1 00:00:00,850 --> 00:00:03,850 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,850 --> 00:00:09,259 The Life of the Salaf Between Word and Deed. 3 00:00:09,259 --> 00:00:15,460 Brotherhood and Companionship. 4 00:00:15,460 --> 00:00:18,460 The Virtue of Brotherhood and Companionship for Allah's Sake, 5 00:00:18,460 --> 00:00:21,679 and Showing Kindness to Them. 6 00:00:21,679 --> 00:00:24,679 On the authority of Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), who said: 7 00:00:24,679 --> 00:00:28,679 "Love for the sake of Allah and hate for the sake of Allah, 8 00:00:28,679 --> 00:00:32,780 be loyal for the sake of Allah and oppose for the sake of Allah; 9 00:00:32,780 --> 00:00:35,780 for indeed, the friendship of Allah is attained only through this. 10 00:00:35,780 --> 00:00:38,899 And a servant will never taste the true flavor of faith— 11 00:00:38,899 --> 00:00:41,899 even if his prayers and fasting are abundant— 12 00:00:41,899 --> 00:00:45,320 until he becomes like that." 13 00:00:45,320 --> 00:00:48,320 And on the authority of Ka'b al-Ahbar (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: 14 00:00:48,320 --> 00:00:51,320 "Many a standing worshiper is grateful and rewarded, 15 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,320 while many a sleeping person is forgiven. 16 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:58,509 That is because two men love each other for the sake of Allah; 17 00:00:58,509 --> 00:01:01,509 one of them stands up to pray, 18 00:01:01,509 --> 00:01:04,510 and Allah accepts his prayer and supplication, 19 00:01:04,510 --> 00:01:08,510 rejecting none of what he asks for. 20 00:01:08,510 --> 00:01:12,510 So he remembers his brother in his night prayers, 21 00:01:12,510 --> 00:01:16,510 saying: 'O Lord, my brother so-and-so, 22 00:01:16,510 --> 00:01:18,510 forgive him!' 23 00:01:18,510 --> 00:01:21,510 And so Allah forgives him while he is asleep." 24 00:01:21,510 --> 00:01:25,090 Ibn al-Muqaffa' (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 25 00:01:25,090 --> 00:01:28,180 "Among the greatest aids in dispelling worries 26 00:01:28,180 --> 00:01:30,180 and attaining peace of mind 27 00:01:30,180 --> 00:01:32,180 is for a brother to meet his brother, 28 00:01:32,180 --> 00:01:35,180 and for each of them to pour out 29 00:01:35,180 --> 00:01:38,180 his grief and distress to his companion. 30 00:01:38,180 --> 00:01:41,340 And whenever a close companion is separated from his companion, 31 00:01:41,340 --> 00:01:45,340 his tranquility is stripped away and his joy is denied." 32 00:01:45,340 --> 00:01:47,730 And he (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 33 00:01:47,730 --> 00:01:50,859 "Know that true, sincere brothers 34 00:01:50,859 --> 00:01:52,859 are the best worldly gains: 35 00:01:52,859 --> 00:01:55,859 they are an adornment in times of ease, 36 00:01:55,859 --> 00:01:57,859 a support in times of hardship, 37 00:01:57,859 --> 00:02:01,859 and an aid toward the best of this life and the Hereafter. 38 00:02:01,859 --> 00:02:04,859 So never neglect winning them 39 00:02:04,859 --> 00:02:08,860 and seeking ties and avenues to connect with them." 40 00:02:08,860 --> 00:02:13,530 Muhammad ibn Suqah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 41 00:02:13,530 --> 00:02:16,530 "No man gains a brother for the sake of Allah 42 00:02:16,530 --> 00:02:19,530 except that Allah raises him by a degree on account of it." 43 00:02:19,530 --> 00:02:23,939 And on the authority of 'Ali ibn al-Husayn (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: 44 00:02:23,939 --> 00:02:26,939 "The loss of loved ones is true estrangement." 45 00:02:26,939 --> 00:02:31,259 Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 46 00:02:31,259 --> 00:02:34,300 "Allah has made a righteous friend 47 00:02:34,300 --> 00:02:36,300 a substitute for a neglectful kin." 48 00:02:36,300 --> 00:02:39,710 And on the authority of Makhul (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: 49 00:02:39,710 --> 00:02:42,740 "Whoever loves a righteous man 50 00:02:42,740 --> 00:02:45,740 has only loved Allah." 51 00:02:45,740 --> 00:02:49,189 Muhammad ibn Yusuf (may Allah have mercy on him) said, 52 00:02:49,189 --> 00:02:51,189 speaking of brothers in faith: 53 00:02:51,189 --> 00:02:54,189 "Where can one find the likes of a righteous brother? 54 00:02:54,189 --> 00:02:56,379 Your family is dividing your inheritance, 55 00:02:56,379 --> 00:02:59,379 while he alone stands by your grave, 56 00:02:59,379 --> 00:03:02,379 praying for you while you are buried beneath the layers of the earth." 57 00:03:02,379 --> 00:03:05,930 And on the authority of Abu Zur'ah ibn 'Amr ibn Jarir 58 00:03:05,930 --> 00:03:08,930 (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: 59 00:03:08,930 --> 00:03:12,020 "No two men love each other for the sake of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, 60 00:03:12,020 --> 00:03:15,020 except that the better of the two is the one who is more intense 61 00:03:15,020 --> 00:03:18,020 in his love for his companion." 62 00:03:18,020 --> 00:03:23,460 Stories and Incidents of Kindness 63 00:03:23,460 --> 00:03:26,669 Toward a Brother and Friend. 64 00:03:26,669 --> 00:03:29,669 On the authority of Umm al-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with her): 65 00:03:29,669 --> 00:03:32,669 "Abu al-Darda' (may Allah be pleased with him) had 66 00:03:32,669 --> 00:03:35,669 three hundred and sixty close friends for the sake of Allah, 67 00:03:35,669 --> 00:03:38,669 for whom he used to supplicate in his prayer. 68 00:03:38,669 --> 00:03:41,669 So I questioned him about that, 69 00:03:41,669 --> 00:03:44,699 and he said: 'There is no man 70 00:03:44,699 --> 00:03:47,699 who supplicates for his brother in his absence 71 00:03:47,699 --> 00:03:50,699 except that Allah appoints two angels over him who say: 72 00:03:50,699 --> 00:03:53,699 \"And for you the like thereof.\" 73 00:03:53,699 --> 00:03:56,699 Should I not desire that the angels pray for me?'" 74 00:03:56,699 --> 00:04:00,379 Ka'b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said, 75 00:04:00,379 --> 00:04:03,379 in his account of when he stayed behind 76 00:04:03,379 --> 00:04:06,379 from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 77 00:04:06,379 --> 00:04:09,379 during the Battle of Tabuk, and then Allah accepted his repentance: 78 00:04:09,379 --> 00:04:12,379 "And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) announced 79 00:04:12,379 --> 00:04:15,379 Allah's acceptance of our repentance 80 00:04:15,379 --> 00:04:18,540 when he prayed the dawn prayer. 81 00:04:18,540 --> 00:04:21,540 People then met me in groups, 82 00:04:21,540 --> 00:04:24,540 congratulating me on the acceptance of my repentance, saying: 83 00:04:24,540 --> 00:04:27,540 'May Allah's acceptance of your repentance bring you joy!' 84 00:04:27,540 --> 00:04:30,540 until I entered the mosque, 85 00:04:30,540 --> 00:04:33,540 and there was the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 86 00:04:33,540 --> 00:04:36,540 surrounded by people. 87 00:04:36,540 --> 00:04:39,540 Talhah ibn 'Ubaydillah (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up, 88 00:04:39,540 --> 00:04:42,540 jogging toward me until he shook my hand 89 00:04:42,540 --> 00:04:45,569 and congratulated me. By Allah, 90 00:04:45,569 --> 00:04:48,569 no man from among the Emigrants stood up to me besides him; 91 00:04:48,569 --> 00:04:51,569 I will never forget that gesture of Talhah's." 92 00:04:51,569 --> 00:04:55,139 The nephew of Muhammad ibn Suqah (may Allah have mercy on him) 93 00:04:55,139 --> 00:04:58,139 once asked him for some assistance, 94 00:04:58,139 --> 00:05:01,180 so he wept. The nephew said to him: 95 00:05:01,180 --> 00:05:04,180 "By Allah, my uncle, had I known that my asking 96 00:05:04,180 --> 00:05:07,180 would cause you this much grief, I would not have asked you." 97 00:05:07,180 --> 00:05:10,269 He replied: "I did not weep because you asked; 98 00:05:10,269 --> 00:05:13,269 rather, I wept because 99 00:05:13,269 --> 00:05:16,269 I did not initiate giving to you before you had to ask." 100 00:05:16,269 --> 00:05:19,720 And on the authority of Mutarrif ibn al-Shikhkhir (may Allah have mercy on him), 101 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:22,720 he said to one of his brothers: 102 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:25,720 "O so-and-so, 103 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,720 whenever you have a need, 104 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:31,720 do not speak to me of it, but write it on a slip of paper; 105 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:34,720 for I dislike to see upon your face 106 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:38,139 the humiliation of begging." 107 00:05:38,139 --> 00:05:41,139 Tawus (may Allah have mercy on him) stayed behind to tend to a sick companion of his, 108 00:05:41,139 --> 00:05:47,110 even to the point that he missed the Hajj pilgrimage. 109 00:05:47,110 --> 00:05:50,110 Being Patient with Them, Overlooking Their Shortcomings, 110 00:05:50,110 --> 00:05:54,519 and Seeking Excuses for Them. 111 00:05:54,519 --> 00:05:57,519 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: 112 00:05:57,519 --> 00:06:00,519 "Never think ill of a word that comes out of the mouth of a fellow Muslim 113 00:06:00,519 --> 00:06:03,519 as long as you can find for it 114 00:06:03,519 --> 00:06:07,000 a good and reasonable interpretation." 115 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:10,000 And on the authority of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), 116 00:06:10,000 --> 00:06:13,100 regarding the words of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted: 117 00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:16,100 “The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend.” (41:34) 118 00:06:16,100 --> 00:06:19,100 "Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; 119 00:06:19,100 --> 00:06:22,100 “The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend.” (41:34) 120 00:06:22,100 --> 00:06:25,100 and thereupon, the one whom between you and him was enmity 121 00:06:25,100 --> 00:06:28,100 will become as though he was a devoted friend. 122 00:06:28,100 --> 00:06:31,100 “But none is granted it save those who are steadfast, and none is granted it save the owner of great happiness.” (41:35) 123 00:06:31,100 --> 00:06:34,100 But none is granted it except those who are patient, and none is granted it except one of great fortune." 124 00:06:34,100 --> 00:06:37,100 “But none is granted it save those who are steadfast, and none is granted it save the owner of great happiness.” (41:35) 125 00:06:37,100 --> 00:06:40,540 He said: 126 00:06:40,540 --> 00:06:43,540 "It refers to a man whose brother insults him, 127 00:06:43,540 --> 00:06:46,540 and so he says: 'If you are truthful, 128 00:06:46,540 --> 00:06:49,540 may Allah forgive me; 129 00:06:49,540 --> 00:06:52,990 and if you are lying, may Allah forgive you.'" 130 00:06:52,990 --> 00:06:55,990 There was a dispute between Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas 131 00:06:55,990 --> 00:06:58,990 and Khalid ibn al-Walid (may Allah be pleased with them both), 132 00:06:58,990 --> 00:07:01,990 and a man went 133 00:07:01,990 --> 00:07:04,990 to disparage Khalid in the presence of Sa'd. 134 00:07:04,990 --> 00:07:08,019 But Sa'd said: "Quiet! Whatever is between us 135 00:07:08,019 --> 00:07:11,470 has not affected our commitment to our religion." 136 00:07:11,470 --> 00:07:14,470 And on the authority of Abu Qilabah (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: 137 00:07:14,470 --> 00:07:17,470 "If something you dislike reaches you concerning your brother, 138 00:07:17,470 --> 00:07:20,470 strive to find an excuse for him with all your might; 139 00:07:20,470 --> 00:07:23,470 and if you cannot find an excuse for him, 140 00:07:23,470 --> 00:07:26,470 then say to yourself: 'Perhaps my brother has an excuse 141 00:07:26,470 --> 00:07:29,949 of which I am unaware.'" 142 00:07:29,949 --> 00:07:32,949 And on the authority of Yunus ibn 'Abd al-A'la, who said: 143 00:07:32,949 --> 00:07:35,949 Al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) said to me: 144 00:07:35,949 --> 00:07:38,949 "O Yunus, if something you dislike reaches you 145 00:07:38,949 --> 00:07:41,949 concerning a friend of yours, 146 00:07:41,949 --> 00:07:44,949 do not confront him with hostility and severance of loyalty, 147 00:07:44,949 --> 00:07:47,949 lest you become one who displaces certainty with doubt. 148 00:07:47,949 --> 00:07:51,110 Rather, meet him and say to him: 149 00:07:51,110 --> 00:07:54,110 'Such-and-such has reached me about you,' 150 00:07:54,110 --> 00:07:57,110 taking care never to name the person who conveyed it. 151 00:07:57,110 --> 00:08:00,139 If he denies it, say to him: 152 00:08:00,139 --> 00:08:03,139 'You are more truthful and righteous,' 153 00:08:03,139 --> 00:08:06,139 and do not add anything further to that. 154 00:08:06,139 --> 00:08:09,139 But if he admits to it 155 00:08:09,139 --> 00:08:12,139 and you see a valid excuse for him in it, 156 00:08:12,139 --> 00:08:15,139 then accept it from him. 157 00:08:15,139 --> 00:08:18,139 And if you do not see one, say to him: 158 00:08:18,139 --> 00:08:21,339 'What did you intend by what has reached me concerning you?' 159 00:08:21,339 --> 00:08:24,339 If he mentions something that carries a plausible excuse, 160 00:08:24,339 --> 00:08:27,399 accept it from him; 161 00:08:27,399 --> 00:08:30,399 but if you see no valid excuse for it 162 00:08:30,399 --> 00:08:33,399 and the matter narrows upon you, 163 00:08:33,399 --> 00:08:36,399 only then count it against him as a misdeed. 164 00:08:37,399 --> 00:08:40,399 If you wish, you may repay him with the like thereof, 165 00:08:40,399 --> 00:08:43,399 without exceeding it; 166 00:08:43,399 --> 00:08:46,399 and if you wish, you may forgive him. 167 00:08:46,399 --> 00:08:49,399 For pardoning is closer to righteousness 168 00:08:49,399 --> 00:08:52,399 and more profound in nobility, 169 00:08:52,399 --> 00:08:55,399 in accordance with the words of Allah the Exalted: 170 00:08:55,399 --> 00:08:58,399 “The guerdon of an ill-deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong-doers.” (42:40) 171 00:08:58,399 --> 00:09:01,720 'So whoever pardons and makes reconciliation—his reward is due from Allah.' 172 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:04,720 If your soul urges you to retaliate, 173 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,720 recall his previous acts of kindness toward you and count them, 174 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,720 and then offset this misdeed 175 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:13,750 with an act of kindness toward him; 176 00:09:13,750 --> 00:09:16,750 and do not diminish his remaining past kindness 177 00:09:16,750 --> 00:09:19,750 on account of this single misdeed, 178 00:09:19,750 --> 00:09:23,039 for that is the very essence of injustice. 179 00:09:23,039 --> 00:09:26,039 O Yunus, 180 00:09:26,039 --> 00:09:29,039 whenever you have a friend, hold firmly to him with both hands, 181 00:09:29,039 --> 00:09:32,039 for acquiring a true friend is difficult." 182 00:09:32,039 --> 00:09:35,519 A son of Yunus ibn 'Ubayd (may Allah have mercy on them both) 183 00:09:35,519 --> 00:09:38,519 passed away, 184 00:09:38,519 --> 00:09:41,519 and it was said to him: "Ibn 'Awn did not come to console you." 185 00:09:41,519 --> 00:09:44,679 He replied: 186 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:47,679 "Indeed, when we are confident in the affection of a brother, 187 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:50,679 it does not harm us that he failed to come to us." 188 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:56,179 Counsel and Guidance for Companionship. 189 00:09:56,179 --> 00:10:00,070 On the authority of Bakr ibn 'Abdillah al-Muzani 190 00:10:00,070 --> 00:10:03,169 (may Allah have mercy on him), who said: 191 00:10:03,169 --> 00:10:06,169 "A man's humility toward his brothers 192 00:10:06,169 --> 00:10:09,360 increases his stature in their eyes." 193 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:12,360 Yahya ibn Mu'adh (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 194 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:15,389 "Let the believer have three shares of your treatment: 195 00:10:15,389 --> 00:10:18,389 if you cannot benefit him, do not harm him; 196 00:10:18,389 --> 00:10:21,389 if you cannot bring him joy, do not bring him grief; 197 00:10:21,389 --> 00:10:24,389 and if you cannot praise him, do not disparage him." 198 00:10:24,389 --> 00:10:27,899 And on the authority of Ja'far ibn Burqan, who said: 199 00:10:27,899 --> 00:10:30,899 Maymun ibn Mihran (may Allah have mercy on him) said to me: 200 00:10:31,899 --> 00:10:34,940 "O Ja'far, 201 00:10:34,940 --> 00:10:37,940 tell me directly to my face what I dislike to hear, 202 00:10:37,940 --> 00:10:40,940 for a man does not truly counsel his brother 203 00:10:40,940 --> 00:10:44,610 until he tells him directly to his face what he dislikes to hear." 204 00:10:44,610 --> 00:10:47,610 The poet spoke truly: 205 00:10:47,610 --> 00:10:50,610 "He has cast you into a perilous wasteland, 206 00:10:50,610 --> 00:10:53,610 who spends his nights concealing your faults from you." 207 00:10:53,610 --> 00:10:56,990 Muhammad ibn Sirin, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 208 00:10:56,990 --> 00:10:59,990 "Do not honor your brother with something he dislikes." 209 00:10:59,990 --> 00:11:03,440 Malik ibn Dinar, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 210 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,470 "Every brother, companion, and associate 211 00:11:06,470 --> 00:11:09,470 from whom you gain no benefit in your religion— 212 00:11:09,470 --> 00:11:12,470 cast off his company." 213 00:11:12,470 --> 00:11:15,889 One of the wise said: 214 00:11:15,889 --> 00:11:18,889 "Do not be overly effusive in brotherhood, 215 00:11:18,889 --> 00:11:21,889 only to turn away from it later, 216 00:11:21,889 --> 00:11:24,889 lest your excess in intimacy be exposed 217 00:11:24,889 --> 00:11:28,210 by your harshness in turning away." 218 00:11:28,210 --> 00:11:31,210 Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 219 00:11:31,210 --> 00:11:34,210 "Keep company with one whose speech increases your knowledge 220 00:11:34,210 --> 00:11:37,210 and whose actions call you to the state of the Hereafter. 221 00:11:37,210 --> 00:11:40,269 And beware of sitting with one whose speech merely diverts you, 222 00:11:40,269 --> 00:11:43,269 whose religious practice disgraces you, 223 00:11:43,269 --> 00:11:46,269 and whose actions lure you toward this world." 224 00:11:46,269 --> 00:11:49,690 Al-Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 225 00:11:49,690 --> 00:11:52,690 "Do not neglect your brother's rights 226 00:11:52,690 --> 00:11:55,690 relying solely upon his affection." 227 00:11:55,690 --> 00:11:58,980 Al-Sari al-Saqati, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 228 00:11:58,980 --> 00:12:01,980 "Do not accompany the wicked, 229 00:12:01,980 --> 00:12:04,980 and do not let sitting with the righteous 230 00:12:04,980 --> 00:12:08,360 distract you from Allah." 231 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:11,360 Ibn al-Muqaffa', may Allah have mercy on him, said: 232 00:12:11,360 --> 00:12:14,360 "If someone approaches you with affection 233 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:17,360 and you wish for him not to turn away, 234 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:20,360 do not overwhelm him with excessive enthusiasm, 235 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:23,360 nor open up to him completely; 236 00:12:24,490 --> 00:12:27,490 for it is human nature to pull away from one who clings too closely, 237 00:12:27,490 --> 00:12:30,490 and to cling to one who keeps his distance— 238 00:12:30,490 --> 00:12:33,490 except for one who disciplines himself with proper etiquette 239 00:12:33,490 --> 00:12:38,570 and overcomes his natural inclinations." 240 00:12:39,570 --> 00:12:43,850 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, heard 241 00:12:43,850 --> 00:12:46,850 a man praising another, 242 00:12:46,850 --> 00:12:49,850 so he asked: "Have you traveled with him?" 243 00:12:49,850 --> 00:12:51,940 He replied: "No." 244 00:12:51,940 --> 00:12:54,940 He asked: "Have you dealt with him in business?" 245 00:12:54,940 --> 00:12:57,039 He replied: "No." 246 00:12:57,039 --> 00:13:00,039 He said: "By Allah, besides Whom there is no deity, 247 00:13:00,039 --> 00:13:03,460 you do not know him." 248 00:13:03,460 --> 00:13:06,460 It was narrated that Malik ibn Dinar, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 249 00:13:06,460 --> 00:13:09,460 "Any companion from whom you derive 250 00:13:09,460 --> 00:13:12,840 no good, avoid him." 251 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,840 It was narrated that al-Zuhri, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 252 00:13:15,840 --> 00:13:18,840 "When a gathering prolongs, Satan 253 00:13:18,840 --> 00:13:22,100 gets a share in it." 254 00:13:22,100 --> 00:13:25,100 It was narrated that Mujahid, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 255 00:13:25,100 --> 00:13:28,159 "Three things will purify your brother's affection for you: 256 00:13:28,159 --> 00:13:31,159 that you initiate the greeting of peace when you meet him, 257 00:13:31,159 --> 00:13:34,159 make room for him in the gathering, 258 00:13:34,159 --> 00:13:37,159 and call him by the names most beloved to him." 259 00:13:37,159 --> 00:13:40,580 And three traits stem from moral deficiency: 260 00:13:40,580 --> 00:13:43,580 that you criticize in others what you commit yourself, 261 00:13:43,580 --> 00:13:47,580 that you notice in others what remains hidden to you in yourself, 262 00:13:47,580 --> 00:13:51,610 and that you trouble your companion with what does not concern you. 263 00:13:51,610 --> 00:13:56,299 A sound and peaceful life 264 00:13:56,299 --> 00:13:59,299 consists of upright speech and deed.