling out, "O Muhammad! O Muhammad!" 00:10:23.230 --> 00:10:25.230 They were bewildered as to what to do 00:10:25.230 --> 00:10:28.230 Or where to go. 00:10:28.230 --> 00:10:32.230 The jurists and Qur'an reciters of Basra came out to them 00:10:32.230 --> 00:10:35.230 To assist them and intercede on their behalf, 00:10:35.230 --> 00:10:37.230 But they were unable to do so. 00:10:37.230 --> 00:10:40.230 So they began to weep at their weeping 00:10:40.230 --> 00:10:44.740 And lament over their plight. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:48.740 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Ash'ath seized this opportunity 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:52.740 And called upon the jurists and Qur'an reciters to support him. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:58.740 A distinguished group of eminent Tabi'un and leaders of the Muslims responded to his call, 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:01.740 Foremost among them Sa'id ibn Jubayr, 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:03.740 'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Layla, 00:11:03.740 --> 00:11:06.740 Al-Sha'bi, Abu al-Bakhtari, 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:08.740 And many, many others. 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:11.740 The mills of war turned between the two sides, 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:18.740 And victory at first belonged to Ibn al-Ash'ath and those with him over al-Hajjaj and his troops. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:23.740 Then the scales began to tip gradually in favor of al-Hajjaj, 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.740 Until Ibn al-Ash'ath suffered a crushing defeat 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:29.740 And fled to save his own life, 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:33.960 While his army surrendered to al-Hajjaj and his soldiers. 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:38.960 Al-Hajjaj ordered his herald to announce among the defeated combatants, 00:11:38.960 --> 00:11:41.960 Calling upon them to renew their pledge of allegiance to him. 00:11:41.960 --> 00:11:43.960 Most of them complied, 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:45.960 While some went into hiding. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:51.960 Among those who went into hiding was Sa'id ibn Jubayr, may Allah be pleased with him. 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:57.090 When the surrendering men began coming forward one after another to renew their pledge, 00:11:57.090 --> 00:12:01.090 They were caught off guard by something they had never anticipated. 00:12:01.090 --> 00:12:04.090 For he began saying to each one of them: 00:12:04.090 --> 00:12:06.090 "Do you testify against yourself 00:12:06.090 --> 00:12:11.090 That you committed disbelief (kufr) by breaking your pledge of allegiance to the Commander of the Believers?" 00:12:11.090 --> 00:12:17.090 If he said yes, he accepted the renewal of his pledge and released him; 00:12:17.090 --> 00:12:20.090 and whenever someone said no, he executed him. 00:12:20.090 --> 00:12:23.090 Some people would submit to him 00:12:23.090 --> 00:12:25.090 and confess disbelief against themselves 00:12:25.090 --> 00:12:28.090 just to save their lives from execution, 00:12:28.090 --> 00:12:32.090 while others considered that too abhorrent and refused, 00:12:32.090 --> 00:12:37.090 paying with their lives as the price for their defiance and refusal. 00:12:37.090 --> 00:12:41.090 News of that horrific massacre spread far and wide, 00:12:41.090 --> 00:12:45.090 in which several thousand men were slaughtered, 00:12:45.090 --> 00:12:48.090 and several thousand others survived 00:12:48.090 --> 00:12:51.090 only after branding themselves with disbelief. 00:12:51.090 --> 00:12:56.090 Among these cases was an elderly man from the tribe of Khath'am 00:12:56.090 --> 00:13:01.090 who had remained neutral between both factions, residing beyond the Euphrates. 00:13:01.090 --> 00:13:05.090 He was brought before al-Hajjaj along with those who were captured. 00:13:05.090 --> 00:13:08.090 When he was brought in, al-Hajjaj asked about his situation, 00:13:08.090 --> 00:13:12.090 to which he replied, "Ever since this war broke out, 00:13:12.090 --> 00:13:15.090 I have remained secluded across this river, 00:13:15.090 --> 00:13:18.090 waiting to see the outcome of the fighting. 00:13:18.090 --> 00:13:20.090 Once you prevailed and were victorious, 00:13:20.090 --> 00:13:23.090 I came to offer you my pledge of allegiance." 00:13:23.090 --> 00:13:26.090 Al-Hajjaj said to him, "May you perish! 00:13:26.090 --> 00:13:30.090 You sat idly waiting and did not fight alongside your commander?" 00:13:30.090 --> 00:13:32.120 Then he rebuked him harshly, saying: 00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:36.149 "Do you testify against yourself that you are a disbeliever?" 00:13:36.149 --> 00:13:39.149 The old man replied, "What a wretched man I would be 00:13:39.149 --> 00:13:42.149 if, after worshiping Allah for eighty years, 00:13:42.149 --> 00:13:46.149 I were to testify against myself with disbelief!" 00:13:46.149 --> 00:13:49.149 Al-Hajjaj said to him, "Then I shall kill you." 00:13:49.149 --> 00:13:52.149 He said, "Even if you kill me, 00:13:52.149 --> 00:13:56.149 by Allah, nothing remains of my life but the thirst-interval of a donkey, 00:13:56.149 --> 00:14:00.149 for it drinks in the morning and dies by evening. 00:14:00.149 --> 00:14:04.149 Truly, I await death morning and evening, 00:14:04.149 --> 00:14:06.149 so do whatever seems fit to you." 00:14:06.149 --> 00:14:09.220 Al-Hajjaj said to his executioner, 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:11.220 "Strike his neck!" 00:14:11.220 --> 00:14:13.220 So the executioner struck his neck. 00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:18.220 There was no one left in that gathering, whether a partisan of al-Hajjaj or an opponent, 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:21.220 except that he revered the elderly man, 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:24.220 mourned him, and prayed for Allah's mercy upon him. 00:14:24.220 --> 00:14:30.009 Then he summoned Kumayl ibn Ziyad al-Nakha'i 00:14:30.009 --> 00:14:34.009 and said to him, "Do you testify against yourself with disbelief?" 00:14:34.009 --> 00:14:37.009 He replied, "By Allah, I will never so testify!" 00:14:37.009 --> 00:14:40.009 He said, "Then I shall kill you." 00:14:40.009 --> 00:14:44.009 He replied, "Decree whatever you will decree! 00:14:44.009 --> 00:14:47.009 Indeed, our appointment is before Allah, 00:14:47.009 --> 00:14:50.009 and after death comes the reckoning." 00:14:50.009 --> 00:14:52.009 Al-Hajjaj said to him, 00:14:52.009 --> 00:14:55.009 "The proof on that Day shall be against you, not for you!" 00:14:55.009 --> 00:15:00.009 He replied, "That would only be so if you were the judge on that Day." 00:15:00.009 --> 00:15:02.009 Al-Hajjaj said, 00:15:02.009 --> 00:15:04.009 "Kill him!" 00:15:04.009 --> 00:15:06.009 So he was brought forward and executed. 00:15:06.009 --> 00:15:09.100 Then another man was brought before him 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:12.100 whom al-Hajjaj hated and intensely desired to kill 00:15:12.100 --> 00:15:16.100 because of the mockery of him that used to be reported to him. 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:18.100 So he preempted him by saying, 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:22.100 "I see a man before me 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:25.100 whom I do not think would ever testify against himself with disbelief." 00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:27.139 The man replied, 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:30.139 "Do not entrap me or deceive me about myself! 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:33.139 I am the most disbelieving person on earth, 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:36.139 even more of a disbeliever than Pharaoh, lord of the stakes!" 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:38.139 So he released him, 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:42.860 while burning with an intense thirst to execute him. 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:45.860 The news of that dreadful massacre spread, 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:50.860 in which several thousand steadfast believers were slain, 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:53.860 and several thousand others survived 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:57.860 among those who were forced to brand themselves with disbelief. 00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:59.860 Thus, Sa'id ibn Jubayr realized 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:02.860 that if he fell into the hands of al-Hajjaj, 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:06.860 he would face one of two unavoidable outcomes: 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:09.860 either his neck would be severed, 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:12.860 or he would have to confess disbelief against himself, 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:15.860 and both choices, the sweeter of them was bitter. 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:18.860 So he chose to leave the land of Iraq 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:21.860 and vanish from sight. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:24.860 He continued traveling across Allah's vast earth, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:27.860 hiding from al-Hajjaj and his spies, 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:32.860 until he sought refuge in a small village in the territory of Makkah. 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:37.860 He remained in this state for ten full years, 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:40.860 a period sufficient to extinguish the fires of al-Hajjaj— 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:43.860 the fires burning in al-Hajjaj's heart— 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:47.860 and to remove the malice harbored against him. 00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:51.860 However, something occurred that no one had anticipated: 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:54.860 there arrived in Makkah 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:57.860 a new governor from among the Umayyad rulers, 00:16:57.860 --> 00:17:00.860 Khalid ibn 'Abdullah al-Qasri. 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:03.860 The companions of Sa'id ibn Jubayr grew apprehensive 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.859 and fearful of him 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:08.859 because of what they knew of his evil conduct, 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:11.859 expecting harm at his hands. 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:15.900 Some of them came to Sa'id and said to him, 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:18.900 "This man has arrived in Makkah, 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:21.900 and by Allah, we do not feel you are safe from him. 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:25.900 So heed our request and leave this land." 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:31.930 He replied, "By Allah, I have fled so much that I have become ashamed before Allah, 00:17:31.930 --> 00:17:35.930 and I have resolved to remain in this place of mine, 00:17:35.930 --> 00:17:38.930 and let Allah do whatever He wills." 00:17:38.930 --> 00:17:45.880 Khalid did not belie the bad expectations people held of him; 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:48.880 no sooner had he learned of Sa'id ibn Jubayr's whereabouts 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:52.880 than he dispatched a detachment of his soldiers to him, 00:17:52.880 --> 00:17:57.880 ordering them to take him bound in chains to al-Hajjaj in the city of Wasit. 00:17:57.880 --> 00:18:00.910 The soldiers surrounded the Shaykh's house 00:18:00.910 --> 00:18:02.910 and placed the shackles upon his hands 00:18:02.910 --> 00:18:05.910 in full view of some of his companions, 00:18:05.910 --> 00:18:08.910 and informed him of his departure to al-Hajjaj. 00:18:08.910 --> 00:18:12.910 He received them with a composed soul and a tranquil heart, 00:18:12.910 --> 00:18:15.980 then turned to his companions and said, 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:20.980 "I see myself only being slain at the hands of that tyrant. 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:25.980 Once, two companions of mine and I spent a night in worship, 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:28.980 and we felt the sweetness of supplication, 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:31.980 so we supplicated Allah with whatever we asked, 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:35.980 and we implored Him as He willed for us to implore. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:40.980 Then we asked Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, to grant us martyrdom; 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:44.980 and Allah granted it to both of my companions, 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.980 while I remained waiting for it." 00:18:46.980 --> 00:18:50.980 Then, no sooner had he finished his words 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:54.980 than a young daughter of his came out to him. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:58.980 She saw him bound in chains as the soldiers were leading him away, 00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:02.980 so she clung to him and began weeping and sobbing. 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:06.980 He gently moved her aside and said to her, 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:13.980 "Tell your mother, my little daughter, that our rendezvous is Paradise, if Allah Almighty wills." 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:17.609 Then he departed. 00:19:17.609 --> 00:19:21.609 The soldiers arrived with the scholarly imam, the worshiper, the ascetic, 00:19:21.609 --> 00:19:26.609 the pious, pure, and devout sage, in the city of Wasit, 00:19:26.609 --> 00:19:28.609 and they brought him before al-Hajjaj. 00:19:28.609 --> 00:19:33.609 When he stood before him, al-Hajjaj looked at him with malice and said, 00:19:33.609 --> 00:19:34.609 "What is your name?" 00:19:34.609 --> 00:19:35.609 He said, 00:19:35.609 --> 00:19:37.609 "Sa'id ibn Jubayr [The Felicitous, son of the Mended]." 00:19:37.609 --> 00:19:38.609 He retorted, 00:19:38.609 --> 00:19:41.700 "Rather, you are Shaqiyy ibn Kasir [The Wretched, son of the Broken]!" 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.700 He replied, 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:46.900 "Nay, my mother knew my name better than you." 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.900 He said, 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:49.900 "What do you say about Muhammad?" 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.930 He asked, 00:19:50.930 --> 00:19:56.930 "Do you mean Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him?" 00:19:56.930 --> 00:19:57.930 He replied, "Yes." 00:19:57.930 --> 00:19:58.930 He said, 00:19:58.930 --> 00:20:00.930 "The master of the children of Adam, 00:20:00.930 --> 00:20:02.930 the chosen Prophet, 00:20:02.930 --> 00:20:04.930 the best of all mankind who remain, 00:20:04.930 --> 00:20:06.930 and the best of all who have passed. 00:20:06.930 --> 00:20:09.930 He conveyed the message, fulfilled the trust, 00:20:09.930 --> 00:20:12.930 gave sincere counsel for Allah and His Book, 00:20:12.930 --> 00:20:16.930 and to the generality of Muslims and their elite." 00:20:16.930 --> 00:20:17.930 He asked, 00:20:17.930 --> 00:20:20.930 "What do you say about Abu Bakr?" 00:20:20.930 --> 00:20:21.930 He said, 00:20:21.930 --> 00:20:22.930 "He is al-Siddiq, 00:20:22.930 --> 00:20:26.930 the successor of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; 00:20:26.930 --> 00:20:29.930 he departed praiseworthy and lived felicitous, 00:20:29.930 --> 00:20:34.930 and proceeded upon the path of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:20:34.930 --> 00:20:37.930 never altering and never changing." 00:20:37.930 --> 00:20:39.019 He asked, 00:20:39.019 --> 00:20:41.019 "What do you say about 'Umar?" 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.119 He said, 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:44.119 "He is al-Faruq, 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:48.119 through whom Allah distinguished between truth and falsehood, 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:51.119 the chosen of Allah and the chosen of His Messenger; 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:54.119 he proceeded upon the methodology of his two companions, 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:58.119 so he lived praiseworthy and was killed as a martyr." 00:20:58.119 --> 00:20:59.119 He asked, 00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:02.119 "What do you say about 'Uthman?" 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:03.119 He said, 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:06.119 "He is the equipper of the Army of Hardship, 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:08.119 the digger of the Well of Rumah, 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:11.119 the purchaser of a home for himself in Paradise, 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:16.119 the son-in-law of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) through his two daughters, 00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:20.119 and indeed the Prophet (peace be upon him) married them to him 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:22.119 by revelation from heaven; 00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:24.119 and he is the one murdered unjustly." 00:21:24.119 --> 00:21:25.119 He asked, 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:28.119 "What do you say about 'Ali?" 00:21:28.119 --> 00:21:29.150 He said, 00:21:29.150 --> 00:21:33.150 "The cousin of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:21:33.150 --> 00:21:36.150 the first of the youth to embrace Islam, 00:21:36.150 --> 00:21:39.150 the husband of Fatimah al-Batul, 00:21:39.150 --> 00:21:41.150 and the father of al-Hasan and al-Husayn, 00:21:41.150 --> 00:21:44.150 the two masters of the youth of the people of Paradise." 00:21:44.150 --> 00:21:45.220 He asked, 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:49.220 "Which of the Umayyad caliphs do you admire most?" 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.220 He said, 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:51.220 He said, 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:53.220 "The one most pleasing to their Creator." 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.220 He asked, 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:57.220 "And which of them is most pleasing to the Creator?" 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.220 He said, 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:03.339 "The knowledge of that rests with the One Who knows their secrets and private counsels." 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.339 He said, 00:22:04.339 --> 00:22:06.440 "Then what do you say about me?" 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.440 He said, 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:09.440 "You know yourself best." 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.440 He said, 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:13.440 "Rather, I want your own knowledge about me!" 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.440 He said, 00:22:14.440 --> 00:22:17.440 "Then it will surely displease you and bring you no joy." 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:18.470 He said, 00:22:18.470 --> 00:22:21.500 "I must hear your response." 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.500 He said, 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:27.500 "I certainly know that you act contrary to the Book of Allah Almighty, 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:31.500 committing acts by which you seek prestige and awe, 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:33.500 yet they plunge you into perdition 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:36.660 and drive you headlong toward the Fire." 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.660 He said, 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:40.700 "By Allah, I will surely execute you!" 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.700 He replied, 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:44.700 "Then you will ruin my worldly life, 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:46.859 but I will ruin your Hereafter." 00:22:46.859 --> 00:22:47.859 He said, 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:50.859 "Choose for yourself whatever manner of death you wish." 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.859 He replied, 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:55.859 "Rather, choose it for yourself, O Hajjaj! 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:58.859 For by Allah, you will not kill me in any manner 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:02.920 except that Allah will kill you in the very same way in the Hereafter." 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.920 He said, 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:06.920 "Do you want me to pardon you?" 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.920 He replied, 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:10.920 "If there is any pardon, it comes from Allah Almighty; 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:12.920 as for you, 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:15.920 you have neither acquittal nor excuse." 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.920 Al-Hajjaj became enraged and said, 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:20.920 "Bring the sword and the execution mat, boy!" 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.920 Sa'id smiled, 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:24.920 so al-Hajjaj asked him, 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:26.920 "Why are you smiling?" 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:28.049 He said, 00:23:28.049 --> 00:23:31.049 "I marvel at your audacity before Allah 00:23:31.049 --> 00:23:33.049 and at Allah's forbearance toward you." 00:23:33.049 --> 00:23:34.079 So he said, 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:37.109 "Kill him, boy!" 00:23:37.109 --> 00:23:40.109 Sa'id faced the Qiblah and recited: 00:23:40.109 --> 00:23:45.109 “Lo! I have turned my face toward Him Who created the heavens and the earth, as one by nature upright, and I am not of the idolaters.” (6:79) 00:23:45.109 --> 00:23:48.109 '...and I am not of the polytheists.' 00:23:48.109 --> 00:23:49.109 So he said, 00:23:49.109 --> 00:23:52.109 "Turn his face away from the Qiblah." 00:23:52.109 --> 00:23:53.140 Sa'id recited: 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:57.140 '...wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah.' 00:23:57.140 --> 00:23:58.140 So he said, 00:23:58.140 --> 00:24:01.180 "Cast him down on his face to the ground!" 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.210 Sa'id recited: 00:24:02.210 --> 00:24:06.210 “Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time.” (20:55) 00:24:06.210 --> 00:24:10.210 “Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time.” (20:55) 00:24:10.210 --> 00:24:11.269 So al-Hajjaj said, 00:24:11.269 --> 00:24:13.269 "Slaughter the enemy of Allah! 00:24:13.269 --> 00:24:18.269 For I have never seen a man cite the verses of the Qur'an so swiftly." 00:24:18.269 --> 00:24:21.400 Then Sa'id raised his hands and supplicated, 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:26.400 "O Allah, do not give al-Hajjaj power over anyone after me." 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:33.539 Barely fifteen days had passed after the killing of Sa'id Ibn Jubayr 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:36.539 before al-Hajjaj was struck with a fever, 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:39.539 and the severity of the illness worsened upon him. 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:42.539 He would drift into a slumber for an hour and awaken the next, 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:45.539 and whenever he dozed off for a short while, 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:48.539 he would wake up terrified, shouting, 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:52.539 "Here is Sa'id Ibn Jubayr seizing me by my throat! 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:57.539 Here is Sa'id Ibn Jubayr saying, 'Why did you kill me?'" 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:59.539 Then he would weep and say, 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:02.539 "What is between me and Sa'id Ibn Jubayr? 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:05.539 Keep Sa'id Ibn Jubayr away from me!" 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:09.930 When he finally died and was buried beneath the dust, 00:25:09.930 --> 00:25:11.930 someone saw him in a dream 00:25:11.930 --> 00:25:13.930 and asked him, 00:25:13.930 --> 00:25:17.930 "What has Allah done with you regarding those you killed, O Hajjaj?" 00:25:17.930 --> 00:25:19.930 He replied, 00:25:19.930 --> 00:25:23.930 "Allah killed me once for every single person, 00:25:23.930 --> 00:25:27.930 and He killed me seventy times for Sa'id Ibn Jubayr." 00:25:27.930 --> 00:25:36.619 Sa'id Ibn Jubayr was killed 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:42.460 when everyone on earth was in need of his vast knowledge. 00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:47.019 Ahmad Ibn Hanbal 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:55.019 said regarding this, or as the poet said: 00:25:55.019 --> 00:26:00.019 "They were here, quenching the clouds of our lives, 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:05.019 so how could their legacy not resound high among us? 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:10.019 They departed, leaving a question within the conscience: 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:15.019 Has any star ever risen and shone as brilliantly as they did? 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:20.019 They filled life with glorious feats by their deeds, 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:23.690 and through them, our world flourished with brilliance."