Pictures from the lives of the followers | D. Abdul Rahman Raafat Al-Basha | Episode (18) | Muhammad bin Wasi’ al-Azdi, may God have mercy on him (Part 2)

0:00 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

0:03 The finest of generations in their stands and exemplary conduct,

0:08 Following the Messenger whenever he strove or spoke.

0:13 [Gham'iyyat Mawaddah]

0:15 Presents:

0:17 Portraits from the Lives of the Tabi'un,

0:21 By Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha,

0:25 May Allah have mercy on him.

0:27 Muhammad Ibn Wasi' al-Azdi, may Allah have mercy on him.

0:42 We are now in the year eighty-seven after the Hijrah.

0:46 Here is the pride of the Muslims,

0:49 The victorious commander Qutaybah Ibn Muslim al-Bahili,

0:53 Setting forth with his mighty, roaring army from the city of Merv,

0:57 Heading toward the region of Bukhara.

1:00 He had firmly resolved to conquer the remainder of Transoxiana,

1:06 Campaign against the borders of China,

1:08 And impose the jizyah upon its people.

1:11 But no sooner had Qutaybah Ibn Muslim crossed the Jaxartes River

1:17 Than the people of Bukhara detected his movements.

1:20 They rallied, beating the drums of war everywhere,

1:24 And began calling for help from the surrounding nations,

1:28 Including the Sogdians, the Turks, the Chinese, and many others.

1:33 Masses of fighters poured in upon them from every background, race,

1:38 Language, and religion,

1:40 Until they vastly outnumbered the Muslim army in both equipment and numbers.

1:45 Then, taking the initiative,

1:47 They blocked the main routes in front of the Muslims

1:51 And sealed off the outposts and mountain passes against them,

1:54 To the extent that Qutaybah Ibn Muslim

1:57 Could not dispatch even a small detachment of his troops

2:02 To scout their conditions and bring back intelligence,

2:06 Nor could any of his spies dispersed among them reach him.

2:14 Qutaybah Ibn Muslim encamped with his army near the city of Paykend,

2:20 Remaining rooted in his position, unable to advance or retreat.

2:24 The enemy began to confront him at every daybreak with one of their vanguards,

2:31 Skirmishing with his army throughout the entire day,

2:35 And when night fell, they retired to their secure and fortified strongholds.

2:41 This state of affairs continued for two consecutive months,

2:46 Leaving Qutaybah in deep perplexity,

2:49 At a loss whether to withdraw or press forward.

2:52 Before long, news of Qutaybah and his army reached the ears of Muslims everywhere,

2:59 And the people were seized with intense anxiety for this great, hitherto invincible army

3:04 And its illustrious, undefeated commander.

3:08 Directives were issued to the governors across the provinces

3:11 To offer supplications for the Muslim soldiers lying in wait in Transoxiana

3:16 After every prayer.

3:18 The mosques of the Muslims began to swell with fervent prayers for them,

3:23 Their minarets resounded with humble entreaties and supplications,

3:27 And the imams persistently performed the qunut supplication in every prayer.

3:31 Vast numbers of people rushed to the relief of the formidable army,

3:35 Led by the eminent Tabi'i Muhammad Ibn Wasi' al-Azdi.

3:41 Qutaybah Ibn Muslim al-Bahili had a non-Arab spy

3:47 Known for his experience, wisdom, and cunning,

3:51 Named Tithar.

3:53 The enemies enticed him to their side,

3:56 Lavished money upon him generously,

3:58 And requested that he employ his stratagem and intelligence to undermine the Muslims' morale

4:04 And induce them to leave the land without a fight.

4:08 Tithar entered upon Qutaybah Ibn Muslim al-Bahili,

4:12 Whose assembly was packed with senior commanders and prominent officers,

4:17 And took his seat beside him.

4:20 He then leaned toward him and whispered in his ear, saying,

4:24 "Clear your assembly, O Prince, if you wish."

4:28 Qutaybah gestured to those in the assembly,

4:31 And they all departed except for Dirar Ibn al-Husayn,

4:35 Whom Qutaybah requested to stay behind.

4:38 At that point,

4:41 Tithar turned to Qutaybah and said,

4:44 "I have news for you, O Prince."

4:47 Qutaybah asked eagerly, "Out with it!"

4:51 Tithar said,

4:53 "The Commander of the Faithful in Damascus

4:56 Has dismissed al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi

4:59 And relieved the commanders who follow him,

5:02 You being one of them.

5:04 He has appointed new commanders over the armies

5:07 And dispatched them to their assignments.

5:10 Your replacement will arrive to take over from you overnight.

5:14 In my opinion,

5:16 You should withdraw with your army from these lands

5:19 And return to Merv,

5:21 To consider your course of action far from the battlefields."

5:25 Hardly had Tithar finished speaking

5:28 When Qutaybah Ibn Muslim summoned his servant Sayah.

5:32 When he stood before him, Qutaybah said to him,

5:35 "Strike off the neck of this traitor, O Sayah!"

5:38 Sayah struck off his neck,

5:40 And returned whence he came.

5:43 Thereupon Qutaybah turned to Dirar Ibn al-Husayn

5:46 And said, "There is no one on this earth

5:49 Who has heard this news except you and me.

5:52 I swear by Allah, the Most High, the Supreme:

5:56 If this matter is divulged by anyone

5:58 Before this war of ours concludes,

6:01 I shall surely join you to this treacherous villain!

6:04 So if you hold your own life dear,

6:07 Guard your tongue well,

6:09 And know that the spread of this news

6:12 Will sap the morale of the army

6:14 And bring upon us a ignominious defeat."

6:17 He then granted permission for the people to enter.

6:20 When they saw Tithar slain upon the ground,

6:23 Drenched in his own blood,

6:25 They stood dumbfounded, heads bowed in shock and horror.

6:29 Qutaybah said to them,

6:31 "Why are you alarmed by the execution of a treacherous traitor?"

6:35 They replied,

6:36 "We thought he was well-wishing toward the Muslims."

6:40 He said,

6:41 "Rather, he was deceiving them,

6:43 So Allah seized him for his sin."

6:45 Then he raised his voice and said,

6:48 "And now,

6:49 Depart to fight your enemy,

6:52 And face them with hearts completely different from the hearts

6:54 With which you used to face them before!"

6:58 The soldiers obeyed the command of their leader,

7:01 Qutaybah Ibn Muslim,

7:03 And crossed the border passes to meet the enemy.

7:06 When the two armies lined up in battle formation,

7:09 The Muslims saw such vast numbers of the enemy

7:11 And such an abundance of their equipment and arms

7:14 As filled their hearts with fear

7:16 And awe of them.

7:18 Qutaybah Ibn Muslim sensed

7:21 The distress stirring in the hearts of his troops,

7:24 So he began riding among the regiments,

7:27 Inspiring resolve and strengthening their determination.

7:30 Then he turned to those around him and asked,

7:33 "Where is Muhammad Ibn Wasi' al-Azdi?"

7:36 They said,

7:37 "He is over there on the right flank, O Prince."

7:41 He asked,

7:42 "And what is he doing?"

7:44 They said,

7:45 "He is leaning on his spear,

7:47 Gazing upward,

7:49 And pointing his finger toward the sky."

7:52 "Shall we call him for you, O Prince?"

7:55 He said,

7:56 "No, leave him."

7:58 Then he added, saying,

8:00 "By Allah, that single finger

8:02 Is dearer to me than a thousand unsheathed swords

8:05 Carried by a thousand vigorous young men!

8:08 Leave him to supplicate,

8:10 For we have known him only as one whose supplications are answered."

8:14 The Muslim army and the enemy army advanced upon each other

8:19 As ferocious lions clash,

8:22 And the two hosts met

8:24 Like the crashing waves of the sea

8:27 On a stormy day.

8:29 Allah sent down tranquility upon the hearts of the Muslims

8:33 And aided them with a spirit from Him.

8:36 They continued fighting their enemy hard throughout the day,

8:40 Until, as night approached,

8:42 Allah shook the feet of the idolaters

8:45 And cast terror into their hearts.

8:48 They turned their backs in flight before the Muslims,

8:51 And the warriors pursued them, killing, capturing, and scattering them.

8:55 Thereupon, they sued Qutaybah for peace and ransom,

8:59 And he made peace with them.

9:02 Among the enemy prisoners was

9:04 A man of wicked nature,

9:06 Utterly malicious,

9:08 Who had been instrumental in inciting his people against the Muslims.

9:12 He said to Qutaybah Ibn Muslim,

9:15 "I will ransom myself, O Prince."

9:18 He was asked, "And how much will you offer?"

9:21 He replied,

9:22 "Five thousand Chinese silk garments,

9:25 Worth one million pieces of silver."

9:27 Qutaybah turned to the prominent figures among his soldiers

9:31 And asked, "What do you think?"

9:33 They said,

9:34 "We think this wealth will add to the spoils of the Muslims;

9:39 Furthermore, after achieving this victory,

9:42 We no longer fear the harm of this man or his likes."

9:46 Then Qutaybah turned to Muhammad Ibn Wasi' al-Azdi

9:50 And asked,

9:51 "And what do you say, O Abu Abd Allah?"

9:54 He replied,

9:55 "O Prince,

9:57 The Muslims did not leave their homes

10:00 To amass spoils and hoard wealth;

10:03 Rather, they set out seeking the pleasure of Allah,

10:06 To spread His religion in the earth,

10:08 And to subdue His enemies."

10:10 Qutaybah said,

10:12 "May Allah reward you with good!

10:14 By Allah, I shall not allow him to terrify a single Muslim woman after this hour,

10:19 Even if he were to offer all the wealth of the world as ransom for himself!"

10:23 He then ordered his execution.

10:25 The connection of Muhammad Ibn Wasi' al-Azdi

10:30 With the Umayyad princes was not limited

10:32 To Yazid Ibn al-Muhallab

10:34 And Qutaybah Ibn Muslim al-Bahili;

10:37 Rather, it extended to other governors and commanders as well.

10:41 Among the prominent figures with whom he had contact was the governor of Basra,

10:45 Bilal ibn Abi Burdah.

10:47 Indeed, between him and this governor,

10:50 there were well-known and widely circulated encounters,

10:52 as well as memorable, transmitted accounts.

10:55 Among them was that he once entered upon him

10:59 wearing a coarse woolen cloak.

11:03 Bilal asked him,

11:05 "What prompts you to wear this coarse garment, O Abu 'Abdillah?"

11:10 The shaykh preoccupied himself and did not answer him.

11:13 The governor looked at him and said,

11:15 "Why do you not answer me, O Abu 'Abdillah?"

11:18 He replied,

11:20 "I dislike saying it is out of asceticism,

11:22 for then I would be praising myself;

11:24 and I dislike saying it is out of poverty,

11:26 for then I would be complaining of my Lord.

11:28 And I wish to do neither."

11:31 Bilal then said to him,

11:34 "Do you have any need that we may fulfill for you, O Abu 'Abdillah?"

11:38 He said,

11:39 "As for myself,

11:40 I have no need to ask of any person.

11:44 Rather, I have come to you regarding the need of a fellow Muslim:

11:48 if Allah permits it to be fulfilled,

11:51 you will fulfill it and earn praise;

11:54 and if He does not permit it to be fulfilled,

11:56 you will not fulfill it, yet you will be excused."

11:59 Bilal replied,

12:00 "Nay, we shall fulfill it, by Allah’s leave."

12:03 Then the governor turned to him and asked,

12:06 "What do you say regarding divine decree and predestination, O Abu 'Abdillah?"

12:10 He said,

12:11 "O emir,

12:13 on the Day of Resurrection, Allah, Exalted and Glorious, will not question His servants about divine decree and predestination;

12:19 rather, He will question them about their deeds."

12:22 Ashamed, the governor fell silent.

12:26 While he was seated with him,

12:28 the time for the governor's midday meal arrived,

12:30 so he invited him to share his food,

12:33 but he declined.

12:35 The governor insisted,

12:37 yet he began to offer various excuses.

12:39 The governor grew angry and said,

12:42 "I see that you dislike partaking of any of our food, O Abu 'Abdillah!"

12:47 He replied to him,

12:48 "Do not say that, O emir!

12:51 For by Allah, the best among you, the assembly of rulers,

12:55 are dearer to us than our own children and closest kin."

12:59 Muhammad ibn Wasi' al-Azdi was summoned

13:04 to assume the office of judiciary more than once,

13:07 but he refused it most resolutely,

13:10 exposing himself, through his refusal, to harm.

13:14 Among these incidents was that Muhammad ibn al-Mundhir,

13:17 the chief of police in Basra, summoned him and said,

13:21 "The emir of Iraq has commanded me to summon you to assume the judgeship."

13:26 He said,

13:27 "Exempt me from that, and may Allah grant you well-being."

13:31 He repeated the order to him a second and a third time,

13:33 yet he remained steadfast in his refusal.

13:36 So he told him,

13:37 "By Allah, you will certainly accept the judgeship,

13:40 or else I shall flog you with three hundred lashes,

13:43 and I will punish you severely!"

13:45 He replied to him,

13:46 "If you do so, you only have worldly power,

13:49 and the tormentor of this world is far better than the torment of the Hereafter."

13:53 Overcome with shame, he dismissed him honorably.

13:56 The study circle of Muhammad ibn Wasi' in the mosque of Basra

14:03 was a sanctuary for seekers of knowledge,

14:06 and a fountainhead for those in pursuit of wisdom and exhortation.

14:09 The books of history and biography are replete

14:12 with accounts of these gatherings of his.

14:14 Among them is that a man once said to him,

14:17 "Advise me, O Abu 'Abdillah."

14:19 He said,

14:21 "I advise you to be a king in this world and the Hereafter."

14:25 Astonished, the questioner asked,

14:27 "And how can I achieve that, O Abu 'Abdillah?"

14:31 He replied,

14:32 "Renounce the fleeting goods of this world:

14:34 you will be a king here by being free of needing what is in people's hands,

14:39 and a king there by attaining the magnificent reward that is with Allah."

14:44 Another man said to him,

14:46 "Indeed, I love you for the sake of Allah, O Abu 'Abdillah."

14:50 He replied,

14:51 "May He for Whose sake you love me love you in return."

14:55 Then he turned away, saying,

14:57 "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from being loved for Your sake

15:01 while You are detesting me."

15:03 Whenever he heard people praising him

15:06 and lauding his piety and devotion,

15:09 he would say to them,

15:11 "If sins had a foul odor that diffused,

15:14 none of you would be able to come near me,

15:17 because of the offense of my stench."

15:21 Muhammad ibn Wasi'

15:24 never ceased urging his students to adhere to the Book of Allah, Exalted and Glorious,

15:29 and to live in its shade, saying,

15:32 "The Qur'an is the believer's garden:

15:35 wherever he alights within it, he rests in its lush meadow."

15:38 He would also advise them to eat sparingly, saying,

15:43 "Whoever reduces his food understands and imparts understanding,

15:46 and becomes pure and tender-hearted;

15:48 whereas eating excessively weighs a man down

15:51 from much of what he aspires to achieve."

15:54 Muhammad ibn Wasi' attained in piety and scrupulousness

15:57 an immense standing,

15:59 and many accounts have been related regarding this.

16:02 Among them is that he was seen in the marketplace

16:05 offering a donkey of his for sale.

16:08 A man asked him,

16:10 "Would you approve of it for me, O shaykh?"

16:13 He replied,

16:14 "Had I approved of it for myself, I would not have sold it."

16:17 Muhammad ibn Wasi' lived his entire life in dread of his sins

16:24 and in apprehension of standing before his Lord.

16:27 Whenever he was asked,

16:29 "How have you entered the morning, O Abu 'Abdillah?"

16:32 he would reply, saying,

16:34 "I have entered the morning with my appointed term near,

16:36 my worldly hopes distant,

16:38 and my deeds deficient."

16:40 If he noticed an expression of surprise on his questioner's face, he would say,

16:45 "What do you think of a man who traverses each day a stage toward the Hereafter?"

16:51 When Muhammad ibn Wasi' al-Azdi fell ill with his terminal sickness,

16:55 people crowded to visit him,

16:58 until his home was packed with those entering and leaving,

17:02 and those standing in his room and sitting.

17:06 He leaned to one of his close companions and said,

17:10 "Tell me, of what avail will these people be to me

17:14 when tomorrow we are seized by the forelocks and the feet?

17:18 And what will they benefit me if I am cast into the Fire?"

17:22 Then he turned to his Lord and began saying,

17:26 "O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for every evil place where I stood,

17:31 and for every evil seat where I sat,

17:34 and for every evil entrance through which I entered,

17:37 and for every evil exit from which I departed,

17:41 and for every evil deed that I performed,

17:44 and for every evil word that I uttered.

17:47 O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness for all of that;

17:52 so forgive me, and I turn to You in repentance from it.

17:55 Accept my repentance, and I submit myself in surrender to You,

17:59 before it becomes inevitable."

18:02 Then his soul departed.

18:04 "Truly, the finger of Muhammad ibn Wasi' al-Azdi

18:12 is dearer to me than a thousand drawn swords

18:16 borne by a thousand vigorous youths."

18:20 — Qutaybah ibn Muslim.

18:32 They once were here, bestowing life like rain upon our days,

18:37 yet ever among us does their remembrance resound and rise.

18:42 They passed away, leaving in the conscience a haunting question:

18:47 Has ever a star shone and climbed so brightly to the skies?

18:52 They filled this life with glories wrought by deeds supreme,

18:58 and through them shone the world of mankind in noble gleam.

Pictures from the lives of the followers | D. Abdul Rahman Raafat Al-Basha | Episode (18) | Muhammad bin Wasi’ al-Azdi, may God have mercy on him (Part 2)

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