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Nobody stayed behind except those who were either hindered by a serious excuse or the hypocrites
who told lies to Allâh and His Messenger.
Some of those hypocrites’ lingering was due to an excuse based on forgery and delusion. Some
others tarried but didn’t ask for an instant permission. But there were three believers who
unjustifiably lingered. They were the ones whom Allâh tried their Faith, but later on He turned to
them in mercy and accepted their repentance.
As soon as the Messenger of Allâh (peace be upon him) had entered Madinah, he p rayed two
Rak‘a
then he sat to receive his people. The hypocrites who were over eighty men came and offered
various kinds of excuses and started swearing. The Prophet acknowledged their excuses and
invoked Allâh’s forgiveness for them but he entrusted their inner thoughts and Faith to Allâh.
As for the three faithful believers — Ka‘b bin Malik, Murara bin Ar-Rabi‘, and Hilal bin Omaiyah —
who favoured telling the truth, the Messenger of Allâh Õáì Çááå Úáíå æÓáã bade his Companions
not to talk to them.
Consequently they were subject to a severe boycott and were excluded from the life of the
community. Everybody turned them their back. So they felt as if the whole land had become
constrained to them in spite of its spaciousness and they felt awkward and uneasy. The hard times
they lived and which lasted for over forty days were towered by an order to them to forsake their
wives. After fifty days’ boycott Allâh turned to them and revealed that in Qur’ân:
·
“And (He did forgive also) the three [whom the Prophet (peace be upon him)] left (i.e. he
did not give his judgement in their case, and their case was suspended for Allâh’s Decision)
till for them the earth, vast as it is, was straitened and their ownselves were straitened to
them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allâh, and no refuge but with Him.
Then, He accepted their repentance, that they might repent (unto Him). Verily, Allâh is the
One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” [9:118]
Allâh’s turning to them was a great joy for both Muslims and the three concerned. The joy of the
stayers behind was unaccountable in aim and degree. It was the happiest day in their lives. The
good tiding cherished them and filled their hearts with delight. As for those who lingered due to
disability or sickness or any other serious excuse, Allâh, the Exalted said about them:
·
“There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend [in holy
warfare (
Jihad
)], if they are sincere (in duty) to Allâh and His Messenger.” [9:91]
When he approached Madinah, the Messenger of Allâh (peace be upon him) said:
·
“Inside Madinah, there are certain men, who though being left back due to serious
excuses, they have, all the time, been with you. Lingerers as they are, they have been while
you were passing valleys or walking along roads.” “Do you mean that they have done that
while they are still in Madinah?” They wondered. “Yes though they are in Madinah.” The
Prophet said.
The Invasion of Tabuk and its Far-Reaching Ramifications:
The effect of this invasion is great as regards extending and confirming the Muslims ’ influence and
domination on the Arabian Peninsula. It was quite obvious to everybody that no power but Islam’s
would live long among the Arabs. The remainders of
Jahiliyin
and hypocrites — who used to conspire
steadily against the Muslims and who perpetually relied on Byzantine power when they were in need
of support or help — these people lost their expectations and desires of ever reclaiming their ex-
influence. Realizing that there was no way out and that they were to submit to the
fait accompli
,
they gave up their attempts.
From that time on, hypocrites were no longer treated leniently or even gently by the Muslims. Allâh
not only bade Muslims to treat them severely but He also forbade them to take their gift charities or
perform prayer on their dead, or ask Allâh’s forgiveness for them or even visit their tombs. Allâh
bade the Muslims to demolish the mosque, which they verily appointed and used as a hiding place
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