WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:15.259 --> 00:00:18.260 The Mawaddah Association is pleased 00:00:18.260 --> 00:00:22.260 to present to you portraits from the lives of the Companions, 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:25.260 by Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:27.289 may Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:27.289 --> 00:00:30.280 Thumamah ibn Uthal, 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:33.789 may Allah be pleased with him. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:47.170 In the sixth year of the Hijrah, 00:00:47.170 --> 00:00:51.170 the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:00:51.170 --> 00:00:54.170 resolved to expand the scope of his call to Allah. 00:00:54.170 --> 00:00:58.170 He wrote eight letters to the kings of the Arabs and non-Arabs, 00:00:58.170 --> 00:01:01.170 and sent them to them, inviting them to Islam. 00:01:01.170 --> 00:01:04.170 Among those to whom he wrote 00:01:04.170 --> 00:01:07.170 was Thumamah ibn Uthal al-Hanafi. 00:01:07.170 --> 00:01:09.230 This is no surprise, 00:01:09.230 --> 00:01:13.230 for Thumamah was one of the chieftains of the Arabs during the Jahiliyyah, 00:01:13.230 --> 00:01:16.230 a prominent leader among the Banu Hanifah, 00:01:16.230 --> 00:01:21.230 and a king of the Yamamah whose commands were never disobeyed. 00:01:21.230 --> 00:01:25.299 Thumamah received the letter of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:27.299 with disdain and aversion. 00:01:27.299 --> 00:01:29.299 His pride drove him to sin, 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:33.299 and he deafened his ears to the call of truth and goodness. 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:36.299 Then, his devil spurred him on, 00:01:36.299 --> 00:01:40.299 inciting him to kill the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:42.299 and to bury his message along with him. 00:01:42.299 --> 00:01:46.299 He began seeking opportunities to eliminate the Prophet, 00:01:46.299 --> 00:01:48.299 until he found a moment of vulnerability. 00:01:48.299 --> 00:01:51.299 The heinous crime was nearly committed, 00:01:52.299 --> 00:01:57.299 had one of Thumamah’s uncles not dissuaded him at the last moment. 00:01:57.299 --> 00:02:00.299 Thus, Allah saved His Prophet from his evil. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:06.299 However, even if Thumamah had refrained from harming the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:09.300 he did not refrain from harming his Companions. 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:11.300 He began to lie in wait for them, 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:13.300 until he captured a number of them 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:16.300 and killed them in the most brutal manner. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:19.300 Consequently, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, declared his blood forfeit, 00:02:19.300 --> 00:02:21.300 and announced this to his Companions. 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:24.300 Not much time passed after that 00:02:24.300 --> 00:02:28.300 before Thumamah ibn Uthal resolved to perform Umrah. 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:32.300 He set out from the land of Yamamah, turning his face toward Makkah, 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:36.300 hoping to circumambulate the Ka'bah 00:02:36.300 --> 00:02:38.300 and sacrifice to its idols. 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:43.460 While Thumamah was on his way, near Madinah, 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:47.460 a calamity befell him that he had not anticipated. 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:53.460 A detachment of the Messenger of Allah’s, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, scouts 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:55.460 was patrolling the area, 00:02:55.460 --> 00:02:58.460 fearing that someone might approach Madinah, 00:02:58.460 --> 00:03:01.460 or that an aggressor might intend it harm. 00:03:01.460 --> 00:03:03.460 The detachment captured Thumamah, 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:05.460 not knowing who he was, 00:03:05.460 --> 00:03:07.460 and brought him to Madinah. 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:10.460 They tied him to one of the pillars of the Mosque, 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:15.460 waiting for the noble Prophet himself to oversee the prisoner’s affair 00:03:15.460 --> 00:03:17.460 and issue his command regarding him. 00:03:17.460 --> 00:03:21.460 When the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, came out to the Mosque, 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:23.460 and was about to enter it, 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:26.460 he saw Thumamah tied to the pillar. 00:03:26.460 --> 00:03:28.460 He said to his Companions, 00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:30.460 "Do you know whom you have captured?" 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:33.460 They replied, "No, O Messenger of Allah." 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:38.460 He said, "This is Thumamah ibn Uthal al-Hanafi. 00:03:38.460 --> 00:03:40.460 Treat him well in his captivity." 00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:43.460 Then, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, returned to his family 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:45.460 and said, 00:03:45.460 --> 00:03:48.460 "Gather whatever food you have," 00:03:48.460 --> 00:03:51.460 and they sent it to Thumamah ibn Uthal. 00:03:51.460 --> 00:03:55.460 He then ordered that his she-camel be milked for him morning and evening, 00:03:55.460 --> 00:03:58.460 and that her milk be brought to him. 00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:04.460 All of this was done before the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, met him 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:06.520 or spoke to him. 00:04:06.520 --> 00:04:10.520 Then, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, approached Thumamah, 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:13.520 wishing to draw him toward Islam, 00:04:13.520 --> 00:04:16.519 and said, "What do you have, O Thumamah?" 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:18.519 He replied, 00:04:18.519 --> 00:04:20.519 "I have good, O Muhammad. 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:22.519 If you kill me, you kill one who has blood to be avenged. 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:25.519 If you show favor, you show favor to one who is grateful. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:27.519 And if you desire wealth, 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:30.519 ask, and you shall be given whatever you wish." 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:35.519 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, left him for two days in that state, 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:38.519 with food and drink brought to him, 00:04:38.519 --> 00:04:41.519 and the she-camel’s milk delivered to him. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:43.519 Then he came to him and said, 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:45.519 "What do you have, O Thumamah?" 00:04:45.519 --> 00:04:46.519 He said, 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:49.519 "I have nothing but what I told you before: 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:52.519 If you show favor, you show favor to one who is grateful. 00:04:52.519 --> 00:04:55.519 If you kill me, you kill one who has blood to be avenged. 00:04:55.519 --> 00:04:57.519 And if you desire wealth, 00:04:57.519 --> 00:04:59.519 ask, and you shall be given whatever you wish." 00:04:59.519 --> 00:05:03.519 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, left him, 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:06.519 and when the next day came, 00:05:06.519 --> 00:05:08.519 he came to him and said, 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:10.519 "What do you have, O Thumamah?" 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:11.519 He said, 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:13.519 "I have what I told you: 00:05:13.519 --> 00:05:16.519 If you show favor, you show favor to one who is grateful. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:19.519 If you kill me, you kill one who has blood to be avenged. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:21.519 And if you desire wealth, 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:24.519 I will give you whatever you wish." 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:27.550 The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, turned 00:05:27.550 --> 00:05:29.550 to his Companions and said, 00:05:29.550 --> 00:05:31.550 "Release Thumamah." 00:05:31.550 --> 00:05:34.550 They untied his bonds and released him. 00:05:35.550 --> 00:05:39.579 Thumamah left the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:41.579 and went on his way, 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:44.579 until he reached a palm grove on the outskirts of Madinah, 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:47.579 near al-Baqi', where there was water. 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:49.579 He made his mount kneel there, 00:05:49.579 --> 00:05:52.579 and performed a thorough ritual purification. 00:05:52.579 --> 00:05:55.579 Then he retraced his steps to the Mosque. 00:05:55.579 --> 00:06:00.709 As soon as he reached it, he stood before a gathering of Muslims 00:06:00.709 --> 00:06:01.709 and said, 00:06:01.709 --> 00:06:04.709 "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, 00:06:04.709 --> 00:06:08.709 and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." 00:06:08.709 --> 00:06:12.709 Then he turned to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:06:12.709 --> 00:06:13.709 and said, 00:06:13.709 --> 00:06:14.709 "O Muhammad, 00:06:14.709 --> 00:06:19.709 by Allah, there was no face on the face of the earth more hateful to me than yours, 00:06:19.709 --> 00:06:24.709 but now your face has become the most beloved of all faces to me. 00:06:24.709 --> 00:06:28.709 By Allah, there was no religion more hateful to me than yours, 00:06:28.709 --> 00:06:32.709 but now your religion has become the most beloved of all religions to me. 00:06:32.709 --> 00:06:36.709 By Allah, there was no land more hateful to me than yours, 00:06:36.709 --> 00:06:40.709 but now your land has become the most beloved of all lands to me." 00:06:40.709 --> 00:06:42.870 Then he added, 00:06:42.870 --> 00:06:45.870 "I had shed the blood of some of your Companions; 00:06:45.870 --> 00:06:48.939 what is the judgment upon me for that?" 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:50.939 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:53.939 "There is no blame upon you, O Thumamah, 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:56.939 for Islam wipes away what came before it." 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:01.939 He gave him glad tidings of the good that Allah had written for him through his Islam. 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:04.939 Thumamah’s face beamed with joy, and he said, 00:07:04.939 --> 00:07:10.939 "By Allah, I will kill as many of the polytheists as I have killed of your Companions, 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:15.939 and I will dedicate myself, my sword, and those with me to your support and the support of your religion." 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:17.939 Then he said, 00:07:17.939 --> 00:07:19.939 "O Messenger of Allah, 00:07:19.939 --> 00:07:22.939 your cavalry captured me while I was intending to perform Umrah; 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:24.939 what do you think I should do?" 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:27.939 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, 00:07:27.939 --> 00:07:29.939 "Go and perform your Umrah, 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:32.939 but according to the law of Allah and His Messenger." 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:35.939 He taught him the rites he was to perform. 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:38.970 Thumamah proceeded to his destination, 00:07:38.970 --> 00:07:41.970 and when he reached the heart of Makkah, 00:07:41.970 --> 00:07:44.970 he stood and proclaimed in a loud voice, 00:07:44.970 --> 00:07:47.970 "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk, 00:07:47.970 --> 00:07:50.970 Labbayk, la sharika laka Labbayk, 00:07:50.970 --> 00:07:53.970 Inna al-hamda wa al-ni'mata laka wa al-mulk, 00:07:53.970 --> 00:07:55.970 La sharika lak." 00:07:55.970 --> 00:07:59.000 Thus, he was the first Muslim on the face of the earth 00:07:59.000 --> 00:08:02.000 to enter Makkah reciting the Talbiyah. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:04.060 The Quraysh heard the sound of the Talbiyah, 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:07.060 and they rose up, angry and alarmed. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:09.060 They drew their swords from their sheaths 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:11.060 and headed toward the sound, 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:15.060 intending to strike down the one who had invaded their sanctuary. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:18.060 When the people approached Thumamah, 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:20.060 he raised his voice with the Talbiyah, 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:22.060 looking at them with pride. 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:25.060 Some of the young men of Quraysh intended 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:27.060 to shoot him with an arrow, 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:29.060 but they restrained them, saying, 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:32.059 "Woe to you! Do you know who this is? 00:08:32.059 --> 00:08:34.059 It is Thumamah ibn Uthal, 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:36.059 the king of Yamamah! 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:38.059 By Allah, if you harm him, 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:40.059 his people will cut off our grain supplies, 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:42.059 and we will die of hunger." 00:08:42.059 --> 00:08:45.059 Then the people approached Thumamah, 00:08:45.059 --> 00:08:48.059 after returning their swords to their sheaths, 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:50.059 and said, "What is the matter with you, O Thumamah? 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:54.059 Have you apostatized and abandoned your religion and the religion of your forefathers?" 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:56.059 He replied, 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:58.059 "I have not apostatized, 00:08:58.059 --> 00:09:00.059 but I have followed the best religion; 00:09:00.059 --> 00:09:02.059 I have followed the religion of Muhammad." 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:04.059 Then he added, 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:06.059 "I swear by the Lord of this House, 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:10.059 that after I return to Yamamah, 00:09:10.059 --> 00:09:12.059 not a single grain of wheat 00:09:12.059 --> 00:09:14.059 or any of its produce shall reach you, 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:18.059 until you all follow Muhammad." 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:20.059 Thumamah ibn Uthal performed his Umrah 00:09:20.059 --> 00:09:22.059 in the sight of the Quraysh, 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:26.059 just as the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had commanded him 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:27.059 to perform it, 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:29.059 and he sacrificed to draw closer to Allah, 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:32.059 not to idols or statues. 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:34.059 He returned to his land, 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:38.059 and ordered his people to withhold grain from the Quraysh. 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:41.059 They obeyed his command and responded to him, 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:44.129 and they withheld their produce from the people of Makkah. 00:09:44.129 --> 00:09:47.129 The blockade that Thumamah imposed on the Quraysh 00:09:47.129 --> 00:09:49.129 began to tighten little by little. 00:09:49.129 --> 00:09:51.129 Prices rose, 00:09:51.129 --> 00:09:54.129 hunger spread among the people, 00:09:54.129 --> 00:09:56.129 and their distress intensified, 00:09:56.129 --> 00:09:59.129 until they feared for themselves and their children 00:09:59.129 --> 00:10:01.129 lest they perish from hunger. 00:10:01.129 --> 00:10:03.129 At that point, 00:10:03.129 --> 00:10:06.129 they wrote to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:10:06.129 --> 00:10:07.129 saying: 00:10:07.129 --> 00:10:09.129 "We have always known you 00:10:09.129 --> 00:10:11.129 to uphold ties of kinship, 00:10:11.129 --> 00:10:13.129 and to encourage others to do the same. 00:10:13.129 --> 00:10:16.129 Yet here you are, having severed our ties, 00:10:16.129 --> 00:10:18.129 killing our fathers with the sword, 00:10:18.129 --> 00:10:21.129 and starving our children. 00:10:21.129 --> 00:10:23.129 Thumamah Ibn Uthal 00:10:23.129 --> 00:10:25.129 has cut off our supplies, 00:10:25.129 --> 00:10:27.129 and has harmed us. 00:10:27.129 --> 00:10:29.129 If you see fit to write to him 00:10:29.129 --> 00:10:31.129 to send us 00:10:31.129 --> 00:10:32.129 what we need, 00:10:32.129 --> 00:10:33.129 then please do so." 00:10:33.129 --> 00:10:35.129 So he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, wrote 00:10:35.129 --> 00:10:37.129 to Thumamah, 00:10:37.129 --> 00:10:39.129 instructing him to release their supplies to them, 00:10:39.129 --> 00:10:41.129 and he did so. 00:10:41.129 --> 00:10:43.129 Thumamah Ibn Uthal remained, 00:10:43.129 --> 00:10:45.129 for as long as he lived, 00:10:45.129 --> 00:10:47.129 loyal to his religion, 00:10:47.129 --> 00:10:49.129 and faithful to the covenant of his Prophet. 00:10:49.129 --> 00:10:52.129 When the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, joined 00:10:52.129 --> 00:10:54.129 the Highest Companion, 00:10:54.129 --> 00:10:56.129 and the Arabs began to depart 00:10:56.129 --> 00:10:59.129 from the religion of Allah in throngs and groups, 00:10:59.129 --> 00:11:01.129 and Musaylimah the Liar arose 00:11:01.129 --> 00:11:03.129 among the Banu Hanifah, 00:11:03.129 --> 00:11:05.129 calling them to believe in him, 00:11:05.129 --> 00:11:07.129 Thumamah stood against him 00:11:07.129 --> 00:11:09.129 and said to his people: 00:11:09.129 --> 00:11:11.129 "O Banu Hanifah, 00:11:11.129 --> 00:11:13.129 beware of this dark affair, 00:11:13.129 --> 00:11:15.129 which contains no light. 00:11:15.129 --> 00:11:17.129 By Allah, it is a misery 00:11:17.129 --> 00:11:19.129 that Allah, the Almighty and Majestic, has decreed 00:11:19.129 --> 00:11:21.129 for those among you who adopt it, 00:11:21.129 --> 00:11:23.129 and a trial for those who do not." 00:11:23.129 --> 00:11:25.159 Then he said: 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.159 "O Banu Hanifah, 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:29.159 two prophets cannot coexist 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:31.159 at the same time, 00:11:31.159 --> 00:11:33.159 and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:35.159 with no prophet after him, 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.159 nor any prophet to share his mission." 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:39.159 Then he recited to them: 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:41.159 "Ha-Mim. 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:45.909 The revelation of the Book 00:11:45.909 --> 00:11:47.909 “The revelation of the Scripture is from Allah, the Mighty, the Knower,” (40:2) 00:11:52.490 --> 00:11:54.490 the Forgiver of sin, 00:11:54.490 --> 00:11:56.490 the Acceptor of repentance, 00:11:56.490 --> 00:11:58.490 the Severe in punishment, 00:11:58.490 --> 00:12:00.490 the Possessor of bounty. There is no 00:12:00.490 --> 00:12:02.490 deity except Him; 00:12:02.490 --> 00:12:04.490 to Him is the final destination." 00:12:04.490 --> 00:12:07.379 Then he said: 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:09.379 "How does this Word of Allah compare 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:11.379 to the words of Musaylimah: 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:13.379 'O frog, croak as you will, 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:15.379 you do not prevent the drink, 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:17.379 nor do you muddy the water'?" 00:12:17.379 --> 00:12:19.379 Then he withdrew 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:21.379 with those of his people who remained upon Islam, 00:12:21.379 --> 00:12:23.379 and set out to fight 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.379 the apostates, striving 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:27.379 in the way of Allah, 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:29.379 and to exalt His word upon the earth. 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:31.539 May Allah reward Thumamah 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:33.539 Ibn Uthal on behalf of Islam 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:35.539 and the Muslims with goodness, 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:37.539 and honor him with the Paradise that 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:39.539 has been promised to the righteous. 00:12:39.539 --> 00:12:41.899 Thumamah Ibn Uthal 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:43.899 imposes an economic blockade 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.899 upon Quraysh.