Islamic Heritage
“Keep My Secret… And Our Meeting Place is Paradise”
The Astonishing Story of Sa’eed ibn al-Harith: A Tale That Makes the Body Tremble
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The Narrator and the Setting
Hisham ibn Yahya al-Kinani relates this extraordinary story, saying to Rafee’ ibn Abdullah:
قال لي هشام بن يحيى الكناني: لأحدّثنّك حديثًا رأيته بعيني وشهدته بنفسي.
قلت: حدّثني يا أبا الوليد.
قال: غزونا – أي الجيش الاموي- أرض الروم بقيادة الأمير مسلمة بن عبد الملك بن مروان وابن أخيه العباس بن الوليد بن عبد الملك ، وهي الغزاة التي فتح الله -عز وجل- فيها الطُّوانة الروميَّة ( عام 88 هـ-707 م ) ، وكان أغلب الجند من أهل البصرة وأهل الجزيرة ، وكنا نتناوب الخدمة والحراسة وإعداد الطعام ، وكان معنا رجل يُقال له سعيد بن الحارث، ذو حظٍّ من العبادة، يصوم بالنهار ويقوم الليل. وكنا نحرص على تخفيف النوبة عنه ؛ لطول قيامه بالليل وكثرة صيامه بالنهار.
قلت: حدّثني يا أبا الوليد.
قال: غزونا – أي الجيش الاموي- أرض الروم بقيادة الأمير مسلمة بن عبد الملك بن مروان وابن أخيه العباس بن الوليد بن عبد الملك ، وهي الغزاة التي فتح الله -عز وجل- فيها الطُّوانة الروميَّة ( عام 88 هـ-707 م ) ، وكان أغلب الجند من أهل البصرة وأهل الجزيرة ، وكنا نتناوب الخدمة والحراسة وإعداد الطعام ، وكان معنا رجل يُقال له سعيد بن الحارث، ذو حظٍّ من العبادة، يصوم بالنهار ويقوم الليل. وكنا نحرص على تخفيف النوبة عنه ؛ لطول قيامه بالليل وكثرة صيامه بالنهار.
“Shall I tell you a story that I saw with my own eyes and witnessed myself?”
I said: “Yes, tell me, O Abu al-Walid.”
He said: “We – the Umayyad army – invaded the land of the Romans under the command of Prince Maslamah ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan and his nephew al-Abbas ibn al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik. This was the campaign in which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, enabled the conquest of the Roman fortress (in 88 AH/707 CE). Most of the soldiers were from Basra and the Jazira region. We took turns in service, guard duty, and preparing food. With us was a man named Sa’eed ibn al-Harith, who was particularly devoted to worship. He would fast during the day and pray at night. We tried to lighten his duties because of his long night prayers and frequent fasting during the day.”
I said: “Yes, tell me, O Abu al-Walid.”
He said: “We – the Umayyad army – invaded the land of the Romans under the command of Prince Maslamah ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan and his nephew al-Abbas ibn al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik. This was the campaign in which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, enabled the conquest of the Roman fortress (in 88 AH/707 CE). Most of the soldiers were from Basra and the Jazira region. We took turns in service, guard duty, and preparing food. With us was a man named Sa’eed ibn al-Harith, who was particularly devoted to worship. He would fast during the day and pray at night. We tried to lighten his duties because of his long night prayers and frequent fasting during the day.”
Sa’eed’s Devotion and the Night Watch
Hisham continues:
فكان يأبى إلا أن يقوم بجميع المهمّات، وما رأيته في الليل ولا في النهار إلا في حال جدٍّ واجتهاد. فأدركتني وإياه النوبة ذات ليلة في الحراسة، وكنا قد حاصرنا حصنًا من حصون الروم، فاستصعب الأمر علينا، ورأيت من سعيد في تلك الليلة من الجلد والصبر على العبادة ما جعلني أحتقر نفسي…
إنه فضل الله يؤتيه من يشاء.
إنه فضل الله يؤتيه من يشاء.
“But he refused anything but performing all the duties. I never saw him day or night except in a state of seriousness and striving. One night, he and I were on guard duty together. We had besieged one of the Roman fortresses, and the situation was difficult. That night, I saw from Sa’eed such endurance and patience in worship that I felt insignificant in comparison…
Indeed, it is Allah’s grace that He gives to whom He wills.”
Indeed, it is Allah’s grace that He gives to whom He wills.”
This account reveals the extraordinary devotion of Sa’eed ibn al-Harith, whose worship and piety were so intense that they inspired awe in his companions.
The Vision of Paradise
Hisham describes the remarkable events of that night:
فلما أصبح الصباح، ولم ينم، قلت له: خفّف على نفسك، فإن لنفسك عليك حقًّا، والنبي ﷺ يقول: «اكتفوا من العمل بما تطيقون».
فقال لي: يا أخي، إنما هي أنفاس تُعدّ، وعمر يفنى، وأيام تنقضي، وأنا رجل أنتظر الموت في أي لحظة.
فبكيت من جوابه، ودعوت الله لي وله بالعون والتثبيت، ثم قلت: نم قليلًا لتستريح، فإنك لا تدري ما يحدث من أمر العدو.
فنام تحت إلى جانب خيمته، وتفرّق أصحابنا ، وأقمت في موضعي أحرس وأصلح الطعام. فبينما أنا كذلك، إذ سمعت كلامًا يأتي من ناحية الخيمة، فعجبت، فليس هناك إلا سعيد نائم! فظننت أن أحدًا قد جاءه ولم أره، فذهبت إلى جانب الخيمة، فلم أرَ أحدًا، وسعيد على حاله نائم، إلا أنه كان يتكلم في نومه ويضحك.
فقال لي: يا أخي، إنما هي أنفاس تُعدّ، وعمر يفنى، وأيام تنقضي، وأنا رجل أنتظر الموت في أي لحظة.
فبكيت من جوابه، ودعوت الله لي وله بالعون والتثبيت، ثم قلت: نم قليلًا لتستريح، فإنك لا تدري ما يحدث من أمر العدو.
فنام تحت إلى جانب خيمته، وتفرّق أصحابنا ، وأقمت في موضعي أحرس وأصلح الطعام. فبينما أنا كذلك، إذ سمعت كلامًا يأتي من ناحية الخيمة، فعجبت، فليس هناك إلا سعيد نائم! فظننت أن أحدًا قد جاءه ولم أره، فذهبت إلى جانب الخيمة، فلم أرَ أحدًا، وسعيد على حاله نائم، إلا أنه كان يتكلم في نومه ويضحك.
“When morning came and he had not slept, I said to him: ‘Be gentle with yourself, for you have rights over yourself, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Do only as much as you can bear.”‘
He replied: ‘O my brother, these are but breaths being counted, a life that is passing, and days that are ending. I am a man who awaits death at any moment.’
I wept at his response and prayed to Allah for him and for myself for help and steadfastness. Then I said: ‘Sleep a little to rest, for you don’t know what might happen with the enemy.’
He slept near me beside his tent. Our companions dispersed, and I remained in my place, guarding and preparing food. While I was thus engaged, I heard speech coming from the direction of the tent. I was amazed, for there was no one there but Sa’eed asleep! I thought someone had come to him but I didn’t see anyone. I went to the side of the tent and saw no one – Sa’eed was still asleep, but he was talking in his sleep and laughing.”
He replied: ‘O my brother, these are but breaths being counted, a life that is passing, and days that are ending. I am a man who awaits death at any moment.’
I wept at his response and prayed to Allah for him and for myself for help and steadfastness. Then I said: ‘Sleep a little to rest, for you don’t know what might happen with the enemy.’
He slept near me beside his tent. Our companions dispersed, and I remained in my place, guarding and preparing food. While I was thus engaged, I heard speech coming from the direction of the tent. I was amazed, for there was no one there but Sa’eed asleep! I thought someone had come to him but I didn’t see anyone. I went to the side of the tent and saw no one – Sa’eed was still asleep, but he was talking in his sleep and laughing.”
Hisham continues to describe the astonishing conversation Sa’eed had in his dream:
أصغيت إليه وحفظت كلامه، ثم مدّ يده وهو نائم كأنه يأخذ شيئًا، ثم ردّها بلطف وهو يضحك، ثم قال: الليلة إذًا؟
ثم استيقظ من نومه وهو يرتعد خائفًا، فاحتضنته إلى صدري حتى سكن وهدأ، وجعل يهلّل ويكبّر ويحمد الله.
فقلت: ما شأنك؟ لقد رأيت منك عجبًا، فحدّثني بما رأيت.
قال: أعفِني من ذلك.
فذكّرته بحق الصحبة، وقلت: لعل الله ينفعني بما تقول.
فحدّثني عمّا رأى في منامه.
ثم استيقظ من نومه وهو يرتعد خائفًا، فاحتضنته إلى صدري حتى سكن وهدأ، وجعل يهلّل ويكبّر ويحمد الله.
فقلت: ما شأنك؟ لقد رأيت منك عجبًا، فحدّثني بما رأيت.
قال: أعفِني من ذلك.
فذكّرته بحق الصحبة، وقلت: لعل الله ينفعني بما تقول.
فحدّثني عمّا رأى في منامه.
“I listened to him and memorized his words. Then he stretched out his hand as if taking something, then gently withdrew it while laughing, and said: ‘Tonight then?’
Then he woke from his sleep trembling with fear. I embraced him to my chest until he calmed down. He began to say ‘La ilaha illallah’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’ and praise Allah.
I said: ‘What’s wrong with you? I’ve seen something amazing from you, so tell me what you saw.’
He said: ‘Excuse me from that.’
I reminded him of our companionship and said: ‘Perhaps Allah will benefit me with what you say.’
So he told me what he saw in his dream.”
Then he woke from his sleep trembling with fear. I embraced him to my chest until he calmed down. He began to say ‘La ilaha illallah’ and ‘Allahu Akbar’ and praise Allah.
I said: ‘What’s wrong with you? I’ve seen something amazing from you, so tell me what you saw.’
He said: ‘Excuse me from that.’
I reminded him of our companionship and said: ‘Perhaps Allah will benefit me with what you say.’
So he told me what he saw in his dream.”
The Dream Revealed
Sa’eed describes his extraordinary vision:
قال: جاءني رجلان لم أرَ مثل صورتهما قط، فقالا: أبشر يا سعيد، لقد غُفر ذنبك، وشُكر سعيك، وقُبل عملك، واستُجيب دعاؤك، وعُجّلت لك البشرى في حياتك، فانطلق معنا حتى ترى ما أعدّ الله لك من النعيم.
قال سعيد: فأتينا على حورٍ وقصورٍ وجوارٍ وأنهارٍ وأشجارٍ وغلمان، فأدخلوني قصرًا، ثم انتهيت إلى سرير عليه واحدة من الحور العين، كأنها اللؤلؤ المكنون.
فقالت لي: قد طال انتظارنا إياك.
فقلت لها: أين أنا؟
قالت: أنت في جنة المأوى.
قلت: ومن أنت؟
قالت: أنا زوجتك الخالدة.
فمددت يدي إليها، فردّتها بلطف وقالت: أما اليوم فلا… إنك راجع إلى الدنيا.
قلت: لا، لا أريد الرجوع.
فقالت: لا بدّ من ذلك، وستقيم هناك – تعني في الدنيا – ثلاثًا، ثم تُفطر عندنا إن شاء الله تعالى.
فقلت: بل الليلة!
قالت: إنه كان أمرًا مقضيًّا. ثم قامت من مجلسها…
قال سعيد: فأتينا على حورٍ وقصورٍ وجوارٍ وأنهارٍ وأشجارٍ وغلمان، فأدخلوني قصرًا، ثم انتهيت إلى سرير عليه واحدة من الحور العين، كأنها اللؤلؤ المكنون.
فقالت لي: قد طال انتظارنا إياك.
فقلت لها: أين أنا؟
قالت: أنت في جنة المأوى.
قلت: ومن أنت؟
قالت: أنا زوجتك الخالدة.
فمددت يدي إليها، فردّتها بلطف وقالت: أما اليوم فلا… إنك راجع إلى الدنيا.
قلت: لا، لا أريد الرجوع.
فقالت: لا بدّ من ذلك، وستقيم هناك – تعني في الدنيا – ثلاثًا، ثم تُفطر عندنا إن شاء الله تعالى.
فقلت: بل الليلة!
قالت: إنه كان أمرًا مقضيًّا. ثم قامت من مجلسها…
“Two men came to me whose like I had never seen before. They said: ‘Rejoice, O Sa’eed! Your sins have been forgiven, your efforts appreciated, your deeds accepted, your prayers answered, and the good news has been hastened for you in this life. Come with us to see what Allah has prepared for you of bliss.’
Sa’eed said: ‘We passed by houris, palaces, rivers, trees, and youths. They brought me into a palace, then I came to a bed upon which was one of the wide-eyed houris, like a hidden pearl.
She said to me: ‘We have long awaited you.’
I said: ‘Where am I?’
She said: ‘You are in the Garden of Abode.’
I said: ‘And who are you?’
She said: ‘I am your eternal wife.’
I reached out my hand to her, but she gently pushed it back and said: ‘Not today… You must return to the world.’
I said: ‘No, I don’t want to return.’
She said: ‘You must. You will remain there – meaning in the world – for three days, then you will break your fast with us, Allah willing.’
I said: ‘Rather, tonight!’
She said: ‘It was a matter already decreed.’ Then she rose from her place…'”
Sa’eed said: ‘We passed by houris, palaces, rivers, trees, and youths. They brought me into a palace, then I came to a bed upon which was one of the wide-eyed houris, like a hidden pearl.
She said to me: ‘We have long awaited you.’
I said: ‘Where am I?’
She said: ‘You are in the Garden of Abode.’
I said: ‘And who are you?’
She said: ‘I am your eternal wife.’
I reached out my hand to her, but she gently pushed it back and said: ‘Not today… You must return to the world.’
I said: ‘No, I don’t want to return.’
She said: ‘You must. You will remain there – meaning in the world – for three days, then you will break your fast with us, Allah willing.’
I said: ‘Rather, tonight!’
She said: ‘It was a matter already decreed.’ Then she rose from her place…'”
Palaces
Houris
Rivers
Trees
Precious Stones
The Final Days
Hisham describes Sa’eed’s final days and his martyrdom:
ثم قال لي: وأنا أسألك بالله، لا تُحدّث بحديثي هذا، واسترني ما حييت.
قلت: أبشر، فلقد كشف الله لك ثواب عملك.
ثم قام فتطهّر واغتسل، ومسّ طيبًا، ثم حمل سلاحه ونزل إلى أرض القتال وهو صائم، وظل يقاتل حتى الليل. فلما رجع أصحابه وهو معهم، قالوا: يا أبا الوليد، لقد رأينا من هذا الرجل عجبًا! حرص على الشهادة، وطرح نفسه تحت السهام والرماح، وكل ذلك يُذاد عنه!
قلت في نفسي: لو تعلمون خبره لضحكتم قليلًا ولبكيتم كثيرًا.
قال: فأفطر على قليل من الطعام، وبات ليلته قائمًا صائمًا. فلما أصبح صنع كصنيعه في الأمس، وفي آخر النهار جاء أصحابه وهو معهم، وذكروا عنه ما ذكروه بالأمس.
حتى إذا كان اليوم الثالث، انطلقت معه، وقلت: لا بد أن أشهد أمره وأرى ما يكون. فلم يزل يقاتل، ويُكبد العدو الخسائر، ويُنكل بهم، وهو يطلب الشهادة، وأنا أراه بعيني، ولا أستطيع الدنو منه.
حتى إذا مالت الشمس إلى الغروب، وهو أنشط ما يكون…
فإذا برجل من أعدائه، من فوق الحصن، قد تعمّده بسهم، فوقع في نحره، فخرّ سريعًا! فانطلقت إليه، وصحت بالناس، فحملوه وبه رمق من حياة.
فقلت له: هنيئًا لك ما ستفطر عليه الليلة، يا ليتني كنت معك فأفوز فوزًا عظيمًا.
فحرّك يده اليسرى، وأومأ ببصره، وهو يقول:
اكتم أمري… والملتقى الجنة.
ثم قال:
﴿وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ ۖ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ﴾
وفاضت روحه إلى بارئها…
قلت: أبشر، فلقد كشف الله لك ثواب عملك.
ثم قام فتطهّر واغتسل، ومسّ طيبًا، ثم حمل سلاحه ونزل إلى أرض القتال وهو صائم، وظل يقاتل حتى الليل. فلما رجع أصحابه وهو معهم، قالوا: يا أبا الوليد، لقد رأينا من هذا الرجل عجبًا! حرص على الشهادة، وطرح نفسه تحت السهام والرماح، وكل ذلك يُذاد عنه!
قلت في نفسي: لو تعلمون خبره لضحكتم قليلًا ولبكيتم كثيرًا.
قال: فأفطر على قليل من الطعام، وبات ليلته قائمًا صائمًا. فلما أصبح صنع كصنيعه في الأمس، وفي آخر النهار جاء أصحابه وهو معهم، وذكروا عنه ما ذكروه بالأمس.
حتى إذا كان اليوم الثالث، انطلقت معه، وقلت: لا بد أن أشهد أمره وأرى ما يكون. فلم يزل يقاتل، ويُكبد العدو الخسائر، ويُنكل بهم، وهو يطلب الشهادة، وأنا أراه بعيني، ولا أستطيع الدنو منه.
حتى إذا مالت الشمس إلى الغروب، وهو أنشط ما يكون…
فإذا برجل من أعدائه، من فوق الحصن، قد تعمّده بسهم، فوقع في نحره، فخرّ سريعًا! فانطلقت إليه، وصحت بالناس، فحملوه وبه رمق من حياة.
فقلت له: هنيئًا لك ما ستفطر عليه الليلة، يا ليتني كنت معك فأفوز فوزًا عظيمًا.
فحرّك يده اليسرى، وأومأ ببصره، وهو يقول:
اكتم أمري… والملتقى الجنة.
ثم قال:
﴿وَقَالُوا الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي صَدَقَنَا وَعْدَهُ وَأَوْرَثَنَا الْأَرْضَ نَتَبَوَّأُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ حَيْثُ نَشَاءُ ۖ فَنِعْمَ أَجْرُ الْعَامِلِينَ﴾
وفاضت روحه إلى بارئها…
“Then he said to me: ‘I ask you by Allah, do not tell anyone about this story of mine, and keep it secret as long as I live.’
I said: ‘Rejoice, for Allah has shown you the reward for your deeds.’
Then he stood, performed ablution, bathed, applied perfume, took up his weapons, and went down to the battlefield while fasting. He continued to fight until nightfall. When his companions returned with him, they said: ‘O Abu al-Walid, we have seen something amazing from this man! He was eager for martyrdom, throwing himself under arrows and spears, yet all were turned away from him!’
I thought to myself: ‘If you knew his story, you would laugh a little and weep much.’
He said: ‘He broke his fast with a little food and spent the night standing in prayer. When morning came, he did as he had done the previous day. At the end of the day, his companions came with him and mentioned about him what they had mentioned the day before.
When the third day came, I went with him and said: ‘I must witness what happens to him.’ He continued to fight, inflicting losses on the enemy and defeating them, seeking martyrdom. I saw him with my own eyes but could not approach him.
When the sun began to set and he was at his most energetic…
Suddenly, one of his enemies from atop the fortress aimed an arrow at him. It struck his throat and he fell quickly! I rushed to him and called out to the people. They carried him while he still had a breath of life.
I said to him: ‘Congratulations on what you will break your fast with tonight. I wish I could be with you to attain a great victory.’
He moved his left hand and gestured with his eyes, saying:
‘Keep my secret… And our meeting place is Paradise.’
Then he said:
‘And they will say, “Praise to Allah, who has fulfilled for us His promise and made us inherit the earth [so] we may settle in Paradise wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of [righteous] workers.”‘ (Quran 39:74)
Then his soul departed to its Creator…”
I said: ‘Rejoice, for Allah has shown you the reward for your deeds.’
Then he stood, performed ablution, bathed, applied perfume, took up his weapons, and went down to the battlefield while fasting. He continued to fight until nightfall. When his companions returned with him, they said: ‘O Abu al-Walid, we have seen something amazing from this man! He was eager for martyrdom, throwing himself under arrows and spears, yet all were turned away from him!’
I thought to myself: ‘If you knew his story, you would laugh a little and weep much.’
He said: ‘He broke his fast with a little food and spent the night standing in prayer. When morning came, he did as he had done the previous day. At the end of the day, his companions came with him and mentioned about him what they had mentioned the day before.
When the third day came, I went with him and said: ‘I must witness what happens to him.’ He continued to fight, inflicting losses on the enemy and defeating them, seeking martyrdom. I saw him with my own eyes but could not approach him.
When the sun began to set and he was at his most energetic…
Suddenly, one of his enemies from atop the fortress aimed an arrow at him. It struck his throat and he fell quickly! I rushed to him and called out to the people. They carried him while he still had a breath of life.
I said to him: ‘Congratulations on what you will break your fast with tonight. I wish I could be with you to attain a great victory.’
He moved his left hand and gestured with his eyes, saying:
‘Keep my secret… And our meeting place is Paradise.’
Then he said:
‘And they will say, “Praise to Allah, who has fulfilled for us His promise and made us inherit the earth [so] we may settle in Paradise wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of [righteous] workers.”‘ (Quran 39:74)
Then his soul departed to its Creator…”
This remarkable story illustrates the certainty of the righteous in the promise of Paradise, the reality of divine visions, and the honor of martyrdom in the path of Allah.
Lessons from Sa’eed’s Story
This extraordinary account offers several profound lessons:
- Certainty of the Hereafter: Sa’eed’s vision demonstrates the reality of Paradise and the truth of Allah’s promise to the righteous
- Devotion and Piety: His intense worship and asceticism serve as an example of true devotion to Allah
- Acceptance of Divine Decree: Despite his eagerness for Paradise, he accepted Allah’s timing without complaint
- Courage in Jihad: His bravery in battle and seeking martyrdom exemplify the highest levels of faith
- Modesty and Secrecy: His request to keep his vision secret shows his humility and fear of showing off
- Fulfillment of Promise: The Quranic verse he recited at death confirms the truth of Allah’s promises
“Keep my secret… And our meeting place is Paradise.”
– Sa’eed ibn al-Harith’s final words
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ابن النحاس
ابن النحاس
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