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

0:00 Pause,

0:03 and get to know the Companions, the scholars, and the great figures.

0:12 A serious challenge: who am I?

0:16 I am one of the Companions,

0:21 among the early Emigrants (Muhajirun) who embraced Islam.

0:25 I am of Arab descent,

0:27 but the Byzantines raided us

0:30 and took me as a captive.

0:32 So I grew up among them,

0:34 until a foreign accent lingered in my speech.

0:38 Then a man from the tribe of Kalb bought me,

0:42 and sold me in Mecca.

0:44 'Abdullah ibn Jud'an purchased me,

0:47 was impressed by my intelligence,

0:49 and set me free.

0:51 We then became partners in trade,

0:53 until I acquired great wealth.

0:56 I embraced Islam at the very dawn of the call,

1:00 and decided to emigrate with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

1:03 and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him),

1:06 to be the third among them.

1:08 But the disbelievers prevented me

1:11 when they sensed my intention.

1:13 So the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companion went ahead of me,

1:17 while I was held back.

1:19 Later, when I managed to slip away from the polytheists,

1:25 I emigrated to Medina.

1:27 They pursued me,

1:29 and when they caught up with me,

1:31 I dismounted from my camel

1:33 and said to them:

1:35 "You well know that I am one of the best archers among you,

1:38 and by Allah,

1:40 you shall not reach me

1:42 until I shoot a man among you with every single arrow in my quiver,

1:47 then I will strike you with my sword

1:50 until nothing remains of it in my hand.

1:53 So advance if you wish!"

1:56 They replied:

1:57 "You came to us as a destitute pauper,

2:00 your wealth grew abundant among us,

2:02 and you attained whatever stature you attained here,

2:05 and now you depart with both yourself and your wealth?!"

2:08 So I said to them:

2:10 "If I tell you where my wealth is,

2:12 will you leave me be?"

2:14 They said, "Yes."

2:16 So I told them where to find it.

2:18 When I arrived before the Prophet (peace be upon him),

2:23 I found that divine revelation had already preceded me to him.

2:26 He said:

2:28 "A profitable transaction, O Abu Yahya!"

2:30 repeating it three times.

2:32 So I said:

2:33 "O Messenger of Allah, who informed you?

2:36 No one has preceded me to you;

2:39 none could have told you except Gabriel!"

2:42 And concerning me, Allah's saying was revealed:

2:45 “And of mankind is he who would sell himself, seeking the pleasure of Allah; and Allah hath compassion on (His) bondmen.” (2:207)

2:50 seeking the pleasure of Allah,

2:54 and Allah is Ever Gracious to His servants.

3:01 I was light-hearted,

3:03 quick-witted and jovial.

3:05 The Prophet (peace be upon him) once saw me

3:08 eating fresh dates one day,

3:11 while I was suffering from an inflamed eye.

3:14 So he said to me, smiling:

3:16 "Do you eat fresh dates while your eye is inflamed?"

3:20 I replied:

3:21 "What harm is there?

3:23 I am only chewing on the side of my healthy eye!"

3:28 The Commander of the Faithful, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him),

3:34 instructed me to lead the people in prayer

3:37 until the members of the consultative council chose the Caliph after him.

3:41 So I led them in prayer.

3:43 So, who am I?

4:01 The best of generations in stances and exemplary deeds,

4:06 following the Messenger in whatever he strove for or uttered.

4:11 They were here, quenching our lives like rain-bearing clouds;

4:16 their memory stands tall among us, ever exalted.

4:21 They departed, leaving in the conscience a lingering question:

4:27 Has any star ever risen and shone as brightly as they did?

4:32 They filled life with glorious feats through their deeds,

4:37 and the world of mankind flourished through them.

Learn about the companions, scholars, and notables | Who am I? | Episode No. (70)

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