Translation of Hadith of Quss ibn Sa'idah al-Iyadiyy

Narrated by Abu Sa'id: Sa'id ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Shu'aythiyy, may Allah have mercy on him, reported to us, saying: Abu 'Amr ibn Abu Tahir al-Muhammad Abadzi related to us, saying: Abu Lubabah reported to us, saying: Muhammad ibn al-Mahdi al-Abiyuwardiyy informed us, saying: My father narrated to us, saying: Sa'id ibn Hubayrah told us, saying: Mu'tamir ibn Sulayman narrated from his father, from Anas ibn Malik, who said: The delegation of Banu Iyad came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Prophet asked, "What happened to Quss ibn Sa'idah al-Iyadi?" They replied, "He perished." The Prophet said, "Verily, I heard words from him, which I do not think I can retain." Some people said, "We can retain them, O Messenger of Allah," so he said, "Bring them." They said, "He stood in the market of 'Ukaz and proclaimed: 'O people, listen and hear and obey: Everyone who lives will die, and everyone..."

Important Note: Quss ibn Sa'idah was a renowned figure among the Arabs, known as one of their wise men and prominent orators during the pre-Islamic era. He was the first Arab who would deliver speeches leaning on a sword or a stick, and the first to utter the phrase 'ama ba'd' (as to what follows) in his speeches. He used to visit the Roman Emperor, Caesar, showing him great respect. He lived a long life and met the Prophet before his prophethood, who saw him at 'Ukaz. Upon being asked about him later, the Prophet said, "He will be resurrected alone. He used to deliver speeches at 'Ukaz, informing people about the coming of the Prophet and urging them to follow him, all before the Prophethood."

Reference: Al-Aghani (14:40), with further details in various Arabic literary works.

The Passing of Time and the Lessons of Life

Life fades away and all that is coming shall come. The night reigns, adorned with constellations, blooming stars, flourishing seas, anchored mountains, and flowing rivers. Surely, there is news in the sky and lessons on earth. I see people passing by but not returning. Have they settled for existence and persisted, or have they been left to rest?

Then he spoke and swore an oath by God with no sin in it: “Indeed, Allah is pleased with a religion better than what you are upon.” Then he continued, saying: “In the early generations, we have insights... When I saw resources for death with no escape and witnessed my people moving towards it, both the old and the young, I realized that there is no way out when people approach it.”

The Authentic Narration

Authentic Narration: Abu Muhammad, Abdullah ibn Yusuf ibn Ahmad Al-Asbahani, in dictation, reported to us: Abu Bakr, Ahmad ibn Saeed ibn Fardekh Al-Ikhmimi, in Mecca, reported to us: Al-Qasim ibn Abdullah ibn Mahdi reported to us, saying: Abu Ubaidullah, Sa’eed ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Makhzumi, reported to us: Sufyan ibn Uyayna, from Abu Hamza Al-Thumali, from Saeed ibn Jubair, from Abdullah ibn Abbas, who said: A delegation from the tribe of Iyad visited the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), inquiring about Quss ibn Sa'idah Al-Iyadi. They informed him that he had passed away. The Messenger of Allah said: "I saw him during the season of Ukadh, riding on a red camel or a red camel, calling out to people: 'O people, gather, listen, and take heed to benefit. Whoever lives, shall die.

Reflections on Life and the Hereafter

Upon death, all is lost, and everything that is to come will come.

A Message from the Heavens and the Earth

Indeed, in the sky, there is news, and on the earth, there are lessons:

• The stars twinkle, some ceaselessly and some not.
• The seas surge, some intensely and some calmly.
• The sky is elevated, the cradle is set.
• The rivers flow from a source.

The oath is sworn, a solemn vow by Allah, free from falsehood or sin:

Events will unfold, some met with anger. Even if partial acceptance is present, there will be discontent. This is not child's play, marvel lies beyond this.

Again, the oath is taken, a firm pledge by Allah:

Indeed, Allah has a religion that He is pleased with, superior to any other. Why do people depart and not return? Are they content and thus stand firm? Or have they been abandoned, left to rest?

The Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) then recited verses of poetry by Quss ibn Sa'idah, verses he could not remember:

Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) interjected, stating he was present at that moment and had memorized the poem. The Prophet asked him to recite it, and Abu Bakr quoted Quss ibn Sa'idah's parting words:

In the generations of yore, foresighted were our predecessors,

When I beheld resources for my people, with no origins,

I saw my kin flock towards it, the aged and the young,

The past does not return to me, nor the ones who remain,

I realized I had no place, as the people turned away.

The Prophet's Encounter with a Delegation and the Will of Quss bin Sa'idah

Then the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, approached the delegation of Iyad and asked, "Has a will been found for Quss bin Sa'idah?" They replied, "Yes, we found a sheet under his head on which it was written: 'O announcer of death and the dead ones in the grave, their torn clothes and dust upon them, for they have a day when they will be called out, just as a thunderbolt awakens them from their sleep. Among them are the naked and the dead in their garments, some old and some like leaves.'" The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, then said, "By the One who sent me with the truth, Quss has indeed believed in the Resurrection."

Chain of Narration

Narrated by Abu Sa'd Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Maliniyy from Abu Ahmad ibn 'Adi al-Hafiz who narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Mansur al-Hasib who narrated from Muhammad ibn Hassan al-Samti who narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hajjaj al-Lakhmi who narrated from Mujalid from ash-Sha'bi from Ibn Abbas. The delegation of Abd al-Qays came to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his family. The narration was mentioned in a similar manner, except that in the narration, he said, "Who among you can recite his poetry?" They recited it. Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was not mentioned, and the will was not mentioned. This narration is unique to Muhammad bin al-Hajjaj al-Lakhmi from Mujalid. Muhammad bin al-Hajjaj is abandoned.

Notes:

• In some manuscripts, "وجدوا" is written as "وجدنا".
• In some manuscripts, "لقد أقر" is written as "لقد آمن".
• In some references, Muhammad ibn Hassan al-Samti is known as Muhammad ibn al-Hajjaj al-Suhaymi.

Translation

The Companions' Visit to the Prophet

They arrived wearing turbans and garments, dragging their swords and trailing their mantles. They sought poetry, recalled the virtues of the righteous, neither talked excessively nor remained silent. When they decided to act, they did so; and when they withheld, they did so. They resembled prowling lions led by a massive lion. They presented themselves before the Prophet, peace be upon him, resembling stars before the moon.

As they entered the mosque, those present saw them, and the elderly among them approached the Prophet while the younger ones greeted him. Then, one of them began to recite:

O Prophet of guidance, men have come to you...

Their horses' hooves pounding the ground brought them towards you with grandeur...

Do not be surprised by their noble lineage...

Every horse they ride seems to be taller than a mountain...

Seeking to repel the looming threat...

The mention of their bravery makes the heart tremble...

Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was overjoyed and honored his guests, saying: "You have been delayed, and much time has passed." They replied, "O Messenger of Allah, whoever aims to wrong you has indeed lost his way and wisdom. This is the greatest disappointment and the most painful missed opportunity. The righteous do not deceive themselves. You have brought the truth, and we bear witness to it. Our greetings are long for you, and our gratitude to the One who has honored and chosen you."

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Witnessing the Truth

Eye has not seen, nor has it been doubted after certainty. Extend your hand, and I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Recognition and Description of Qus Ibn 'Abd al-Qays

The Prophet (peace be upon him) believed in Qus and in the leaders of his people. The Prophet was delighted with them and expressed joy. Qus was a descendant of the Arab tribes, of noble lineage, eloquent in speech, and dignified. He lived for seven hundred years, wandering in the desolate lands, wearing saffron clothes, following the path of Christ, devoted to God in solitude, renowned for his wisdom, dispelling fears, and followed by the seekers of truth.

Simon the Zealot

Simon was one of the disciples who was the first among the Arabs to worship sincerely, believed in resurrection and judgment, warned of the consequences of deeds, reminded of death, and urged for righteous actions before it is too late. He was eloquent in speech, a skilled orator from 'Ukaz, knowledgeable of all regions and terrains. It was as if I am looking at him, surrounded by the Arabs. He swore by the Lord that the Book's predetermined time will come, and all actions will be accounted for.

Poetic Description

He then began to recite:
"Joy to the heart from its privacy, remember
Nights during which days pass by
Stars guided by the moon in the night
The sun, daily battling in its orbit
Blinding the eyes with its brilliance
Warriors, wise men, and suckling infants
All of them one day will return to dust"

The Prophet's Sermon

Introduction

In this sermon, the Prophet, peace be upon him, emphasizes key points concerning faith and guidance.

The Prophet's Words

He points out the importance of preserving knowledge and recalls an incident at the market of Ukaz. Abu Bakr volunteers to retain the knowledge shared by the Prophet.

Key Teachings

The Prophet delivers a powerful message urging the people to reflect on the transient nature of life and the importance of faith. He warns against neglecting guidance and calls for belief and adherence to the true path. He indicates that those who follow his teachings will be guided, while those who disobey will face consequences.

Closing Statement

In his concluding remarks, the Prophet expresses concern for those who are heedless of the truth and highlights the significance of faith and adherence to the teachings brought by the Prophet.

The Importance of Reflection and Appreciation

O descendants of Iyad, where are the fathers and grandfathers? And where are the sick and the needy? And where are the strong Pharaohs? Where are those who built and adorned? And who embellished and prospered? Was it wealth and offspring that deluded them? Where are those who transgressed and claimed, "I am your most high Lord"? Were they not wealthier than you, with grander aspirations and longer lives? The earth ground them with its grindstone, tore them apart with its lengthiness; their bones lie crumbling and their homes lie empty, inhabited by howling wolves.

No, rather it is Allah, the One and Only worthy of worship, who has no father nor offspring! Then he continued to say: In those early gone eras, we had insight from the generations. When I saw the resources of the destitute, with no source to be found, I saw my people heading towards it, both the young and the old, with no return of the past and no presence of the future. I realized I have no refuge when the people become aware.

The Wise Man Speaks

Then a man from the Ansar stood up after him, appearing like a mountain, with great dignity and stature. He raised his voice and said: O leader of the messengers, the chosen one of the Lord of the worlds, I have seen something remarkable and desire to testify to it. The wise man asked him: What did you see and remember about it?

The man replied: During the days of ignorance, I went in search of a stray camel of mine. I followed its trail and sought its news in places full of dangers, with ambushes and traps, where no caravan could pass without difficulty, nor any beings other than the jinn could dwell.

Reflection in the Night

In desolate lands, I find myself in a vast expanse with nothing but the owl. Night descends upon me, leaving me exposed like a deer in a relentless pursuit. I have no trust in its safety, nor do I rely on anything other than my sword. I spend the long night, as if it were an unending night, watching the stars and peering into the darkness. When the night deeply breathes, and dawn is about to break, a voice calls out to me saying:

"Oh sleeper in the dark night, behold! Allah has sent a Prophet in the sanctuary, from the Hashemite tribe known for loyalty and generosity, to dispel the darkness and confusion."

I turn my gaze but see no one, nor do I perceive any trace of him. I then start to say:

"Oh caller in the thick darkness, welcome! Who are you, a clear apparition? May Allah guide you in your words. What is it that you call unto, may it be seized?"

The voice continues:

"When a caller proclaims 'Light has emerged, falsehood has vanished, and Allah has sent Muhammad, peace be upon him, with enlightenment,' the one with the noble red aura, adorned with a crown and forgiveness, possessing the radiant face, the arching brows, and the blushing cheeks, the bearer of the testimony that 'There is no god but Allah,' that is Muhammad, the Messenger sent to both black and white, the inhabitants of the wilderness and the city."

Then it goes on to say:

"Praise be to Allah, who did not create creation in vain, who did not abandon us after Jesus, focusing on us and caring."

The Journey of Ahmed: A Tale of Wonder and Adventure

In the Land of Mysteries

Ahmed, the best of prophets ever sent, embarked on a journey that filled his heart with joy and his spirit with awe. As the morning dawned, he left behind the noisy market and ascended the mountain. Suddenly, he found himself in a valley where camels inhaled the fragrance of the morning, and he seized the reins, mounted the saddle, and guided the creature obediently.

Embracing Nature's Beauty

He rode on, and the creature's heart swelled with courage. Ahmed dismounted, made supplications, and the animal was left to graze freely in a lush, verdant meadow, surrounded by trees and flowing rivers. Birds chirped, and the air was filled with tranquility as if the atmosphere had been painted by a gentle breeze in the night and adorned by morning dew. Animals roamed freely, and Ahmed enjoyed the scenery, feeling as if time had frozen in tranquility.

Encountering a Poet

As Ahmed approached a tree, he encountered Quss Ibn Sa'idah, holding a staff of ebony with which he traced patterns in the earth. Quss was chanting verses lamenting the dead and the forsaken, surrounded by remnants of his past, as if his life was a tale of lost dreams. Ahmed stood there, listening to the melancholic poetry, absorbing the wisdom of the poet's words.

Reflections at the Graves of Two Friends

Let them be, for they have a day when they will be called upon…

When they are awakened from their slumber, they will disperse until they return to a new state,

just as they were created before, some naked and some in their garments,

from them the new and from them the worn out.

Encounter at the Graves

So, I approached him and greeted him, and he returned the greeting. I saw a strained eye, in a desolate land, between two graves, and two great lions seeking refuge there, wiping themselves with their claws. One of them precedes his companion to the water, and the other follows him, seeking water. He struck him with the stick in his hand, saying, "Go back, may your mother be bereaved, until the one who came before you drinks." So, he went back, and then the other drank, and I asked him: "What are these two graves?" He replied, "These are the graves of two brothers who were with me in this place worshipping Allah alone. Death overtook them, and I buried them, and here I am between their graves until I join them." Then he looked at them, tears streaming from his eyes, and he threw himself on them, reciting:

"Beloved friends, how long have you been lying here! You do not respond to my call. Have you not seen that I am alone, With no one like you by my side? I stand at your graves, not leaving, Through the nights, unanswered by your call. I weep for you throughout my life, But what can turn to one so deeply grieved? If you weep, will you not respond to one who calls? It is as if the one who waters the land has abandoned you. To you, death is a closer end Than your souls to me in your graves. If a soul could be sacrificed for another, I would willingly be that sacrifice for you."

The Hadith Prophesying the Emergence of a Single Leader

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "May Allah have mercy on Quss, I hope that Allah will raise him as a single nation." In another narration from Al-Hasan al-Basri, a shortened version of Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas and Abu Huraira's hadith, though some of its chains are weak, indicate that there is a basis to the hadith.

The singular leader referred to: A singular person who stands in place of a group.

The last paragraph from the two wrapped in square brackets was omitted in (Haydarabad) edition. Al-Hafiz Imad al-Din ibn Kathir mentioned the weakness of these chains is like mutual corroboration on affirming the origin of the story. Al-Hafiz mentioned in Al-Iṣāba that all chains are weak. Al-Dhahabi said in the Tadhkirat al-Huffaz that the best chain is the first. Ibn Akhī al-Zuhri, known on top by narrators of Bukhari and Muslim, and Ali ibn Muhammad al-Madaini are reliable. Ahmad ibn Ubaid said Ibn 'Adi' is trustworthy but has anomalies. Al-Dhahabi said the hadith is mild. Finished.

Al-Dhahabi stated: If the way of Khalaf ibn 'Ayn is attached to it, then the ruling on it is good without pause. Finished. If you know this, then the hadith is weak and not authentic, contrary to Ibn al-Jawzi and his followers. Al-Bayhaqi narrated it from another angle from Ibn 'Abbas, mentioning a long poem containing many verses.