Learn about the companions, scholars, and notables | Who am I?

0:00 Pause and learn about the Companions, scholars, and prominent figures.

0:12 A real challenge: Who am I?

0:16 I am one of the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from the land of Tayy.

0:25 I was an illustrious figure in the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah).

0:29 I was a formidable knight and an archer of the highest caliber.

0:34 I was renowned for chivalry, bravery, and generosity.

0:38 Among the accounts about me during the Jahiliyyah before Islam:

0:43 A man from the Banu Shayban set out with his daughters during a year of drought.

0:49 He brought them down to al-Hirah near its king so they might benefit from his bounty,

0:56 and he swore never to return to them until he gained sustenance for them or died trying.

1:02 So he took some provisions, then traveled for seven days until he arrived at our great tent.

1:10 He said to himself, "I will wait by this tent; perhaps I might obtain something from them."

1:18 He sat behind the tent, and as the sun was about to set,

1:24 he saw me arriving on horseback, accompanied by a hundred camels along with their stud stallion.

1:30 The stallion knelt, and the camels knelt around him.

1:34 He gave us time until we had eaten and drank, and then we went to sleep.

1:40 The man then stood up, went to the stallion, untied its tether, and mounted it.

1:46 It bolted with him, and the camels followed in its pursuit.

1:49 He rode throughout the night until morning came.

1:53 When the daylight broadened, I caught up with him.

1:57 The man dismounted from his camel, hobbled it, and called out to me in a loud voice:

2:03 "I have left young daughters behind me, and I swore never to return to them

2:09 until I gain sustenance for them or die trying!"

2:13 I said to him, "Then you are as good as dead."

2:16 Then I shot the camel's hobble with an arrow from afar and struck it.

2:22 When the man witnessed such marksmanship from me, he surrendered to me.

2:27 I took his sword and bow from him, then seated him behind me on my mount.

2:33 Then I said to him, "If these camels had been mine, I would have surrendered them to you,

2:39 but they belong to the chieftain's daughter.

2:42 So stay with me, for I am about to launch a raid."

2:47 He stayed for a few days; then I raided a tribe and captured a hundred camels from them.

2:54 I gave all of them to him, and he departed back to his family.

2:59 When I heard of Islam, I journeyed to Medina.

3:05 I met the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as he was delivering a sermon from the pulpit.

3:10 I entered the mosque and pronounced the two testimonies of faith (Shahadah).

3:14 He (peace be upon him) asked, "Who are you?"

3:19 I replied, "I am so-and-so, known for goodness."

3:24 He (peace be upon him) said, "Rather, you are Ma'ruf (the one known for goodness).

3:30 Praise be to Allah who brought you from your plains and mountains,

3:35 and softened your heart to Islam."

3:38 Then he (peace be upon him) took me to his home

3:42 and offered me a cushion to recline on.

3:45 I felt too shy to recline in his presence,

3:49 so I pushed it back to him, but he offered it back to me.

3:53 I returned it to him, and he pushed it back to me three times.

3:58 Then he said, "Never has a man been described to me and then I saw him,

4:04 without him falling short of how he was described—

4:07 except for you, for you surpass everything said about you."

4:12 I said, "O Messenger of Allah,

4:15 give me three hundred horsemen,

4:18 and I guarantee you that I will raid the lands of the Byzantines with them,

4:23 and I will overcome them."

4:25 The Prophet (peace be upon him) greatly admired this high ambition of mine,

4:30 and said, "May Allah bless you! What a magnificent man you are!"

4:35 I remained in Medina for seven days after accepting Islam,

4:40 and I was stricken with fever.

4:43 I wished to meet my people

4:46 and that Allah might decree Islam for them through my hands,

4:50 so I set out toward them.

4:52 But my appointed time of death caught up with me,

4:56 and my soul departed while I was still on the road.

5:00 So, who am I?

5:08 We will pin the correct answer in the comments

5:12 when the next episode is released, if Allah wills.

5:17 The best of generations in character and example,

5:22 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke.

5:27 They were once here, showering our lives like rain clouds;

5:32 They have not truly died among us, for their memory continues to soar.

5:37 They departed, leaving in our conscience a question:

5:42 Was there ever a star like them that ascended and shone so bright?

5:47 They filled this life with glories through their deeds,

5:52 And through them, the mortal world flourished in elegance and grace.

Learn about the companions, scholars, and notables | Who am I? | Episode No. (73)

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