WEBVTT 00:00:00.430 --> 00:00:03.430 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.430 --> 00:00:08.429 The finest of generations in nobility and exemplar, 00:00:08.429 --> 00:00:13.429 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 00:00:13.429 --> 00:00:15.429 Mawaddah Association 00:00:15.429 --> 00:00:17.429 Presents: 00:00:17.429 --> 00:00:21.500 Glimpses from the Lives of the Tabi'un 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:26.559 By Dr. 'Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:30.829 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:30.829 --> 00:00:32.829 Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym, 00:00:32.829 --> 00:00:34.829 May Allah have mercy on him. 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:47.280 Hilal ibn Isaf said to his guest, Mundhir al-Thawri: 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:50.280 "Shall I not take you, O Mundhir, to the Shaykh, 00:00:50.280 --> 00:00:52.280 That we might renew our faith for an hour?" 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:54.280 Mundhir replied, "Indeed! 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:57.280 By Allah, nothing brought me to Kufa 00:00:57.280 --> 00:00:59.280 Except the desire to meet your Shaykh, 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:01.280 Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym, 00:01:01.280 --> 00:01:05.280 And the longing to spend an hour absorbing his faith. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:08.469 But have you sought permission for us to visit him? 00:01:08.469 --> 00:01:10.469 For I have been told 00:01:10.469 --> 00:01:12.469 That ever since he was afflicted with paralysis, 00:01:12.469 --> 00:01:14.469 He has confined himself to his home, 00:01:14.469 --> 00:01:16.469 Devoted himself entirely to his Lord, 00:01:16.469 --> 00:01:18.469 And turned away from meeting people." 00:01:18.469 --> 00:01:20.469 Hilal said, 00:01:20.469 --> 00:01:24.469 "He has been this way ever since Kufa came to know him. 00:01:24.469 --> 00:01:27.469 His illness has changed nothing about him." 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:30.500 Mundhir said, "Very well, 00:01:30.500 --> 00:01:34.500 But you know that such men 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:36.500 Have delicate dispositions. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:38.500 Do you think we should initiate conversation with the Shaykh 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:40.500 And ask him about what we wish, 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:42.500 Or should we remain silent 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:44.500 And listen to whatever he wishes to impart?" 00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:46.500 Hilal replied, 00:01:46.500 --> 00:01:48.500 "If you were to sit with Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:50.500 For an entire year, 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:52.500 He would not speak to you 00:01:52.500 --> 00:01:54.500 Unless you spoke to him first, 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:57.500 Nor would he initiate speech unless you asked him. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:02:00.500 For he has made his speech remembrance 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:02.599 And his silence contemplation." 00:02:02.599 --> 00:02:04.599 Mundhir said, 00:02:04.599 --> 00:02:07.599 "Let us proceed to him then, with the blessing of Allah." 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:09.599 They then went to the Shaykh. 00:02:09.599 --> 00:02:13.599 When they entered his presence, they greeted him with peace and asked, 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:15.599 "How is the Shaykh feeling this morning?" 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:17.599 He replied, 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:19.599 "I have awakened weak and sinful, 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:22.599 Consuming my provision and awaiting my appointed time." 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:24.699 Hilal said to him, 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:27.699 "I could bring you a skilled physician to treat you. 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:30.699 Do you permit me to call one for you?" 00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:32.699 He replied, 00:02:32.699 --> 00:02:33.699 "O Hilal! 00:02:33.699 --> 00:02:36.699 Indeed, I know that medicine is real. 00:02:36.699 --> 00:02:39.699 But I considered 'Ad, Thamud, 00:02:39.699 --> 00:02:41.699 And the Companions of the Rass, 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) 00:02:44.699 --> 00:02:46.699 And I looked at their eagerness for worldly life 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:48.699 And their desire for its pleasures— 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:52.699 Yet they were far mightier than us in strength 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:54.699 And possessed greater power. 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:56.699 Among them were physicians, 00:02:56.699 --> 00:02:58.699 And among them were the sick. 00:02:58.699 --> 00:03:00.699 Yet neither did the healer endure, 00:03:00.699 --> 00:03:02.699 Nor did the healed!" 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:04.699 Then Al-Rabi' let out a deep sigh 00:03:04.699 --> 00:03:06.699 A deep sigh, and said: 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:09.819 "If physical illness were the true disease, 00:03:09.819 --> 00:03:11.819 We would have sought its cure." 00:03:11.819 --> 00:03:14.819 Mundhir then asked for clarification, saying: 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:17.889 "What then is the disease, O noble Shaykh?" 00:03:17.889 --> 00:03:18.889 He replied, 00:03:18.889 --> 00:03:20.889 "The disease is sins." 00:03:20.889 --> 00:03:23.050 Mundhir asked, 00:03:23.050 --> 00:03:25.080 "And what is the cure?" 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:26.080 He replied, 00:03:26.080 --> 00:03:28.080 "The cure is seeking forgiveness." 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:30.210 Mundhir asked, 00:03:30.210 --> 00:03:32.210 "And how is the healing attained?" 00:03:32.210 --> 00:03:34.270 He replied, 00:03:34.270 --> 00:03:37.270 "By repenting and never returning to the sin." 00:03:37.270 --> 00:03:40.340 Then he gazed intently at us and said: 00:03:40.340 --> 00:03:42.340 "Beware of the hidden inner states! Beware of the hidden inner states! 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:46.340 Attend to the secret deeds that are hidden from people, 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:49.340 Yet are fully manifest to Allah Almighty. 00:03:49.340 --> 00:03:51.340 That is, clearly visible to Him; 00:03:51.340 --> 00:03:53.340 Seek their remedy!" 00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:55.370 Mundhir asked, 00:03:55.370 --> 00:03:57.370 "And what is their remedy?" 00:03:57.370 --> 00:03:59.370 The Shaykh replied, 00:03:59.370 --> 00:04:01.370 "Sincere repentance." 00:04:01.370 --> 00:04:06.500 Then he wept until his tears soaked his beard. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:08.560 Mundhir said to him, 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:10.560 "Do you weep, when you are who you are?" 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:12.560 He replied, 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:13.560 "Far from it! 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:15.560 Why should I not weep, 00:04:15.560 --> 00:04:19.560 When I have known a people compared to whom we are like thieves?" 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:23.560 —He meant the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:25.689 Hilal said: 00:04:25.689 --> 00:04:27.689 "While we were in that state, 00:04:27.689 --> 00:04:29.689 The Shaykh's son entered upon us, 00:04:29.689 --> 00:04:31.689 Greeted us, and said, 00:04:31.689 --> 00:04:33.689 'O my father, 00:04:33.689 --> 00:04:37.689 My mother has prepared a fine sweet halva dish for you, 00:04:37.689 --> 00:04:40.689 And it would gladden her heart if you ate from it. 00:04:40.689 --> 00:04:42.689 Shall I bring it to you?' 00:04:42.689 --> 00:04:44.689 He said, 'Bring it.' 00:04:44.689 --> 00:04:46.689 When his son went out to fetch it, 00:04:46.689 --> 00:04:48.689 A beggar knocked at the door. 00:04:48.689 --> 00:04:50.689 The Shaykh said, 'Let him in.' 00:04:50.689 --> 00:04:52.689 When the beggar reached the courtyard of the house, 00:04:52.689 --> 00:04:54.689 I looked at him, 00:04:54.689 --> 00:04:56.689 And he was an elderly man 00:04:56.689 --> 00:04:58.689 In tattered clothes, 00:04:58.689 --> 00:05:01.689 With drool running down his chin, 00:05:01.689 --> 00:05:05.689 And his facial features clearly showed he was mentally impaired. 00:05:05.689 --> 00:05:07.689 Hardly had I raised my eyes from him 00:05:07.689 --> 00:05:09.689 When the Shaykh's son returned 00:05:09.689 --> 00:05:11.689 Carrying the dish of halva. 00:05:11.689 --> 00:05:13.689 The father gestured to him 00:05:13.689 --> 00:05:16.689 To place it before the beggar. 00:05:16.689 --> 00:05:18.720 So he placed it before him, 00:05:18.720 --> 00:05:20.720 And the man set upon it, 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:23.720 Devouring its contents voraciously 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:26.720 While his saliva dripped over it. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:28.720 He kept eating 00:05:28.720 --> 00:05:31.720 Until he had finished everything on the dish. 00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:33.720 His son then said to him, 00:05:33.720 --> 00:05:36.720 'May Allah have mercy on you, father! 00:05:36.720 --> 00:05:40.720 My mother went to great trouble to make this sweet dish for you, 00:05:40.720 --> 00:05:43.720 And we longed for you to eat from it, 00:05:43.720 --> 00:05:45.720 Yet you fed it to this man 00:05:45.720 --> 00:05:48.720 Who does not even know what he ate!' 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:50.819 The Shaykh replied, 'O my son, 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:52.819 Even if he does not know, 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:55.819 Allah knows.' 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:58.879 He then recited the words of the Exalted and Almighty: 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:00.879 ﴿You will never attain righteousness 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:04.879 Until you spend from that which you love. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:08.879 And whatever you spend, 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:13.879 Allah is fully Aware of it.﴾ 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:15.879 While he was in that state, 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:18.879 A man from among his relatives entered upon him 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:21.879 And said, 'O Abu Yazid, 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:24.879 Al-Husayn ibn Fatima has been killed—peace be upon him 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:26.910 And upon his mother!' 00:06:26.910 --> 00:06:29.910 He said, 'Indeed, to Allah we belong, 00:06:29.910 --> 00:06:31.910 And to Him we shall return.' 00:06:31.910 --> 00:06:34.910 Then he recited the words of the Exalted: 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) 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) 00:06:41.910 --> 00:06:44.910 ﴿O Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, 00:06:44.910 --> 00:06:46.910 You will judge between Your servants 00:06:46.910 --> 00:06:50.910 Concerning that over which they used to differ.﴾ 00:06:50.910 --> 00:06:53.910 But the man was not satisfied with his words, 00:06:53.910 --> 00:06:55.910 So he asked him, 00:06:55.910 --> 00:06:57.910 'What do you say regarding his killing?' 00:06:57.910 --> 00:07:01.910 He replied, 'I say: to Allah is their return, 00:07:01.910 --> 00:07:04.910 And with Allah is their reckoning.' 00:07:04.910 --> 00:07:07.230 Hilal said: 00:07:07.230 --> 00:07:10.230 "Then, seeing that the time for the noon prayer was approaching, 00:07:10.230 --> 00:07:12.230 I said to the Shaykh, 00:07:12.230 --> 00:07:13.230 'Exhort me.' 00:07:13.230 --> 00:07:15.230 He said, 00:07:15.230 --> 00:07:17.230 'O Hilal, let not 00:07:17.230 --> 00:07:19.230 The abundance of people's praise delude you, 00:07:19.230 --> 00:07:22.230 For people know nothing of you 00:07:22.230 --> 00:07:24.259 Except your outward appearance. 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:27.259 Know that you are bound for your deeds, 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:30.259 And that every deed not intended for 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:32.259 The Countenance of Allah comes to naught.' 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:34.490 Mundhir then said to him, 00:07:34.490 --> 00:07:37.490 'And exhort me as well, may you be rewarded with good.' 00:07:37.490 --> 00:07:39.490 He said, 00:07:39.490 --> 00:07:40.490 'O Mundhir, 00:07:40.490 --> 00:07:43.490 Fear Allah regarding what you know; 00:07:43.490 --> 00:07:45.490 And as for that whose knowledge has been kept from you, 00:07:45.490 --> 00:07:47.490 Entrust it to the One who knows it. 00:07:47.490 --> 00:07:49.519 O Mundhir, 00:07:49.519 --> 00:07:51.519 Let no one among you say, 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:53.519 "O Allah, I repent to You," 00:07:53.519 --> 00:07:55.519 And then fail to repent, 00:07:55.519 --> 00:07:57.519 For that would be a lie. 00:07:57.519 --> 00:07:59.519 Rather, let him say, 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.519 "O Allah, accept my repentance," 00:08:01.519 --> 00:08:03.519 For that is a supplication. 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:06.680 And know, O Mundhir, 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:08.680 That there is no good in speech 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:10.680 Except in proclaiming Allah's oneness, 00:08:10.680 --> 00:08:12.680 Praising Allah, 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:15.680 Declaring Allah's greatness, glorifying Allah, 00:08:15.680 --> 00:08:17.680 Asking Him for good, 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:19.680 Seeking His refuge from evil, 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:21.680 Enjoining good, 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.680 Forbidding evil, 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:25.680 And reciting the Qur'an.' 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:27.810 Mundhir then said to him, 00:08:27.810 --> 00:08:29.810 'We have sat with you 00:08:29.810 --> 00:08:32.809 "Yet we have never heard you recite poetry, 00:08:32.809 --> 00:08:34.809 though we have seen some of your companions 00:08:34.809 --> 00:08:36.809 recite it." 00:08:36.809 --> 00:08:38.809 He replied: 00:08:38.809 --> 00:08:40.809 "There is nothing you utter here 00:08:40.809 --> 00:08:42.809 but that it is recorded and will be read out 00:08:42.809 --> 00:08:44.809 against you there; 00:08:44.809 --> 00:08:46.809 and I would hate to find in my record 00:08:46.809 --> 00:08:48.809 a line of verse 00:08:48.809 --> 00:08:50.809 being read out against me on the Day the Account 00:08:50.809 --> 00:08:53.000 is established." 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:55.000 Then he turned to all of us 00:08:55.000 --> 00:08:57.000 and said: "Constantly remember 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:59.000 death, 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:01.000 for it is your awaited, absent visitor. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:03.000 And when an absent one's absence has lasted long, 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:05.000 his return is imminent, 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.000 and his kin eagerly await him." 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:09.100 Then tears welled in his eyes, 00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:11.100 and he said: "What shall 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:13.100 we do tomorrow, 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:15.100 “Nay, but when the earth is ground to atoms, grinding, grinding,” (89:21) 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:17.100 ◁when the earth is leveled, pounded, and crushed,▷ 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:19.100 ◁and your Lord comes with the angels,▷ 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:21.100 ◁rank upon rank,▷ 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:23.100 ◁and brought that Day▷ 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:25.129 ◁is Hell?▷" 00:09:25.129 --> 00:09:27.129 Hilal said: 00:09:27.129 --> 00:09:29.129 "Scarcely had al-Rabi' finished speaking 00:09:29.129 --> 00:09:31.159 when the call for the Zuhr prayer was made. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:33.159 So he turned to his son and said: 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:35.159 'Come, let us answer Allah's caller!' 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:37.190 His son said: 00:09:37.190 --> 00:09:39.190 'Help me 00:09:39.190 --> 00:09:41.190 carry him to the mosque, may you be rewarded 00:09:41.190 --> 00:09:43.190 with good.' So we lifted him up, 00:09:43.190 --> 00:09:45.190 and he rested his right arm on 00:09:45.190 --> 00:09:47.190 his son's shoulder and his left arm on 00:09:47.190 --> 00:09:49.190 my shoulder, and began 00:09:49.190 --> 00:09:51.190 shuffling between us, 00:09:51.190 --> 00:09:53.190 with his feet trailing along the ground, 00:09:53.190 --> 00:09:55.190 dragging." 00:09:55.190 --> 00:09:57.190 Then Mundhir said to him: 00:09:57.190 --> 00:09:59.190 "O Abu Yazid! 00:09:59.190 --> 00:10:01.190 Allah has indeed granted you a dispensation; 00:10:01.190 --> 00:10:03.289 if only you would pray in your house!" 00:10:03.289 --> 00:10:05.289 He replied: "It is 00:10:05.289 --> 00:10:07.289 as you say, 00:10:07.289 --> 00:10:09.289 but I heard the caller cry: 00:10:09.289 --> 00:10:11.289 'Come to success! 00:10:11.289 --> 00:10:13.289 Come to success!' 00:10:13.289 --> 00:10:15.289 So whoever among you hears 00:10:15.289 --> 00:10:17.289 the caller summon him to success, 00:10:17.289 --> 00:10:19.289 let him answer it, even if he must crawl." 00:10:19.289 --> 00:10:22.440 Furthermore, 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:24.440 who was this al-Rabi' 00:10:24.440 --> 00:10:26.440 ibn Khuthaym? 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:28.440 He was an eminent figure among the Tabi'un 00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:30.440 and one of the eight 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:32.440 who represented the pinnacle 00:10:32.440 --> 00:10:34.440 of asceticism in their era. 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:36.440 He was of pure Arab descent, 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:38.440 of Mudari lineage— 00:10:38.440 --> 00:10:40.440 meaning his ancestry traces back 00:10:40.440 --> 00:10:42.440 to Mudar— 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:44.440 and converges with the Messenger of Allah, 00:10:44.440 --> 00:10:46.440 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:48.440 through his ancestors Ilyas and Mudar. 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:50.730 From the tender days of his youth, 00:10:50.730 --> 00:10:52.730 he grew up in obedience to Allah, 00:10:52.730 --> 00:10:54.730 and from his earliest years, 00:10:54.730 --> 00:10:56.730 he weaned himself upon piety toward Him. 00:10:56.730 --> 00:10:58.730 His mother would sleep at night 00:10:58.730 --> 00:11:00.730 and then awake, 00:11:00.730 --> 00:11:02.730 only to find her young son 00:11:02.730 --> 00:11:04.730 still standing in his prayer niche, 00:11:04.730 --> 00:11:06.730 immersed in his intimate supplication, 00:11:06.730 --> 00:11:08.730 absorbed in his prayer. 00:11:08.730 --> 00:11:10.759 She would call out to him, 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:12.759 saying: "O my son! 00:11:12.759 --> 00:11:14.759 O Rabi'! 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:16.759 Will you not sleep?" 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:18.759 He would reply: "How can one sleep 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:20.759 when night falls upon him 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:22.759 while he dreads 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:24.759 the sudden assault of enemies?" 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.950 Tears would then roll down 00:11:26.950 --> 00:11:28.950 the cheeks of the elderly woman, 00:11:28.950 --> 00:11:30.950 and she would pray for his welfare. 00:11:30.950 --> 00:11:33.049 When al-Rabi' grew into manhood 00:11:33.049 --> 00:11:35.049 and matured, 00:11:35.049 --> 00:11:37.049 his scrupulous piety grew alongside him, 00:11:37.049 --> 00:11:39.049 and with his growth deepened 00:11:39.049 --> 00:11:41.139 his fear of Allah. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:43.139 His mother was deeply troubled by the frequency 00:11:43.139 --> 00:11:45.139 of his entreaties 00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:47.139 and the intensity of his weeping in the darkness 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:49.139 of the night while people slept, 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:51.139 to the point that she began to suspect the worst. 00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:53.139 She began calling out to him, 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:55.139 saying: "What is it 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:57.139 that has afflicted you, my son? 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:59.139 Have you committed a grave offense? 00:11:59.139 --> 00:12:01.139 Have you killed a soul?" 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:03.139 He said: "Yes, 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:05.139 mother, I have killed 00:12:05.139 --> 00:12:07.210 a soul." She said 00:12:07.210 --> 00:12:09.210 anxiously: "And who is this 00:12:09.210 --> 00:12:11.210 slain person, my son, 00:12:11.210 --> 00:12:13.210 so that we may have people go 00:12:13.210 --> 00:12:15.210 to his family in the hope that they might 00:12:15.210 --> 00:12:17.210 pardon you? By Allah, 00:12:17.210 --> 00:12:19.210 if the victim's family knew what you endure 00:12:19.210 --> 00:12:21.210 of weeping 00:12:21.210 --> 00:12:23.210 and what you suffer of sleeplessness, 00:12:23.210 --> 00:12:25.210 they would surely take pity on you!" 00:12:25.210 --> 00:12:27.210 He replied: "Do not speak 00:12:27.210 --> 00:12:29.210 to anyone, for it is only 00:12:29.210 --> 00:12:31.210 my own soul that I have slain; 00:12:31.210 --> 00:12:34.419 I have slain it with sins." 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:36.419 Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym studied 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:38.419 under 'Abdullah 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:40.419 ibn Mas'ud, the companion 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:42.419 of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:44.419 and the closest of the Companions 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:46.419 in guidance and deportment to the Prophet, 00:12:46.419 --> 00:12:48.419 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:50.419 Al-Rabi' was attached 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:52.419 to his teacher 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:54.419 as a newborn clings to its mother, 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:56.419 and the teacher loved his student 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:58.419 as a father loves his only child. 00:12:58.419 --> 00:13:00.419 Al-Rabi' used to enter 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.419 upon Ibn Mas'ud without asking permission, 00:13:02.419 --> 00:13:04.419 and whenever he was with him, 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:06.419 no one else was permitted 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:08.419 to enter until al-Rabi' 00:13:08.419 --> 00:13:10.419 had departed. 00:13:10.419 --> 00:13:12.419 Ibn Mas'ud saw such 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:14.419 purity in al-Rabi''s soul, 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:16.419 sincerity in his heart, and excellence 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:18.419 in his worship 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:20.419 that his heart would fill with sorrow over 00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:22.419 his having lived after the time of the Prophet, 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:24.419 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:26.419 and his being deprived 00:13:26.419 --> 00:13:28.419 of his companionship. 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:30.419 He used to say to him: 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:32.419 "O Abu Yazid, 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:34.419 had the Messenger of Allah, 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:36.419 peace be upon him, seen you, he would have loved you!" 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:38.419 He would also say to him: 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:40.419 "I have never looked at you 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:42.419 without remembering the humble and devout." 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:45.639 And 'Abdullah 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:47.639 ibn Mas'ud was not exaggerating in that, 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:49.700 for al-Rabi' 00:13:49.700 --> 00:13:51.700 ibn Khuthaym attained a level of reverent fear, 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.700 scrupulous piety, and devotion 00:13:53.700 --> 00:13:55.700 seldom matched 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:57.700 by anyone of his generation. 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:59.700 Traditions have been transmitted regarding this 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:01.700 that continue 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.700 to adorn the pages of history. 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:05.700 Among them is what 00:14:05.700 --> 00:14:07.700 one of his companions narrated, saying: 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:09.700 "I accompanied al-Rabi' 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.700 ibn Khuthaym for twenty years, 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:13.700 and I never heard him utter a word 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:15.700 except that it was one that ascends;" 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:17.700 and he recited 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:19.700 the words of Him, the Mighty and Majestic: 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) 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.700 ◁"and righteous deeds▷ 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:25.769 ◁He raises."▷ 00:14:25.769 --> 00:14:27.769 And 'Abd al-Rahman 00:14:27.769 --> 00:14:29.769 ibn 'Ajlan reported, saying: 00:14:29.769 --> 00:14:31.769 "I stayed overnight at al-Rabi''s house one night, 00:14:31.769 --> 00:14:33.769 and when he was certain that I had fallen 00:14:33.769 --> 00:14:35.769 asleep, he arose to pray 00:14:35.769 --> 00:14:37.769 and recited the words of Him, the Mighty 00:14:37.769 --> 00:14:39.769 and Majestic: 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) 00:14:41.769 --> 00:14:43.769 ◁"that We will make them▷ 00:14:43.769 --> 00:14:45.769 ◁like those who believed▷ 00:14:45.769 --> 00:14:47.769 ◁and did righteous deeds,▷ 00:14:47.769 --> 00:14:49.769 ◁equal in▷ 00:14:49.769 --> 00:14:51.769 ◁their life▷ 00:14:51.769 --> 00:14:53.769 ◁and their death?▷ 00:14:53.769 --> 00:14:55.769 ◁Evil is that which▷ 00:14:55.769 --> 00:14:57.769 ◁they judge!"▷ 00:14:57.769 --> 00:14:59.769 He spent his entire night praying 00:14:59.769 --> 00:15:01.769 with this verse, 00:15:01.769 --> 00:15:03.769 reciting it over and over again 00:15:03.769 --> 00:15:05.769 until the dawn broke upon him, 00:15:05.769 --> 00:15:07.769 while his eyes poured forth 00:15:07.769 --> 00:15:09.769 tears profusely. 00:15:09.769 --> 00:15:13.179 Concerning al-Rabi''s awe of Allah 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:15.179 and his reverent fear, there are many accounts; 00:15:15.179 --> 00:15:17.179 among them 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:19.179 is what a group of 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:21.179 His companions recounted: 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:23.179 "One day, we set out in the company of 'Abdullah 00:15:23.179 --> 00:15:25.179 Ibn Mas'ud, 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:27.179 and with us was Al-Rabi' ibn Khuthaym. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:29.179 When we reached the banks 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:31.179 of the Euphrates, we passed 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.179 by a huge kiln whose 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:35.179 fire had been stoked furiously, sending sparks flying 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:37.179 everywhere, 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:39.179 while its tongues of flame leaped upward 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:41.179 and its roaring crackle could be heard. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:43.179 Stones had been cast into the kiln 00:15:43.179 --> 00:15:45.179 to be burned 00:15:45.179 --> 00:15:47.210 until they turned into quicklime. 00:15:47.210 --> 00:15:49.210 When Al-Rabi' saw 00:15:49.210 --> 00:15:51.210 that fire, he froze in his tracks, 00:15:51.210 --> 00:15:53.210 seized by a violent 00:15:53.210 --> 00:15:55.210 trembling, and he recited 00:15:55.210 --> 00:15:57.210 the words of Allah, the Exalted and Majestic: 00:15:57.210 --> 00:15:59.590 'When it sees them 00:15:59.590 --> 00:16:01.590 from a distant place, 00:16:01.590 --> 00:16:03.590 they will hear its 00:16:03.590 --> 00:16:05.590 raging and roaring; 00:16:05.590 --> 00:16:07.590 and when 00:16:07.590 --> 00:16:09.590 they are hurled into a narrow 00:16:09.590 --> 00:16:11.590 place therein, bound in chains, 00:16:11.590 --> 00:16:13.590 they will cry out there for destruction.' 00:16:13.590 --> 00:16:15.590 Then 00:16:15.590 --> 00:16:17.590 he collapsed unconscious. 00:16:17.590 --> 00:16:19.590 We stayed by his side until 00:16:19.590 --> 00:16:21.590 he regained consciousness from his swoon, 00:16:21.590 --> 00:16:23.590 and we carried him back to his home." 00:16:23.590 --> 00:16:27.129 Indeed, 00:16:27.129 --> 00:16:29.190 Al-Rabi' 00:16:29.190 --> 00:16:31.190 ibn Khuthaym spent his entire life 00:16:31.190 --> 00:16:33.190 anticipating death 00:16:33.190 --> 00:16:35.190 and preparing to meet it. 00:16:35.190 --> 00:16:37.190 When death approached him, 00:16:37.190 --> 00:16:39.190 his daughter began to weep, 00:16:39.190 --> 00:16:41.190 so he said to her: 00:16:41.190 --> 00:16:43.190 "What makes you weep, my little daughter, 00:16:43.190 --> 00:16:45.190 when boundless good 00:16:45.190 --> 00:16:47.190 is coming to your father?" 00:16:47.190 --> 00:16:49.190 Then his soul surrendered to its Creator. 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:58.059 "O Abu Yazid! 00:16:58.059 --> 00:17:00.059 Had the Messenger of Allah, 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:02.059 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, seen you, 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:05.049 he surely would have loved you." 00:17:05.049 --> 00:17:09.609 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, 00:17:09.609 --> 00:17:11.609 standing as an exemplar and paragon, 00:17:11.609 --> 00:17:13.609 closely followed the Messenger, 00:17:13.609 --> 00:17:15.609 never wavering throughout his days. 00:17:15.609 --> 00:17:17.609 They were once here, 00:17:17.609 --> 00:17:19.609 showering blessings like rain clouds 00:17:19.609 --> 00:17:21.609 upon our lives; 00:17:21.609 --> 00:17:23.609 thus, among us, 00:17:23.609 --> 00:17:25.609 their memory continually soars high. 00:17:25.609 --> 00:17:27.609 They departed, 00:17:27.609 --> 00:17:29.609 leaving behind in our conscience 00:17:29.609 --> 00:17:31.609 a burning question: 00:17:31.609 --> 00:17:33.609 Has any star like them 00:17:33.609 --> 00:17:35.609 ever risen and shone so bright? 00:17:35.609 --> 00:17:37.609 They filled 00:17:37.609 --> 00:17:39.609 this life with glorious deeds 00:17:39.609 --> 00:17:41.609 through their noble actions, 00:17:41.609 --> 00:17:43.609 and through them, the world 00:17:43.609 --> 00:17:45.700 of humanity truly flourished.