» Ar Raheeq Al Mukhtum
BANI AL-MUSTALIQ (Muraisi‘) GHAZWAH, SHA'BAN 6 HIJRI:
Though militarily it did not assume its full dimension, this Ghazwah had certain implications that
brought about a state of turbulence within the Islamic State, and resulted in disgracefulness to clothe in
the hypocrites. Moreover, it entailed enactment of consolidating legislations that attached an impression
of nobility, dignity and purity of souls to the Islamic community.
News reached the Prophet (Peace be upon him) on Sha‘ban 2nd. to the effect that the chief of Bani AlMustaliq,Al-Harith bin Dirar
THE TREACHROUS ROLE OF THE HYPOCRITES
PRIOR TO THE BANI AL-MUSTALIQ GHAZWAH:
‘Abdullah bin Ubai, a terrible hypocrite was full of rancour against Islam and the Muslims because he
believed that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had dispossessed him of his leadership over Al-Aws and
Al-Khazraj, two clans already agreed on the Prophethood of Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his
masterhood over them.
‘
Abdullah’s rancour had appeared before he feigned Islam. Following the battle of Badr, he made
pretensions of being a Muslim, but deep at heart, he remained that terrible enemy of Allâh, His
Messenger; and all the believers, in general. His sole target had always been to sow the seeds of
dissension in the Muslim community, and undermine the cause of the new heavenly religion it has. His
treacherous behaviour could be witnessed everywhere but was strikingly evident in his wicked attempts
at creating a state of confusion and diamongst the Muslims at Uhud Battle. His hypocrisy and deceit
assumed serious and ugly dimensions when he used to stand up among the Muslims shortly before the
Prophet’s Friday speech, and mockingly say to them: “This is the Messenger of Allâh, who has honoured
you with Allâh, so you have got to support, obey and listen to him,” and then he would sit down.
He did the same following Uhud Battle on Friday. He was so rude and presumptuous that his words
smacked unmistakingly of deeply-rooted rancour, so that some of the Muslims took him by his cloak
reproachingly and silenced him. He immediately left, uttering rude and mocking words. A Helper met
him at the Mosque gate and ordered him to return and beg the Messenger for Allâh’s forgiveness, but
he retorted that he had never wanted him to ask for that. He, moreover, conducted clandestine
contacts with Bani Nadir, another tribe of Jews, encouraging them to make alliance with him and
promising support for them; all of this in his ceaseless efforts in a long process of conspiracy and
intrigue hatched against the Muslims. Allâh’s Words as regards his treacherous acts and awe-inspiring
attempts during the Trench Battle came to testify quite clearly to this mode of hypocrisy:
l “And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said: ‘Allâh and His
Messenger (Peace be upon him)promised us nothing but delusions!” [33:12]
The verses go on in the same context to describe the hypocrite as a coward and a defeatist. He is a liar and has no regard for pledges solemnly made. He is treacherous, disloyal and perfidious. He is
niggardly and greedy. In short, he is the complete antithesis of a true believer:
l “They think that Al-Ahzab (the Confederates) have not yet withdrawn, and if Al-Ahzab (the
Confederates) should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering)
among the bedouins, seeking news about you (from a far place); and if they (happen) to be
among you, they would not fight but little.” [33:20]
All enemies of Islam from the Jews, hypocrites and polytheists did acknowledge that Islam had the
upper hand not because of material superiority, multitudes of troops or much equipment; but it was
rather due to the noble values, refined ethics and high attributes that imbued the Muslim community
and whoever was attached to it. The enemies of Islam were already aware of that flood of light derived
wholly from the person of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) , who always stood as an excellent
exemplar for men to copy and follow.
The enemies of Islam, after steering the course of futile warfare against the new religion for five years,
came to realize fully that exterminating Islam is not accessible in the battlefields, so they resorted to
other tactics. They, being reputed gossip-mongers, decided to launch a widespread propaganda
campaign aiming at slandering the person of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in a most sensitive area
of the Arabian life, namely ethics and traditions. Following the battle of the Confederates, the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) married Zainab bint Jahsh after her marriage with Zaid bin Haritha, his adopted
son, had broken up. They seized this opportunity and began to circulate idle talk against the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) in Arabia depending on a tradition among the desert Arabs that prohibits
contracting a marriage with an adopted son’s divorcee. They alleged that his marriage would be
considered a heinous sin. They also based their malicious propaganda on the fact that Zainab was his
fifth wife whereas the number was strictly limited to a maximum of four in the Noble Qur’ân, hence the
validity of this marriage was in doubt, according to them.
These rumours and gossips had a negative impact on the morale of some weak-hearted Muslims until
the decisive verses were revealed acquitting the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and invalidating all those
ill designs and obnoxious schemes:
l “
O Prophet [Muhammad (Peace be upon him)]! Keep your duty to Allâh, and obey not the
disbelievers and the hypocrites (i.e. do not follow their advices). Verily! Allâh is Ever All-Knower,
All-Wise.” [33:1]
THE WICKED ROLE THEY PLAYED IN THE COURSE OF THE GHAZWAH OF BANI AL
-MUSTALIQ:
During this Ghazwah, the hypocrites almost managed to create a sort of discord among the Muslims
themselves, coupled with a serious and ugly slander against the Prophet (Peace be upon him) himself.
In short, their behaviour was an authentic translation of Allâh’s Words:
l “
Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and
they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among
you …” [9:47]
A quarrel was about to break out between the Emigrants and the Helpers on account of plots and evil
intentions designed by the hypocrites. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) told them off describing their
misbehaviour as something smacking of pre-Islamic practices. They, hypocrites with ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubai
at their head, were furious for the challenge which the Muslims showed towards the hostile plans and
vicious intrigues woven behind closed doors, and swore “the most honourable will expel the meanest
out of Madinah,” and added: “They (the Muslims) have outnumbered and shared us our land. If you
fatten your dog, it will eat you.” When that talk was reported to the Prophet (Peace be upon him),
‘Umar, a venerable Companion, asked for permission to have Ibn ‘Ubai killed. The Prophet (Peace be
upon him) naturally turned down his proposal on the grounds that it did not become of a Prophet (Peace be upon him) to be accused of killing his people. He, on the contrary in an unexpected move,
asked ‘Umar to announce departure. He marched with his men for two days until the sun grew too hot.
They stopped and fell asleep, a clever attempt at diverting his people’s attention from the previous
event. ‘Abdullah’s son heard of that vile of his father and as the party reached Madinah, he drew his
sword and barred his father’s entry into the town until he had confessed and declared that he himself
was the meanest of the citizens of Madinah and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) the most honourable
of them. Thus the boast recoiled on his head. It was also reported that the son was ready to kill his
father if the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had wanted him to.
THE SLANDER AFFAIR:
This extremely painful incident took place on the Prophet’s return from the expedition against Bani
Mustaliq. The Muslim army had to halt for a night at a place, a short distance from Madinah. In this
expedition, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was accompanied by his noble and talented wife, ‘Aishah
(May Allah be pleased with her) As it so happened, ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased her) went out some
distance from the camp to attend to the call of nature. When she returned, she discovered that she had
dropped her necklace somewhere. The necklace itself was of no great value, but as it was a loan from a
friend, ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased her) went out again to search for it. On her return, to her great
grief and mortification, the army had already marched away with the camel she was riding, her
attendants thinking that she was in the litter as she was then thin, very young and light of weight. In
her helplessness she sat down and cried till sleep overpowered her. Safwan bin Mu‘attal, an Emigrant,
who was coming in the rear recognized her as he had seen her before the verse enjoining the veil was
revealed, and brought her on his camel to Madinah without saying a single word to her, himself walking
behind the animal. The hypocrites of Madinah led by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubai bin Salul, sought to make
capital out of this incident and spread a malicious scandal against ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased her)
and unfortunately some of the Muslims also became involved in it. On arrival in Madinah, the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) held counsel with his Companions, who pronounced different opinions ranging
from divorce to retention. The incident almost roused a fight between two rival factions, Al-Aws and AlKhazraj,but
l “
So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allâh (Alone) Whose Help can be sought against
that which you assert.” [12:18]
She then turned away and lay down for some rest. At that decisive moment the Revelation came
acquitting ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) of all the slanderous talk fabricated in this concern.
‘
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) of course, was wholeheartedly joyful and praised Allâh
thankfully. Allâh’s Words in this regard went as follows:
l “Verily! Those who brought forth the slander (against ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) —
the wife of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) are a group among you.” [24:11]
The principal elements involved in the slander affair, Mistah bin Athatha, Hassan bin Thabit and
Hamnah bint Jahsh, were flogged with eighty stripes.
As for the man who took the principal part, ‘Abdullah bin Ubai, he was not flogged, either because the
corporal punishment commutes the chastisement in store for him in the Hereafter, and he does not deserve this merit, or for the same public interest for which he was not killed previously. He, moreover,
became the butt of reproach and humiliation amongst his people after his real intentions had been
unequivocally exposed to all the public.
Almost a month later, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) and ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab were
engaged in the following talk: “Don’t you see ‘Umar if I had had him (Abdullah bin Ubai) killed, a large
number of dignitaries would have furiously hastened to fight for him. Now, on the contrary, if I ask
them to kill him, they will do so out of their own free will.” ‘Umar replied “I swear by Allâh that the
Prophet’s judgement is much more sound than mine.”
BANI AL-MUSTALIQ (Muraisi‘) GHAZWAH, SHA'BAN 6 HIJRI:
Though militarily it did not assume its full dimension, this Ghazwah had certain implications that
brought about a state of turbulence within the Islamic State, and resulted in disgracefulness to clothe in
the hypocrites. Moreover, it entailed enactment of consolidating legislations that attached an impression
of nobility, dignity and purity of souls to the Islamic community.
News reached the Prophet (Peace be upon him) on Sha‘ban 2nd. to the effect that the chief of Bani AlMustaliq,Al-Harith bin Dirar
THE TREACHROUS ROLE OF THE HYPOCRITES
PRIOR TO THE BANI AL-MUSTALIQ GHAZWAH:
‘Abdullah bin Ubai, a terrible hypocrite was full of rancour against Islam and the Muslims because he
believed that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had dispossessed him of his leadership over Al-Aws and
Al-Khazraj, two clans already agreed on the Prophethood of Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and his
masterhood over them.
‘
Abdullah’s rancour had appeared before he feigned Islam. Following the battle of Badr, he made
pretensions of being a Muslim, but deep at heart, he remained that terrible enemy of Allâh, His
Messenger; and all the believers, in general. His sole target had always been to sow the seeds of
dissension in the Muslim community, and undermine the cause of the new heavenly religion it has. His
treacherous behaviour could be witnessed everywhere but was strikingly evident in his wicked attempts
at creating a state of confusion and diamongst the Muslims at Uhud Battle. His hypocrisy and deceit
assumed serious and ugly dimensions when he used to stand up among the Muslims shortly before the
Prophet’s Friday speech, and mockingly say to them: “This is the Messenger of Allâh, who has honoured
you with Allâh, so you have got to support, obey and listen to him,” and then he would sit down.
He did the same following Uhud Battle on Friday. He was so rude and presumptuous that his words
smacked unmistakingly of deeply-rooted rancour, so that some of the Muslims took him by his cloak
reproachingly and silenced him. He immediately left, uttering rude and mocking words. A Helper met
him at the Mosque gate and ordered him to return and beg the Messenger for Allâh’s forgiveness, but
he retorted that he had never wanted him to ask for that. He, moreover, conducted clandestine
contacts with Bani Nadir, another tribe of Jews, encouraging them to make alliance with him and
promising support for them; all of this in his ceaseless efforts in a long process of conspiracy and
intrigue hatched against the Muslims. Allâh’s Words as regards his treacherous acts and awe-inspiring
attempts during the Trench Battle came to testify quite clearly to this mode of hypocrisy:
l “And when the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease (of doubts) said: ‘Allâh and His
Messenger (Peace be upon him)promised us nothing but delusions!” [33:12]
The verses go on in the same context to describe the hypocrite as a coward and a defeatist. He is a liar and has no regard for pledges solemnly made. He is treacherous, disloyal and perfidious. He is
niggardly and greedy. In short, he is the complete antithesis of a true believer:
l “They think that Al-Ahzab (the Confederates) have not yet withdrawn, and if Al-Ahzab (the
Confederates) should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering)
among the bedouins, seeking news about you (from a far place); and if they (happen) to be
among you, they would not fight but little.” [33:20]
All enemies of Islam from the Jews, hypocrites and polytheists did acknowledge that Islam had the
upper hand not because of material superiority, multitudes of troops or much equipment; but it was
rather due to the noble values, refined ethics and high attributes that imbued the Muslim community
and whoever was attached to it. The enemies of Islam were already aware of that flood of light derived
wholly from the person of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) , who always stood as an excellent
exemplar for men to copy and follow.
The enemies of Islam, after steering the course of futile warfare against the new religion for five years,
came to realize fully that exterminating Islam is not accessible in the battlefields, so they resorted to
other tactics. They, being reputed gossip-mongers, decided to launch a widespread propaganda
campaign aiming at slandering the person of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in a most sensitive area
of the Arabian life, namely ethics and traditions. Following the battle of the Confederates, the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) married Zainab bint Jahsh after her marriage with Zaid bin Haritha, his adopted
son, had broken up. They seized this opportunity and began to circulate idle talk against the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) in Arabia depending on a tradition among the desert Arabs that prohibits
contracting a marriage with an adopted son’s divorcee. They alleged that his marriage would be
considered a heinous sin. They also based their malicious propaganda on the fact that Zainab was his
fifth wife whereas the number was strictly limited to a maximum of four in the Noble Qur’ân, hence the
validity of this marriage was in doubt, according to them.
These rumours and gossips had a negative impact on the morale of some weak-hearted Muslims until
the decisive verses were revealed acquitting the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and invalidating all those
ill designs and obnoxious schemes:
l “
O Prophet [Muhammad (Peace be upon him)]! Keep your duty to Allâh, and obey not the
disbelievers and the hypocrites (i.e. do not follow their advices). Verily! Allâh is Ever All-Knower,
All-Wise.” [33:1]
THE WICKED ROLE THEY PLAYED IN THE COURSE OF THE GHAZWAH OF BANI AL
-MUSTALIQ:
During this Ghazwah, the hypocrites almost managed to create a sort of discord among the Muslims
themselves, coupled with a serious and ugly slander against the Prophet (Peace be upon him) himself.
In short, their behaviour was an authentic translation of Allâh’s Words:
l “
Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and
they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among
you …” [9:47]
A quarrel was about to break out between the Emigrants and the Helpers on account of plots and evil
intentions designed by the hypocrites. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) told them off describing their
misbehaviour as something smacking of pre-Islamic practices. They, hypocrites with ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubai
at their head, were furious for the challenge which the Muslims showed towards the hostile plans and
vicious intrigues woven behind closed doors, and swore “the most honourable will expel the meanest
out of Madinah,” and added: “They (the Muslims) have outnumbered and shared us our land. If you
fatten your dog, it will eat you.” When that talk was reported to the Prophet (Peace be upon him),
‘Umar, a venerable Companion, asked for permission to have Ibn ‘Ubai killed. The Prophet (Peace be
upon him) naturally turned down his proposal on the grounds that it did not become of a Prophet (Peace be upon him) to be accused of killing his people. He, on the contrary in an unexpected move,
asked ‘Umar to announce departure. He marched with his men for two days until the sun grew too hot.
They stopped and fell asleep, a clever attempt at diverting his people’s attention from the previous
event. ‘Abdullah’s son heard of that vile of his father and as the party reached Madinah, he drew his
sword and barred his father’s entry into the town until he had confessed and declared that he himself
was the meanest of the citizens of Madinah and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) the most honourable
of them. Thus the boast recoiled on his head. It was also reported that the son was ready to kill his
father if the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had wanted him to.
THE SLANDER AFFAIR:
This extremely painful incident took place on the Prophet’s return from the expedition against Bani
Mustaliq. The Muslim army had to halt for a night at a place, a short distance from Madinah. In this
expedition, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was accompanied by his noble and talented wife, ‘Aishah
(May Allah be pleased with her) As it so happened, ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased her) went out some
distance from the camp to attend to the call of nature. When she returned, she discovered that she had
dropped her necklace somewhere. The necklace itself was of no great value, but as it was a loan from a
friend, ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased her) went out again to search for it. On her return, to her great
grief and mortification, the army had already marched away with the camel she was riding, her
attendants thinking that she was in the litter as she was then thin, very young and light of weight. In
her helplessness she sat down and cried till sleep overpowered her. Safwan bin Mu‘attal, an Emigrant,
who was coming in the rear recognized her as he had seen her before the verse enjoining the veil was
revealed, and brought her on his camel to Madinah without saying a single word to her, himself walking
behind the animal. The hypocrites of Madinah led by ‘Abdullah bin ‘Ubai bin Salul, sought to make
capital out of this incident and spread a malicious scandal against ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased her)
and unfortunately some of the Muslims also became involved in it. On arrival in Madinah, the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) held counsel with his Companions, who pronounced different opinions ranging
from divorce to retention. The incident almost roused a fight between two rival factions, Al-Aws and AlKhazraj,but
l “
So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allâh (Alone) Whose Help can be sought against
that which you assert.” [12:18]
She then turned away and lay down for some rest. At that decisive moment the Revelation came
acquitting ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) of all the slanderous talk fabricated in this concern.
‘
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) of course, was wholeheartedly joyful and praised Allâh
thankfully. Allâh’s Words in this regard went as follows:
l “Verily! Those who brought forth the slander (against ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) —
the wife of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) are a group among you.” [24:11]
The principal elements involved in the slander affair, Mistah bin Athatha, Hassan bin Thabit and
Hamnah bint Jahsh, were flogged with eighty stripes.
As for the man who took the principal part, ‘Abdullah bin Ubai, he was not flogged, either because the
corporal punishment commutes the chastisement in store for him in the Hereafter, and he does not deserve this merit, or for the same public interest for which he was not killed previously. He, moreover,
became the butt of reproach and humiliation amongst his people after his real intentions had been
unequivocally exposed to all the public.
Almost a month later, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) and ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab were
engaged in the following talk: “Don’t you see ‘Umar if I had had him (Abdullah bin Ubai) killed, a large
number of dignitaries would have furiously hastened to fight for him. Now, on the contrary, if I ask
them to kill him, they will do so out of their own free will.” ‘Umar replied “I swear by Allâh that the
Prophet’s judgement is much more sound than mine.”
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