WEBVTT 00:00:00.460 --> 00:00:03.459 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:08.460 The best of generations in their conduct and example, 00:00:08.460 --> 00:00:13.460 Following the Messenger, peace be upon him, whether he hastened or lingered. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:15.460 A collection of affection, 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:17.460 Proceed. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:21.589 Scenes from the lives of the Tabi'un, 00:00:21.589 --> 00:00:26.039 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:28.039 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:28.039 --> 00:00:32.219 Tawus Ibn Kaysan, 00:00:32.219 --> 00:00:34.250 May Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:43.399 --> 00:00:47.590 No sooner had the Caliph of the Muslims, Sulayman Ibn Abd al-Malik, 00:00:47.590 --> 00:00:51.590 Settled his belongings in the vicinity of the Ancient House (the Ka'bah), 00:00:51.590 --> 00:00:54.590 And quenched his longing for the Sacred Ka'bah, 00:00:54.590 --> 00:00:57.590 Than he turned to his chamberlain and said, 00:00:57.590 --> 00:01:01.590 "Find us a scholar who can give us understanding of the religion, 00:01:01.590 --> 00:01:06.590 And remind us on this glorious day among the days of Allah, the Almighty." 00:01:06.590 --> 00:01:10.719 The chamberlain went out to the prominent figures among the pilgrims, 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:14.719 And began asking them about what the Commander of the Faithful desired. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:16.719 It was said to him, 00:01:16.719 --> 00:01:18.719 "This is Tawus Ibn Kaysan, 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:20.719 The master of the jurists of his era, 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:23.719 And the most truthful of them in speech when calling to Allah. 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:25.719 You should seek him out." 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:28.719 The chamberlain approached Tawus and said, 00:01:28.719 --> 00:01:32.719 "Answer the call of the Commander of the Faithful, O Shaykh." 00:01:32.719 --> 00:01:36.719 Tawus responded to him without delay, 00:01:36.719 --> 00:01:41.719 For he believed that those who call to Allah, the Almighty, 00:01:41.719 --> 00:01:45.719 Must seize every opportunity that presents itself, 00:01:45.719 --> 00:01:49.719 And hasten to every opening that arises. 00:01:49.719 --> 00:01:53.719 He was certain that the best word to be spoken 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:58.719 Is a word of truth intended to rectify the crookedness of those in power, 00:01:58.719 --> 00:02:01.719 To spare them from injustice and tyranny, 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:06.290 And to draw them closer to Allah, the Almighty. 00:02:06.290 --> 00:02:08.289 Tawus went with the chamberlain, 00:02:08.289 --> 00:02:12.289 And when he entered upon the Commander of the Faithful, he greeted him. 00:02:12.289 --> 00:02:16.289 The Caliph returned the greeting with one better, 00:02:16.289 --> 00:02:20.289 Honored his visitor, and brought him close to his seat. 00:02:20.289 --> 00:02:24.289 Then he began to ask him about matters of the Hajj rituals that were unclear to him, 00:02:24.289 --> 00:02:27.289 Listening to him with reverence and respect. 00:02:27.289 --> 00:02:32.289 Tawus said: "When I felt that the Commander of the Faithful 00:02:32.289 --> 00:02:34.289 Had attained his goal, 00:02:34.289 --> 00:02:37.289 And had nothing left to ask about, 00:02:37.289 --> 00:02:40.289 I said to myself, 'This gathering 00:02:40.289 --> 00:02:43.289 Is a gathering for which Allah will hold you accountable, O Tawus.'" 00:02:43.289 --> 00:02:46.319 Then I turned to him and said, 00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:49.319 "O Commander of the Faithful, 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:52.319 A rock was on the edge of a well 00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:54.319 In the depths of Hell, 00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:58.319 And it had been falling into this well for seventy autumns 00:02:58.319 --> 00:03:01.319 Until it reached its bottom. 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:04.319 Do you know for whom Allah has prepared this well, 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:07.319 One of the wells of Hell, O Commander of the Faithful?" 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:10.349 He replied without hesitation, 00:03:10.349 --> 00:03:13.349 "No." Then he returned to himself and said, 00:03:13.349 --> 00:03:16.349 "Woe to you, for whom was it prepared?" 00:03:16.349 --> 00:03:19.349 I said, "Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, prepared it 00:03:19.349 --> 00:03:21.349 For those who associate partners with Him in His rule, 00:03:21.349 --> 00:03:23.419 And act unjustly." 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:26.419 A tremor seized Sulayman at that, 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:29.419 Such that I thought his soul 00:03:29.419 --> 00:03:31.419 Would depart from his body. 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:33.419 He began to weep, 00:03:33.419 --> 00:03:36.419 And his weeping had a sob that tore at the heartstrings. 00:03:36.419 --> 00:03:39.419 So I left him and departed, 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:43.889 While he was rewarding me with goodness. 00:03:43.889 --> 00:03:46.889 When Umar Ibn Abd al-Aziz assumed the Caliphate, 00:03:46.889 --> 00:03:49.889 He sent word to Tawus Ibn Kaysan, saying, 00:03:49.889 --> 00:03:52.889 "Advise me, O Abu Abd al-Rahman." 00:03:52.889 --> 00:03:55.889 Tawus wrote him a letter 00:03:55.889 --> 00:03:58.889 In one line, in which he said, 00:03:58.889 --> 00:04:01.889 "If you wish for your work to be entirely good, 00:04:01.889 --> 00:04:04.889 Then employ people of goodness. 00:04:04.889 --> 00:04:06.889 Peace." 00:04:06.889 --> 00:04:09.889 When Umar read the letter, he said, 00:04:09.889 --> 00:04:12.889 "This is sufficient as an admonition." 00:04:12.889 --> 00:04:16.490 "This is sufficient as an admonition." 00:04:16.490 --> 00:04:19.490 When the Caliphate passed to Hisham Ibn Abd al-Malik, 00:04:19.490 --> 00:04:22.490 Tawus Ibn Kaysan had with him 00:04:22.490 --> 00:04:25.490 Famous and recorded encounters. 00:04:25.490 --> 00:04:28.490 Among them is that Hisham came 00:04:28.490 --> 00:04:30.490 To the Sacred House for Hajj. 00:04:30.490 --> 00:04:32.490 When he arrived in the Haram, 00:04:32.490 --> 00:04:35.490 He said to his close associates from the people of Makkah, 00:04:35.490 --> 00:04:38.490 "Find us a man from the Companions of 00:04:38.490 --> 00:04:41.490 The Messenger, peace be upon him." 00:04:41.490 --> 00:04:44.490 They said to him, "O Commander of the Faithful, the Companions 00:04:44.490 --> 00:04:47.490 Have joined their Lord, 00:04:48.490 --> 00:04:51.490 Until not one of them remains." 00:04:51.490 --> 00:04:54.490 He said, "Then from the Tabi'un." 00:04:54.490 --> 00:04:57.490 So Tawus Ibn Kaysan was brought to him. 00:04:57.490 --> 00:05:00.490 When he entered upon him, 00:05:00.490 --> 00:05:03.490 He took off his sandals at the edge of his carpet, 00:05:03.490 --> 00:05:06.490 And greeted him without addressing him 00:05:06.490 --> 00:05:08.490 As Commander of the Faithful, 00:05:08.490 --> 00:05:11.490 And addressed him by his name without using his kunya (honorific title). 00:05:11.490 --> 00:05:14.490 And he sat down before he was given permission to sit. 00:05:14.490 --> 00:05:17.490 Hisham was enraged, 00:05:17.490 --> 00:05:20.490 Until the anger appeared in his eyes, 00:05:20.490 --> 00:05:23.490 For he saw in those actions 00:05:23.490 --> 00:05:26.490 An audacity toward him and a slight to his prestige 00:05:26.490 --> 00:05:29.490 Before his courtiers and the men of his retinue. 00:05:29.490 --> 00:05:32.490 However, he soon remembered 00:05:32.490 --> 00:05:35.490 That he was in the sanctuary of Allah, the Almighty, 00:05:35.490 --> 00:05:38.490 So he returned to himself and said to Tawus, 00:05:38.490 --> 00:05:41.490 "What prompted you, O Tawus, to do what you did?" 00:05:41.490 --> 00:05:44.490 He said, "And what is it that I did?" 00:05:44.490 --> 00:05:47.490 The Caliph's anger returned to him, 00:05:47.490 --> 00:05:49.490 And his fury, and he said, 00:05:49.490 --> 00:05:52.490 "You took off your sandals at the edge of my carpet, 00:05:52.490 --> 00:05:55.490 You did not greet me as Commander of the Faithful, 00:05:55.490 --> 00:05:58.490 You called me by my name and did not use my kunya, 00:05:58.490 --> 00:06:01.490 And then you sat down without my permission." 00:06:01.490 --> 00:06:04.490 Tawus said calmly, 00:06:04.490 --> 00:06:07.490 "As for taking off my sandals at the edge of your carpet, 00:06:07.490 --> 00:06:10.490 I take them off before the Lord of Might 00:06:10.490 --> 00:06:13.490 Five times every day, 00:06:13.490 --> 00:06:16.490 And He does not rebuke me nor get angry with me. 00:06:16.490 --> 00:06:19.490 As for your saying that I did not greet you 00:06:19.490 --> 00:06:22.490 As Commander of the Faithful, it is because all 00:06:22.490 --> 00:06:25.490 The believers are not satisfied with your command, 00:06:25.490 --> 00:06:28.490 And I feared that I would be a liar 00:06:28.490 --> 00:06:31.490 If I called you Commander of the Faithful. 00:06:31.490 --> 00:06:34.490 As for what you criticized me for, that I 00:06:34.490 --> 00:06:37.490 Called you by your name and did not use your kunya, 00:06:37.490 --> 00:06:40.490 Allah called His prophets by their names, 00:06:40.490 --> 00:06:43.490 Saying, 'O Dawud,' 00:06:43.490 --> 00:06:46.490 'O Yahya,' 'O Isa.' 00:06:46.490 --> 00:06:49.490 And He called His enemies by their kunyas (e.g., Abu Lahab). 00:06:49.490 --> 00:06:52.490 “The power of Abu Lahab will perish, and he will perish.” (111:1) 00:06:52.490 --> 00:06:55.490 As for your saying that I sat before you gave me permission, 00:06:55.490 --> 00:06:58.490 I heard the Commander of the Faithful, Ali 00:06:58.490 --> 00:07:01.490 Ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, say: 00:07:01.490 --> 00:07:04.490 'If you want to look at a man from the people of the Fire, 00:07:04.490 --> 00:07:07.490 Look at a man sitting, 00:07:07.490 --> 00:07:10.490 While people are standing before him.' 00:07:10.490 --> 00:07:13.490 So I disliked for you to be that man 00:07:13.490 --> 00:07:16.490 Who is counted among the people of the Fire." 00:07:16.490 --> 00:07:19.490 Hisham lowered his head to the ground in shame, 00:07:19.490 --> 00:07:22.490 Then he raised his head and said, 00:07:22.490 --> 00:07:25.490 "Admonish me, O Abu Abd al-Rahman." 00:07:25.490 --> 00:07:28.490 He said, "I heard Ali Ibn Abi Talib, 00:07:28.490 --> 00:07:31.490 May Allah be pleased with him, say: 00:07:32.490 --> 00:07:35.490 'There are scorpions like mules, 00:07:35.490 --> 00:07:38.490 That sting every shepherd who does not act justly toward his flock.'" 00:07:38.490 --> 00:07:41.490 Then he stood up and departed. 00:07:43.089 --> 00:07:46.089 Just as Tawus would approach some of those in authority 00:07:46.089 --> 00:07:49.089 To remind and guide them, 00:07:49.089 --> 00:07:52.089 He would turn away from others among them 00:07:52.089 --> 00:07:55.089 To rebuke and reprimand them. 00:07:55.089 --> 00:07:58.089 His son narrated, saying, 00:07:58.089 --> 00:08:01.089 "We went out one year with my father for Hajj from Yemen, 00:08:01.089 --> 00:08:04.089 And we stopped in one of the cities, 00:08:04.089 --> 00:08:07.089 Governed by an official called Ibn Najih, 00:08:07.089 --> 00:08:10.089 Who was among the most wicked of officials, 00:08:10.089 --> 00:08:13.089 The most audacious toward the truth, 00:08:13.089 --> 00:08:16.089 And the most deeply entrenched in falsehood. 00:08:16.089 --> 00:08:19.089 We came to the city's mosque intending to perform the obligatory prayer, 00:08:19.089 --> 00:08:22.089 And Ibn Najih had learned of my father's arrival, 00:08:22.089 --> 00:08:25.089 So he came to the mosque, 00:08:25.089 --> 00:08:28.089 Sat before him, and greeted him. 00:08:28.089 --> 00:08:31.089 My father did not answer him and turned his back to him. 00:08:31.089 --> 00:08:34.120 He came to his right and spoke to him, 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:37.120 But he turned away from him. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:40.120 He moved to his left and spoke to him, 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:43.120 But he turned away from him as well. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:46.120 When I saw that, I stood up to him, 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:49.120 Stretched out my hand toward him, greeted him, 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:52.120 And said to him, 'My father did not recognize you.' 00:08:52.120 --> 00:08:55.120 He said, 'Rather, your father knows me, 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:58.120 And his knowledge of me 00:08:58.120 --> 00:09:01.120 Is what made him do what you saw.' 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:04.120 Then he went away, silent, saying nothing. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:07.120 When we returned to our dwelling, 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:10.120 My father turned to me and said, 00:09:10.120 --> 00:09:13.120 'O fool, you sharpen your tongues against these people with sharp words 00:09:13.120 --> 00:09:16.120 In their absence, 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:19.120 But when they are present, you are submissive to them in speech. 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:23.779 Is hypocrisy anything other than this?'" 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:26.779 Tawus Ibn Kaysan did not reserve his admonitions 00:09:26.779 --> 00:09:29.779 For Caliphs and governors, 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:32.779 Rather, he offered them to everyone he felt 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.779 Had a need for them or a desire for them. 00:09:35.779 --> 00:09:38.779 Among this is what Ata' Ibn Abi Rabah narrated: 00:09:38.779 --> 00:09:41.779 "Tawus Ibn Kaysan saw me 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:44.779 In a situation he did not approve of, 00:09:44.779 --> 00:09:47.779 So he said, 'O Ata', 00:09:47.779 --> 00:09:50.779 Beware of taking your needs to one who has closed his door, 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:54.779 And has placed a chamberlain between you and him, 00:09:54.779 --> 00:09:57.779 When you can seek them from the One who has opened His doors to you, 00:09:57.779 --> 00:10:00.779 And has asked you to call upon Him, and has promised you 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:05.289 An answer.'" 00:10:05.289 --> 00:10:08.289 He used to say to his son, "O my son, 00:10:08.289 --> 00:10:11.289 Associate with the wise, for you will be attributed to them, 00:10:11.289 --> 00:10:14.289 Even if you are not one of them. 00:10:14.289 --> 00:10:17.289 And do not associate with the ignorant, 00:10:17.289 --> 00:10:20.289 For if you associate with them, you will be attributed to them." 00:10:20.289 --> 00:10:23.289 He knew that everything has an end, 00:10:23.289 --> 00:10:26.289 And that the end of a person is the perfection of his religion 00:10:26.289 --> 00:10:29.289 And the completion of his character. 00:10:29.289 --> 00:10:32.289 His son ‘Abdullah grew up 00:10:32.289 --> 00:10:35.289 following the upbringing his father provided, 00:10:35.289 --> 00:10:38.289 embodying his character and following in his footsteps. 00:10:38.289 --> 00:10:41.289 Among these instances is when the Abbasid Caliph, 00:10:41.289 --> 00:10:44.289 Abu Ja‘far al-Mansur, 00:10:44.289 --> 00:10:47.289 summoned his son, ‘Abdullah ibn Tawus. 00:10:47.289 --> 00:10:50.289 When they entered his presence 00:10:50.289 --> 00:10:53.289 and took their seats before him, 00:10:53.289 --> 00:10:56.289 the Caliph turned to ‘Abdullah ibn Tawus 00:10:56.289 --> 00:10:59.289 and said, "Relate to me something that 00:10:59.289 --> 00:11:02.320 your father used to tell you." 00:11:02.320 --> 00:11:05.320 He replied, "My father told me 00:11:05.320 --> 00:11:08.320 that the person who will face the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:11.320 is a man whom Allah, the Almighty, granted authority, 00:11:11.320 --> 00:11:14.320 yet he introduced injustice into his rule." 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:18.320 When I heard this statement of his, 00:11:18.320 --> 00:11:21.320 I pulled my clothes tightly around me, 00:11:21.320 --> 00:11:24.320 fearing that some of his blood might touch me. 00:11:24.320 --> 00:11:27.320 However, Abu Ja‘far remained silent 00:11:27.320 --> 00:11:30.320 for a while, not speaking, 00:11:30.320 --> 00:11:34.950 then he dismissed us in peace. 00:11:34.950 --> 00:11:37.950 Life was extended for Tawus ibn Kaysan 00:11:37.950 --> 00:11:40.950 until he reached one hundred years or slightly more. 00:11:40.950 --> 00:11:43.950 Yet, despite his old age and advanced years, 00:11:43.950 --> 00:11:46.950 he retained the clarity of his mind, the sharpness of his intellect, 00:11:46.950 --> 00:11:49.950 and his quick wit. 00:11:49.950 --> 00:11:52.950 ‘Abdullah al-Shami narrated, saying: 00:11:52.950 --> 00:11:55.950 "I came to Tawus in his house to learn from him, 00:11:55.950 --> 00:11:58.950 and I did not know him. 00:11:58.950 --> 00:12:01.950 When I knocked on the door, an old man came out to me. 00:12:01.950 --> 00:12:04.950 I greeted him and said, 00:12:04.950 --> 00:12:07.950 'Are you Tawus ibn Kaysan?' 00:12:07.950 --> 00:12:10.950 He replied, 'No, I am his son.' 00:12:10.950 --> 00:12:13.950 I thought to myself that the old man might have become senile and lost his memory, 00:12:13.950 --> 00:12:16.950 and I had traveled from far away 00:12:16.950 --> 00:12:19.950 to benefit from his knowledge. 00:12:19.950 --> 00:12:22.950 He said, 'Woe to you! 00:12:22.950 --> 00:12:25.950 Those who carry the Book of Allah do not become senile. 00:12:25.950 --> 00:12:28.950 Go in to him.' 00:12:28.950 --> 00:12:31.950 So I entered to see Tawus and greeted him, 00:12:31.950 --> 00:12:34.950 and I said, 'I have come to you seeking your knowledge, 00:12:34.950 --> 00:12:37.950 desiring your counsel.' 00:12:37.950 --> 00:12:40.950 I will be brief; 00:12:40.950 --> 00:12:43.950 I will be as brief as I can, if Allah wills." 00:12:43.950 --> 00:12:46.950 He asked, "Do you want me to summarize for you 00:12:46.950 --> 00:12:49.950 the essence of what is in the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, 00:12:49.950 --> 00:12:52.950 and the Qur'an?" 00:12:52.950 --> 00:12:55.950 I said, "Yes," and he said, 00:12:55.950 --> 00:12:58.950 "Fear Allah, the Exalted, with such fear 00:12:58.950 --> 00:13:01.950 that nothing is more fearful to you than Him. 00:13:01.950 --> 00:13:04.950 And hope in Him with a hope stronger than your fear of Him. 00:13:04.950 --> 00:13:09.490 Love for people what you love for yourself." 00:13:09.490 --> 00:13:12.490 On the night of the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah, 00:13:12.490 --> 00:13:15.490 in the year 106 AH, 00:13:15.490 --> 00:13:18.490 the elderly scholar Tawus ibn Kaysan departed 00:13:18.490 --> 00:13:21.490 with the pilgrims from ‘Arafat to Muzdalifah 00:13:21.490 --> 00:13:24.490 for the fortieth time. 00:13:24.490 --> 00:13:27.490 When he rested in its sacred grounds, 00:13:27.490 --> 00:13:30.490 and performed the Maghrib and ‘Isha’ prayers, 00:13:30.490 --> 00:13:33.490 and laid his side upon the earth, 00:13:34.490 --> 00:13:37.490 certainty came to him. 00:13:37.490 --> 00:13:40.490 He met his end far from his family and homeland, 00:13:40.490 --> 00:13:43.490 seeking nearness to Allah, 00:13:43.490 --> 00:13:46.490 reciting the Talbiyah, in the state of Ihram, hoping for the reward of Allah, 00:13:46.490 --> 00:13:49.490 emerging from his sins as the day his mother bore him, 00:13:49.490 --> 00:13:52.519 by the grace of Allah. 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:55.519 When the morning broke, 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:58.519 and they intended to bury him, 00:13:58.519 --> 00:14:01.519 they were unable to bring out his funeral procession. 00:14:02.519 --> 00:14:05.519 So the governor of Makkah sent guards to them 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:08.519 to keep the people away from the funeral 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:11.549 until they could bury him. 00:14:11.549 --> 00:14:14.549 A great multitude prayed over him, 00:14:14.549 --> 00:14:17.549 the number of whom none can count except Allah. 00:14:17.549 --> 00:14:20.549 Among those who prayed was 00:14:20.549 --> 00:14:23.549 the Caliph of the Muslims, 00:14:23.549 --> 00:14:28.980 Hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:31.980 I saw you, O Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman, in dreams, 00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:36.429 with the Prophet, peace be upon him, at its door, 00:14:36.429 --> 00:14:39.779 and he was saying to you: 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:43.169 "Unveil your mask, 00:14:43.169 --> 00:14:47.220 and clarify your recitation, O Tawus." 00:15:04.610 --> 00:15:07.610 Remind them, O Exalted One. 00:15:07.610 --> 00:15:12.610 They departed and left behind a question in the conscience: 00:15:12.610 --> 00:15:17.610 Is there a star like them that has risen and shone? 00:15:17.610 --> 00:15:22.610 They filled life with pride through their deeds, 00:15:22.610 --> 00:15:26.610 and the world of the patient flourished because of them.