1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,299 In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. 2 00:00:03,299 --> 00:00:06,070 The Echo of the Pulpits. 3 00:00:06,070 --> 00:00:07,070 The Echo of the Pulpits. 4 00:00:07,070 --> 00:00:14,119 The echo of the valiant warrior. 5 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,219 A sermon by the honorable Sheikh 6 00:00:17,219 --> 00:00:19,219 Khalid Ibn ‘Abdullah al-Hammudi, 7 00:00:19,219 --> 00:00:21,219 may Allah preserve him. 8 00:00:21,219 --> 00:00:25,120 Praise be to Allah, the Exalted, the Most High, 9 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:29,980 to Whom belong the most beautiful names and the most sublime attributes. 10 00:00:29,980 --> 00:00:31,980 Praise be to Allah, filling the heavens, 11 00:00:31,980 --> 00:00:35,039 filling the earth, and filling all that is between them, 12 00:00:35,340 --> 00:00:38,340 and filling whatever else our Lord wills thereafter. 13 00:00:38,340 --> 00:00:42,469 He is the possessor of praise and glory; the most truthful thing a servant can say— 14 00:00:42,469 --> 00:00:44,469 and we are all servants of Allah— 15 00:00:44,469 --> 00:00:47,469 O Allah, to You is all praise until You are pleased, 16 00:00:47,469 --> 00:00:49,469 and to You is all praise when You are pleased, 17 00:00:49,469 --> 00:00:52,469 and to You is all praise after You are pleased. 18 00:00:52,469 --> 00:00:59,109 I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, 19 00:00:59,109 --> 00:01:04,340 “All that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth glorifieth Allah; unto Him belongeth Sovereignty and unto Him belongeth praise, and He is Able to do all things.” (64:1) 20 00:01:04,730 --> 00:01:08,730 and there is no refuge or escape from Him except to Him. 21 00:01:08,730 --> 00:01:14,439 If a person seeks protection from people, 22 00:01:14,439 --> 00:01:18,629 he rushes to one who grants protection, yet is not protected himself. 23 00:01:18,629 --> 00:01:22,760 So where can one flee from Him, except to Him? 24 00:01:22,760 --> 00:01:26,790 When the path of escape becomes narrow for the servant, 25 00:01:26,790 --> 00:01:30,879 I stand at the door of Your generosity, O my God, 26 00:01:30,879 --> 00:01:34,879 a poor man having no one but You as a neighbor. 27 00:01:35,180 --> 00:01:38,180 So grant me Your pleasure, O my Master, through Your pardon, 28 00:01:38,180 --> 00:01:43,180 and through a grace that covers the night and the day. 29 00:01:43,180 --> 00:01:49,219 I bear witness that our master, our prophet, and our beloved, Muhammad, is the servant of Allah and His messenger, 30 00:01:49,219 --> 00:01:52,219 His chosen one and His intimate friend. 31 00:01:52,219 --> 00:01:54,379 He is the one with the most radiant face, 32 00:01:54,379 --> 00:01:56,379 and the most luminous forehead. 33 00:01:56,379 --> 00:01:59,379 Souls yearn for him, 34 00:01:59,379 --> 00:02:02,379 and the tree trunk longed for him. 35 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:05,680 The tree trunk longed for you, O best of creation; 36 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:09,680 how then could souls not yearn for you? 37 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,680 May the peace of Allah be upon you as long as the sun shines for us, 38 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:16,680 and as long as leaves tremble here. 39 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:19,680 O Allah, send peace, blessings, and increase upon 40 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:24,680 Your servant, messenger, prophet, and beloved, Muhammad, 41 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:27,680 and upon his good and pure family, 42 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,680 and upon his noble and blessed Companions, 43 00:02:30,979 --> 00:02:33,979 and grant them abundant peace until the Day of Judgment. 44 00:02:34,979 --> 00:02:37,039 Now then, servants of Allah, 45 00:02:37,039 --> 00:02:40,039 I advise you and myself to fear Allah. 46 00:02:40,039 --> 00:02:44,039 “O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him)” (3:102) 47 00:02:44,039 --> 00:02:48,139 “O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah with right observance, and die not save as those who have surrendered (unto Him)” (3:102) 48 00:02:48,139 --> 00:02:50,199 O you who are beloved for the sake of Allah, 49 00:02:50,199 --> 00:02:53,219 we shall speak today 50 00:02:53,219 --> 00:02:57,289 about a people who are the best of this Ummah: 51 00:02:57,289 --> 00:02:59,319 the most righteous in heart, 52 00:02:59,319 --> 00:03:01,319 the deepest in knowledge, 53 00:03:01,319 --> 00:03:03,319 the least pretentious, 54 00:03:03,319 --> 00:03:05,319 and the strongest in faith. 55 00:03:05,319 --> 00:03:10,319 They are a people whom Allah chose to be the Companions of His prophet, 56 00:03:10,319 --> 00:03:12,319 His beloved, and His chosen one, 57 00:03:12,319 --> 00:03:14,319 Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullah, 58 00:03:14,319 --> 00:03:17,319 may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 59 00:03:17,319 --> 00:03:20,319 They were upon the straight guidance; 60 00:03:20,319 --> 00:03:22,319 they were the Ansar of the faith, 61 00:03:22,319 --> 00:03:24,319 the supporters of the religion, 62 00:03:24,319 --> 00:03:26,319 the lions of the battlefield, 63 00:03:26,319 --> 00:03:28,319 the lions of the battlefield, 64 00:03:28,319 --> 00:03:30,319 and the guides of mankind. 65 00:03:30,319 --> 00:03:33,319 Allah praised them in His Book, 66 00:03:33,319 --> 00:03:36,319 declared them upright, and vouched for them, 67 00:03:36,319 --> 00:03:39,319 and He made clear their honor and their precedence. 68 00:03:39,319 --> 00:03:42,319 He informed us of His pleasure with them, 69 00:03:42,319 --> 00:03:44,319 and their pleasure with Him. 70 00:03:44,319 --> 00:03:47,319 The Almighty praised them in the Qur’an, 71 00:03:47,319 --> 00:03:50,319 and indeed in the Gospel and the Torah. 72 00:03:50,319 --> 00:03:52,319 Yes, servants of Allah, 73 00:03:52,319 --> 00:03:55,319 He praised them in His heavenly scriptures, 74 00:03:55,319 --> 00:03:57,319 for He, the Glorified, said: 75 00:03:57,319 --> 00:03:59,319 "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; 76 00:03:59,319 --> 00:04:02,319 and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, 77 00:04:02,319 --> 00:04:05,319 “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.” (48:29) 78 00:04:05,319 --> 00:04:07,319 merciful among themselves; 79 00:04:07,319 --> 00:04:10,319 you see them bowing and prostrating, 80 00:04:10,319 --> 00:04:13,319 seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure." 81 00:04:13,319 --> 00:04:17,319 “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.” (48:29) 82 00:04:17,319 --> 00:04:20,319 “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.” (48:29) 83 00:04:20,319 --> 00:04:22,319 "And their description in the Gospel 84 00:04:22,319 --> 00:04:24,319 is as a plant which produces its offshoots 85 00:04:24,319 --> 00:04:25,319 and strengthens them, 86 00:04:25,319 --> 00:04:28,319 “Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves. Thou (O Muhammad) seest them bowing and falling prostrate (in worship), seeking bounty from Allah and (His) acceptance. The mark of them is on their foreheads from the traces of prostration. Such is their likeness in the Torah and their likeness in the Gospel - like as sown corn that sendeth forth its shoot and strengtheneth it and riseth firm upon its stalk, delighting the sowers - that He may enrage the disbelievers with (the sight of) them. Allah hath promised, unto such of them as believe and do good works, forgiveness and immense reward.” (48:29) 87 00:04:28,319 --> 00:04:30,319 so it delights the sowers— 88 00:04:30,319 --> 00:04:32,319 so that He may enrage by them the disbelievers." 89 00:04:32,319 --> 00:04:35,319 "Allah has promised those who believe 90 00:04:35,319 --> 00:04:38,319 and do righteous deeds among them 91 00:04:38,319 --> 00:04:41,319 forgiveness and a great reward." 92 00:04:41,319 --> 00:04:44,319 These are the Companions of Muhammad, 93 00:04:44,319 --> 00:04:46,319 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 94 00:04:46,319 --> 00:04:48,319 They are the model, 95 00:04:48,319 --> 00:04:49,319 and they are the example 96 00:04:49,319 --> 00:04:51,319 after the Prophet Muhammad, 97 00:04:51,319 --> 00:04:53,319 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 98 00:04:53,319 --> 00:04:55,319 They did not change, 99 00:04:55,319 --> 00:04:56,319 they did not alter, 100 00:04:56,319 --> 00:04:58,319 they did not distort, 101 00:04:58,319 --> 00:04:59,319 and they did not break their word. 102 00:04:59,319 --> 00:05:02,319 Rather, they remained true to the covenant and the pledge 103 00:05:02,319 --> 00:05:04,319 that they gave to their leader, 104 00:05:04,319 --> 00:05:06,319 their messenger, 105 00:05:06,319 --> 00:05:07,319 their beloved, 106 00:05:07,319 --> 00:05:08,319 their model, 107 00:05:08,319 --> 00:05:11,319 and their example, Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullah, 108 00:05:11,319 --> 00:05:14,319 may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 109 00:05:14,319 --> 00:05:16,319 We shall speak today 110 00:05:16,319 --> 00:05:18,319 about one of them, 111 00:05:18,319 --> 00:05:21,319 one of these heroic men 112 00:05:21,319 --> 00:05:24,319 who were true to what they pledged to Allah. 113 00:05:24,319 --> 00:05:27,319 A valiant, courageous hero— 114 00:05:27,319 --> 00:05:30,319 whenever strength and courage are mentioned, 115 00:05:30,319 --> 00:05:32,319 the name of this man is mentioned. 116 00:05:32,319 --> 00:05:34,319 And whenever his name is mentioned, 117 00:05:34,319 --> 00:05:36,319 strength and courage are recalled. 118 00:05:36,319 --> 00:05:39,319 His enemies nicknamed him 119 00:05:39,319 --> 00:05:41,319 "The Naked Devil." 120 00:05:41,319 --> 00:05:42,319 Do you know why? 121 00:05:42,319 --> 00:05:44,319 Because he would charge 122 00:05:44,319 --> 00:05:47,319 and attack his enemies alone. 123 00:05:47,319 --> 00:05:49,319 They thought, due to the intensity of his might, 124 00:05:49,319 --> 00:05:51,319 that he was a devil. 125 00:05:51,319 --> 00:05:53,319 And they indeed gave him 126 00:05:53,319 --> 00:05:57,319 the title of "The Bare-Chested Devil." 127 00:05:57,319 --> 00:05:59,319 He is the noble Companion, 128 00:05:59,319 --> 00:06:01,319 the valiant hero, 129 00:06:01,319 --> 00:06:03,319 and the charging knight. 130 00:06:03,319 --> 00:06:07,319 He is Dirar Ibn al-Azwar, 131 00:06:07,319 --> 00:06:09,319 may Allah be pleased with him and grant him satisfaction. 132 00:06:09,319 --> 00:06:11,319 Dirar Ibn al-Azwar was 133 00:06:11,319 --> 00:06:14,319 a fighter of the highest caliber, 134 00:06:14,319 --> 00:06:15,319 courageous, 135 00:06:15,319 --> 00:06:16,319 and bold. 136 00:06:16,319 --> 00:06:18,319 He would pierce through the ranks 137 00:06:18,319 --> 00:06:20,319 without fear or hesitation, 138 00:06:20,319 --> 00:06:22,319 which made Khalid Ibn al-Walid 139 00:06:22,319 --> 00:06:25,319 rely upon him heavily 140 00:06:25,319 --> 00:06:28,319 in his conquests in the Levant, 141 00:06:28,319 --> 00:06:30,319 to the extent that Dirar became 142 00:06:30,319 --> 00:06:32,319 the second man 143 00:06:32,319 --> 00:06:34,319 in the army after Khalid. 144 00:06:34,319 --> 00:06:37,319 As for the reason for the strange nickname 145 00:06:37,319 --> 00:06:39,319 that his enemies gave him, 146 00:06:39,319 --> 00:06:42,319 it was during the Battle of Ajnadayn 147 00:06:42,319 --> 00:06:44,319 between the Muslims and the Byzantines. 148 00:06:44,319 --> 00:06:45,319 The number of the Byzantines was 149 00:06:45,319 --> 00:06:47,319 ninety thousand fighters, 150 00:06:47,319 --> 00:06:49,319 while the number of the Muslims 151 00:06:49,319 --> 00:06:53,319 was only approximately thirty thousand fighters. 152 00:06:53,319 --> 00:06:56,319 Dirar distinguished himself in this battle, 153 00:06:56,319 --> 00:06:58,319 causing great slaughter 154 00:06:58,319 --> 00:07:00,319 in the ranks of the Byzantines, 155 00:07:00,319 --> 00:07:04,319 despite their numerical superiority. 156 00:07:04,319 --> 00:07:06,319 During the battle, 157 00:07:06,319 --> 00:07:08,319 and with the intensity of the heat, 158 00:07:08,319 --> 00:07:09,319 Dirar took off 159 00:07:09,319 --> 00:07:11,319 his armor and his shirt 160 00:07:11,319 --> 00:07:13,319 so that he could move 161 00:07:13,319 --> 00:07:14,319 with agility. 162 00:07:14,319 --> 00:07:17,319 As soon as the enemies saw him bare-chested, 163 00:07:17,319 --> 00:07:20,319 they said, "This is the opportunity 164 00:07:20,319 --> 00:07:22,319 that must not be missed 165 00:07:22,319 --> 00:07:23,319 to kill the man 166 00:07:23,319 --> 00:07:27,319 who has troubled us since the beginning of the battle. 167 00:07:27,319 --> 00:07:28,319 He is now 168 00:07:28,319 --> 00:07:30,319 without armor to protect him." 169 00:07:30,319 --> 00:07:32,319 So the soldiers gathered around him 170 00:07:32,319 --> 00:07:36,319 until he could barely be seen due to their numbers. 171 00:07:36,319 --> 00:07:38,319 The battle grew fierce, 172 00:07:38,319 --> 00:07:39,319 and the fighting intensified, 173 00:07:39,319 --> 00:07:41,319 yet he killed them all. 174 00:07:41,319 --> 00:07:43,319 He killed them all without exception, 175 00:07:43,319 --> 00:07:46,319 and emerged from among them without a scratch. 176 00:07:46,319 --> 00:07:47,319 Thus, they gave him 177 00:07:47,319 --> 00:07:50,319 the title of "The Bare-Chested Devil." 178 00:07:50,319 --> 00:07:52,319 This legend spread 179 00:07:52,319 --> 00:07:55,319 through the ranks of the enemies with terrifying speed. 180 00:07:55,319 --> 00:07:57,319 It even went beyond this army 181 00:07:57,319 --> 00:07:59,319 to the other Byzantine armies. 182 00:07:59,319 --> 00:08:02,319 After that, he began 183 00:08:02,319 --> 00:08:05,319 to fight bare-chested intentionally 184 00:08:05,319 --> 00:08:06,319 to terrify the enemies. 185 00:08:06,319 --> 00:08:08,319 As soon as they saw him, 186 00:08:08,319 --> 00:08:10,319 they would flee before him, 187 00:08:10,319 --> 00:08:14,319 saying, "The Bare-Chested Devil has come! 188 00:08:14,319 --> 00:08:16,319 The Bare-Chested Devil has come!" 189 00:08:16,319 --> 00:08:18,319 What of that battle? 190 00:08:18,319 --> 00:08:21,319 In that battle, servants of Allah, 191 00:08:21,319 --> 00:08:23,319 the Battle of Ajnadayn, 192 00:08:23,319 --> 00:08:25,319 Dirar, may Allah be pleased with him, reached 193 00:08:25,319 --> 00:08:28,319 the Byzantine commander, Wardan, 194 00:08:28,319 --> 00:08:30,319 and identified himself to him, 195 00:08:30,319 --> 00:08:33,320 "I am the Bare-Chested Devil." 196 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:36,320 A fierce duel took place between them, 197 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:38,320 and Dirar’s sword pierced 198 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:39,320 Wardan’s chest, 199 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,320 and the sword completed its task, 200 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:42,320 severing his head. 201 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:45,320 Dirar returned with the head of Wardan 202 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:47,320 to the Muslims. At that moment, 203 00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:49,320 from the Muslim camp, there erupted 204 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:51,320 shouts of "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest), 205 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,320 "Allahu Akbar," 206 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:56,480 seeking victory. 207 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:58,480 During the siege of Damascus, 208 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:00,480 Dirar Ibn al-Azwar entered 209 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:02,480 the army of the disbelievers. 210 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,480 He began striking them down, right and left, 211 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:06,480 until they were seized with fear. 212 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:09,480 They were unable to fight him 213 00:09:09,480 --> 00:09:10,480 face-to-face, 214 00:09:10,480 --> 00:09:13,480 so they resorted to shooting arrows at him from a distance. 215 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:15,480 They adopted the tactics of cowards 216 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:17,480 to finish off Dirar, 217 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:20,480 until he fell captive to the disbelieving Romans. 218 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:22,480 They then intended 219 00:09:22,480 --> 00:09:24,480 to take him alive 220 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:26,480 to the Roman Emperor, 221 00:09:26,480 --> 00:09:27,480 Heraclius, 222 00:09:27,480 --> 00:09:29,480 to present him as a gift. 223 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:32,480 And what a gift they were presenting to him: 224 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:34,480 the "bare-chested devil," 225 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:36,480 as they called him, 226 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:38,480 so that he might kill him himself. 227 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:40,480 But alas, 228 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:42,480 the Muslims rescued him. 229 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:44,480 If you knew who rescued him, 230 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:46,480 you would be astonished. 231 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:48,480 Khalid Ibn al-Walid, 232 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:49,480 may Allah be pleased with him, 233 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:51,480 arrived with a full army 234 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:53,480 to support the Muslim forces 235 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:56,480 and attempt to rescue Dirar. 236 00:09:56,480 --> 00:09:58,480 Within that army was 237 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:00,480 a young, 238 00:10:00,480 --> 00:10:01,480 strong, 239 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:03,480 masked knight, 240 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:05,480 whose eyes were all that could be seen. 241 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:07,480 This strong youth 242 00:10:07,480 --> 00:10:09,480 began charging toward the disbelievers, 243 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:11,480 killing them, 244 00:10:11,480 --> 00:10:13,480 then withdrawing, 245 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:15,480 until the Romans were driven to madness. 246 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:17,480 They cried out, "Kill this knight!" 247 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:19,480 A whole battalion 248 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:21,480 pursued this knight, 249 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:23,480 but he lured them in 250 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:25,480 until he slaughtered them all. 251 00:10:25,480 --> 00:10:27,480 Khalid Ibn al-Walid went to him 252 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:29,480 and said, 253 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:30,480 "O knight, 254 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:32,480 you have filled our hearts with admiration; 255 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:34,480 tell us who you are." 256 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:36,480 The knight looked at him 257 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:38,480 without answering, 258 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:40,480 then set off to charge once more 259 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,480 against the disbelievers, 260 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:44,480 killing and slaughtering them. 261 00:10:44,480 --> 00:10:46,480 At this point, Khalid ordered a full-scale 262 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:48,480 assault by the Muslim army 263 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:50,480 against the army of the disbelievers. 264 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:52,480 Khalid insisted, "Who are you, O knight? 265 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:54,480 By Allah, we shall honor you." 266 00:10:54,480 --> 00:10:56,480 And then, 267 00:10:56,480 --> 00:10:58,480 Khalid Ibn al-Walid was stunned 268 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,480 when he heard that voice— 269 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:02,480 the voice, 270 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:04,480 the voice of a young woman. 271 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:06,480 It was Khawlah 272 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:08,480 bint al-Azwar, 273 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:10,480 the sister of the bare-chested knight, 274 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:12,480 Dirar Ibn al-Azwar. 275 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:14,480 She began pleading with Khalid Ibn al-Walid 276 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:16,480 to allow her to fight 277 00:11:16,480 --> 00:11:18,480 in an army where women do not usually fight. 278 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:20,480 But this valiant female knight, 279 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:22,480 this heroic woman 280 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:24,480 from that mighty family, 281 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:26,480 the family of al-Azwar, 282 00:11:26,480 --> 00:11:28,480 the family of chivalry, 283 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:30,480 had rescued her brother 284 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:32,480 from the hands of the disbelievers 285 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:34,480 and brought him back to the Muslims. 286 00:11:34,480 --> 00:11:36,480 Khawlah 287 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,480 bint al-Azwar was classified 288 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:40,480 as the bravest woman in Islamic history. 289 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:42,480 May Allah be pleased with them all 290 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:44,480 and grant them His pleasure. 291 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:46,480 This is our history, O servants of Allah, 292 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:48,480 which is worthy 293 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:50,480 of our pride 294 00:11:50,480 --> 00:11:52,480 and our honor. 295 00:11:52,480 --> 00:11:54,480 Those were fathers; 296 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,480 bring me their like! 297 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:58,480 It is enough for these heroes, 298 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:00,480 it is enough for these stellar men, 299 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:02,480 it is enough for them in terms of honor and pride 300 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:04,480 that they 301 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:06,480 saw the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 302 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:08,480 listened to his hadith, 303 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:10,480 supported him, 304 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:12,480 and aided him. 305 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:14,480 May Allah be pleased with them and grant them His pleasure, 306 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:16,480 and reward them with the best reward for what they did, 307 00:12:16,480 --> 00:12:18,480 and gather us with them and those we love 308 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:20,480 in the Abode of Eternity. 309 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:22,480 Allahumma amin. 310 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:24,480 “And the first to lead the way, of the Muhajirin and the Ansar, and those who followed them in goodness - Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him, and He hath made ready for them Gardens underneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide for ever. That is the supreme triumph.” (9:100) 311 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:26,480 and the Ansar and those who 312 00:12:26,480 --> 00:12:28,480 followed them in righteousness. 313 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:30,480 Allah is pleased with them 314 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:32,480 and they are pleased with Him. 315 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:34,480 Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. 316 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:36,480 May Allah bless me and you 317 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,480 through the Great Qur'an, 318 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:40,480 and benefit me and you with the verses 319 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,480 and the Wise Reminder it contains. 320 00:12:42,480 --> 00:12:44,480 I say what you hear and I ask Allah for forgiveness for me and for you; 321 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,480 so seek His forgiveness, for He is the All-Forgiving, 322 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:49,980 the All-Merciful. 323 00:12:49,980 --> 00:12:52,080 Praise be to Allah. 324 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:54,110 I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, 325 00:12:54,110 --> 00:12:56,110 and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, 326 00:12:56,110 --> 00:12:58,110 may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 327 00:12:58,110 --> 00:13:00,110 To proceed, O servants of Allah: 328 00:13:00,110 --> 00:13:02,179 The goal is not to reach the end, 329 00:13:02,179 --> 00:13:04,179 for everyone 330 00:13:04,179 --> 00:13:06,179 can do that. 331 00:13:06,179 --> 00:13:08,179 Rather, the goal is to remain steadfast. 332 00:13:08,179 --> 00:13:10,179 For Sumayyah, 333 00:13:10,179 --> 00:13:12,179 Yasir, 334 00:13:12,179 --> 00:13:14,179 Mus'ab, Anas 335 00:13:14,179 --> 00:13:16,179 Ibn al-Nadr, Hamzah 336 00:13:16,179 --> 00:13:18,179 Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, 337 00:13:18,179 --> 00:13:20,179 'Abdullah Ibn Jahsh, 338 00:13:20,179 --> 00:13:22,179 Sa'd Ibn al-Rabi', 339 00:13:22,179 --> 00:13:24,179 and 'Amr Ibn al-Jamuh— 340 00:13:24,179 --> 00:13:26,179 these people did not see the glory of Islam 341 00:13:26,179 --> 00:13:28,179 nor its wider 342 00:13:28,179 --> 00:13:30,179 establishment. 343 00:13:30,179 --> 00:13:32,179 They did not witness the conquests 344 00:13:32,179 --> 00:13:34,179 and victories of Khalid, 345 00:13:34,179 --> 00:13:36,179 nor did they witness Harun al-Rashid 346 00:13:36,179 --> 00:13:38,179 when he said, 347 00:13:38,179 --> 00:13:40,179 "O cloud, 348 00:13:40,179 --> 00:13:42,179 rain where you will, 349 00:13:42,179 --> 00:13:44,179 for your tribute will come to me." 350 00:13:44,179 --> 00:13:46,179 They began the path 351 00:13:46,179 --> 00:13:48,179 and died at its beginning; 352 00:13:48,179 --> 00:13:50,179 they did not reach its end. 353 00:13:50,179 --> 00:13:52,179 May Allah be pleased with them all. 354 00:13:52,179 --> 00:13:54,179 So do not ask, O servant of Allah, 355 00:13:54,179 --> 00:13:56,179 do not ask about the end of the path. 356 00:13:56,179 --> 00:13:58,179 What matters 357 00:13:58,179 --> 00:14:00,179 is that you are on the path. 358 00:14:00,179 --> 00:14:02,179 Even if you die 359 00:14:02,179 --> 00:14:04,179 at its beginning 360 00:14:04,179 --> 00:14:06,179 or in its middle, 361 00:14:06,179 --> 00:14:08,179 it will not harm you at all. 362 00:14:08,179 --> 00:14:10,179 You will be among those of whom Allah said: 363 00:14:10,179 --> 00:14:12,179 "Among the believers are men..." 364 00:14:12,179 --> 00:14:14,179 “Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least;” (33:23) 365 00:14:14,179 --> 00:14:16,179 [who have been true to their covenant] with Him. 366 00:14:16,179 --> 00:14:18,179 “Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least;” (33:23) 367 00:14:18,179 --> 00:14:20,179 "And among them are those who await [their turn], 368 00:14:20,179 --> 00:14:22,179 and they did not alter [the covenant] by any alteration." 369 00:14:22,179 --> 00:14:24,179 We are walking on the path, 370 00:14:24,179 --> 00:14:26,179 and we ask Allah 371 00:14:26,179 --> 00:14:28,179 for steadfastness and acceptance. 372 00:14:28,179 --> 00:14:30,179 The goal is not 373 00:14:30,179 --> 00:14:32,179 to reach the end, 374 00:14:32,179 --> 00:14:34,179 but the goal 375 00:14:34,179 --> 00:14:36,179 is to die on the path. 376 00:14:36,179 --> 00:14:38,179 Allah is the Guardian of His religion. 377 00:14:38,179 --> 00:14:40,179 So let us renew our intention in every matter, 378 00:14:40,179 --> 00:14:42,179 in every hour, 379 00:14:42,179 --> 00:14:44,179 and in every moment, 380 00:14:44,179 --> 00:14:46,179 for we do not know when we will die, 381 00:14:46,179 --> 00:14:48,179 nor do we know when we will meet Allah. 382 00:14:48,179 --> 00:14:50,179 We ask Allah 383 00:14:50,179 --> 00:14:52,179 to make us steadfast 384 00:14:52,179 --> 00:14:54,179 and to grant us a good ending. 385 00:14:54,179 --> 00:14:56,179 So trust in Allah, O servant of Allah; 386 00:14:56,179 --> 00:14:58,179 trust in Allah in all circumstances. 387 00:14:58,179 --> 00:15:00,179 For Moses, as an infant, 388 00:15:00,179 --> 00:15:02,179 did not drown 389 00:15:02,179 --> 00:15:04,179 while he was at the peak of his weakness, 390 00:15:04,179 --> 00:15:06,179 yet Pharaoh drowned 391 00:15:06,179 --> 00:15:08,179 while he was at the peak of his tyranny. 392 00:15:08,179 --> 00:15:10,179 Whoever is with Allah, 393 00:15:10,179 --> 00:15:12,179 his weakness will not harm him, 394 00:15:12,179 --> 00:15:14,179 and whoever is not with Allah, 395 00:15:14,179 --> 00:15:16,179 his strength will not benefit him. 396 00:15:16,179 --> 00:15:18,179 The lesson is 397 00:15:18,179 --> 00:15:20,179 to be with Allah, 398 00:15:20,179 --> 00:15:22,179 to remain steadfast, 399 00:15:22,179 --> 00:15:24,179 and not to live only for yourself, 400 00:15:24,179 --> 00:15:26,179 but to carry the burdens of 401 00:15:26,179 --> 00:15:28,179 your Muslim brothers. 402 00:15:28,179 --> 00:15:30,179 For whoever lives for others 403 00:15:30,179 --> 00:15:32,179 lives great 404 00:15:32,179 --> 00:15:34,179 and dies great, 405 00:15:34,179 --> 00:15:36,179 while whoever lives for himself 406 00:15:36,179 --> 00:15:38,179 lives small 407 00:15:38,179 --> 00:15:40,179 And he passed away while still young. 408 00:15:40,179 --> 00:15:42,179 O Allah, grant us a good ending. 409 00:15:42,179 --> 00:15:44,179 Make us steadfast in all our affairs. 410 00:15:44,179 --> 00:15:46,179 And keep us firm upon Your religion until we meet You. 411 00:15:46,179 --> 00:15:48,179 Do not let us fall into trials. 412 00:15:48,179 --> 00:15:50,179 And do not test us in a way that exposes our shortcomings. 413 00:15:50,179 --> 00:15:52,179 Adorn us with Your beautiful veil of protection. 414 00:15:52,179 --> 00:15:54,179 And place beneath that veil. 415 00:15:54,179 --> 00:15:56,179 Righteous deeds that You are pleased with. 416 00:15:56,179 --> 00:15:58,179 O Allah, O Hearer of supplications. 417 00:15:58,179 --> 00:16:00,179 O Giver of vast bounty. 418 00:16:00,179 --> 00:16:02,179 O You whom nothing can frustrate on earth. 419 00:16:02,179 --> 00:16:04,179 Nor in the heavens. 420 00:16:04,179 --> 00:16:06,179 Keep us firm upon Your religion until we meet You. 421 00:16:06,179 --> 00:16:08,179 Do not let our hearts deviate. 422 00:16:08,179 --> 00:16:10,179 After You have guided us. 423 00:16:10,179 --> 00:16:12,179 Grant us mercy from Your presence. 424 00:16:12,179 --> 00:16:14,179 Indeed, You are the Bestower. 425 00:16:14,179 --> 00:16:16,179 Make our deeds sincere. 426 00:16:16,179 --> 00:16:18,179 Truthful and righteous. 427 00:16:18,179 --> 00:16:20,179 And do not let anyone else have a share in them. 428 00:16:20,179 --> 00:16:22,179 Nor any portion. 429 00:16:22,179 --> 00:16:24,179 O Allah, make us the happiest of Your creation through You. 430 00:16:24,179 --> 00:16:26,179 And the closest of Your servants to You. 431 00:16:26,179 --> 00:16:28,179 O Allah, forgive us for what has passed. 432 00:16:28,179 --> 00:16:30,179 And rectify for us what remains. 433 00:16:30,179 --> 00:16:32,179 And decree for us Your pleasure. 434 00:16:32,179 --> 00:16:34,179 Your pardon, and Paradise. 435 00:16:34,179 --> 00:16:36,179 O Allah, O Allah. 436 00:16:36,179 --> 00:16:38,179 O Possessor of Majesty and Honor. 437 00:16:38,179 --> 00:16:40,179 O Ever-Living, O Sustainer. 438 00:16:40,179 --> 00:16:42,179 O Allah, grant relief to every patient soul. 439 00:16:42,179 --> 00:16:44,179 O Allah, grant relief to every patient soul. 440 00:16:44,179 --> 00:16:46,179 And healing to every sick person. 441 00:16:46,179 --> 00:16:48,179 And well-being to everyone afflicted. 442 00:16:48,179 --> 00:16:50,179 And offspring to those who are barren. 443 00:16:50,179 --> 00:16:52,179 And grant righteousness and success. 444 00:16:52,179 --> 00:16:54,179 To our children. 445 00:16:54,179 --> 00:16:56,179 And the children of the Muslims. 446 00:16:56,179 --> 00:16:58,179 O Allah, grant us. 447 00:16:58,179 --> 00:17:00,179 And all Muslims, relief from every concern. 448 00:17:00,179 --> 00:17:02,179 And a way out from every distress. 449 00:17:02,179 --> 00:17:04,180 And well-being from every trial. 450 00:17:04,180 --> 00:17:06,180 O Allah, rectify the state of the Muslims. 451 00:17:06,180 --> 00:17:08,180 O Allah, the state of the Muslims everywhere. 452 00:17:08,180 --> 00:17:10,180 O Allah, grant us security in our homelands. 453 00:17:10,180 --> 00:17:12,180 And rectify our leaders. 454 00:17:12,180 --> 00:17:14,180 And those in authority over us. 455 00:17:14,180 --> 00:17:16,180 O Allah, support our leader with Your guidance. 456 00:17:16,180 --> 00:17:18,180 O Allah, provide him with righteous advisors. 457 00:17:18,180 --> 00:17:20,180 O Allah, grant victory to our soldiers. 458 00:17:20,180 --> 00:17:22,180 On the borders. 459 00:17:22,180 --> 00:17:24,180 O Allah, grant victory to our oppressed brothers everywhere. 460 00:17:24,180 --> 00:17:26,180 We have called upon You in our distress. 461 00:17:26,180 --> 00:17:28,180 Just as You have commanded us. 462 00:17:28,180 --> 00:17:30,180 So answer us just as You have promised us. 463 00:17:30,180 --> 00:17:32,180 “Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him)” (37:180) 464 00:17:32,180 --> 00:17:34,180 And peace be upon the messengers. 465 00:17:34,180 --> 00:17:36,180 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.