1 00:00:00,430 --> 00:00:03,430 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,430 --> 00:00:08,429 The finest of generations in nobility and exemplar, 3 00:00:08,429 --> 00:00:13,429 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 4 00:00:13,429 --> 00:00:15,429 Mawaddah Association 5 00:00:15,429 --> 00:00:17,429 Presents: 6 00:00:17,429 --> 00:00:21,500 Glimpses from the Lives of the Tabi'un 7 00:00:21,500 --> 00:00:26,559 By Dr. 'Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:26,559 --> 00:00:30,829 May Allah have mercy on him. 9 00:00:30,829 --> 00:00:32,829 Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym, 10 00:00:32,829 --> 00:00:34,829 May Allah have mercy on him. 11 00:00:43,280 --> 00:00:47,280 Hilal ibn Isaf said to his guest, Mundhir al-Thawri: 12 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,280 "Shall I not take you, O Mundhir, to the Shaykh, 13 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:52,280 That we might renew our faith for an hour?" 14 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:54,280 Mundhir replied, "Indeed! 15 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,280 By Allah, nothing brought me to Kufa 16 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,280 Except the desire to meet your Shaykh, 17 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,280 Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym, 18 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,280 And the longing to spend an hour absorbing his faith. 19 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:08,469 But have you sought permission for us to visit him? 20 00:01:08,469 --> 00:01:10,469 For I have been told 21 00:01:10,469 --> 00:01:12,469 That ever since he was afflicted with paralysis, 22 00:01:12,469 --> 00:01:14,469 He has confined himself to his home, 23 00:01:14,469 --> 00:01:16,469 Devoted himself entirely to his Lord, 24 00:01:16,469 --> 00:01:18,469 And turned away from meeting people." 25 00:01:18,469 --> 00:01:20,469 Hilal said, 26 00:01:20,469 --> 00:01:24,469 "He has been this way ever since Kufa came to know him. 27 00:01:24,469 --> 00:01:27,469 His illness has changed nothing about him." 28 00:01:27,500 --> 00:01:30,500 Mundhir said, "Very well, 29 00:01:30,500 --> 00:01:34,500 But you know that such men 30 00:01:34,500 --> 00:01:36,500 Have delicate dispositions. 31 00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:38,500 Do you think we should initiate conversation with the Shaykh 32 00:01:38,500 --> 00:01:40,500 And ask him about what we wish, 33 00:01:40,500 --> 00:01:42,500 Or should we remain silent 34 00:01:42,500 --> 00:01:44,500 And listen to whatever he wishes to impart?" 35 00:01:44,500 --> 00:01:46,500 Hilal replied, 36 00:01:46,500 --> 00:01:48,500 "If you were to sit with Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym 37 00:01:48,500 --> 00:01:50,500 For an entire year, 38 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:52,500 He would not speak to you 39 00:01:52,500 --> 00:01:54,500 Unless you spoke to him first, 40 00:01:54,500 --> 00:01:57,500 Nor would he initiate speech unless you asked him. 41 00:01:57,500 --> 00:02:00,500 For he has made his speech remembrance 42 00:02:00,500 --> 00:02:02,599 And his silence contemplation." 43 00:02:02,599 --> 00:02:04,599 Mundhir said, 44 00:02:04,599 --> 00:02:07,599 "Let us proceed to him then, with the blessing of Allah." 45 00:02:07,599 --> 00:02:09,599 They then went to the Shaykh. 46 00:02:09,599 --> 00:02:13,599 When they entered his presence, they greeted him with peace and asked, 47 00:02:13,599 --> 00:02:15,599 "How is the Shaykh feeling this morning?" 48 00:02:15,599 --> 00:02:17,599 He replied, 49 00:02:17,599 --> 00:02:19,599 "I have awakened weak and sinful, 50 00:02:19,599 --> 00:02:22,599 Consuming my provision and awaiting my appointed time." 51 00:02:22,599 --> 00:02:24,699 Hilal said to him, 52 00:02:24,699 --> 00:02:27,699 "I could bring you a skilled physician to treat you. 53 00:02:27,699 --> 00:02:30,699 Do you permit me to call one for you?" 54 00:02:30,699 --> 00:02:32,699 He replied, 55 00:02:32,699 --> 00:02:33,699 "O Hilal! 56 00:02:33,699 --> 00:02:36,699 Indeed, I know that medicine is real. 57 00:02:36,699 --> 00:02:39,699 But I considered 'Ad, Thamud, 58 00:02:39,699 --> 00:02:41,699 And the Companions of the Rass, 59 00:02:41,699 --> 00:02:44,699 “And (the tribes of) A'ad and Thamud, and the dwellers in Ar-Rass, and many generations in between.” (25:38) 60 00:02:44,699 --> 00:02:46,699 And I looked at their eagerness for worldly life 61 00:02:46,699 --> 00:02:48,699 And their desire for its pleasures— 62 00:02:49,699 --> 00:02:52,699 Yet they were far mightier than us in strength 63 00:02:52,699 --> 00:02:54,699 And possessed greater power. 64 00:02:54,699 --> 00:02:56,699 Among them were physicians, 65 00:02:56,699 --> 00:02:58,699 And among them were the sick. 66 00:02:58,699 --> 00:03:00,699 Yet neither did the healer endure, 67 00:03:00,699 --> 00:03:02,699 Nor did the healed!" 68 00:03:02,699 --> 00:03:04,699 Then Al-Rabi' let out a deep sigh 69 00:03:04,699 --> 00:03:06,699 A deep sigh, and said: 70 00:03:06,699 --> 00:03:09,819 "If physical illness were the true disease, 71 00:03:09,819 --> 00:03:11,819 We would have sought its cure." 72 00:03:11,819 --> 00:03:14,819 Mundhir then asked for clarification, saying: 73 00:03:14,819 --> 00:03:17,889 "What then is the disease, O noble Shaykh?" 74 00:03:17,889 --> 00:03:18,889 He replied, 75 00:03:18,889 --> 00:03:20,889 "The disease is sins." 76 00:03:20,889 --> 00:03:23,050 Mundhir asked, 77 00:03:23,050 --> 00:03:25,080 "And what is the cure?" 78 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:26,080 He replied, 79 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,080 "The cure is seeking forgiveness." 80 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:30,210 Mundhir asked, 81 00:03:30,210 --> 00:03:32,210 "And how is the healing attained?" 82 00:03:32,210 --> 00:03:34,270 He replied, 83 00:03:34,270 --> 00:03:37,270 "By repenting and never returning to the sin." 84 00:03:37,270 --> 00:03:40,340 Then he gazed intently at us and said: 85 00:03:40,340 --> 00:03:42,340 "Beware of the hidden inner states! Beware of the hidden inner states! 86 00:03:42,340 --> 00:03:46,340 Attend to the secret deeds that are hidden from people, 87 00:03:46,340 --> 00:03:49,340 Yet are fully manifest to Allah Almighty. 88 00:03:49,340 --> 00:03:51,340 That is, clearly visible to Him; 89 00:03:51,340 --> 00:03:53,340 Seek their remedy!" 90 00:03:53,340 --> 00:03:55,370 Mundhir asked, 91 00:03:55,370 --> 00:03:57,370 "And what is their remedy?" 92 00:03:57,370 --> 00:03:59,370 The Shaykh replied, 93 00:03:59,370 --> 00:04:01,370 "Sincere repentance." 94 00:04:01,370 --> 00:04:06,500 Then he wept until his tears soaked his beard. 95 00:04:06,500 --> 00:04:08,560 Mundhir said to him, 96 00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:10,560 "Do you weep, when you are who you are?" 97 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:12,560 He replied, 98 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:13,560 "Far from it! 99 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:15,560 Why should I not weep, 100 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:19,560 When I have known a people compared to whom we are like thieves?" 101 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:23,560 —He meant the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. 102 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,689 Hilal said: 103 00:04:25,689 --> 00:04:27,689 "While we were in that state, 104 00:04:27,689 --> 00:04:29,689 The Shaykh's son entered upon us, 105 00:04:29,689 --> 00:04:31,689 Greeted us, and said, 106 00:04:31,689 --> 00:04:33,689 'O my father, 107 00:04:33,689 --> 00:04:37,689 My mother has prepared a fine sweet halva dish for you, 108 00:04:37,689 --> 00:04:40,689 And it would gladden her heart if you ate from it. 109 00:04:40,689 --> 00:04:42,689 Shall I bring it to you?' 110 00:04:42,689 --> 00:04:44,689 He said, 'Bring it.' 111 00:04:44,689 --> 00:04:46,689 When his son went out to fetch it, 112 00:04:46,689 --> 00:04:48,689 A beggar knocked at the door. 113 00:04:48,689 --> 00:04:50,689 The Shaykh said, 'Let him in.' 114 00:04:50,689 --> 00:04:52,689 When the beggar reached the courtyard of the house, 115 00:04:52,689 --> 00:04:54,689 I looked at him, 116 00:04:54,689 --> 00:04:56,689 And he was an elderly man 117 00:04:56,689 --> 00:04:58,689 In tattered clothes, 118 00:04:58,689 --> 00:05:01,689 With drool running down his chin, 119 00:05:01,689 --> 00:05:05,689 And his facial features clearly showed he was mentally impaired. 120 00:05:05,689 --> 00:05:07,689 Hardly had I raised my eyes from him 121 00:05:07,689 --> 00:05:09,689 When the Shaykh's son returned 122 00:05:09,689 --> 00:05:11,689 Carrying the dish of halva. 123 00:05:11,689 --> 00:05:13,689 The father gestured to him 124 00:05:13,689 --> 00:05:16,689 To place it before the beggar. 125 00:05:16,689 --> 00:05:18,720 So he placed it before him, 126 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,720 And the man set upon it, 127 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:23,720 Devouring its contents voraciously 128 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,720 While his saliva dripped over it. 129 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:28,720 He kept eating 130 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:31,720 Until he had finished everything on the dish. 131 00:05:31,720 --> 00:05:33,720 His son then said to him, 132 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,720 'May Allah have mercy on you, father! 133 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:40,720 My mother went to great trouble to make this sweet dish for you, 134 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:43,720 And we longed for you to eat from it, 135 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:45,720 Yet you fed it to this man 136 00:05:45,720 --> 00:05:48,720 Who does not even know what he ate!' 137 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:50,819 The Shaykh replied, 'O my son, 138 00:05:50,819 --> 00:05:52,819 Even if he does not know, 139 00:05:52,819 --> 00:05:55,819 Allah knows.' 140 00:05:55,819 --> 00:05:58,879 He then recited the words of the Exalted and Almighty: 141 00:05:58,879 --> 00:06:00,879 ﴿You will never attain righteousness 142 00:06:00,879 --> 00:06:04,879 Until you spend from that which you love. 143 00:06:04,879 --> 00:06:08,879 And whatever you spend, 144 00:06:08,879 --> 00:06:13,879 Allah is fully Aware of it.﴾ 145 00:06:13,879 --> 00:06:15,879 While he was in that state, 146 00:06:15,879 --> 00:06:18,879 A man from among his relatives entered upon him 147 00:06:18,879 --> 00:06:21,879 And said, 'O Abu Yazid, 148 00:06:21,879 --> 00:06:24,879 Al-Husayn ibn Fatima has been killed—peace be upon him 149 00:06:24,879 --> 00:06:26,910 And upon his mother!' 150 00:06:26,910 --> 00:06:29,910 He said, 'Indeed, to Allah we belong, 151 00:06:29,910 --> 00:06:31,910 And to Him we shall return.' 152 00:06:31,910 --> 00:06:34,910 Then he recited the words of the Exalted: 153 00:06:34,910 --> 00:06:37,910 “Say: O Allah! Creator of the heavens and the earth! Knower of the Invisible and the Visible! Thou wilt judge between Thy slaves concerning that wherein they used to differ.” (39:46) 154 00:06:37,910 --> 00:06:41,910 “Say: O Allah! Creator of the heavens and the earth! Knower of the Invisible and the Visible! Thou wilt judge between Thy slaves concerning that wherein they used to differ.” (39:46) 155 00:06:41,910 --> 00:06:44,910 ﴿O Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, 156 00:06:44,910 --> 00:06:46,910 You will judge between Your servants 157 00:06:46,910 --> 00:06:50,910 Concerning that over which they used to differ.﴾ 158 00:06:50,910 --> 00:06:53,910 But the man was not satisfied with his words, 159 00:06:53,910 --> 00:06:55,910 So he asked him, 160 00:06:55,910 --> 00:06:57,910 'What do you say regarding his killing?' 161 00:06:57,910 --> 00:07:01,910 He replied, 'I say: to Allah is their return, 162 00:07:01,910 --> 00:07:04,910 And with Allah is their reckoning.' 163 00:07:04,910 --> 00:07:07,230 Hilal said: 164 00:07:07,230 --> 00:07:10,230 "Then, seeing that the time for the noon prayer was approaching, 165 00:07:10,230 --> 00:07:12,230 I said to the Shaykh, 166 00:07:12,230 --> 00:07:13,230 'Exhort me.' 167 00:07:13,230 --> 00:07:15,230 He said, 168 00:07:15,230 --> 00:07:17,230 'O Hilal, let not 169 00:07:17,230 --> 00:07:19,230 The abundance of people's praise delude you, 170 00:07:19,230 --> 00:07:22,230 For people know nothing of you 171 00:07:22,230 --> 00:07:24,259 Except your outward appearance. 172 00:07:24,259 --> 00:07:27,259 Know that you are bound for your deeds, 173 00:07:27,259 --> 00:07:30,259 And that every deed not intended for 174 00:07:30,259 --> 00:07:32,259 The Countenance of Allah comes to naught.' 175 00:07:32,259 --> 00:07:34,490 Mundhir then said to him, 176 00:07:34,490 --> 00:07:37,490 'And exhort me as well, may you be rewarded with good.' 177 00:07:37,490 --> 00:07:39,490 He said, 178 00:07:39,490 --> 00:07:40,490 'O Mundhir, 179 00:07:40,490 --> 00:07:43,490 Fear Allah regarding what you know; 180 00:07:43,490 --> 00:07:45,490 And as for that whose knowledge has been kept from you, 181 00:07:45,490 --> 00:07:47,490 Entrust it to the One who knows it. 182 00:07:47,490 --> 00:07:49,519 O Mundhir, 183 00:07:49,519 --> 00:07:51,519 Let no one among you say, 184 00:07:51,519 --> 00:07:53,519 "O Allah, I repent to You," 185 00:07:53,519 --> 00:07:55,519 And then fail to repent, 186 00:07:55,519 --> 00:07:57,519 For that would be a lie. 187 00:07:57,519 --> 00:07:59,519 Rather, let him say, 188 00:07:59,519 --> 00:08:01,519 "O Allah, accept my repentance," 189 00:08:01,519 --> 00:08:03,519 For that is a supplication. 190 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:06,680 And know, O Mundhir, 191 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:08,680 That there is no good in speech 192 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:10,680 Except in proclaiming Allah's oneness, 193 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:12,680 Praising Allah, 194 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,680 Declaring Allah's greatness, glorifying Allah, 195 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:17,680 Asking Him for good, 196 00:08:17,680 --> 00:08:19,680 Seeking His refuge from evil, 197 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:21,680 Enjoining good, 198 00:08:21,680 --> 00:08:23,680 Forbidding evil, 199 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:25,680 And reciting the Qur'an.' 200 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:27,810 Mundhir then said to him, 201 00:08:27,810 --> 00:08:29,810 'We have sat with you 202 00:08:29,810 --> 00:08:32,809 "Yet we have never heard you recite poetry, 203 00:08:32,809 --> 00:08:34,809 though we have seen some of your companions 204 00:08:34,809 --> 00:08:36,809 recite it." 205 00:08:36,809 --> 00:08:38,809 He replied: 206 00:08:38,809 --> 00:08:40,809 "There is nothing you utter here 207 00:08:40,809 --> 00:08:42,809 but that it is recorded and will be read out 208 00:08:42,809 --> 00:08:44,809 against you there; 209 00:08:44,809 --> 00:08:46,809 and I would hate to find in my record 210 00:08:46,809 --> 00:08:48,809 a line of verse 211 00:08:48,809 --> 00:08:50,809 being read out against me on the Day the Account 212 00:08:50,809 --> 00:08:53,000 is established." 213 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000 Then he turned to all of us 214 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:57,000 and said: "Constantly remember 215 00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,000 death, 216 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:01,000 for it is your awaited, absent visitor. 217 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:03,000 And when an absent one's absence has lasted long, 218 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000 his return is imminent, 219 00:09:05,000 --> 00:09:07,000 and his kin eagerly await him." 220 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:09,100 Then tears welled in his eyes, 221 00:09:09,100 --> 00:09:11,100 and he said: "What shall 222 00:09:11,100 --> 00:09:13,100 we do tomorrow, 223 00:09:13,100 --> 00:09:15,100 “Nay, but when the earth is ground to atoms, grinding, grinding,” (89:21) 224 00:09:15,100 --> 00:09:17,100 ◁when the earth is leveled, pounded, and crushed,▷ 225 00:09:17,100 --> 00:09:19,100 ◁and your Lord comes with the angels,▷ 226 00:09:19,100 --> 00:09:21,100 ◁rank upon rank,▷ 227 00:09:21,100 --> 00:09:23,100 ◁and brought that Day▷ 228 00:09:23,100 --> 00:09:25,129 ◁is Hell?▷" 229 00:09:25,129 --> 00:09:27,129 Hilal said: 230 00:09:27,129 --> 00:09:29,129 "Scarcely had al-Rabi' finished speaking 231 00:09:29,129 --> 00:09:31,159 when the call for the Zuhr prayer was made. 232 00:09:31,159 --> 00:09:33,159 So he turned to his son and said: 233 00:09:33,159 --> 00:09:35,159 'Come, let us answer Allah's caller!' 234 00:09:35,159 --> 00:09:37,190 His son said: 235 00:09:37,190 --> 00:09:39,190 'Help me 236 00:09:39,190 --> 00:09:41,190 carry him to the mosque, may you be rewarded 237 00:09:41,190 --> 00:09:43,190 with good.' So we lifted him up, 238 00:09:43,190 --> 00:09:45,190 and he rested his right arm on 239 00:09:45,190 --> 00:09:47,190 his son's shoulder and his left arm on 240 00:09:47,190 --> 00:09:49,190 my shoulder, and began 241 00:09:49,190 --> 00:09:51,190 shuffling between us, 242 00:09:51,190 --> 00:09:53,190 with his feet trailing along the ground, 243 00:09:53,190 --> 00:09:55,190 dragging." 244 00:09:55,190 --> 00:09:57,190 Then Mundhir said to him: 245 00:09:57,190 --> 00:09:59,190 "O Abu Yazid! 246 00:09:59,190 --> 00:10:01,190 Allah has indeed granted you a dispensation; 247 00:10:01,190 --> 00:10:03,289 if only you would pray in your house!" 248 00:10:03,289 --> 00:10:05,289 He replied: "It is 249 00:10:05,289 --> 00:10:07,289 as you say, 250 00:10:07,289 --> 00:10:09,289 but I heard the caller cry: 251 00:10:09,289 --> 00:10:11,289 'Come to success! 252 00:10:11,289 --> 00:10:13,289 Come to success!' 253 00:10:13,289 --> 00:10:15,289 So whoever among you hears 254 00:10:15,289 --> 00:10:17,289 the caller summon him to success, 255 00:10:17,289 --> 00:10:19,289 let him answer it, even if he must crawl." 256 00:10:19,289 --> 00:10:22,440 Furthermore, 257 00:10:22,440 --> 00:10:24,440 who was this al-Rabi' 258 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,440 ibn Khuthaym? 259 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:28,440 He was an eminent figure among the Tabi'un 260 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:30,440 and one of the eight 261 00:10:30,440 --> 00:10:32,440 who represented the pinnacle 262 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:34,440 of asceticism in their era. 263 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:36,440 He was of pure Arab descent, 264 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,440 of Mudari lineage— 265 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:40,440 meaning his ancestry traces back 266 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:42,440 to Mudar— 267 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:44,440 and converges with the Messenger of Allah, 268 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:46,440 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 269 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:48,440 through his ancestors Ilyas and Mudar. 270 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:50,730 From the tender days of his youth, 271 00:10:50,730 --> 00:10:52,730 he grew up in obedience to Allah, 272 00:10:52,730 --> 00:10:54,730 and from his earliest years, 273 00:10:54,730 --> 00:10:56,730 he weaned himself upon piety toward Him. 274 00:10:56,730 --> 00:10:58,730 His mother would sleep at night 275 00:10:58,730 --> 00:11:00,730 and then awake, 276 00:11:00,730 --> 00:11:02,730 only to find her young son 277 00:11:02,730 --> 00:11:04,730 still standing in his prayer niche, 278 00:11:04,730 --> 00:11:06,730 immersed in his intimate supplication, 279 00:11:06,730 --> 00:11:08,730 absorbed in his prayer. 280 00:11:08,730 --> 00:11:10,759 She would call out to him, 281 00:11:10,759 --> 00:11:12,759 saying: "O my son! 282 00:11:12,759 --> 00:11:14,759 O Rabi'! 283 00:11:14,759 --> 00:11:16,759 Will you not sleep?" 284 00:11:16,759 --> 00:11:18,759 He would reply: "How can one sleep 285 00:11:18,759 --> 00:11:20,759 when night falls upon him 286 00:11:20,759 --> 00:11:22,759 while he dreads 287 00:11:22,759 --> 00:11:24,759 the sudden assault of enemies?" 288 00:11:24,759 --> 00:11:26,950 Tears would then roll down 289 00:11:26,950 --> 00:11:28,950 the cheeks of the elderly woman, 290 00:11:28,950 --> 00:11:30,950 and she would pray for his welfare. 291 00:11:30,950 --> 00:11:33,049 When al-Rabi' grew into manhood 292 00:11:33,049 --> 00:11:35,049 and matured, 293 00:11:35,049 --> 00:11:37,049 his scrupulous piety grew alongside him, 294 00:11:37,049 --> 00:11:39,049 and with his growth deepened 295 00:11:39,049 --> 00:11:41,139 his fear of Allah. 296 00:11:41,139 --> 00:11:43,139 His mother was deeply troubled by the frequency 297 00:11:43,139 --> 00:11:45,139 of his entreaties 298 00:11:45,139 --> 00:11:47,139 and the intensity of his weeping in the darkness 299 00:11:47,139 --> 00:11:49,139 of the night while people slept, 300 00:11:49,139 --> 00:11:51,139 to the point that she began to suspect the worst. 301 00:11:51,139 --> 00:11:53,139 She began calling out to him, 302 00:11:53,139 --> 00:11:55,139 saying: "What is it 303 00:11:55,139 --> 00:11:57,139 that has afflicted you, my son? 304 00:11:57,139 --> 00:11:59,139 Have you committed a grave offense? 305 00:11:59,139 --> 00:12:01,139 Have you killed a soul?" 306 00:12:01,139 --> 00:12:03,139 He said: "Yes, 307 00:12:03,139 --> 00:12:05,139 mother, I have killed 308 00:12:05,139 --> 00:12:07,210 a soul." She said 309 00:12:07,210 --> 00:12:09,210 anxiously: "And who is this 310 00:12:09,210 --> 00:12:11,210 slain person, my son, 311 00:12:11,210 --> 00:12:13,210 so that we may have people go 312 00:12:13,210 --> 00:12:15,210 to his family in the hope that they might 313 00:12:15,210 --> 00:12:17,210 pardon you? By Allah, 314 00:12:17,210 --> 00:12:19,210 if the victim's family knew what you endure 315 00:12:19,210 --> 00:12:21,210 of weeping 316 00:12:21,210 --> 00:12:23,210 and what you suffer of sleeplessness, 317 00:12:23,210 --> 00:12:25,210 they would surely take pity on you!" 318 00:12:25,210 --> 00:12:27,210 He replied: "Do not speak 319 00:12:27,210 --> 00:12:29,210 to anyone, for it is only 320 00:12:29,210 --> 00:12:31,210 my own soul that I have slain; 321 00:12:31,210 --> 00:12:34,419 I have slain it with sins." 322 00:12:34,419 --> 00:12:36,419 Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym studied 323 00:12:36,419 --> 00:12:38,419 under 'Abdullah 324 00:12:38,419 --> 00:12:40,419 ibn Mas'ud, the companion 325 00:12:40,419 --> 00:12:42,419 of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 326 00:12:42,419 --> 00:12:44,419 and the closest of the Companions 327 00:12:44,419 --> 00:12:46,419 in guidance and deportment to the Prophet, 328 00:12:46,419 --> 00:12:48,419 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 329 00:12:48,419 --> 00:12:50,419 Al-Rabi' was attached 330 00:12:50,419 --> 00:12:52,419 to his teacher 331 00:12:52,419 --> 00:12:54,419 as a newborn clings to its mother, 332 00:12:54,419 --> 00:12:56,419 and the teacher loved his student 333 00:12:56,419 --> 00:12:58,419 as a father loves his only child. 334 00:12:58,419 --> 00:13:00,419 Al-Rabi' used to enter 335 00:13:00,419 --> 00:13:02,419 upon Ibn Mas'ud without asking permission, 336 00:13:02,419 --> 00:13:04,419 and whenever he was with him, 337 00:13:04,419 --> 00:13:06,419 no one else was permitted 338 00:13:06,419 --> 00:13:08,419 to enter until al-Rabi' 339 00:13:08,419 --> 00:13:10,419 had departed. 340 00:13:10,419 --> 00:13:12,419 Ibn Mas'ud saw such 341 00:13:12,419 --> 00:13:14,419 purity in al-Rabi''s soul, 342 00:13:14,419 --> 00:13:16,419 sincerity in his heart, and excellence 343 00:13:16,419 --> 00:13:18,419 in his worship 344 00:13:18,419 --> 00:13:20,419 that his heart would fill with sorrow over 345 00:13:20,419 --> 00:13:22,419 his having lived after the time of the Prophet, 346 00:13:22,419 --> 00:13:24,419 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 347 00:13:24,419 --> 00:13:26,419 and his being deprived 348 00:13:26,419 --> 00:13:28,419 of his companionship. 349 00:13:28,419 --> 00:13:30,419 He used to say to him: 350 00:13:30,419 --> 00:13:32,419 "O Abu Yazid, 351 00:13:32,419 --> 00:13:34,419 had the Messenger of Allah, 352 00:13:34,419 --> 00:13:36,419 peace be upon him, seen you, he would have loved you!" 353 00:13:36,419 --> 00:13:38,419 He would also say to him: 354 00:13:38,419 --> 00:13:40,419 "I have never looked at you 355 00:13:40,419 --> 00:13:42,419 without remembering the humble and devout." 356 00:13:42,419 --> 00:13:45,639 And 'Abdullah 357 00:13:45,639 --> 00:13:47,639 ibn Mas'ud was not exaggerating in that, 358 00:13:47,639 --> 00:13:49,700 for al-Rabi' 359 00:13:49,700 --> 00:13:51,700 ibn Khuthaym attained a level of reverent fear, 360 00:13:51,700 --> 00:13:53,700 scrupulous piety, and devotion 361 00:13:53,700 --> 00:13:55,700 seldom matched 362 00:13:55,700 --> 00:13:57,700 by anyone of his generation. 363 00:13:57,700 --> 00:13:59,700 Traditions have been transmitted regarding this 364 00:13:59,700 --> 00:14:01,700 that continue 365 00:14:01,700 --> 00:14:03,700 to adorn the pages of history. 366 00:14:03,700 --> 00:14:05,700 Among them is what 367 00:14:05,700 --> 00:14:07,700 one of his companions narrated, saying: 368 00:14:07,700 --> 00:14:09,700 "I accompanied al-Rabi' 369 00:14:09,700 --> 00:14:11,700 ibn Khuthaym for twenty years, 370 00:14:11,700 --> 00:14:13,700 and I never heard him utter a word 371 00:14:13,700 --> 00:14:15,700 except that it was one that ascends;" 372 00:14:15,700 --> 00:14:17,700 and he recited 373 00:14:17,700 --> 00:14:19,700 the words of Him, the Mighty and Majestic: 374 00:14:19,700 --> 00:14:21,700 “Whoso desireth power (should know that) all power belongeth to Allah. Unto Him good words ascend, and the pious deed doth He exalt; but those who plot iniquities, theirs will be an awful doom; and the plotting of such (folk) will come to naught.” (35:10) 375 00:14:21,700 --> 00:14:23,700 ◁"and righteous deeds▷ 376 00:14:23,700 --> 00:14:25,769 ◁He raises."▷ 377 00:14:25,769 --> 00:14:27,769 And 'Abd al-Rahman 378 00:14:27,769 --> 00:14:29,769 ibn 'Ajlan reported, saying: 379 00:14:29,769 --> 00:14:31,769 "I stayed overnight at al-Rabi''s house one night, 380 00:14:31,769 --> 00:14:33,769 and when he was certain that I had fallen 381 00:14:33,769 --> 00:14:35,769 asleep, he arose to pray 382 00:14:35,769 --> 00:14:37,769 and recited the words of Him, the Mighty 383 00:14:37,769 --> 00:14:39,769 and Majestic: 384 00:14:39,769 --> 00:14:41,769 “Or do those who commit ill-deeds suppose that We shall make them as those who believe and do good works, the same in life and death? Bad is their judgment!” (45:21) 385 00:14:41,769 --> 00:14:43,769 ◁"that We will make them▷ 386 00:14:43,769 --> 00:14:45,769 ◁like those who believed▷ 387 00:14:45,769 --> 00:14:47,769 ◁and did righteous deeds,▷ 388 00:14:47,769 --> 00:14:49,769 ◁equal in▷ 389 00:14:49,769 --> 00:14:51,769 ◁their life▷ 390 00:14:51,769 --> 00:14:53,769 ◁and their death?▷ 391 00:14:53,769 --> 00:14:55,769 ◁Evil is that which▷ 392 00:14:55,769 --> 00:14:57,769 ◁they judge!"▷ 393 00:14:57,769 --> 00:14:59,769 He spent his entire night praying 394 00:14:59,769 --> 00:15:01,769 with this verse, 395 00:15:01,769 --> 00:15:03,769 reciting it over and over again 396 00:15:03,769 --> 00:15:05,769 until the dawn broke upon him, 397 00:15:05,769 --> 00:15:07,769 while his eyes poured forth 398 00:15:07,769 --> 00:15:09,769 tears profusely. 399 00:15:09,769 --> 00:15:13,179 Concerning al-Rabi''s awe of Allah 400 00:15:13,179 --> 00:15:15,179 and his reverent fear, there are many accounts; 401 00:15:15,179 --> 00:15:17,179 among them 402 00:15:17,179 --> 00:15:19,179 is what a group of 403 00:15:19,179 --> 00:15:21,179 His companions recounted: 404 00:15:21,179 --> 00:15:23,179 "One day, we set out in the company of 'Abdullah 405 00:15:23,179 --> 00:15:25,179 Ibn Mas'ud, 406 00:15:25,179 --> 00:15:27,179 and with us was Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym. 407 00:15:27,179 --> 00:15:29,179 When we reached the banks 408 00:15:29,179 --> 00:15:31,179 of the Euphrates, we passed 409 00:15:31,179 --> 00:15:33,179 by a huge kiln whose 410 00:15:33,179 --> 00:15:35,179 fire had been stoked furiously, sending sparks flying 411 00:15:35,179 --> 00:15:37,179 everywhere, 412 00:15:37,179 --> 00:15:39,179 while its tongues of flame leaped upward 413 00:15:39,179 --> 00:15:41,179 and its roaring crackle could be heard. 414 00:15:41,179 --> 00:15:43,179 Stones had been cast into the kiln 415 00:15:43,179 --> 00:15:45,179 to be burned 416 00:15:45,179 --> 00:15:47,210 until they turned into quicklime. 417 00:15:47,210 --> 00:15:49,210 When Al-Rabi' saw 418 00:15:49,210 --> 00:15:51,210 that fire, he froze in his tracks, 419 00:15:51,210 --> 00:15:53,210 seized by a violent 420 00:15:53,210 --> 00:15:55,210 trembling, and he recited 421 00:15:55,210 --> 00:15:57,210 the words of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic: 422 00:15:57,210 --> 00:15:59,590 'When it sees them 423 00:15:59,590 --> 00:16:01,590 from a distant place, 424 00:16:01,590 --> 00:16:03,590 they will hear its 425 00:16:03,590 --> 00:16:05,590 raging and roaring; 426 00:16:05,590 --> 00:16:07,590 and when 427 00:16:07,590 --> 00:16:09,590 they are hurled into a narrow 428 00:16:09,590 --> 00:16:11,590 place therein, bound in chains, 429 00:16:11,590 --> 00:16:13,590 they will cry out there for destruction.' 430 00:16:13,590 --> 00:16:15,590 Then 431 00:16:15,590 --> 00:16:17,590 he collapsed unconscious. 432 00:16:17,590 --> 00:16:19,590 We stayed by his side until 433 00:16:19,590 --> 00:16:21,590 he regained consciousness from his swoon, 434 00:16:21,590 --> 00:16:23,590 and we carried him back to his home." 435 00:16:23,590 --> 00:16:27,129 Indeed, 436 00:16:27,129 --> 00:16:29,190 Al-Rabi' 437 00:16:29,190 --> 00:16:31,190 ibn Khuthaym spent his entire life 438 00:16:31,190 --> 00:16:33,190 anticipating death 439 00:16:33,190 --> 00:16:35,190 and preparing to meet it. 440 00:16:35,190 --> 00:16:37,190 When death approached him, 441 00:16:37,190 --> 00:16:39,190 his daughter began to weep, 442 00:16:39,190 --> 00:16:41,190 so he said to her: 443 00:16:41,190 --> 00:16:43,190 "What makes you weep, my little daughter, 444 00:16:43,190 --> 00:16:45,190 when boundless good 445 00:16:45,190 --> 00:16:47,190 is coming to your father?" 446 00:16:47,190 --> 00:16:49,190 Then his soul surrendered to its Creator. 447 00:16:55,700 --> 00:16:58,059 "O Abu Yazid! 448 00:16:58,059 --> 00:17:00,059 Had the Messenger of Allah, 449 00:17:00,059 --> 00:17:02,059 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, seen you, 450 00:17:02,059 --> 00:17:05,049 he surely would have loved you." 451 00:17:05,049 --> 00:17:09,609 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, 452 00:17:09,609 --> 00:17:11,609 standing as an exemplar and paragon, 453 00:17:11,609 --> 00:17:13,609 closely followed the Messenger, 454 00:17:13,609 --> 00:17:15,609 never wavering throughout his days. 455 00:17:15,609 --> 00:17:17,609 They were once here, 456 00:17:17,609 --> 00:17:19,609 showering blessings like rain clouds 457 00:17:19,609 --> 00:17:21,609 upon our lives; 458 00:17:21,609 --> 00:17:23,609 thus, among us, 459 00:17:23,609 --> 00:17:25,609 their memory continually soars high. 460 00:17:25,609 --> 00:17:27,609 They departed, 461 00:17:27,609 --> 00:17:29,609 leaving behind in our conscience 462 00:17:29,609 --> 00:17:31,609 a burning question: 463 00:17:31,609 --> 00:17:33,609 Has any star like them 464 00:17:33,609 --> 00:17:35,609 ever risen and shone so bright? 465 00:17:35,609 --> 00:17:37,609 They filled 466 00:17:37,609 --> 00:17:39,609 this life with glorious deeds 467 00:17:39,609 --> 00:17:41,609 through their noble actions, 468 00:17:41,609 --> 00:17:43,609 and through them, the world 469 00:17:43,609 --> 00:17:45,700 of humanity truly flourished.