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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
Al-Mustaliq, Al-Harith bin Dirar had mobilised his men, along with some Arabs, to attack Madinah.
Buraidah bin Al-Haseeb Al-Aslami was immediately despatched to verify the reports. He had some
words with Abi Dirar, who confirmed his intention of war. He later sent a reconnoiterer to explore
the positions of the Muslims but he was captured and killed. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)
summoned his men and ordered them to prepare for war. Before leaving, Zaid bin Haritha was
mandated to see to the affairs of Madinah and dispose them. On hearing the advent of the Muslims,
the disbelievers got frightened and the Arabs going with them defected and ran away to their lives.
Abu Bakr was entrusted with the banner of the Emigrants, and that of the Helpers went to Sa‘d bin
‘Ubada. The two armies were stationed at a well called Muraisi. Arrow shooting went on for an hour,
and then the Muslims rushed and engaged with the enemy in a battle that ended in full victory for
the Muslims. Some men were killed, women and children of the disbelievers taken as captives, and
a lot of booty fell to the lot of the Muslims. Only one Muslim was killed by mistake by a Helper.
Amongst the captives was Juwairiyah, daughter of Al-Harith, chief of the disbelievers. The Prophet
(Peace be upon him) married her and, in compensation, the Muslims had to manumit a hundred
others of the enemy prisoners who embraced Islam, and were then called the Prophet’s in-laws.
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:
·
“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 d efeatist. 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:
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