1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,399 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,399 --> 00:00:08,400 The best of generations in their conduct and example, 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke. 4 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:15,400 Mawaddah Association 5 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,399 Presents: 6 00:00:17,399 --> 00:00:21,429 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un 7 00:00:21,429 --> 00:00:26,460 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:26,460 --> 00:00:30,929 May Allah have mercy upon him. 9 00:00:30,929 --> 00:00:32,929 Tawus Ibn Kaysan, 10 00:00:32,929 --> 00:00:34,929 May Allah have mercy upon him. 11 00:00:43,020 --> 00:00:47,020 He was illuminated by fifty stars from among the stars of guidance, 12 00:00:47,020 --> 00:00:51,020 So splendor enveloped him and light poured upon him, 13 00:00:51,020 --> 00:00:54,020 A light in his heart and a light upon his tongue, 14 00:00:54,020 --> 00:00:57,020 And a light walking before him. 15 00:00:57,020 --> 00:01:04,140 He graduated from the school of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, under fifty of its most prominent scholars, 16 00:01:04,140 --> 00:01:10,140 Until he became a reflection of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 17 00:01:10,140 --> 00:01:13,140 In the firmness of his faith and the truthfulness of his speech, 18 00:01:13,140 --> 00:01:18,140 In his disdain for the fleeting vanities of this world and his devotion to seeking the pleasure of Allah, 19 00:01:18,140 --> 00:01:20,140 And in speaking the word of truth openly, 20 00:01:20,140 --> 00:01:24,140 No matter how high the price of that word might be. 21 00:01:24,140 --> 00:01:29,140 For the Muhammadan school had taught him that the religion is sincerity: 22 00:01:29,140 --> 00:01:35,140 Sincerity to Allah, His Book, His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 23 00:01:35,140 --> 00:01:38,140 And to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk. 24 00:01:38,140 --> 00:01:44,140 Experience had taught him that all righteousness begins with the ruler, 25 00:01:44,140 --> 00:01:46,140 And ends with him. 26 00:01:46,140 --> 00:01:49,140 If the shepherd is righteous, the flock is righteous, 27 00:01:49,140 --> 00:01:52,180 And if he is corrupt, they are corrupt. 28 00:01:52,180 --> 00:01:57,180 That is Dhakwan Ibn Kaysan, nicknamed Tawus (the Peacock), 29 00:01:57,180 --> 00:02:02,180 A title bestowed upon him because he was the "peacock" of the scholars of fiqh, 30 00:02:02,180 --> 00:02:05,180 And the most prominent among them in his era. 31 00:02:05,180 --> 00:02:09,520 Tawus Ibn Kaysan was from the people of Yemen. 32 00:02:09,520 --> 00:02:12,520 The governorship of Yemen at that time 33 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:17,520 Was held by Muhammad Ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi, the brother of al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf. 34 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:21,520 Al-Hajjaj had sent him as governor there 35 00:02:21,520 --> 00:02:26,520 After his own status had grown, his power had strengthened, and his awe had intensified, 36 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:30,520 Following his suppression of the movement of Abd Allah Ibn al-Zubayr. 37 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:37,520 Muhammad Ibn Yusuf embodied many of the vices of his brother al-Hajjaj, 38 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:41,520 Yet he possessed none of his virtues. 39 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:46,860 On a cold winter morning, 40 00:02:46,860 --> 00:02:49,860 Tawus Ibn Kaysan entered upon him, 41 00:02:49,860 --> 00:02:51,860 Accompanied by Wahb Ibn Munabbih. 42 00:02:51,860 --> 00:02:54,900 When they had taken their seats before him, 43 00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:58,900 Tawus began to exhort him, encouraging him and warning him. 44 00:02:58,900 --> 00:03:01,900 People were sitting before the governor, 45 00:03:01,900 --> 00:03:04,900 And the governor said to one of his chamberlains, 46 00:03:04,900 --> 00:03:07,900 "O boy, bring a taylasan (a shawl/garment)," 47 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:11,900 "And place it upon the shoulders of Abu Abd al-Rahman." 48 00:03:11,900 --> 00:03:14,900 The chamberlain took a precious taylasan, 49 00:03:14,900 --> 00:03:17,900 And placed it upon the shoulders of Tawus. 50 00:03:17,900 --> 00:03:20,900 Tawus continued his exhortation without pause, 51 00:03:20,900 --> 00:03:23,900 Then he began to move his shoulders deliberately, 52 00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:26,900 Until the taylasan fell from his shoulders. 53 00:03:26,900 --> 00:03:29,900 He stood up and departed. 54 00:03:29,900 --> 00:03:32,990 Muhammad Ibn Yusuf became intensely angry, 55 00:03:32,990 --> 00:03:35,990 Which showed in the redness of his eyes and the congestion of his face, 56 00:03:35,990 --> 00:03:38,990 Yet he said nothing. 57 00:03:38,990 --> 00:03:42,060 When Tawus and his companion were 58 00:03:42,060 --> 00:03:44,060 Outside the assembly, 59 00:03:44,060 --> 00:03:46,060 Wahb said to Tawus, 60 00:03:46,060 --> 00:03:48,060 "By Allah, we had no need 61 00:03:49,060 --> 00:03:52,060 To provoke his anger against us." 62 00:03:52,060 --> 00:03:55,060 "What harm would it have done you if you had accepted the taylasan from him," 63 00:03:55,060 --> 00:03:58,060 "Then sold it and given its price in charity" 64 00:03:58,060 --> 00:04:01,090 "To the poor and the needy?" 65 00:04:01,090 --> 00:04:04,090 Tawus replied, "It is as you say," 66 00:04:04,090 --> 00:04:07,090 "Were it not that I feared the scholars" 67 00:04:07,090 --> 00:04:10,090 "After me would say, 'We take what he took,'" 68 00:04:10,090 --> 00:04:13,090 "'Tawus took it,' and then they would not do with it" 69 00:04:13,090 --> 00:04:17,339 "What you suggest." 70 00:04:17,339 --> 00:04:20,339 When Muhammad Ibn Yusuf wanted to return 71 00:04:20,339 --> 00:04:23,339 The "stone" to Tawus from whence it came, 72 00:04:23,339 --> 00:04:26,339 He set a trap for him, 73 00:04:26,339 --> 00:04:29,339 Preparing a pouch containing 700 dinars 74 00:04:29,339 --> 00:04:32,339 Of gold, and he chose a clever man 75 00:04:32,339 --> 00:04:35,339 From his retinue and said to him, 76 00:04:35,339 --> 00:04:38,339 "Go with this pouch to Tawus" 77 00:04:38,339 --> 00:04:41,339 "Ibn Kaysan, and use every trick to make him take it." 78 00:04:41,339 --> 00:04:44,339 "If he takes it from you," 79 00:04:44,339 --> 00:04:47,339 "I will grant you your gift, your clothing, and your proximity." 80 00:04:47,339 --> 00:04:50,620 The man left with the pouch 81 00:04:50,620 --> 00:04:53,620 Until he reached Tawus in a village 82 00:04:53,620 --> 00:04:56,620 Where he was staying near San'a, 83 00:04:56,620 --> 00:04:59,620 Called al-Jund. 84 00:04:59,620 --> 00:05:02,620 When he reached him, he greeted him and spoke kindly to him, 85 00:05:02,620 --> 00:05:05,620 And said, "O Abu Abd al-Rahman," 86 00:05:05,620 --> 00:05:08,620 "This is a provision sent to you by the Amir." 87 00:05:08,620 --> 00:05:11,620 He replied, [refusing it]. 88 00:05:12,620 --> 00:05:15,620 The man tried every trick 89 00:05:15,620 --> 00:05:18,620 To make him accept it, but he refused. 90 00:05:18,620 --> 00:05:21,689 He presented every argument, but he rejected them. 91 00:05:21,689 --> 00:05:24,689 So the man had no choice but to act deceitfully; 92 00:05:24,689 --> 00:05:27,689 In a moment of Tawus's inattention, he threw the pouch 93 00:05:27,689 --> 00:05:30,689 Into a niche in the wall of the house, 94 00:05:30,689 --> 00:05:33,689 And returned to the Amir, saying, 95 00:05:33,689 --> 00:05:36,689 "Tawus has taken the pouch, O Amir." 96 00:05:36,689 --> 00:05:39,689 Muhammad Ibn Yusuf was pleased by this. 97 00:05:40,689 --> 00:05:43,689 When several days had passed, 98 00:05:43,689 --> 00:05:46,689 He sent two of his aides, 99 00:05:46,689 --> 00:05:49,689 Accompanied by the man who had brought the pouch, 100 00:05:49,689 --> 00:05:52,689 And ordered them to say to him, 101 00:05:52,689 --> 00:05:55,689 "The Amir's messenger made a mistake," 102 00:05:55,689 --> 00:05:58,689 "He gave you the money, but it was intended for someone else." 103 00:05:58,689 --> 00:06:01,689 "We have come to retrieve it from you" 104 00:06:01,689 --> 00:06:04,720 "And carry it to its rightful owner." 105 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:07,720 Tawus said, "I have not taken any of the Amir's money" 106 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:10,720 "For me to return it to him." 107 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,720 They said, "Indeed, you did take it." 108 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:16,720 He turned to the man who had brought the pouch 109 00:06:16,720 --> 00:06:19,720 And said to him, "Did I take anything from you?" 110 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:22,720 The man was seized with panic and said, 111 00:06:22,720 --> 00:06:25,720 "No, rather I placed the money in" 112 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:28,750 "This niche while you were inattentive." 113 00:06:28,750 --> 00:06:31,750 Tawus said, "The niche is yours," 114 00:06:31,750 --> 00:06:34,819 "Look inside it." 115 00:06:35,819 --> 00:06:38,819 They found the pouch inside just as it was, 116 00:06:38,819 --> 00:06:41,819 With a spider having spun its web over it. 117 00:06:41,819 --> 00:06:44,819 He took it and returned with it to the Amir. 118 00:06:44,819 --> 00:06:49,259 It was as if Allah, the Almighty, wanted 119 00:06:49,259 --> 00:06:52,259 To exact retribution from Muhammad Ibn Yusuf 120 00:06:52,259 --> 00:06:55,259 For this deed of his, 121 00:06:55,259 --> 00:06:58,259 And to make his retribution visible to the people 122 00:06:58,259 --> 00:07:01,509 And in public. How did that happen? 123 00:07:01,509 --> 00:07:04,509 Tawus Ibn Kaysan narrated, saying, 124 00:07:04,509 --> 00:07:07,509 "While I was in Makkah for Hajj," 125 00:07:07,509 --> 00:07:10,509 "Al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi sent for me." 126 00:07:10,509 --> 00:07:13,579 "When I entered upon him, he welcomed me," 127 00:07:13,579 --> 00:07:16,579 "And brought my seat close to his," 128 00:07:16,579 --> 00:07:19,579 "And threw a cushion for me, inviting me to lean upon it." 129 00:07:19,579 --> 00:07:22,579 "Then he began to ask me" 130 00:07:22,579 --> 00:07:25,579 "About matters of the Hajj rituals that were unclear to him," 131 00:07:25,579 --> 00:07:28,579 "And other things. While we were in that state," 132 00:07:28,579 --> 00:07:31,579 "Al-Hajjaj heard a pilgrim reciting the talbiyah around the House," 133 00:07:31,579 --> 00:07:34,579 "Raising his voice with the talbiyah," 134 00:07:34,579 --> 00:07:37,579 "With a tone that shook hearts to their core." 135 00:07:37,579 --> 00:07:40,579 "He said, 'Bring me this pilgrim.'" 136 00:07:40,579 --> 00:07:43,579 "He was brought to him." 137 00:07:43,579 --> 00:07:46,579 "He said to him, 'Where is the man from?'" 138 00:07:46,579 --> 00:07:49,579 "He said, 'From the Muslims.'" 139 00:07:49,579 --> 00:07:52,579 "He said, 'I did not ask you about that,'" 140 00:07:52,579 --> 00:07:55,579 "'I asked you about the country.'" 141 00:07:55,579 --> 00:07:58,579 "He said, 'From the people of Yemen.'" 142 00:07:58,579 --> 00:08:01,579 "'How did you leave your governor?'" 143 00:08:01,579 --> 00:08:04,610 "Meaning his brother." 144 00:08:04,610 --> 00:08:07,610 "He said, 'I left him great and imposing,'" 145 00:08:07,610 --> 00:08:10,610 "'A wearer of fine clothes, a rider of horses,'" 146 00:08:10,610 --> 00:08:13,610 "'A collector of taxes, a man of many entrances.'" 147 00:08:13,610 --> 00:08:16,610 "He said, 'I did not ask you about this.'" 148 00:08:16,610 --> 00:08:19,610 "He said, 'What did you ask me about, then?'" 149 00:08:19,610 --> 00:08:22,610 "He said, 'I asked you about his conduct among you.'" 150 00:08:22,610 --> 00:08:25,610 "He said, 'I left him a great oppressor and tyrant,'" 151 00:08:25,610 --> 00:08:28,610 "'Obedient to the creature, disobedient to the Creator.'" 152 00:08:28,610 --> 00:08:31,800 "Al-Hajjaj's face turned red" 153 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,799 "Out of shame before those sitting with him," 154 00:08:34,799 --> 00:08:37,799 "And he said to the man," 155 00:08:37,799 --> 00:08:40,799 "'What prompted you to say about him what you said,'" 156 00:08:40,799 --> 00:08:43,799 "'When you know his position with me?'" 157 00:08:43,799 --> 00:08:46,799 "He said, 'Do you think his position with you'" 158 00:08:46,799 --> 00:08:49,799 "'Is dearer than my position with Allah, the Almighty?'" 159 00:08:49,799 --> 00:08:52,799 "'I am a guest of His House,'" 160 00:08:52,799 --> 00:08:55,929 "'And a judge of His religion.'" 161 00:08:55,929 --> 00:08:58,929 "Al-Hajjaj fell silent and offered no reply." 162 00:08:58,929 --> 00:09:01,929 Tawus said, 163 00:09:01,929 --> 00:09:04,929 "Then the man did not delay; he stood up" 164 00:09:04,929 --> 00:09:07,960 "And departed without asking permission or being granted it." 165 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:10,960 "I stood up in his wake and said to myself," 166 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,960 "'The man is righteous,'" 167 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:16,960 "'Follow him and catch him before the crowds of people hide him'" 168 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:19,960 "'From your sight.'" 169 00:09:19,960 --> 00:09:22,960 "By Allah, he came to the House and clung to its curtains," 170 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:25,960 "And placed his cheek against its wall," 171 00:09:25,960 --> 00:09:28,960 "And began to say," 172 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:31,960 "'O Allah, in You I seek refuge, and to Your presence I flee.'" 173 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:34,960 "'O Allah, grant me, in my reliance'" 174 00:09:34,960 --> 00:09:37,960 "'Upon Your generosity and contentment with Your guarantee,'" 175 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:40,960 "'A refuge from the refusal of the stingy,'" 176 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:43,960 "'And sufficiency from what is in the hands of the selfish.'" 177 00:09:43,960 --> 00:09:46,960 "'O Allah, I ask You for Your imminent relief,'" 178 00:09:46,960 --> 00:09:49,960 "'And Your ancient kindness,'" 179 00:09:49,960 --> 00:09:52,960 "'And Your good habit, O Lord of the worlds.'" 180 00:09:52,960 --> 00:09:56,019 "Then a wave of people took him," 181 00:09:56,019 --> 00:09:59,019 "And hid him from my sight," 182 00:09:59,019 --> 00:10:02,019 "So I became certain that there was no way to meet him after that." 183 00:10:02,019 --> 00:10:05,220 "When it was the evening of Arafah," 184 00:10:05,220 --> 00:10:08,220 "I saw him as he was departing with the people." 185 00:10:08,220 --> 00:10:11,220 "I drew near to him, and he was saying," 186 00:10:11,220 --> 00:10:14,220 "'O Allah, if You have not accepted my Hajj,'" 187 00:10:14,220 --> 00:10:17,220 "'And my toil and my fatigue,'" 188 00:10:17,220 --> 00:10:20,220 "'Then do not deprive me of the reward for my affliction'" 189 00:10:20,220 --> 00:10:23,220 "'Of Your refusal to accept from me.'" 190 00:10:23,220 --> 00:10:26,220 "Then he went among the people," 191 00:10:26,220 --> 00:10:29,309 "And the darkness hid him from me." 192 00:10:29,309 --> 00:10:32,309 "When I despaired of meeting him, I said," 193 00:10:32,309 --> 00:10:35,309 "'O Allah, accept my supplication and his supplication,'" 194 00:10:35,309 --> 00:10:38,309 "'And answer my hope and his hope,'" 195 00:10:38,309 --> 00:10:41,309 "'And make my feet and his feet firm on the day when feet shall slip,'" 196 00:10:41,309 --> 00:10:44,309 "'With him at the Basin of al-Kawthar,'" 197 00:10:44,309 --> 00:10:48,620 "'O Most Generous of the generous.'" 198 00:10:48,620 --> 00:10:51,620 And that was the last meeting with the noble Tabi'i, 199 00:10:51,620 --> 00:10:54,620 Dhakwan ibn Kaysan, known as Tawus. 200 00:10:54,620 --> 00:10:57,620 May Allah be pleased with him and grant him contentment. 201 00:10:57,620 --> 00:11:04,850 And may He make the eternal gardens his final abode. 202 00:11:04,850 --> 00:11:08,039 I have never seen anyone at all, 203 00:11:08,039 --> 00:11:11,549 like Tawus ibn Kaysan. 204 00:11:11,549 --> 00:11:16,860 'Amr ibn Dinar, 205 00:11:19,860 --> 00:11:22,860 says, when he would strive, or he said: 206 00:11:22,860 --> 00:11:25,860 They were here, 207 00:11:25,860 --> 00:11:28,860 watering the clouds of our lives. 208 00:11:28,860 --> 00:11:31,860 They passed on, and we remained. 209 00:11:31,860 --> 00:11:34,860 Their legacy rises ever higher. 210 00:11:34,860 --> 00:11:37,860 They departed, leaving behind a question in the conscience: 211 00:11:37,860 --> 00:11:40,860 Is there anyone like them, 212 00:11:40,860 --> 00:11:43,860 a star that rose and shimmered? 213 00:11:43,860 --> 00:11:46,860 They filled life with noble deeds, 214 00:11:46,860 --> 00:11:49,860 through their actions, 215 00:11:49,860 --> 00:11:52,950 and the world of the self flourished because of them.