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 finest of generations in stature and example, 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 following the Messenger in all his endeavors and speech. 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 --> 00:00:21,460 "Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un" 7 00:00:21,460 --> 00:00:26,530 by Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 8 00:00:26,530 --> 00:00:31,280 may Allah have mercy upon him. 9 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,280 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, 10 00:00:33,280 --> 00:00:35,570 may Allah have mercy upon him. 11 00:00:42,700 --> 00:00:45,700 Scarcely had the late afternoon sun gathered its golden threads 12 00:00:45,700 --> 00:00:47,700 from the Sacred House of Allah, 13 00:00:47,700 --> 00:00:50,700 signaling the cool breezes 14 00:00:50,700 --> 00:00:53,700 to drift through its pure courtyards, 15 00:00:53,700 --> 00:00:56,700 when those performing tawaf around the House began to gather— 16 00:00:56,700 --> 00:00:59,700 among the remaining Companions of the Messenger of Allah, 17 00:00:59,700 --> 00:01:01,700 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 18 00:01:01,700 --> 00:01:03,700 and the senior Tabi'un— 19 00:01:03,700 --> 00:01:07,700 perfuming the air with declarations of Allah's oneness and greatness, 20 00:01:07,700 --> 00:01:11,890 filling the surroundings with righteous supplications, 21 00:01:11,890 --> 00:01:14,890 until people began gathering in circle after circle 22 00:01:14,890 --> 00:01:17,890 around the Venerated Ka'bah, 23 00:01:17,890 --> 00:01:21,890 resting in the heart of the Sacred Mosque with majesty and awe, 24 00:01:21,890 --> 00:01:25,890 filling their eyes with its radiant splendor, 25 00:01:25,890 --> 00:01:27,890 and conversing among themselves. 26 00:01:27,890 --> 00:01:30,890 “There they pass from hand to hand a cup wherein is neither vanity nor cause of sin.” (52:23) 27 00:01:30,890 --> 00:01:34,049 Near the Yemeni Corner, 28 00:01:34,049 --> 00:01:38,049 sat four bright-faced young men 29 00:01:38,049 --> 00:01:40,049 of noble lineage, 30 00:01:40,049 --> 00:01:42,049 fragrant in attire, 31 00:01:42,049 --> 00:01:45,049 as though they were doves of the two Sacred Mosques: 32 00:01:45,049 --> 00:01:48,049 pure in garments and united in heart. 33 00:01:48,049 --> 00:01:50,049 They were 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr, 34 00:01:50,049 --> 00:01:53,049 his brother Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr, 35 00:01:53,049 --> 00:01:56,049 his brother 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, 36 00:01:56,049 --> 00:01:59,239 and 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. 37 00:01:59,239 --> 00:02:03,239 Lighthearted conversation flowed easily among these righteous youths, 38 00:02:03,239 --> 00:02:06,239 until one of them soon said: 39 00:02:06,239 --> 00:02:10,400 "Let each of us express his fondest wish to Allah." 40 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:15,400 Their imaginations took flight in the vast world of the unseen, 41 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:20,460 and their dreams roamed through green gardens of aspiration. 42 00:02:20,460 --> 00:02:23,460 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr said: 43 00:02:23,460 --> 00:02:25,460 "My wish is to rule the Hijaz 44 00:02:25,460 --> 00:02:27,460 and to attain the Caliphate." 45 00:02:27,460 --> 00:02:30,590 His brother Mus'ab said: 46 00:02:30,590 --> 00:02:31,590 "As for me, 47 00:02:31,590 --> 00:02:34,590 I wish to rule the two Iraqs, 48 00:02:34,590 --> 00:02:37,590 without anyone disputing my rule over them." 49 00:02:37,590 --> 00:02:40,620 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan said: 50 00:02:40,620 --> 00:02:43,620 "If you two are content with that, 51 00:02:43,620 --> 00:02:47,620 I am not content unless I rule the entire earth 52 00:02:47,620 --> 00:02:52,620 and attain the Caliphate after Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan." 53 00:02:52,620 --> 00:02:56,620 But 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr remained silent and said nothing. 54 00:02:56,620 --> 00:02:59,620 So they turned to him and said: 55 00:02:59,620 --> 00:03:02,620 "And you, 'Urwah, what do you wish for?" 56 00:03:02,620 --> 00:03:04,659 He replied: 57 00:03:04,659 --> 00:03:08,659 "May Allah bless you in what you have wished for regarding your worldly affairs. 58 00:03:08,659 --> 00:03:10,659 As for me, 59 00:03:10,659 --> 00:03:14,659 I wish to be a scholar who acts upon his knowledge, 60 00:03:14,659 --> 00:03:20,659 from whom people learn the Book of their Lord, the Sunnah of their Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), 61 00:03:20,659 --> 00:03:23,659 and the rulings of their religion; 62 00:03:23,659 --> 00:03:26,659 and that I attain Allah's pleasure in the Hereafter 63 00:03:26,659 --> 00:03:30,189 and gain entry into His Paradise." 64 00:03:30,189 --> 00:03:33,189 Then time took its course, 65 00:03:33,189 --> 00:03:36,189 and 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr 66 00:03:36,189 --> 00:03:40,189 was pledged allegiance as Caliph following the death of Yazid ibn Mu'awiyah, 67 00:03:40,189 --> 00:03:43,189 ruling over the Hijaz, Egypt, Yemen, 68 00:03:43,189 --> 00:03:46,189 Khurasan, and Iraq, 69 00:03:46,189 --> 00:03:49,189 before he was slain near the Ka'bah not long after. 70 00:03:50,189 --> 00:03:53,189 Then Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr 71 00:03:53,189 --> 00:03:57,189 assumed the governorship of Iraq on behalf of his brother 'Abdullah, 72 00:03:57,189 --> 00:04:01,189 and he too was killed while holding his post. 73 00:04:01,189 --> 00:04:04,259 As for 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, 74 00:04:04,259 --> 00:04:08,259 the Caliphate devolved to him after the death of his father, 75 00:04:08,259 --> 00:04:13,259 and the Muslims united under his leadership following the killing of 'Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr 76 00:04:13,259 --> 00:04:16,259 and his brother Mus'ab at the hands of his troops; 77 00:04:17,259 --> 00:04:21,259 he thus became the greatest monarch on earth in his time. 78 00:04:21,259 --> 00:04:24,259 What, then, became of 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr? 79 00:04:24,259 --> 00:04:28,259 Let us begin his story from the very beginning. 80 00:04:28,259 --> 00:04:32,470 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr was born when only one year 81 00:04:32,470 --> 00:04:36,470 remained of the Caliphate of al-Faruq 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, 82 00:04:36,470 --> 00:04:40,470 in one of the most noble households among the Muslims in status 83 00:04:40,470 --> 00:04:43,470 and highest in prestige. 84 00:04:43,470 --> 00:04:46,470 His father was al-Zubayr ibn al-'Awwam, 85 00:04:46,470 --> 00:04:50,470 the disciple of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 86 00:04:50,470 --> 00:04:53,470 the first to unsheathe a sword in Islam, 87 00:04:53,470 --> 00:04:57,470 and one of the ten promised Paradise. 88 00:04:57,470 --> 00:05:00,470 His mother was Asma' bint Abi Bakr, 89 00:05:00,470 --> 00:05:03,470 known as "She of the Two Girdles." 90 00:05:03,470 --> 00:05:07,470 His maternal grandfather was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, 91 00:05:07,470 --> 00:05:11,470 the successor of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) 92 00:05:11,470 --> 00:05:13,470 and his companion in the cave. 93 00:05:14,470 --> 00:05:19,470 His paternal grandmother was Safiyyah bint 'Abd al-Muttalib, 94 00:05:19,470 --> 00:05:23,470 the paternal aunt of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). 95 00:05:23,470 --> 00:05:28,470 His maternal aunt was the Mother of the Believers, 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her; 96 00:05:28,470 --> 00:05:32,470 he personally descended into her grave when she was buried 97 00:05:32,470 --> 00:05:35,470 and smoothed the earth over her niche with his own two hands. 98 00:05:35,470 --> 00:05:39,500 Do you think there is any lineage grander than this, 99 00:05:39,500 --> 00:05:45,500 or any honor above this honor, save the honor of faith and the dignity of Islam? 100 00:05:45,500 --> 00:05:53,529 In order to fulfill the wish he had expressed to Allah at the Venerated Ka'bah, 101 00:05:53,529 --> 00:05:56,529 'Urwah devoted himself entirely to the pursuit of knowledge, turning away from all else, 102 00:05:56,529 --> 00:06:02,529 and seized the opportunity to learn from the remaining Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 103 00:06:02,529 --> 00:06:05,529 He began frequenting their homes, 104 00:06:05,529 --> 00:06:07,529 praying behind them, 105 00:06:07,529 --> 00:06:12,529 and attending their gatherings, until he narrated from 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, 106 00:06:12,529 --> 00:06:14,529 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf, 107 00:06:14,529 --> 00:06:16,529 Zayd ibn Thabit, 108 00:06:16,529 --> 00:06:18,529 Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, 109 00:06:18,529 --> 00:06:20,529 Usamah ibn Zayd, 110 00:06:20,529 --> 00:06:22,529 Sa'id ibn Zayd, 111 00:06:22,529 --> 00:06:24,529 Abu Hurayrah, 112 00:06:24,529 --> 00:06:26,529 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas, 113 00:06:26,529 --> 00:06:28,529 and al-Nu'man ibn Bashir, 114 00:06:28,529 --> 00:06:31,529 may Allah be pleased with them all. 115 00:06:31,529 --> 00:06:35,529 He learned extensively from his aunt 'A'ishah, the Mother of the Believers, 116 00:06:36,529 --> 00:06:40,529 until he became one of the seven jurists of Madinah 117 00:06:40,529 --> 00:06:44,529 to whom the Muslims turned for guidance in their religion, 118 00:06:44,529 --> 00:06:47,529 and whose counsel righteous governors sought 119 00:06:47,529 --> 00:06:52,529 regarding the affairs of the people and the land entrusted to them by Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. 120 00:06:52,529 --> 00:06:55,529 Among such instances was when 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz 121 00:06:55,529 --> 00:07:01,529 arrived in Madinah as governor on behalf of al-Walid ibn 'Abd al-Malik; 122 00:07:01,529 --> 00:07:04,529 the people came and greeted him. 123 00:07:04,529 --> 00:07:06,529 After performing the Dhuhr prayer, 124 00:07:06,529 --> 00:07:09,529 he summoned ten of Madinah's jurists, 125 00:07:09,529 --> 00:07:12,529 foremost among them 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr. 126 00:07:12,529 --> 00:07:15,529 When they joined him, he welcomed them warmly, 127 00:07:15,529 --> 00:07:17,529 showed them great hospitality, 128 00:07:17,529 --> 00:07:20,529 praised Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, 129 00:07:20,529 --> 00:07:23,529 and extolled Him as He deserves. 130 00:07:23,529 --> 00:07:24,529 He then said: 131 00:07:24,529 --> 00:07:28,529 "I have invited you for a matter for which you will be rewarded, 132 00:07:28,529 --> 00:07:31,529 and in which you will be my helpers upon the truth. 133 00:07:31,529 --> 00:07:35,560 I do not wish to decide any matter except with your counsel, 134 00:07:35,560 --> 00:07:38,560 or the counsel of those present among you. 135 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,560 If you see anyone committing an injustice against another, 136 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,560 or if you hear of any grievance regarding one of my officials, 137 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:48,560 I adjure you by Allah to report it to me." 138 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,560 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr then prayed for his well-being 139 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:55,560 and asked Allah to grant him success and guidance. 140 00:07:55,560 --> 00:08:00,579 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr combined sacred knowledge with righteous action. 141 00:08:00,579 --> 00:08:03,579 He frequently fasted during the intense heat of midday 142 00:08:03,579 --> 00:08:05,579 and stood in prayer during the dark hours of the night, 143 00:08:05,579 --> 00:08:09,579 his tongue ever moist with the remembrance of Allah Almighty. 144 00:08:09,579 --> 00:08:14,579 In addition, he was a constant companion to the Book of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, 145 00:08:14,579 --> 00:08:17,579 devoted to its recitation. 146 00:08:17,579 --> 00:08:22,579 He would read a quarter of the Qur'an every day by looking into the Mus-haf, 147 00:08:22,579 --> 00:08:26,579 and then stand in prayer at night reciting it from memory. 148 00:08:27,579 --> 00:08:30,579 He was never known to have abandoned this practice 149 00:08:30,579 --> 00:08:33,580 from his early youth until the day he died, 150 00:08:33,580 --> 00:08:37,580 except once due to a grave calamity that befell him, 151 00:08:37,580 --> 00:08:40,580 news of which will reach you shortly. 152 00:08:40,580 --> 00:08:44,860 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr 153 00:08:44,860 --> 00:08:47,860 found in prayer the comfort of his soul, 154 00:08:47,860 --> 00:08:51,899 the delight of his eyes, and his paradise on earth. 155 00:08:51,899 --> 00:08:54,899 He performed it with utmost perfection, 156 00:08:54,899 --> 00:08:57,899 fulfilling its rituals with total precision, 157 00:08:57,899 --> 00:09:00,899 and lengthening it to the utmost degree. 158 00:09:00,899 --> 00:09:05,929 It is reported that he once saw a man praying hastily; 159 00:09:05,929 --> 00:09:09,929 when the man finished his prayer, 'Urwah called him over and said: 160 00:09:09,929 --> 00:09:15,929 "O son of my brother, did you not have any need from your Lord, the Mighty and Majestic? 161 00:09:15,929 --> 00:09:19,929 By Allah, I ask Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, 162 00:09:19,929 --> 00:09:25,110 for everything in my prayer, even salt." 163 00:09:25,110 --> 00:09:28,110 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, 164 00:09:28,110 --> 00:09:31,110 was generous-handed, openhearted, and munificent. 165 00:09:31,110 --> 00:09:34,110 Among the recorded instances of his generosity 166 00:09:34,110 --> 00:09:38,110 was that he owned one of the finest orchards in Madinah, 167 00:09:38,110 --> 00:09:43,110 with sweet water, abundant shade, and tall date palms. 168 00:09:43,110 --> 00:09:46,110 He would fence his orchard throughout the year 169 00:09:46,110 --> 00:09:51,110 to protect its trees from damage by livestock and playful children. 170 00:09:51,110 --> 00:09:54,110 But when the season for fresh dates arrived, 171 00:09:54,110 --> 00:09:58,110 and the fruits ripened, sweetened, and became desirable, 172 00:09:58,110 --> 00:10:02,110 he would breach the wall of his orchard in several places 173 00:10:02,110 --> 00:10:04,110 to allow people free entry. 174 00:10:04,110 --> 00:10:08,340 They would come and go as they pleased, 175 00:10:08,340 --> 00:10:12,340 eating whichever fruits delighted them 176 00:10:12,340 --> 00:10:16,399 and carrying away whatever they wished. 177 00:10:16,399 --> 00:10:19,399 Whenever he entered this orchard of his, 178 00:10:19,399 --> 00:10:22,399 he would repeat the words of the Mighty and Majestic: 179 00:10:22,399 --> 00:10:29,399 “If only, when thou enteredst thy garden, thou hadst said: That which Allah willeth (will come to pass)! There is no strength save in Allah! Though thou seest me as less than thee in wealth and children,” (18:39) 180 00:10:29,399 --> 00:10:34,779 In a certain year during the Caliphate of al-Walid ibn 'Abd al-Malik, 181 00:10:34,779 --> 00:10:40,779 Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, willed to test 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr with a trial 182 00:10:40,779 --> 00:10:46,779 through which none could remain steadfast except those whose hearts were filled with faith and overflowing with certainty. 183 00:10:46,779 --> 00:10:52,779 The Caliph of the Muslims invited 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr to visit him in Damascus, 184 00:10:52,779 --> 00:10:56,779 so he accepted the invitation, taking his eldest son along with him. 185 00:10:56,779 --> 00:11:01,779 When he arrived before the Caliph, the latter welcomed his arrival with the utmost warmth, 186 00:11:01,779 --> 00:11:07,779 honored his visit with full hospitality, and showed him great reverence. 187 00:11:07,779 --> 00:11:13,809 Then Allah, Glorified be He, willed that events take an unforeseen turn; 188 00:11:13,809 --> 00:11:17,809 'Urwah's son entered al-Walid's stables 189 00:11:17,809 --> 00:11:20,809 to look at his noble thoroughbred horses, 190 00:11:21,809 --> 00:11:26,809 whereupon a beast kicked him a fatal blow that ended his life. 191 00:11:26,809 --> 00:11:31,809 Scarcely had the grief-stricken father dusted his hands of the earth of his son's grave 192 00:11:31,809 --> 00:11:35,809 when gangrene struck one of his feet; 193 00:11:35,809 --> 00:11:41,809 his leg swelled, and the swelling began to spread with alarming speed. 194 00:11:41,809 --> 00:11:46,809 The Caliph summoned physicians for his guest from all directions, 195 00:11:46,809 --> 00:11:49,809 urging them to treat him by any means possible. 196 00:11:49,809 --> 00:11:55,809 However, the physicians unanimously agreed that there was no alternative to amputating 'Urwah's leg 197 00:11:55,809 --> 00:11:58,809 before the swelling spread throughout his entire body 198 00:11:58,809 --> 00:12:01,809 and caused his death. 199 00:12:01,809 --> 00:12:05,809 He had no choice but to submit to the procedure. 200 00:12:05,809 --> 00:12:09,000 When the surgeon arrived to amputate the leg, 201 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:13,000 He brought with him his scalpels to cut the flesh, 202 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,000 and his saws to saw the bone. 203 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:18,000 The physician said to 'Urwah, 204 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,000 "I think we should give you a draft of an intoxicant, 205 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:25,000 so that you will not feel the excruciating pain of the amputation." 206 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:27,059 He replied, "Far from it! 207 00:12:27,059 --> 00:12:32,059 I will not seek help through what is unlawful to attain the well-being I hope for." 208 00:12:32,059 --> 00:12:33,059 So the physician said to him, 209 00:12:33,059 --> 00:12:36,059 "Then let us give you an anesthetic." 210 00:12:36,059 --> 00:12:37,059 He replied, 211 00:12:37,059 --> 00:12:42,059 "I would not like to be deprived of one of my limbs without feeling its pain, 212 00:12:42,059 --> 00:12:45,059 and anticipating the reward for that with Allah." 213 00:12:46,190 --> 00:12:49,190 When the surgeon prepared to cut the leg, 214 00:12:49,190 --> 00:12:53,190 a group of men stepped forward toward 'Urwah. 215 00:12:53,190 --> 00:12:54,190 He asked, 216 00:12:54,190 --> 00:12:56,190 "Who are these?" 217 00:12:56,190 --> 00:12:57,190 He was told, 218 00:12:57,190 --> 00:13:00,190 "They have been brought to hold you down, 219 00:13:00,190 --> 00:13:02,190 for the pain may become so intense 220 00:13:02,190 --> 00:13:06,190 that you might jerk your foot, causing yourself harm." 221 00:13:06,190 --> 00:13:07,190 He said, 222 00:13:07,190 --> 00:13:09,190 "Send them back; 223 00:13:09,190 --> 00:13:11,190 I have no need of them. 224 00:13:11,190 --> 00:13:15,190 Indeed, I hope to suffice you of that through remembrance and glorification of Allah." 225 00:13:15,190 --> 00:13:18,320 Then the physician approached him, 226 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:20,320 and cut the flesh with the scalpel. 227 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:22,320 When he reached the bone, 228 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:24,320 he placed the saw upon it 229 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,320 and began sawing through it, 230 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:28,320 while 'Urwah was saying, 231 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,320 "There is no god but Allah, 232 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,320 and Allah is the Greatest." 233 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:35,320 The surgeon kept on sawing, 234 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:38,320 while 'Urwah continued proclaiming Allah's oneness and greatness, 235 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:41,320 until the leg was completely severed. 236 00:13:41,320 --> 00:13:44,350 Then oil was boiled in iron ladles, 237 00:13:44,350 --> 00:13:46,350 and 'Urwah's leg was dipped into it 238 00:13:46,350 --> 00:13:49,350 to stop the flow of blood 239 00:13:49,350 --> 00:13:51,350 and cauterize the wound. 240 00:13:51,350 --> 00:13:54,350 He then fell into a deep, prolonged swoon, 241 00:13:54,350 --> 00:13:57,350 which prevented him from reciting his daily portion 242 00:13:57,350 --> 00:14:00,350 of the Book of Allah on that day— 243 00:14:00,350 --> 00:14:05,350 and that was the only time he missed that noble devotion 244 00:14:05,350 --> 00:14:07,350 since his early youth. 245 00:14:07,350 --> 00:14:09,350 When 'Urwah regained consciousness, 246 00:14:09,350 --> 00:14:11,350 he asked for his severed foot, 247 00:14:11,350 --> 00:14:13,350 and they handed it to him. 248 00:14:13,350 --> 00:14:17,350 He began turning it over in his hand, saying, 249 00:14:17,350 --> 00:14:22,350 "By the One who carried me upon you in the darkness of the night to the mosques, 250 00:14:22,350 --> 00:14:27,350 He knows that I never walked with you toward anything unlawful." 251 00:14:27,350 --> 00:14:31,450 Then he recited lines of poetry by Ma'n ibn Aws, 252 00:14:31,450 --> 00:14:33,450 in which he says: 253 00:14:33,450 --> 00:14:37,450 "By your life, I never stretched out my hand toward suspicion, 254 00:14:37,450 --> 00:14:41,450 nor did my feet carry me toward an indecency; 255 00:14:41,450 --> 00:14:45,450 Nor did my hearing or sight lead me to it, 256 00:14:45,450 --> 00:14:49,450 nor did my judgment or intellect direct me toward it. 257 00:14:49,450 --> 00:14:52,450 And I know that no calamity has ever stricken me 258 00:14:52,450 --> 00:14:58,730 from time, except that it had stricken a young man before me." 259 00:14:58,730 --> 00:15:01,730 This weighed heavily upon Al-Walid ibn 'Abd al-Malik, 260 00:15:02,730 --> 00:15:09,730 for 'Urwah had lost his son and lost his leg within a matter of days; 261 00:15:09,730 --> 00:15:14,730 so he began seeking ways to console him and give him patience over his loss. 262 00:15:14,730 --> 00:15:19,730 It happened that a group from the tribe of Banu 'Abs stayed at the Caliph's residence, 263 00:15:19,730 --> 00:15:21,730 among whom was a blind man. 264 00:15:21,730 --> 00:15:24,730 Al-Walid asked him about the cause of his blindness, 265 00:15:24,730 --> 00:15:26,730 and he replied: 266 00:15:26,730 --> 00:15:28,730 "O Commander of the Faithful, 267 00:15:28,730 --> 00:15:32,730 there was no man in Banu 'Abs who possessed more wealth than I, 268 00:15:32,730 --> 00:15:35,730 nor more family and children. 269 00:15:35,730 --> 00:15:40,730 I settled with my wealth and family in the belly of a valley among the dwellings of my tribe, 270 00:15:40,730 --> 00:15:44,759 when a flash flood struck us, the likes of which we had never seen. 271 00:15:44,759 --> 00:15:49,759 The flood swept away all my wealth, family, and children, 272 00:15:49,759 --> 00:15:52,759 leaving me with nothing except a single camel 273 00:15:52,759 --> 00:15:55,759 and a newborn baby. 274 00:15:55,759 --> 00:15:58,759 The camel was wild and bolted from me, 275 00:15:58,759 --> 00:16:01,759 so I set the infant on the ground 276 00:16:01,759 --> 00:16:03,759 and ran after the camel. 277 00:16:03,759 --> 00:16:07,759 I had gone only a short distance when I heard the child's cry; 278 00:16:07,759 --> 00:16:09,759 I turned around 279 00:16:09,759 --> 00:16:12,759 and saw his head in the mouth of a wolf, which was devouring him. 280 00:16:12,759 --> 00:16:14,759 I rushed toward him, 281 00:16:14,759 --> 00:16:17,759 but I could not save him, 282 00:16:17,759 --> 00:16:19,759 for the wolf had already finished him off. 283 00:16:19,759 --> 00:16:21,759 So I went back after the camel, 284 00:16:21,759 --> 00:16:23,759 and as I drew near it, 285 00:16:23,759 --> 00:16:26,759 it kicked me in the face with such force 286 00:16:26,759 --> 00:16:29,759 that it crushed my forehead and destroyed my sight. 287 00:16:29,759 --> 00:16:34,759 Thus, I found myself transformed in a single night 288 00:16:34,759 --> 00:16:39,860 into a man with no family, no child, no wealth, and no sight." 289 00:16:39,860 --> 00:16:42,860 Al-Walid then said to his chamberlain, 290 00:16:42,860 --> 00:16:46,860 "Take this man to our guest, 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, 291 00:16:46,860 --> 00:16:48,860 and let him relate his story to him, 292 00:16:48,860 --> 00:16:54,980 so that he may know that among the people are those afflicted with greater trials than his." 293 00:16:54,980 --> 00:16:58,980 When 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr was carried back to Medina 294 00:16:58,980 --> 00:17:00,980 and entered upon his family, 295 00:17:00,980 --> 00:17:02,980 he initiated the conversation by saying to them, 296 00:17:02,980 --> 00:17:04,980 "Let not what you see dismay you. 297 00:17:04,980 --> 00:17:09,980 Indeed, Allah, Mighty and Majestic is He, granted me four sons, 298 00:17:09,980 --> 00:17:11,980 then took one of them 299 00:17:11,980 --> 00:17:13,980 and left me three; 300 00:17:13,980 --> 00:17:15,980 so to Him belongs all praise. 301 00:17:15,980 --> 00:17:17,980 And He granted me four limbs, 302 00:17:17,980 --> 00:17:19,980 then took one of them 303 00:17:19,980 --> 00:17:21,980 and left me three; 304 00:17:21,980 --> 00:17:23,980 so to Him belongs all praise. 305 00:17:23,980 --> 00:17:24,980 And by Allah, 306 00:17:24,980 --> 00:17:27,980 if Allah took a little from me, 307 00:17:27,980 --> 00:17:30,980 He has surely left me much; 308 00:17:30,980 --> 00:17:32,980 and if He tested me once, 309 00:17:32,980 --> 00:17:35,980 He has surely granted me well-being many times." 310 00:17:35,980 --> 00:17:42,900 When the people of Medina learned of the arrival of their leader and scholar, 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr, 311 00:17:42,900 --> 00:17:46,900 they poured into his house to offer solace and condolences. 312 00:17:46,900 --> 00:17:48,900 Among the finest consolations offered to him 313 00:17:48,900 --> 00:17:51,900 were the words of Ibrahim ibn Muhammad ibn Talhah, 314 00:17:51,900 --> 00:17:53,900 when he said to him: 315 00:17:53,900 --> 00:17:55,900 "Glad tidings, O Abu 'Abdillah! 316 00:17:55,900 --> 00:17:58,900 For a part of your body 317 00:17:58,900 --> 00:18:00,900 and one of your children 318 00:18:00,900 --> 00:18:02,900 have preceded you to Paradise, 319 00:18:02,900 --> 00:18:06,900 and the whole shall follow the part, if Allah Almighty wills. 320 00:18:06,900 --> 00:18:10,900 Allah has preserved for us that part of you of which we stand in dire need— 321 00:18:10,900 --> 00:18:12,900 and without which we cannot do— 322 00:18:12,900 --> 00:18:15,900 namely your knowledge, your fiqh, and your counsel. 323 00:18:15,900 --> 00:18:18,900 May Allah benefit you and us thereby; 324 00:18:18,900 --> 00:18:20,900 Allah is the Master of your reward, 325 00:18:20,900 --> 00:18:23,900 and the Guarantor of your gracious reckoning." 326 00:18:23,900 --> 00:18:29,059 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr remained for the Muslims a beacon of guidance, 327 00:18:29,059 --> 00:18:31,059 a guide to success, 328 00:18:31,059 --> 00:18:34,059 and a caller to goodness throughout his life. 329 00:18:34,059 --> 00:18:39,059 He gave his utmost attention to the upbringing of his own children in particular, 330 00:18:39,059 --> 00:18:42,059 and the rest of the Muslim youth in general. 331 00:18:42,059 --> 00:18:46,059 He never missed an opportunity to guide them without seizing it, 332 00:18:46,059 --> 00:18:50,059 nor did he leave a chance to advise them without benefiting from it. 333 00:18:50,059 --> 00:18:55,059 Among his habits was his constant encouragement of his sons to seek knowledge, 334 00:18:55,059 --> 00:18:58,059 as he used to say to them: 335 00:18:58,059 --> 00:19:03,059 "O my sons, acquire knowledge and give it its due right, 336 00:19:03,059 --> 00:19:06,059 for if you are today the small ones of a people, 337 00:19:06,059 --> 00:19:10,059 Allah may well make you through knowledge their leaders tomorrow." 338 00:19:10,059 --> 00:19:12,059 Then he would say: 339 00:19:12,059 --> 00:19:14,059 "What a disgrace! 340 00:19:14,059 --> 00:19:18,059 Is there anything in the world more hideous than an ignorant old man?" 341 00:19:18,059 --> 00:19:24,119 He also used to urge them to regard charity as a gift offered to Allah, Mighty and Majestic is He, 342 00:19:24,119 --> 00:19:26,119 saying: 343 00:19:26,119 --> 00:19:30,119 "O my sons, let none of you offer as a gift to his Lord 344 00:19:30,119 --> 00:19:34,119 that which he would be ashamed to offer as a gift to a noble figure of his tribe; 345 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:37,119 for Allah Almighty is the Most Noble of the noble, 346 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:39,119 the Most Generous of the generous, 347 00:19:39,119 --> 00:19:41,119 and the Most Deserving of having the finest chosen for Him." 348 00:19:41,119 --> 00:19:44,250 He used to grant them insight into people, 349 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:47,250 penetrating to their true essence, saying: 350 00:19:47,250 --> 00:19:49,250 "O my sons, 351 00:19:49,250 --> 00:19:53,250 if you see a man perform a splendid good deed, 352 00:19:53,250 --> 00:19:55,250 expect good of him, 353 00:19:55,250 --> 00:19:58,250 even if he appears to people to be an evil man, 354 00:19:58,250 --> 00:20:01,279 for that deed has sister-deeds in his character. 355 00:20:01,279 --> 00:20:05,279 And if you see a man perform a terrible evil deed, 356 00:20:05,279 --> 00:20:06,279 beware of him, 357 00:20:06,279 --> 00:20:09,279 even if he appears to people to be a good man, 358 00:20:09,279 --> 00:20:12,279 for that deed also has sister-deeds in his character. 359 00:20:12,279 --> 00:20:16,279 Know that a good deed points to its sisters, 360 00:20:16,279 --> 00:20:21,279 and an evil deed likewise points to its sisters." 361 00:20:21,279 --> 00:20:24,309 He would advise them to be gentle in demeanor, 362 00:20:24,309 --> 00:20:27,309 pleasant in speech, and cheerful of countenance, 363 00:20:27,309 --> 00:20:28,309 saying: 364 00:20:28,309 --> 00:20:32,309 "O my sons, it is written in wisdom: 365 00:20:32,309 --> 00:20:34,309 'Let your speech be pleasant 366 00:20:34,309 --> 00:20:37,309 and your face be cheerful, 367 00:20:37,309 --> 00:20:41,309 and you will be more beloved to people than one who bestows gifts upon them.'" 368 00:20:41,309 --> 00:20:45,309 Whenever he saw people inclining toward luxury 369 00:20:45,309 --> 00:20:47,309 and savoring ease, 370 00:20:47,309 --> 00:20:52,309 he would remind them of how the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, lived— 371 00:20:52,309 --> 00:20:55,309 with austerity and hardship. 372 00:20:55,309 --> 00:21:00,309 Among such instances is what Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir related, saying: 373 00:21:00,309 --> 00:21:03,309 "'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr met me, 374 00:21:03,309 --> 00:21:05,309 took me by the hand, and said, 375 00:21:05,309 --> 00:21:07,309 'O Abu 'Abdillah!' 376 00:21:07,309 --> 00:21:09,339 I said, 'At your service.' 377 00:21:09,339 --> 00:21:10,339 He said, 378 00:21:10,339 --> 00:21:14,339 'I entered upon my mother, 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, 379 00:21:14,339 --> 00:21:15,339 and she said, 380 00:21:15,339 --> 00:21:17,339 "O my son!" 381 00:21:17,339 --> 00:21:19,380 I said, "At your service." 382 00:21:19,380 --> 00:21:20,380 She said, 383 00:21:20,380 --> 00:21:24,380 "By Allah, forty nights would pass 384 00:21:24,380 --> 00:21:28,380 without a fire being lit in the house of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), 385 00:21:28,380 --> 00:21:31,380 neither for a lamp nor for anything else." 386 00:21:31,380 --> 00:21:33,380 I asked, "O mother, 387 00:21:33,380 --> 00:21:35,380 on what did you live?" 388 00:21:35,380 --> 00:21:36,380 She replied, 389 00:21:36,380 --> 00:21:38,380 "On the two black items: 390 00:21:38,380 --> 00:21:41,269 dates and water."'" 391 00:21:41,269 --> 00:21:42,269 To conclude, 392 00:21:42,269 --> 00:21:47,269 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr lived seventy-one years, 393 00:21:47,269 --> 00:21:49,269 brimming with goodness, 394 00:21:49,269 --> 00:21:51,269 abundant in righteousness, 395 00:21:51,269 --> 00:21:53,299 and crowned with piety. 396 00:21:53,299 --> 00:21:56,299 When his appointed time came, 397 00:21:56,299 --> 00:21:58,299 it reached him while he was fasting. 398 00:21:58,299 --> 00:22:03,299 His family urged him to break his fast, but he refused— 399 00:22:03,299 --> 00:22:04,299 For he refused, 400 00:22:04,299 --> 00:22:10,299 hoping that his breaking of the fast would be with a drink from the River of Kawthar, 401 00:22:10,299 --> 00:22:12,299 in vessels of silver, 402 00:22:12,299 --> 00:22:20,140 served by the hands of the houris with beautiful, wide eyes. 403 00:22:20,140 --> 00:22:24,140 "Whoever would be pleased to look at a man from the people of Paradise, 404 00:22:24,140 --> 00:22:27,809 let him look at 'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr." 405 00:22:27,809 --> 00:22:29,809 'Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan— 406 00:22:42,980 --> 00:22:45,980 They water our lives like rain clouds, 407 00:22:45,980 --> 00:22:47,980 so they have not truly died among us, 408 00:22:47,980 --> 00:22:50,980 for their memory continues to rise high. 409 00:22:50,980 --> 00:22:55,980 They departed, leaving a question echoing in the conscience: 410 00:22:55,980 --> 00:23:00,980 Has any star like them ever ascended into the heavens and shone bright? 411 00:23:00,980 --> 00:23:05,980 They filled life with glorious deeds through their actions, 412 00:23:05,980 --> 00:23:10,650 and through them, our horizons shone with splendour.