1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,390 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:03,390 --> 00:00:06,389 My longing to meet them ever grows, 3 00:00:06,389 --> 00:00:09,189 And to their sanctuary, my heart journeys from afar. 4 00:00:09,189 --> 00:00:11,689 O generation that followed true guidance, 5 00:00:11,689 --> 00:00:14,390 Shine upon us anew. 6 00:00:14,390 --> 00:00:15,689 My longing to meet them— 7 00:00:15,689 --> 00:00:17,690 The Mawaddah Association is pleased 8 00:00:17,690 --> 00:00:19,690 to present to you: 9 00:00:19,690 --> 00:00:22,190 "Portraits from the Lives of the Companions" 10 00:00:22,190 --> 00:00:25,719 by 'Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 11 00:00:25,719 --> 00:00:28,719 may Allah have mercy on him. 12 00:00:28,719 --> 00:00:31,719 Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, 13 00:00:31,719 --> 00:00:33,840 may Allah be pleased with him. 14 00:00:46,020 --> 00:00:48,020 This illustrious Companion 15 00:00:48,020 --> 00:00:51,020 was named Khalid ibn Zayd ibn Kulayb, 16 00:00:51,020 --> 00:00:53,020 of the Banu al-Najjar clan. 17 00:00:53,020 --> 00:00:55,520 His kunyah was Abu Ayyub, 18 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,520 and his lineage belonged to the Ansar. 19 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:01,020 And who among us, the community of Muslims, 20 00:01:01,020 --> 00:01:04,019 does not know Abu Ayyub al-Ansari? 21 00:01:04,019 --> 00:01:07,019 For Allah exalted his renown across the two horizons, 22 00:01:07,019 --> 00:01:09,019 and elevated his stature among all mankind, 23 00:01:09,019 --> 00:01:13,019 when He chose his home out of all the Muslims' homes 24 00:01:13,019 --> 00:01:15,519 to host the Noble Prophet, 25 00:01:15,519 --> 00:01:18,519 when he arrived in Medina as an emigrant— 26 00:01:18,519 --> 00:01:21,019 and that alone is honor enough for him. 27 00:01:21,019 --> 00:01:24,519 The lodging of the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 28 00:01:24,519 --> 00:01:26,519 in the house of Abu Ayyub 29 00:01:26,519 --> 00:01:28,519 is a story sweet to recount 30 00:01:28,519 --> 00:01:31,019 and delightful to repeat. 31 00:01:31,019 --> 00:01:33,519 For when the Prophet, peace be upon him, 32 00:01:33,519 --> 00:01:35,519 reached Medina, 33 00:01:35,519 --> 00:01:37,519 the hearts of its people met him 34 00:01:37,519 --> 00:01:40,519 with the most generous welcome ever accorded a newcomer. 35 00:01:40,519 --> 00:01:43,019 Their eyes gazed eagerly toward him, 36 00:01:43,019 --> 00:01:46,519 expressing the longing of a lover for his beloved; 37 00:01:46,519 --> 00:01:48,519 they opened their hearts to him, 38 00:01:48,519 --> 00:01:51,019 that he might dwell in their very core, 39 00:01:51,019 --> 00:01:54,019 and flung wide the doors of their houses to him, 40 00:01:54,019 --> 00:01:57,019 that he might abide in the most cherished of dwellings. 41 00:01:57,019 --> 00:02:00,519 But the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 42 00:02:00,519 --> 00:02:03,519 stayed in Quba, on the outskirts of Medina, 43 00:02:03,519 --> 00:02:05,519 for four days, 44 00:02:05,519 --> 00:02:08,520 during which he built his mosque—the very first mosque 45 00:02:08,520 --> 00:02:10,520 founded upon piety. 46 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:13,520 Then he set out from it, mounted upon his she-camel. 47 00:02:13,520 --> 00:02:16,520 The chieftains of Yathrib stood in her path, 48 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,520 each yearning to win 49 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:22,520 the honor of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, staying 50 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:23,520 in his home. 51 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:25,520 They would intercept the she-camel, 52 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:27,520 chieftain after chieftain, 53 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:29,520 saying: 54 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:31,520 "Dwell with us, O Messenger of Allah, 55 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:34,520 in numbers, wealth, and fortified protection!" 56 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:37,520 But he would say to them: "Let her go, 57 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:39,520 for she is under divine command." 58 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:42,520 And the she-camel continued toward her destination, 59 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:44,520 followed by all eyes, 60 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,520 encircled by all hearts. 61 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:48,520 Whenever she passed a house, 62 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,520 its people were grieved 63 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:52,520 and overcome with despair, 64 00:02:52,520 --> 00:02:55,520 while hope shone bright in the souls of those ahead. 65 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:59,520 The she-camel went on in this manner, 66 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:01,520 with the people trailing behind her, 67 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:03,520 burning with eager anticipation 68 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,520 to learn who the blessed, fortunate host would be, 69 00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:08,520 until she reached an open 70 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:11,520 lot in front of the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, 71 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:13,520 where she knelt down. 72 00:03:13,520 --> 00:03:16,520 Yet the Messenger, peace be upon him, 73 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:18,520 did not dismount. 74 00:03:18,520 --> 00:03:20,520 Soon she sprang up 75 00:03:20,520 --> 00:03:22,520 and began walking again, 76 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:24,520 while the Messenger gave her slack reins. 77 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:26,520 Then, before long, 78 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:28,520 she turned back in her tracks 79 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:30,520 and knelt down once more in her first resting place. 80 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:32,520 Thereupon, 81 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:34,520 boundless joy overwhelmed the heart of Abu Ayyub 82 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:36,520 al-Ansari. 83 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:38,520 He hastened toward the Messenger of Allah, 84 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,520 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 85 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:42,520 welcoming him warmly, 86 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:44,520 and carried his luggage in his arms 87 00:03:44,520 --> 00:03:46,520 as though he were carrying 88 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:48,520 all the treasures of the world, 89 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,520 proceeding with it toward his home. 90 00:03:50,520 --> 00:03:52,520 The house of Abu Ayyub 91 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:54,520 consisted of a lower floor 92 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,520 with an upper room above it. 93 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:58,520 So he cleared the upper room of his belongings 94 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,520 and those of his family, 95 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:02,520 that the Messenger of Allah might stay in it. 96 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:04,520 However, the Prophet, peace be upon him, 97 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:06,520 preferred 98 00:04:06,520 --> 00:04:08,520 the lower floor over it. 99 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:10,520 Abu Ayyub complied with his wish 100 00:04:10,520 --> 00:04:12,520 and accommodated him wherever he pleased. 101 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:14,620 When night fell 102 00:04:14,620 --> 00:04:16,620 and the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah 103 00:04:16,620 --> 00:04:18,620 be upon him, retired to his bed, 104 00:04:18,620 --> 00:04:20,620 Abu Ayyub 105 00:04:20,620 --> 00:04:22,620 and his wife climbed up to the upper room. 106 00:04:22,620 --> 00:04:24,620 No sooner had they shut 107 00:04:24,620 --> 00:04:26,620 its door upon themselves than 108 00:04:26,620 --> 00:04:28,620 Abu Ayyub turned to his wife 109 00:04:28,620 --> 00:04:30,620 and said, "Woe to you! 110 00:04:30,620 --> 00:04:32,620 What have we done? 111 00:04:32,620 --> 00:04:34,620 Can the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, be 112 00:04:34,620 --> 00:04:36,620 below, 113 00:04:36,620 --> 00:04:38,620 while we are above him? 114 00:04:38,620 --> 00:04:40,620 Shall I walk above the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him? 115 00:04:40,620 --> 00:04:42,620 Shall we come between the Prophet 116 00:04:42,620 --> 00:04:44,620 and revelation? 117 00:04:44,620 --> 00:04:46,620 We would surely then 118 00:04:46,620 --> 00:04:48,620 be ruined!" 119 00:04:48,620 --> 00:04:50,620 The couple was seized with distress and bewilderment, 120 00:04:50,620 --> 00:04:52,620 not knowing what to do. 121 00:04:52,620 --> 00:04:54,620 Their souls found 122 00:04:54,620 --> 00:04:56,620 no measure of peace 123 00:04:56,620 --> 00:04:58,620 until they retreated 124 00:04:58,620 --> 00:05:00,620 to the side of the upper room 125 00:05:00,620 --> 00:05:02,620 that was not directly above the Messenger of Allah, 126 00:05:02,620 --> 00:05:04,620 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 127 00:05:04,620 --> 00:05:06,620 They kept strictly to it, never leaving it 128 00:05:06,620 --> 00:05:08,620 except by tiptoeing along the edges, 129 00:05:08,620 --> 00:05:10,620 keeping well away 130 00:05:10,620 --> 00:05:12,649 from the center. 131 00:05:12,649 --> 00:05:14,649 In the morning, Abu Ayyub 132 00:05:14,649 --> 00:05:16,649 said to the Prophet, peace be upon him: 133 00:05:16,649 --> 00:05:18,649 "By Allah, not an eyelid 134 00:05:18,649 --> 00:05:20,649 of ours closed this 135 00:05:20,649 --> 00:05:22,649 night—neither mine 136 00:05:22,649 --> 00:05:24,779 nor Umm Ayyub's." 137 00:05:24,779 --> 00:05:26,779 So he, peace be upon him, asked: 138 00:05:26,779 --> 00:05:28,779 "And why was that, O Abu 139 00:05:28,779 --> 00:05:30,779 Ayyub?" He replied: 140 00:05:30,779 --> 00:05:32,779 "I remembered that I was on the roof of a house 141 00:05:32,779 --> 00:05:34,779 beneath which you were, 142 00:05:34,779 --> 00:05:36,779 and that if I moved, 143 00:05:36,779 --> 00:05:38,779 dust would fall upon you and cause you discomfort. 144 00:05:38,779 --> 00:05:40,779 Moreover, 145 00:05:40,779 --> 00:05:42,779 I would be coming between you and revelation." 146 00:05:42,779 --> 00:05:44,779 Thereupon the Messenger, peace and blessings 147 00:05:44,779 --> 00:05:46,779 be upon him, said to him: 148 00:05:46,779 --> 00:05:48,779 "Take it easy, O Abu Ayyub; 149 00:05:48,779 --> 00:05:50,779 it is indeed more convenient for us 150 00:05:50,779 --> 00:05:52,779 to be on the ground floor, 151 00:05:52,779 --> 00:05:54,779 on account of the many people who visit us." 152 00:05:54,779 --> 00:05:56,779 Abu Ayyub said: 153 00:05:56,779 --> 00:05:58,779 "So I complied with the order of the Messenger of Allah, 154 00:05:58,779 --> 00:06:00,779 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 155 00:06:00,779 --> 00:06:02,779 until a cold night came 156 00:06:02,779 --> 00:06:04,779 when a clay jar of ours broke, 157 00:06:04,779 --> 00:06:06,779 and its water spilled out 158 00:06:06,779 --> 00:06:08,779 in the upper room. 159 00:06:08,779 --> 00:06:10,779 Umm Ayyub and I rushed to the water, 160 00:06:10,779 --> 00:06:12,779 having nothing 161 00:06:12,779 --> 00:06:14,779 but a single velvet garment that we 162 00:06:14,779 --> 00:06:16,779 used as a blanket. 163 00:06:16,779 --> 00:06:18,779 We began soaking up the water with it, 164 00:06:18,779 --> 00:06:20,779 for fear that any of it might seep through 165 00:06:20,779 --> 00:06:22,779 to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 166 00:06:24,779 --> 00:06:26,779 When morning came, 167 00:06:26,779 --> 00:06:28,779 I went down to the Messenger, peace and blessings 168 00:06:28,779 --> 00:06:30,779 of Allah be upon him, 169 00:06:30,779 --> 00:06:32,779 and said: 'May my father and mother be ransomed for you! 170 00:06:32,779 --> 00:06:34,779 I cannot bear to be 171 00:06:34,779 --> 00:06:36,779 above you, 172 00:06:36,779 --> 00:06:38,779 while you are below me.' 173 00:06:38,779 --> 00:06:40,779 Then I told him the incident of the jar, 174 00:06:40,779 --> 00:06:42,779 so he consented to my plea 175 00:06:42,779 --> 00:06:44,779 and moved up to the upper room, 176 00:06:44,779 --> 00:06:46,779 while Umm Ayyub and I moved down 177 00:06:46,779 --> 00:06:48,779 to the ground floor." 178 00:06:48,779 --> 00:06:50,779 The Prophet, peace be upon him, stayed 179 00:06:50,779 --> 00:06:52,779 in the house of Abu Ayyub 180 00:06:52,779 --> 00:06:54,779 for about seven months, 181 00:06:54,779 --> 00:06:56,810 until the construction 182 00:06:56,810 --> 00:06:58,810 of his mosque was completed upon the vacant land 183 00:06:58,810 --> 00:07:00,810 where the she-camel had knelt down. 184 00:07:00,810 --> 00:07:02,810 He then moved into the apartments 185 00:07:02,810 --> 00:07:04,810 that were built around the mosque 186 00:07:04,810 --> 00:07:06,810 for himself and his wives, 187 00:07:06,810 --> 00:07:08,810 thereby becoming a neighbor to Abu Ayyub— 188 00:07:08,810 --> 00:07:10,810 and how noble 189 00:07:10,810 --> 00:07:12,810 were those two neighbors! 190 00:07:12,810 --> 00:07:14,810 Abu Ayyub loved 191 00:07:14,810 --> 00:07:16,810 the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah 192 00:07:16,810 --> 00:07:18,810 be upon him, with a love 193 00:07:18,810 --> 00:07:20,810 that captured his heart and soul, 194 00:07:20,810 --> 00:07:22,810 and the Noble Messenger loved 195 00:07:22,810 --> 00:07:24,810 Abu Ayyub with a love 196 00:07:24,810 --> 00:07:26,810 that removed all formality between them, 197 00:07:26,810 --> 00:07:28,810 leading him to regard 198 00:07:28,810 --> 00:07:30,810 the house of Abu Ayyub 199 00:07:30,810 --> 00:07:32,810 as though it were his own home. 200 00:07:32,810 --> 00:07:34,810 Ibn 'Abbas narrated, saying: 201 00:07:34,810 --> 00:07:36,810 Abu Bakr 202 00:07:36,810 --> 00:07:38,810 (may Allah be pleased with him) went out in the midday heat 203 00:07:38,810 --> 00:07:40,810 to the mosque, 204 00:07:40,810 --> 00:07:42,810 and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him 205 00:07:42,810 --> 00:07:44,810 and said, "O Abu Bakr, 206 00:07:44,810 --> 00:07:46,810 what brought you out at this hour?" 207 00:07:46,810 --> 00:07:48,810 He replied, 208 00:07:48,810 --> 00:07:50,810 "Nothing brought me out except what I feel 209 00:07:50,810 --> 00:07:52,810 of severe hunger." 210 00:07:52,810 --> 00:07:54,810 Thereupon 'Umar said, 211 00:07:54,810 --> 00:07:56,810 "By Allah, nothing brought me out 212 00:07:56,810 --> 00:07:58,810 other than that either." 213 00:07:58,810 --> 00:08:00,810 While they were conversing like that, 214 00:08:00,810 --> 00:08:02,810 the Messenger of Allah 215 00:08:02,810 --> 00:08:04,810 (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came out to them 216 00:08:04,810 --> 00:08:06,810 and said, 217 00:08:06,810 --> 00:08:08,810 "What brought the two of you out at this hour?" 218 00:08:08,810 --> 00:08:10,810 They said, "By Allah, 219 00:08:10,810 --> 00:08:12,810 nothing brought us out except what we feel 220 00:08:12,810 --> 00:08:14,810 in our bellies from severe hunger." 221 00:08:14,810 --> 00:08:16,810 He (peace be upon him) said, 222 00:08:16,810 --> 00:08:18,810 "And by the One in Whose 223 00:08:18,810 --> 00:08:20,810 Hand is my soul, 224 00:08:20,810 --> 00:08:22,810 nothing brought me out other than that. 225 00:08:22,810 --> 00:08:24,810 Stand up and come with me." 226 00:08:24,810 --> 00:08:26,810 So they set off 227 00:08:26,810 --> 00:08:28,810 and came to the door of Abu Ayyub 228 00:08:28,810 --> 00:08:30,810 (may Allah be pleased with him). 229 00:08:30,810 --> 00:08:32,809 Now Abu Ayyub used to keep aside 230 00:08:32,809 --> 00:08:34,809 for the Messenger of Allah every day 231 00:08:34,809 --> 00:08:36,809 some food; 232 00:08:36,809 --> 00:08:38,809 then, if he was delayed and did not come 233 00:08:38,809 --> 00:08:40,809 to him at his usual time, 234 00:08:40,809 --> 00:08:42,809 he would feed it to his family. 235 00:08:42,809 --> 00:08:44,809 When they reached the door, 236 00:08:44,809 --> 00:08:46,809 Umm Ayyub came out to them 237 00:08:46,809 --> 00:08:48,809 and said, "Welcome!" 238 00:08:48,809 --> 00:08:50,809 The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked her, 239 00:08:50,809 --> 00:08:52,809 "Where is Abu Ayyub?" 240 00:08:52,809 --> 00:08:54,809 Abu Ayyub heard 241 00:08:54,809 --> 00:08:56,809 the voice of the Prophet, 242 00:08:56,809 --> 00:08:58,809 as he was working in a nearby palm grove of his. 243 00:08:58,809 --> 00:09:00,809 So he came rushing, 244 00:09:00,809 --> 00:09:02,809 saying, "Welcome 245 00:09:02,809 --> 00:09:04,809 to the Messenger of Allah and to those with him!" 246 00:09:04,809 --> 00:09:06,809 Then he followed up by saying, 247 00:09:06,809 --> 00:09:08,809 "O Prophet of Allah, 248 00:09:08,809 --> 00:09:10,809 this is not the time at which 249 00:09:10,809 --> 00:09:12,809 you usually come." 250 00:09:12,809 --> 00:09:14,809 The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, 251 00:09:14,809 --> 00:09:16,809 "You have spoken the truth." 252 00:09:16,809 --> 00:09:18,809 Abu Ayyub went to his palm trees 253 00:09:18,809 --> 00:09:20,809 and cut down a cluster 254 00:09:20,809 --> 00:09:22,809 containing dried dates, ripe dates, and unripe dates. 255 00:09:22,809 --> 00:09:24,809 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 256 00:09:24,809 --> 00:09:26,809 "I did not want you 257 00:09:26,809 --> 00:09:28,809 to cut this down! 258 00:09:28,809 --> 00:09:30,809 Why did you not just pick some of its dried dates for us?" 259 00:09:30,809 --> 00:09:32,809 He said, "O Messenger of Allah, 260 00:09:32,809 --> 00:09:34,809 I wanted you to eat 261 00:09:34,809 --> 00:09:36,809 from its dried dates, its ripe dates, and its unripe dates; 262 00:09:36,809 --> 00:09:38,809 and I will surely slaughter 263 00:09:38,809 --> 00:09:40,809 for you as well." 264 00:09:40,809 --> 00:09:42,809 The Prophet said, "If you slaughter, do not slaughter 265 00:09:42,809 --> 00:09:44,809 a milch animal." 266 00:09:44,809 --> 00:09:46,809 Abu Ayyub took a young goat 267 00:09:46,809 --> 00:09:48,809 and slaughtered it; then he said 268 00:09:48,809 --> 00:09:50,809 to his wife, "Knead the dough 269 00:09:50,809 --> 00:09:52,809 and bake bread for us, for you 270 00:09:52,809 --> 00:09:54,809 know best how to bake." Then 271 00:09:54,809 --> 00:09:56,809 he took half the goat and stewed it, 272 00:09:56,809 --> 00:09:58,809 and turned to the other half 273 00:09:58,809 --> 00:10:00,809 and roasted it. When 274 00:10:00,809 --> 00:10:02,809 the food was cooked and placed 275 00:10:02,809 --> 00:10:04,809 before the Prophet and his two companions, 276 00:10:04,809 --> 00:10:06,809 the Messenger took a piece 277 00:10:06,809 --> 00:10:08,809 of the goat and placed it 278 00:10:08,809 --> 00:10:10,809 in a loaf of bread and said, 279 00:10:10,809 --> 00:10:12,809 "O Abu Ayyub, 280 00:10:12,809 --> 00:10:14,809 hasten with this piece 281 00:10:14,809 --> 00:10:16,809 to Fatimah, for she 282 00:10:16,809 --> 00:10:18,809 has not tasted the like of this for 283 00:10:18,809 --> 00:10:20,809 days." When 284 00:10:20,809 --> 00:10:22,809 they had eaten and were full, 285 00:10:22,809 --> 00:10:24,809 the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 286 00:10:24,809 --> 00:10:26,809 "Bread, 287 00:10:26,809 --> 00:10:28,809 meat, dried dates, 288 00:10:28,809 --> 00:10:30,809 unripe dates, and ripe dates!" 289 00:10:30,809 --> 00:10:32,809 His eyes welled with tears, and then 290 00:10:32,809 --> 00:10:34,809 he said, "By the One in Whose 291 00:10:34,809 --> 00:10:36,809 Hand is my soul, 292 00:10:36,809 --> 00:10:38,809 this is indeed the blessing about which 293 00:10:38,809 --> 00:10:40,809 you will be questioned on the Day of Resurrection. 294 00:10:40,809 --> 00:10:42,809 So when you partake of such food 295 00:10:42,809 --> 00:10:44,809 and reach out your hands to it, 296 00:10:44,809 --> 00:10:46,809 say: 297 00:10:46,809 --> 00:10:48,809 'In the name of Allah'; 298 00:10:48,809 --> 00:10:50,809 and when you are satisfied, say: 299 00:10:50,809 --> 00:10:52,809 'Praise be to Allah Who 300 00:10:52,809 --> 00:10:54,809 has satisfied us and bestowed favor 301 00:10:54,809 --> 00:10:56,809 upon us and excelled in generosity.'" 302 00:10:56,809 --> 00:10:58,809 Then the Messenger (peace and blessings 303 00:10:58,809 --> 00:11:00,809 of Allah be upon him) stood up 304 00:11:00,809 --> 00:11:02,809 and said to Abu Ayyub, 305 00:11:02,809 --> 00:11:04,809 "Come to us tomorrow." 306 00:11:04,809 --> 00:11:06,809 The Prophet (peace be upon him) never had someone 307 00:11:06,809 --> 00:11:08,809 do him a favor 308 00:11:08,809 --> 00:11:10,809 without wishing to reward him 309 00:11:10,809 --> 00:11:12,809 for it. 310 00:11:12,809 --> 00:11:14,809 But Abu Ayyub did not hear 311 00:11:14,809 --> 00:11:16,809 that, 312 00:11:16,809 --> 00:11:18,809 so 'Umar (may Allah be pleased 313 00:11:18,809 --> 00:11:20,809 with him) said to him, "The Prophet (peace and blessings 314 00:11:20,809 --> 00:11:22,809 of Allah be upon him) is bidding you 315 00:11:22,809 --> 00:11:24,809 to come to him tomorrow, O Abu 316 00:11:24,809 --> 00:11:26,809 Ayyub!" Abu 317 00:11:26,809 --> 00:11:28,809 Ayyub replied, "Hearing and obeying 318 00:11:28,809 --> 00:11:30,809 to the Messenger of Allah." 319 00:11:30,809 --> 00:11:32,809 When the next day came, 320 00:11:32,809 --> 00:11:34,809 Abu Ayyub went to the Prophet (peace and blessings 321 00:11:34,809 --> 00:11:36,809 of Allah be upon him), 322 00:11:36,809 --> 00:11:38,809 who gave him a young female servant who used to serve him, 323 00:11:38,809 --> 00:11:40,809 and said to him, 324 00:11:40,809 --> 00:11:42,809 "Treat her well, O Abu 325 00:11:42,809 --> 00:11:44,809 Ayyub, for we have seen nothing from her 326 00:11:44,809 --> 00:11:46,809 but good as long as she has been 327 00:11:46,809 --> 00:11:48,809 with us." Abu 328 00:11:48,809 --> 00:11:50,809 Ayyub returned to his home, bringing with him 329 00:11:50,809 --> 00:11:52,809 the young woman. When 330 00:11:52,809 --> 00:11:54,809 Umm Ayyub saw her, she asked, 331 00:11:54,809 --> 00:11:56,809 "Whose is this, O Abu 332 00:11:56,809 --> 00:11:58,809 Ayyub?" He replied, "Ours; 333 00:11:58,809 --> 00:12:00,809 the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings 334 00:12:00,809 --> 00:12:02,809 of Allah be upon him) gifted her to us." 335 00:12:02,809 --> 00:12:04,809 She said, 336 00:12:04,809 --> 00:12:06,809 "How magnificent a giver, 337 00:12:06,809 --> 00:12:08,809 and how noble a gift!" 338 00:12:08,809 --> 00:12:10,809 He added, 339 00:12:10,809 --> 00:12:12,809 "And he instructed us to treat her well." 340 00:12:12,809 --> 00:12:14,809 She asked, 341 00:12:14,809 --> 00:12:16,809 "And what shall we do with her so that 342 00:12:16,809 --> 00:12:18,809 we fulfill the instruction of the Messenger of Allah 343 00:12:18,809 --> 00:12:20,809 (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?" 344 00:12:20,809 --> 00:12:22,809 He said, "By Allah, I do not 345 00:12:22,809 --> 00:12:24,809 find any way to fulfill the counsel of the Messenger of Allah 346 00:12:24,809 --> 00:12:26,809 toward her that is better 347 00:12:26,809 --> 00:12:28,809 than freeing her." 348 00:12:28,809 --> 00:12:30,809 She said, "You have been guided to 349 00:12:30,809 --> 00:12:32,809 what is right, and you are truly granted success!" 350 00:12:32,809 --> 00:12:34,809 So he emancipated her. 351 00:12:34,809 --> 00:12:36,870 These are but a few glimpses into the life 352 00:12:36,870 --> 00:12:38,870 of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari 353 00:12:38,870 --> 00:12:40,870 in times of peace. 354 00:12:40,870 --> 00:12:42,870 Yet if you were granted the opportunity to examine 355 00:12:42,870 --> 00:12:44,870 some aspects of his life in wartime, 356 00:12:44,870 --> 00:12:46,870 you would witness something truly wondrous! 357 00:12:46,870 --> 00:12:48,870 For Abu Ayyub 358 00:12:48,870 --> 00:12:50,870 (may Allah be pleased with him) lived his entire life 359 00:12:50,870 --> 00:12:52,870 as a warrior, to the point that 360 00:12:52,870 --> 00:12:54,870 it was said he never stayed behind 361 00:12:54,870 --> 00:12:56,870 from any military expedition the Muslims undertook 362 00:12:56,870 --> 00:12:58,870 from the time of the Messenger 363 00:12:58,870 --> 00:13:00,870 until the era of Mu'awiyah, 364 00:13:00,870 --> 00:13:02,870 unless he was occupied 365 00:13:02,870 --> 00:13:04,870 away from it by another campaign. 366 00:13:04,870 --> 00:13:06,870 His final expedition was 367 00:13:06,870 --> 00:13:08,870 when Mu'awiyah prepared an army 368 00:13:08,870 --> 00:13:10,870 under the command of his son Yazid 369 00:13:10,870 --> 00:13:12,870 to conquer Constantinople. 370 00:13:12,870 --> 00:13:14,870 At that time, Abu Ayyub 371 00:13:14,870 --> 00:13:16,870 was an elderly man, 372 00:13:16,870 --> 00:13:18,870 advanced in years, 373 00:13:18,870 --> 00:13:20,870 approaching eighty years of age. 374 00:13:20,870 --> 00:13:22,870 Yet that did not prevent him 375 00:13:22,870 --> 00:13:24,870 from enlisting under the banner of 376 00:13:24,870 --> 00:13:26,870 Yazid and cleaving 377 00:13:26,870 --> 00:13:28,870 the waves of the sea as a warrior 378 00:13:28,870 --> 00:13:30,870 in the cause of Allah. 379 00:13:30,870 --> 00:13:32,870 However, only a short time passed 380 00:13:32,870 --> 00:13:34,870 after engaging the enemy 381 00:13:34,870 --> 00:13:36,870 before Abu Ayyub fell ill— 382 00:13:36,870 --> 00:13:38,870 an illness that immobilized him from 383 00:13:38,870 --> 00:13:40,870 continuing to fight. 384 00:13:40,870 --> 00:13:42,870 So Yazid came to visit him 385 00:13:42,870 --> 00:13:44,870 and asked him, "Do you have any final request, 386 00:13:44,870 --> 00:13:46,870 O Abu Ayyub?" 387 00:13:46,870 --> 00:13:48,870 He said, "Convey my greetings 388 00:13:48,870 --> 00:13:50,870 of peace to the Muslim soldiers, 389 00:13:50,870 --> 00:13:52,870 and say to them: 390 00:13:52,870 --> 00:13:54,870 'Abu Ayyub urges you 391 00:13:54,870 --> 00:13:56,870 to penetrate deep into the land 392 00:13:56,870 --> 00:13:58,870 to the farthest possible reach, 393 00:13:58,870 --> 00:14:00,870 to carry him along with you, 394 00:14:00,870 --> 00:14:02,870 and to bury him beneath 395 00:14:02,870 --> 00:14:04,870 your feet by 396 00:14:04,870 --> 00:14:07,000 the walls of Constantinople.'" 397 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,000 And breathed his pure last breath. 398 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,129 The Muslim soldiers 399 00:14:11,129 --> 00:14:13,129 responded to the wish 400 00:14:13,129 --> 00:14:15,129 of the Companion of the Messenger of Allah, 401 00:14:15,129 --> 00:14:17,129 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 402 00:14:17,129 --> 00:14:19,129 and launched attack after attack 403 00:14:19,129 --> 00:14:21,129 against the enemy ranks, 404 00:14:21,129 --> 00:14:23,129 until they reached the walls 405 00:14:23,129 --> 00:14:25,129 of Constantinople, carrying 406 00:14:25,129 --> 00:14:27,129 Abu Ayyub with them. 407 00:14:27,129 --> 00:14:29,129 And there, 408 00:14:29,129 --> 00:14:31,129 they dug a grave for him 409 00:14:31,129 --> 00:14:33,259 and laid him to rest in it. 410 00:14:33,259 --> 00:14:35,259 May Allah have mercy on Abu Ayyub 411 00:14:35,259 --> 00:14:37,259 al-Ansari, 412 00:14:37,259 --> 00:14:39,259 for he insisted on dying nowhere else 413 00:14:39,259 --> 00:14:41,259 but upon the backs of noble steeds, 414 00:14:41,259 --> 00:14:43,259 striving as a warrior in the cause 415 00:14:43,259 --> 00:14:45,259 of Allah, even though his age 416 00:14:45,259 --> 00:14:47,259 was nearing eighty. 417 00:14:47,259 --> 00:14:49,379 Abu Ayyub 418 00:14:49,379 --> 00:14:51,379 al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased 419 00:14:51,379 --> 00:14:53,379 with him, 420 00:14:53,379 --> 00:14:55,379 was buried beneath the walls of Constantinople.