Indexed OCR Text
Pages 381-400
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and confirmed the truth of this report, Rasulullah La instructed the
Sahaabah Acals to make preparations for battle.
The Sahaabah peaks were battle-ready within moments of this prophetic
command. They set out with thirty horses. Of these, twenty belonged to the Ansaar
whilst the remaining ten to the Muhaajireen.
On this occasion, driven by the prospective allure of abundant booty, a large
group of hypocrites, who had never joined a single expedition before this, also
accompanied them.
Rasulullah ◌َصَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم appointed Zaid bin Haarisah ◌ُرَضِّ اللَّهُ عَنْه as his representative
in Madinah and from the Azwaaj (pure wives) he took along Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah
Scales and Hadhrat Umme Salamah (saules with him. On Monday the 2nd of
Sha'baan they set forth.
With lightning speed they launched an attack on the enemy forces catching
them by total surprise. As the Muslim army was on the verge of launching an
attack, the kuffaar were obliviously engaged in watering their animals. They were
unable to withstand this sudden assault. Ten men were promptly despatched to
their deaths. The remaining men, women, children and the elderly were taken as
prisoners and their wealth taken as spoils of war. The Muslims seized two thousand
camels and five thousand goats. Two hundred families were captured as prisoners.
Amongst these prisoners was Juwayriyyah, the daughter of Haaris bin Abi Diraar,
the leader of the Banu Mustaliq. When the spoils of war were distributed amongst
the Mujaahideen, Juwayriyyah fell into the lot of Saabit bin Qays Medley. He made
her a Mukaatabah. In other words, he guaranteed her emancipation on the
payment of a certain sum of money.
Juwayriyyah رضى اللَّهُ عَنْهَا appeared before Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم and submitted: "0)
Rasulullah! You are well aware that I am Juwayriyyah, the daughter of the leader
of the Banu Mustaliq tribe, Haaris bin Abi Diraar. The conditions of my capture are
not unknown to you. During the distribution, I fell into the lot of Saabit bin Qays
and he has made me a Mukaatabah. I now stand before you appealing for your
assistance in paying off this Kitaabah."
Rasulullah kaf replied: "I suggest something far more superior than
that. If you wish, I will pay on your behalf the Kitaabah that is due and I will set
you free and take you in marriage." Hadhrat Juwayriyyah Goals replied: "This will
be most pleasing to me."
From the very outset Hadhrat Juwayriyyah Goals wanted to be set free.
Coincidentally, her father Haaris also appeared before Resulullah Ligasteaus and
submitted: "I am the chieftain of the Banu Mustaliq tribe. My daughter cannot live
as a bondswoman. I implore you to set her free." Resulullah Jackauf replied:
"Would it not be more appropriate if this was left to the will and desire of
Juwayriyyah herself?" Haaris went to Juwayriyyah Goals and said: "Rasulullah
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صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
Lclauf has left the matter entirely in your hands." To this Juwayriyyah Goals
". صَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ replied: "I choose Allah and His Rasool
'Abdullah bin Ziyaad Meals narrates: "Hadhrat Juwayriyyah's Gears father
Haaris bin Abi Diraar took along a number of camels as ransom and set out for
Madinah to secure the release of his daughter. Amongst them were two
exceptionally fine camels, which he concealed on one of the mountain passes en
route. When he reached Madinah, he appeared before Rasulullah kaf and
presented his camels saying: "O Muhammad ! You captured my
daughter. Take these camels as ransom for her release." Rasulullah Leaf
remarked: "Where are those camels that you concealed at so and so mountain
pass?" Haaris exclaimed: "I testify that you are indeed the messenger of Allah.
Nobody but Allah had any knowledge about those camels. Only Allah could have
alerted you about those camels."
In short, Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم set Hadhrat Juwayriyyah رَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا free and took
her in marriage. When the Sahaabah Mcauley learnt of this, they set every single
captive of the Banu Mustaliq free because this tribe was now the in-laws of
Rasulullah Lucía . Ummul-Mumineen Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Siddeeqah bint
Siddeeq Goals says: "I have not come across any woman who proved herself to be
more beneficial to her people than Juwayriyyah. In just one day, one hundred
families were set free because of her."
Since a huge number of hypocrites also accompanied the Muslims on this
journey, they revealed their fondness for anarchy and mischief at every turn. At
one of the water holes en route, a scuffle broke out between a Muhaajir and an
Ansaari. The Muhaajir kicked the Ansaari and bellowed: "O Muhaajireen!" and the
Ansaari also roared in response: "O Ansaar!" calling unto their respective tribes for
assistance.
When Rasulullah Ucaf heard this commotion, he demanded: "What are
these yells of ignorance (Jaahiliyyah)?" The people replied: "A Muhaajir kicked an
Ansaari." Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم remarked:
دَعُوْهَا فَإِنَّهَا مُنْتِنَةٌ
"Abandon this because it stinks."
The leader of the hypocrites, 'Abdullah bin Ubayy exploited this ideal opportunity
to wag his tongue. Scornfully he remarked: "These people (the immigrant
Muhaajireen) have swamped us. By Allah! When we return to Madinah, the noble
amongst us will expel the dishonourable."
When Rasulullah caf heard of this rude utterance, Hadhrat 'Umar
deals pleaded: "O Rasulullah! Allow me to smite the neck of this hypocrite."
Rasulullah Lcká replied: "No, leave him alone. (People would not understand
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the reality of the situation) and they would assume that Muhammad kills his
companions."
Note: 'Abdullah bin Ubayy was not one of the companions of Rasulullah
,However. صَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ In fact he was a sworn bitter enemy of Rasulullah. صَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
outwardly he bore a resemblance to the companions of Rasulullah La.
Verbally he claimed to be from the companions. This is why Rasulullah La
refrained from executing him. A resemblance to the sincere Sahaabah cake
saved his life. A resemblance to the pious, even though based on hypocrisy, is not
devoid of benefit.
Note: It appears from Rasulullah's ◌َصَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم warning:
دَعُوُها فَإِنَّها مُنْتِنَةٌ
"Abandon this because it stinks"
Good and pure things are fragrant whilst bad and evil things emit an odour and the
external perception of this fragrance or odour can only be perceived by the
Ambiyaa ◌ُعَلَيْهِمْ السَّلَام and their faithful heirs.
وعن جابر رضى الله تعالى عنه قال: كنا مع النبي صلى الله عليه
وسلم فارتقت ريح منتنة ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
اتدرون ما هذه الريح؟ هذه ریح الذین یغتابون المؤمنین .
Hadhrat Jaabir Kedils reports: "We were with Rasulullah Lyckat when a whiff
of a disgusting odour blew. On perceiving this stench, Rasulullah slexili
commented: 'Do you know what this odour is? This is the stench emanating from
the mouths of those who are talking ill of the Muslims."
رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمُ and the Sahaabah صَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ It is evident from this Hadith that Rasulullah
perceived the stench of the sin of backbiting but the Sahaabah Reale only came to
know of the underlying cause of this stench after Rasulullah Leaf notified
them about it.
A similar incident occurred as they returned close to Madinah, as reported in
Muslim by Hadhrat Jaabir Meals: "Whilst we were returning from this expedition
(of Banu Mustaliq) and as we drew closer to Madinah we were suddenly assailed
by a foul gust of wind. Upon this Rasulullah af remarked: 'This foul-
smelling wind is blowing due to the death of a hypocrite." When we reached
Madinah, we learnt that a senior hypocrite had just died.""
It is quite strange to note that 'Abdullah bin Ubayy, was a bitter enemy of
Islam and the leader of the hypocrites but his son, also named 'Abdullah, was a
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صَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
sincere and committed Muslim. In reality he was an 'Abdullah (the slave of Allah)
whilst his father was 'Abdullah by name only. When 'Abdullah, the son, heard his
father's disrespectful words 'the noble amongst us will expel the dishonourable', he
immediately stood up, grabbed hold of his father and demanded: "By Allah! I will
never allow you to enter Madinah until you declare that you are dishonourable
whilst Rasulullah ckeaf is noble." The moment his father admitted this, he
released him.
When they returned to Madinah, 'Abdullah cexkss appeared before Rasulullah
I heard that you are about to !صَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and submitted:"O Rasulullah صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
issue an execution order against my father. If you permit, I am prepared to behead
my father and place his head before you. I fear that if you had to charge someone
else to execute him, I may be overcome with anger and murder the executioner
himself. In this manner, I may turn out to be guilty of murdering another Muslim."
Rasulullah Uclea prevented him from taking the life of his father and
directed him to treat his father with graciousness and politeness.
Incident of Slander
The episode of slander against Ummul-Mumineen Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geals, also
occurred on their return from this expedition.
On this expedition, Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Gears also accompanied Rasulullah
Liditauf. Since the injunction of Hijaab (pardah) was already revealed, Hadhrat
'Aa'ishah "cau", was carried on a hawdaj (camel carriage). She would be made to
mount and dismount the camel with the hawdaj being carried up or down. The
hawdaj itself was fully concealed with a curtain suspended over its sides.
As they drew closer to Madinah, they set up camp at a certain place. When the
army was instructed to depart, Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Cecale, was gone to answer the
call of nature at a secluded spot far away from the people. As she was returning,
her necklace of pearls broke and scattered to the ground. She got delayed in
searching and retrieving them.
The army was about to depart. The curtains of the hawdaj were drawn and on
the inference that Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geals was seated within the carriage, the
carriage-bearers hoisted the carriage and mounted it onto the camel in preparation
for departure. The women at that time were generally thin and Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah
Cecile, due to her young age, was even more slender in built. This is why the
carriage-bearers had no hint of the carriage being lighter than usual.
She only found her necklace (beads or pearls) after the army departed and by
the time she returned to camp, there was not a soul to be seen. Reasoning that
when Rasulullah Ucieaf does not find her at the next halt, he would surely send
someone to search for her at this very spot, she decided to remain where she was.
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She covered herself with a sheet and lay down. A little while later she fell fast
asleep.
Safwaan bin Mu'attal Sulami Meals, who was appointed to retrieve any
valuables accidentally dropped by the travellers, passed by. The instant he laid eyes
on her, he recognised her. He had seen Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geals before the laws of
Hijaab were revealed.
At once, he recited Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji'oon. On hearing this
unexpected sound, Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geals was awakened. She promptly covered
her face with her sheet.
Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا narrates:
والله ما كلمنى كلمة ولا سمعت منه كلمة غير استرجاعه
"By Allah, he did not speak to me at all nor did he utter a single word except his
expression of lament (with the words Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raaji'oon)."
Perhaps, Hadhrat Safwaan Medkg uttered these words loudly to alert Hadhrat
'Aa'ishah "calle, of his presence and to ensure that there was no opportunity of
further dialogue. No conversation whatsoever occured between the two.
Hadhrat Safwaan deals guided the camel close to Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Gewiss
and made it sit down. He steered the camel before her whilst he himself moved
away. Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah escul mounted the camel and taking hold of the reins,
Hadhrat Safwaan Medbe set off. In this manner, they continued their journey until
they caught up with the rest of the army.
It was in the middle of the afternoon when they arrived. The moment
'Abdullah bin Ubayy and his cohorts of hypocrites caught sight of them, they
plunged into a frenzy of absurd accusations and insulting allegations. Those who
were doomed to destruction were destroyed.
When they reached Madinah, Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Gewiss fell ill. She was in
poor health for a whole month. The scandalmongers and mischief-makers were
engrossed in this malicious gossiping whilst she, on the other hand, had absolutely
no knowledge whatsoever about the slanderous statements that were flying around
regarding her. However, she was dreadfully perturbed by the relative aloofness of
Rasulullah Ucleafs and the unexplained withering of his affection and love for
her as he was wont to display in her previous bouts of illness. She was obviously
agitated by the fact that Rasulullah Leaf came home, inquired about her
health from others and walked out. "Why does he not enquire from me directly?"
she mused. This detachment further aggravated her anguish and pain.
Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah (ca) relates: "One night Umme Mistah and I went out to
the field to relieve ourselves. (It was the custom amongst the Arabs of the past not
to erect toilets within the homes due to the odorous smell etc.) On the way, Umme
Mistah spoke ill of her son. Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geals countered: "How can you
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صَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
speak ill of a man who participated in the battle of Badr?" Astonished by her
trusting response, Umme Mistah said: "O you naïve girl! Have you not heard the
story making its rounds?" "What stories?" she asked in alarm.
When Umme Mistah related the entire incident to her, Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah's
Geals health took a turn for the worse.
The moment this false allegation fell onto her ears, she was seized by a
shuddering fever brought on by this horrifying news.
Without even relieving herself, she returned home. Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Gewiss
narrates: "When Rasulullah Uckauf came home, I requested him to allow me to
visit my parents. I actually wanted to make further enquiries about this incident
from my parents. Rasulullah Leaf permitted me to visit my parents.
"When I came to my parent's home, I asked my mother: 'Mother! Do you
know what the people are saying about me?' She replied: 'Daughter! Do not be
distressed. It is an accepted norm in the world that a woman who is beautiful and
morally upright and she enjoys a lofty status in the affections of her husband,
jealous women are bound to haunt her with their destructive tricks.' I replied:
'Subhaanallah! Is this rumour really making its rounds amongst the people?' I then
asked: 'Does father know about this rumour?' She replied in the affirmative. She
then related: "I said: 'May Allah forgive you, mother. This malicious rumour is
making its rounds amongst the people and you did not even mention it once to me!'
Whimpering these words, my eyes welled up in tears and I emitted a few shrieks of
agony.'
"My father Abu Bakr Medhe was busy reciting the Holy Qur-aan in the upper
section of the house. When he heard me shriek, he came down and asked my
mother what was happening. Mother replied: 'She ('Aa'ishah) is now aware of the
situation and she now knows about the rumours.' On hearing this, Abu Bakr &cauley
started weeping.
"I, on the other hand, was gripped with such a bout of shivering that my
mother Umme Rumaan had to wrap me with whatever available clothing she had
in the house. I cried all night long. Not a moment passed without teary eyes until
morning greeted us in this state of tormenting anxiety."
Since there was a delay in the revelation of Wahi (divine revelation),
رَضِّ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ and Hadhrat Usaamah رَضِّ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ consulted Hadhrat Ali صَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Rasulullah
on this matter. Hadhrat Usaamah ◌ُرَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْه declared: "O Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم! These
are members of your family who are befitting to your lofty status and to the rank
of prophethood. There is absolutely no question about their chastity and purity.
The purity and chastity of your family members is more conspicuous than the
blazing sun. There is absolutely no need to consult us on this matter. And if you
really want my opinion, I will submit by saying: 'As far as we know, we know
nothing but good about all the pure wives."
Hadhrat Ali Meals, on noticing the anguish and sorrow of Rasulullah
:submitted , صَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
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يا رسول الله! لم يضيق الله عليك والنساء سواها كثير وان تسأل
الجارية تصدقك
"O Rasulullah Labais! Allah Ta'ala did not fetter you with any restriction.
There are many other women besides her. If you ask the slave girl, she will tell you
the truth."
In other words, you are under no obligation. Separation is within your control but
before you do anything, why don't you ascertain the facts from the slave girl of the
house? She will be able to give you a factual report (because the maids and slaves
of the house are more aware of the intimate matters of the household than the
menfolk).
Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم called for Bareerah and asked:
اتشهدین انى رسول الله؟ قالت: نعم. قال: فانی سائلك عن شىء فلا
تكتمينه. قال: نعم قال: هل رايت من عائشة ما تكرهينه؟ قالت: لا
"Do you testify that I am the messenger of Allah?" She replied: "Yes!" He said: "I
intend to ask you something. Don't hide anything from me (because Allah will
surely disclose it to me by means of divine revelation)." When she gave her
assurance, Rasulullah Lyckaifi asked: "Did you ever notice anything about
'Aa'ishah that you found despicable?" She replied: "Never!"
Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم asked Bareerah:
ای بریره! هل رایت من شیء یریبك
"O Bareerah! Did you ever catch sight of anything that gave you cause for concern
or suspicion?"
Bareerah replied:
لا! والذى بعثك بالحق، ان رايت عنها امرا اغمصه عليها سوى انها
جارية حديثة السن تنام عن عجين اهلها فتأتى الداجن فتاكله
"Never, I swear by the Being who has sent you with the truth! I have not observed
'Aa'ishah engaged in anything that is objectionable or punishable. Yes, she is after
all a young girl. She kneads her dough and dozes off to sleep and a kid goat would
come and eat it up."
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صَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
In other words, she is naïve and neglectful of simple things like her dough and
dhal. How can she ever be acquainted with the cunning and scheming ways of the
world?
On hearing this comforting response from Bareerah Geals, Rasulullah
Ligatau went to the Masjid, ascended the mimbar and delivered a Khutbah
wherein he praised Allah Ta'ala and said:
يا معشر المسلمین! من یعذرنی من رجل قد بلغنی اذاه فی اهل بیتی؟
فوالله، ما علمت على اهلى الا خيرا ولقد ذكروا رجلا ما علمت
عليه الا خيرا
"O Muslims! Who will assist me in challenging that man who has caused me untold
anguish in regards to my family? By Allah! I have not noticed anything but chastity
and purity in the members of my family. As for the man whom they accuse (of this
sin), I do not know of anything but good about him."
On hearing these words, the chief of the Aws tribe, Hadhrat S'ad bin Mu'aaz deadly
stood up and submitted: "O Rasulullah Tack auf! I am ready to offer you any form
of assistance. If this man (the accuser) is of the Aws tribe, we would surely behead
him ourselves and if he is from our brothers' tribe, the Khazraj, then too we would
not hesitate in killing him if you command us to do so.
S'ad bin 'Ubaadah Lediss, the chief of the Khazraj tribe, inferred that S'ad bin
Mu'aaz Meals was making a veiled reference to them, as though he was hinting
that the accusers and slanderers were from the Khazraj tribe. This implied
reference drove him into a spell of uninhibited fervour. He addressed S'ad bin
Mu'aaz Meals and boomed: "Never, by Allah! You will never be able to kill him."
(In other words, if he is a member of our tribe, we will take the privilege of
executing him.)
S'ad bin Mu'aaz's deals cousin (father's brother's son) Usaid bin Hudhair
Reduk addressed S'ad bin 'Ubaadah Meals and said: "You are wrong! If Rasulullah
Lckaf. has to charge us to behead him we will definitely behead him ourselves,
whether he is of the Khazraj tribe or any other tribe for that matter. Nobody will
dare stop us. And are you a hypocrite that you are speaking in defence of the
hypocrites?"
In this manner, the argument intensified as though both tribes were on the
verge of exchanging blows. Rasulullah Leaf descended the mimbar and
calmed both parties down.
Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah (saules relates: "This day also passed in unrestrained
sobbing. My tears did not stop flowing for a single moment. The night also passed
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in this state of emotional agony. I was overwhelmed with such heartache that my
parents imagined that my 'liver was sure to split in grief'.
In the morning, my parents came and sat close to me whilst I was busy
sobbing away in distress. In the interim, an Ansaari woman also came and joined
me in crying. We were obliviously weeping away when Resulullah tugacheauf
unexpectedly came into the house. He offered Salaam and seated himself close to
me. From the time these rumours were making their rounds, he had never sat so
close to me. A whole month had passed in anticipation of the revelation of Wahi
(divine revelation).
After taking a seat, Rasulullah caf praised Allah Ta'ala and addressing
me, he said:
اما بعد! یا عائشة فانه بلغنی عنك كذا وكذا فان کنت بریئة
فسیبرتك الله، وان كنت الممت بذنب فاستغفری الله و توبى اليه،
فان العبد اذا اعترف بذنبه ثم تاب الى الله تاب الله عليه
'O 'Aa'ishah! Such and such news about you has reached me. If you are innocent,
Allah will certainly declare your innocence, and if you have perpetrated a sin, seek
the forgiveness of Allah and beg His pardon because if a servant confesses to his
perpetration of a sin and begs the forgiveness of Allah, Allah will surely forgive
him.
Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا narrates: "When Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم terminated his
discourse, my tears stopped flowing. I could not even shed a single tear. I told my
father: 'Why do you not respond to Rasulullah Lckaf on my behalf?' He
replied: 'I am at a loss. I have no idea what to say to him.' I repeated the same
request to my mother, who replied in the same vein. Thereafter, I took the bold step
of replying myself and declared: 'Allah is well aware of my innocence but this
rumour has been so deeply rooted into your hearts that if I assert my innocence -
and Allah Ta'ala is well aware of my innocence - you will not believe me. On the
contrary, hypothetically speaking, if I confess to this sin you will believe me
whereas Allah Ta'ala Himself knows I am totally innocent.'
Sobbing in anguish, I cried out: 'By Allah! I will never repent from the sin they
attribute towards me. I will simply utter what Yusuf's Wich father expressed
before his sons:
'So patience is most fitting and it is Allah alone whose assistance can be sought
against (the rumour) you attribute (to me).""
She relates: "Saying this, I lay down on my bed. At that time I was utterly
certain that Allah Ta'ala would clear me of this sin but I had absolutely no idea
that Allah Ta'ala would declare my innocence by the revelation of divine verses
that would be perpetually recited."
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صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
According to another narration, she says: "I had absolutely no idea that verses
of the Qur-aan would be revealed about me, verses that would be recited in the
Masjids and in the Salaahs.
Yes, I had merely hoped that Rasulullah Lyckats would be shown my
innocence through a dream etc. In this manner, I anticipated that Allah Ta'ala
would clear me of this rumour."
Revelation of the Verses of Exoneration
(In favour of the Maryam of this Ummah, the pure and most dear wife of
Rasulullah Ucla, Ummul-Mumineen Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Siddeeqah bint
Siddeeq, may Allah Ta'ala be pleased with her, her parents and those who believe
in her innocence and may the curse of Allah Ta'ala strike those who doubt her
chastity and purity.)
Rasulullah cheauf barely moved from his place when suddenly the signs of
divine revelation appeared on his face. In spite of the severe cold, droplets of
perspiration like pearls started dripping down his blessed forehead.
Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah رَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا relates:
فاما انا فوالله ما فزعت قد عرفت أنّ بريئة، وان الله غير ظالمى،
واما ابوای فما سری عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حتى ظننت
لتخرجن انفسهما خوفاً من ان یاتی من الله تحقيق ما يقول الناس
"As for myself, I was not perturbed in the least because I was confident of my
innocence and that Allah Ta'ala would not be unjust to me. As for my parents, they
were so devastated by anxiety that I thought they would perish in fear of a verse
about to be revealed corroborating these rumours."
Abu Bakr's Reale state of anxiety was such that sometimes he would look towards
me and sometimes he would cast his glance towards Rasulullah Leaf. When
he would direct his gaze towards Resulullah Ligasteauf, he would be terrified and
wonder what type of divine commandment was being revealed from the sky, a
commandment that was bound to endure up to the day of Qiyaamah. However,
when he would peer in my direction and witness my serene composure, he would
cherish some hope (of my exoneration).
The entire household was seized with this apprehension between hope and
fear when the divine revelation came to an end and Rasulullah's af blessed
face was bright with delight and joy. Wiping his blessed forehead with his blessed
hand, he turned towards 'Aa'ishah (saule, and the first words he uttered were:
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ابشری یا عائشة! فقد انزل الله براء تك
"Congratulations, O 'Aa'ishah! Allah Ta'ala has revealed your innocence."
To this my mother remarked: "Stand up, O 'Aa'ishah! Express your appreciation to
Rasulullah ◌َصَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ."I replied: "By Allah! I will never express my gratitude to
anyone other than Allah Ta'ala Who has declared my innocence."
Thereafter, Rasulullah Leaf informed those present that Allah Ta'ala had
revealed the following verses:
إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ جَاءُوْ بِالْإِفْكِ عُصْبَةٌ مِنْكُمْ لَا تَحْسَبُوْهُ شَرَّا لَّكُلِّ بَلْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمُ لِكُلِّ امْرِىٌّ
مِنْهُمْ مَّا اكْتَسَبَ مِنَ الْإِثْلِمِ وَالَّذِىْ تَوَلَّى كِبْرَةً مِنْهُمْ لَهَ عَذَابٌ عَظِيْمُ ◌َ لَوْلَا إِذْسَمِعْتُمُوْهُ ظَنَّ
الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُتُ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ خَيْلٌ وَ قَالُوا هَذَا اِفْكُ مُّبِيْنُ (٦) لَوْلَا جَاءُوْ عَلَيْهِ بِأَرْبَعَةٍ
◌ُهَدَ آلاَ فَإِذْلَمْ يَأْتُوْا بِالشُّهَدَآءِ فَأُولَئِكَ عِنْدَ اللهِ هُمُ الْكُذِبُوْنَ . وَ لَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ
رَحْمَتُهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْأَخِرَةِ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيْ مَآ أَفَضْتُمْ فِيْهِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيْم٧ُّ﴾، إِذْ تَلَقَّوْنَةً بِالْسِنَتِكُمْ وَ
تَقُوْلُوْنَ بِأَفْوَاهِكُمْ مَّا لَيْسَ لَكُمْ بِهِ عِلْمُ وَ تَحْسَبُوْنَةٌ هَيِّنَاٌ وَ هُوَ عِنْدَ اللهِ عَظِيْمُ ، وَلَوْلَآ إِذْ
سَمِعْتُمُوْهُ قُلْتُمْ مَّا يَكُوْنُ لَنَآ أَنْ نَّتَكَلَّمَ بِهِذَاٌ سُبْحْنَكَ هُذَا بُهْتَانُ عَظِيْمُ ، يَعِظُكُمُ اللّهُ أَنْ
تَعُوْدُوْا لِمِثْلِةٍ أَبَدًا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِيْنَ ﴿ وَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّهُ لَكُمُ الْأَنْمُِ وَ اللهُ عَلِيْمُ حَكِيْمُ تَ إِنَّ
الَّذِيْنَ يُحِبُّوْنَ اَنْ تَشِيْعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِى الَّذِيْنَ أَمَنُوْا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ اَلِيْمٌ فِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْأَخِرَلِ* وَاللهُ
ع
يَعْلَمُ وَ أَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ ، وَ لَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَتُهُ وَ أَنَّ اللهَرَءُوْنُّ رَّحِيْمُ
"Verily those who brought forth a slander are a group from amongst you. Do not
regard it as bad for you but it is good for you. For each of them is the extent he has
earned of the sin. And as for him who has earned a greater share of the sin from
amongst them, for him will be a great punishment. Why then, did not the believing
men and women, when you heard it (the slander), think good of their own people
and say: 'This (charge) is an obvious slander.' Why did they not produce four
witnesses upon this? Since they (the slanderers) have not produced four witnesses,
then by Allah they are liars. Had it not been for the grace and mercy of Allah over
you in this world and the hereafter, a great punishment would have befallen you for
what you had spoken, when you were propagating it with your tongues and
uttering with your mouths that of which you have no knowledge. You regard it as
something trivial whereas it is critical by Allah. When you heard this (slander) why
did you not say: It is not appropriate for us to speak like this, 'Subhaanak (glory be
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صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
to You), this is a blatant slander.' Allah warns you not to repeat the likes of this
forever, if you are (truly) believers. And Allah clearly explains the Aayaat (proofs,
verses) to you and Allah is all-knowing, all-wise. Verily those who like evil (like
adultery etc) to spread amongst the believers, for them is a painful punishment in
this world and the hereafter. And Allah knows and you know not. And had it not
been for the grace and mercy of Allah upon you, (Allah would have swiftly taken
you to task), Allah is most affectionate, most merciful." [Surah Noor]
When Rasulullah Lyckat completed the recitation of these verses, Hadhrat Abu
Bakr Medkg, on hearing the verses confirming the purity and chastity of his beloved
daughter, stood up and kissed his innocent and virtuous daughter on her forehead.
She asked: "Father! Why did you not consider me innocent before this?"
Hadhrat Abu Bakr deals, who was imbued with truthfulness in every fibre of
his being, who was a mountain of honesty and could not be moved by the most
dreadful tragedies, offered a reply that is fit to be inscribed on the tablets of the
hearts:
أَىُّ سَمَآءٍ تُظِلُّنِى وَأَىُّ أَرْضِ تَقِلُّنِى إِذَا قُلْتُ مَالَمْ أَعْلَمُ
"Which sky will provide me with shelter and which earth will bear me if I have to
utter something I have no knowledge of?"
Thereafter Rasulullah ◌َصَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم left Hadhrat Abu Bakr's ◌ُرَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْه house and
proceeded to the Masjid where he delivered a sermon and recited the ten verses
affirming the innocence of Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geals.
The chief perpetrators of this gossip mongering were principally the
hypocrites. Alhamdulillah, none of the Muslims except a few were implicated in
this slander. The few who fell into this trap of the hypocrites due to their naivety
and gullibility were:
Mistah bin Asaasah Medis, Hassaan bin Saabit deals and Hamnah bint Jahsh
Goals. Each of them were sentenced to eighty lashes, the punishment for slander
as imposed by the Islamic penal code and each one of them also repented from
their sin. According to the more reputable reports, 'Abdullah bin Ubayy was not
punished because he was, after all a hypocrite and not a Muslim but according to
other narrations, he was also subjected to eighty lashes. And Allah Ta'ala knows
best.
Mistah &dl was the maternal cousin of Hadhrat Abu Bakr dealse, his
mother's sister's son. Due to his poverty, Hadhrat Abu Bakr deals, would see to his
financial needs but when Mistah &ecke entangled himself in this episode, Hadhrat
Abu Bakr Meals vowed never to spend on him again. Upon this, Allah Ta'ala
revealed the following verse:
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وَلَا يَأْتَلِ أُولُوا الْفَضْلِ مِنْكُمْ وَ السَّعَةِ أَنْ يُؤْتُوَّا أُوِى الْقُرْبِى وَ الْمَسْكِيْنَ وَالْمُهِرِ يْنَ فِىْ
سَبِيْلِ اللهِ وَلْيَعْفُوْا وَلْيَصْفَحُوْ اَلَا تُحِبُّوْنَ اَنْ يَغْفِرَ اللهُ لَكُلُهُ وَاللهُ غَفُوْرُ رَّحِيمُ
٢٢
"And let not those who have been blessed with grace and wealth swear not to
provide (any assistance) to the kinsmen, the destitute and those who migrated in
Allah's path. Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah forgives you?
And Allah is forgiving, merciful." [Surah Noor verse 22]
When Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم recited this verse to Hadhrat Abu Bakr ◌ُرَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْه ,he
submitted:
بلى! والله، انى لأحب ان يغفر الله لى
"Of course, I want Allah to pardon me."
He then continued providing financial assistance to Mistah Meals and swore: "By
Allah! I will never cease helping Mistah." Compared to previous times, he now
doubled his financial assistance to him.
Revelation of Tayammum
According to some narrations, in their return from this expedition, Hadhrat
'Aa'ishah (saules lost her necklace and dawn broke whilst the caravan was
searching for it. There was no water in this area. The verses of Tayammum were
revealed and the Sahaabah Peaks performed their Fajr Salaah with Tayammum.
The Sahaabah Acals were so overcome with joy that Usaid bin Hudhair deals,
swept with elation, remarked: "O family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first of your
blessings. In fact, due to your barakah (blessings and good fortune), a number of
concessions in divine commandments have already been revealed."
According to other research scholars, the verses of Tayammum were not
revealed in this campaign of Banu Mustalaq but they were revealed on another
journey subsequent to the campaign of Banu Mustalaq. This is evident from the
narration of M'ujam Tabraani wherein Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah (caule, narrates: "On one
occasion I lost my necklace and the slanderers said what they said. Subsequent to
this, I once travelled with Rasulullah Lauf on another journey in which I lost
my necklace a second time. Everyone was forced to halt in search of the necklace."
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Meals reproachfully remarked to Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geals:
"Daughter, on every journey it seems you are becoming a nuisance to the people."
At that very moment the verses of Tayammum were revealed wherein Allah
Ta'ala permitted us to make Tayammum and perform Salaah in the absence of
water."
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Hadhrat Abu Bakr Meals was overjoyed with the revelation of the concession
of Tayammum and addressing Hadhrat 'Aa'ishah Geaks, he cheerily commented:
"You are surely blessed! You are surely blessed! You are surely blessed!"
Chapter 18
Battle of Khandaq (Trench) or Ahzaab (Confederates)
- Shawwaal 5 A.H.
The battle of Khandaq took place in the year 5 A.H. On their return from the battle
of Uhud, Abu Sufyaan made a threatening statement to the Muslims warning them
that he would fight them the following year. Saying this he returned to Makkah. In
the following year, as the time to carry out his threat drew closer, he left Makkah
but returned en route citing reasons of drought and the inappropriateness of war
etc. A year later, he attempted to launch an attack against Madinah with a force of
ten thousand men. This expedition is referred to as the expedition of Khandaq or
the expedition of Ahzaab.
The key factor behind this expedition was that following the banishment of
Banu Nazeer, Huyayy bin Akhtab went to Makkah and incited the Quraysh to take
up arms against Rasulullah af . Meanwhile Kinaanah bin Rab'i approached
the Banu Ghitfaan tribe and persuaded them too to go into battle against
Rasulullah cka . Kinaanah tempted them to agree by offering them half the
produce of the palm trees of Khaybar annually. On hearing this pledge, 'Uyaynah
bin Hisn Fazaari (their chief) swiftly agreed. The Quraysh, on the other hand, were
raging to fight from the beginning (so there was no need to entice them any
further).
This is how Abu Sufyaan, with a force of ten thousand strong, set out towards
Madinah to defeat the Muslims once and for all.
When Resulullah tgatas heard of their departure from Makkah, he
consulted the Sahaabah als. Hadhrat Salmaan Faarsi Meals proposed the
digging of trenches around the city. He argued that it would be somewhat gruelling
to fight them on the open field. Fighting them from the protection of the trenches
would be more appropriate. This proposal appealed to all the Sahaabah Reduks.
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صَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
Rasulullah Uckaf himself set its boundaries, drew lines and assigned ten
people per ten yards for the digging of the trenches.
The trenches were dug so deep that they encountered the moisture of the soil.
The trenches were completed in six days.
Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم also physically joined the Sahaabah ◌ُرَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْهُم in digging
the trenches. He struck the very first pick to the ground with his blessed hands and
the following words were on his blessed tongue:
بسم الله وبه بَدِيْنَا وَلَوْ عَبَدْنَا غَيْرِهِ شَقِيْنَا
"Bismillah, we commence in the name of Allah. If we devoted to anyone other than
Him, we would surely be doomed to an ill fate.
حَبَّذَا رَبًّا وحَبَّذا دِيْنًا
Oh, what a wonderful Lord He is and what a magnificent religion we have!"
It was during the midst of winter. Icy cold winds were blowing and they were
starving for a few days but the devoted Muhaajireen and Ansaar were
enthusiastically engaged in digging the trenches. Whilst occupied in shifting
mounds of sand, they would chant the following words:
على الجهاد ما بقينا ابدا
نحن الذين بايعوا مُحَمَّدا
"We are those who pledged on the hands of Muhammad (and we have sold our lives
to Allah for Rasulullah L,xlauf) that we would continue fighting in Jihaad as
long as we have life within us."
In response to these words, Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم would chant:
اللهم لا عيش الاعيش الاخرة فاغفر للانصار والمهاجره
"O Allah! There is really no life but the life of the hereafter. So forgive the Ansaar
and the Muhaajireen."
At times he would chant:
فبارك فى الانصار والمهاجره
اللهم انه لا خير الاخير الاخره
"O Allah! There is no goodness but the goodness of the hereafter. So bestow Your
blessings upon the Ansaar and the Muhaajireen."
صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ narrates: "On the day of the trench, Rasulullah رَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ Baraa bin 'Aazib
himself was engaged in carrying the sand of the trenches to such an extent that his
blessed stomach turned grimy with dust. Whilst carrying the sand, he would chant
the following words:
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وَلَا تَصَدَّقْنَا، وَلَا صَلَّيْنَا
وَاللهِ، لَو لَا اللهُ مَا اهتَدَيْنَا
By Allah! If it was not for the divine guidance of Allah, we would not have been
guided, neither would we have performed our Salaah nor disbursed charity.
وَثَبِّتِ الْأَقْدَامِ انْ لَاقَيْنَا
فَآَنْزِلِنْ سَكِيْنَةً عَلَيْنَا
O Allah! Shower us with tranquillity and keep us steadfast when we are confronted
with the enemy.
إِذَا آَرَادُوْا فِتْنَةً أَبَيْنَا
إِنَّ الْأُلى قَدْ بَغَوْا عَلَيْنَا
They have been vindictive to us. If they wish to ensnare us into any temptation, we
will flatly refuse." (At the end of this stanza are the words Abaynaa, Abaynaa (we
will refuse, we will refuse).
Whilst Rasulullah Uckaf was singing these stanzas, as he came to the end, he
would repeatedly recite in a loud tone: "Abaynaa Abaynaa Abaynaa ... "
Hadhrat Jaabir deals narrates: "Whilst digging the trenches, we were
confronted by a huge boulder. When we raised this issue with Rasulullah
Licitauf, he replied: 'Wait, I will go down into the trench myself.' Due to severe
hunger, Rasulullah Uckauf had tied a stone to his abdomen. We also had not
tasted anything for three days. Rasulullah Leaf gripped the pickaxe with his
blessed hands and landed a single blow to the boulder turning it to a mound of
sand."
According to the narration cited in Nasai, when Rasulullah kauf landed
the first blow with the pickaxe, a third of the boulder shattered and he remarked:
"Allahu Akbar! I have been awarded the keys of the kingdom of Syria. By Allah! At
this moment, I can see the red palaces of Syria." When Rasulullah deal struck
the boulder a second time, another third broke off and he remarked: "Allahu Akbar!
I have been awarded the keys to Persia. By Allah! At this moment I can perceive
with my very eyes the white palace of Madaain." When Resulullah Atgaiauf
struck the boulder a third time, the rest of it shattered and he said: "Allahu Akbar! I
have been awarded the keys to Yemen. By Allah, from where I am standing, I can
clearly see the doors of Sanaa'."
According to another narration, when Rasulullah Lauf struck the boulder
the first time, a bolt of lightning flashed in the sky illuminated the palaces of Syria.
To this Rasulullah kauf remarked: "Allahu Akbar!" This Takbeer was then
also echoed by the Sahaabah رَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْهُم .Thereafter, Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم said:
"Jibraa'eel Ameen just informed me that my Ummah is destined to conquer all
those cities."
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The Muslims barely completed the digging of the trenches when the ten-
thousand-strong well-equipped army of the Quraysh landed on the outskirts of
Madinah. They set up base near Mount Uhud. With a force of three thousand
Sahaabah ◌ُرضى اللَّهُ عَنْهُم , Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّاللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم set out to confront them and set up camp
near Mount Sil'a. The trenches were separating both the armies. Rasulullah
Auchauf directed all women and children to be secured in one of the fortresses.
Until that moment, the Banu Qurayzah were still neutral. However, the leader
of the Banu Nazeer tribe, Huyayy bin Akhtab tried every possible means to win
them over as allies against the Muslims. Huyayy bin Akhtab, the leader of the Banu
Nazeer tribe personally went to K'ab bin Asad, the leader of the Banu Qurayzah
tribe, who had already signed a peace agreement with Resulullah Lugartai Jo. The
moment K'ab caught sight of Huyayy coming, he slammed the fortress door shut.
Huyayy shouted: "Open the door. (I wish to speak to you)." K'ab responded:
ویحك یا حیی! انك امرء مشئوم، وانی قد عاهدت محمدا فلست بنا
قضی ما بینی وبینه فانی لم ار منه الا صدقا ووفاء
"Shame on you, O Huyayy! You are certainly an ill-fated man. I have already
entered into a pact with Muhammad and I will definitely not violate this agreement
because I have not witnessed anything from him but truthfulness, honesty and
execution of his promises."
Huyayy, not wanting to be put down any further, pleaded: "Allow me to present
before you something that would guarantee you eternal honour. I have brought the
forces of Quraysh and Ghitfaan right up to your doorstep. All of us have pledged
never to budge an inch until Muhammad and his companions are utterly
annihilated."
K'ab replied: "By Allah! You always bring humiliation and shame in your
wake. I will never ever breach the accord with Muhammad. I haven't witnessed
anything from him but truthfulness, honesty and execution of his promises."
However, Huyayy was not a person to be easily swayed. He persisted in his
efforts to influence K'ab until K'ab ultimately agreed to break his commitment
. صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ with Rasulullah
When Rasulullah Ucla was informed of their treachery, he sent S'ad bin
Mu'aaz ◌ُرَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْه ,Stad bin 'Ubaadah ◌ُرَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْه and 'Abdullah bin Rawaahah ◌ُرَضِ اللَّهُ عَنْه to
make further investigations. He also advised them: "If this news proves to be
correct, return and inform me in such ambiguous terms that the ordinary person
would not be able to grasp its meaning and if this news proves to be incorrect,
there is no problem in revealing it publicly."
When this group went to K'ab bin Asad and reminded him about their mutual
agreement, he retorted: "What agreement? What pact? And who is Muhammad? I
do not ever remember making a pact with him."
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When this group returned to Rasulullah cka, they merely said: "Adal
and Qaarah." In other words, just as the tribes of 'Adal and Qaarah acted
treacherously with Ashaab-e-Raj'i (Hadhrat Khubaib Meals and his companions),
similarly, these Jews are also guilty of treachery.
Rasulullah Eckeaf. was immensely disheartened over their betrayal and
treachery. Now the Muslims were surrounded by the disbelievers from all sides.
Outside enemies resembling a swarm of locusts were camped right before them
whilst enemies from within the siege, like the Banu Qurayzah, also linked up with
them. In short, the Muslims were facing harrowing odds and to top this, the nights
were bitterly cold and they were starving for a number of days.
Allah Ta'ala describes this scenario in Surah Ahzaab in the following words:
إِذْجَاءُوْ كُمْ مِنْ فَوْقِكُمْ وَ مِنْ أَسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ وَ إِذْزَاغَتِ الْأَبْصَارُ وَ بَلَغَتِ الْقُلُوْبُ الْحَنَاجِرَ وَ
تَظُنُّوْنَ بِاللهِ الُّنُوْنَا جَ هُنَالِكَ ابْتُلِىَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ وَزُلْزِلُوْا زِلْزَالًا شَدِيْدًا
"Remember when the enemy came upon you from above and from beneath you, and
when the eyes were dazzled (with fright) and the hearts reached the throats (in
horror) and you started harbouring a number (of ill thoughts) about Allah. There,
the believers were tested and were powerfully shaken." [Surah Ahzaab verses 10-11]
This was a trial for the Muslims. Sincerity and hypocrisy were being screened on
the 'scales of trials'. These scales separated the genuine from the bogus. Alarmed
by the current events, the hypocrites launched into all forms of lame excuses. Some
of them said: "O Rasulullah! Due to the low walls, our houses are not safe. The
safety of our wives and children is crucial. So we appeal to you to allow us to
leave."
The Holy Qur-aan describes this thus:
يَقُوْلُوْنَ إِنَّ بُيُوْتَنَا عَوْرَانُ﴿ وَمَا هِىَ بِعَوْرَالِأُ إِنْ يُّرِ يْدُوْنَ إِلَّا فِرَارًا
"They (the hypocrites) say: 'Our homes lie exposed (to the enemy).' But they are not
exposed. They merely wish to flee. (This is why they are offering lame excuses.)"
[Surah Ahzaab verse 13]
Allah Ta'ala describes the Muslims, whose hearts were infused with sincerity and
true faith, thus:
وَلَمَّا رَاَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ الْأَحْزَابُهُ قَالُوْا هَذَا مَا وَعَدَنَا اللهُ وَ رَسُوْلُهُ وَ صَدَقَ اللهُ وَ رَسُوْلُكاٌ وَمَا
زَادَهُمْ إِلَّ إِيْمَانًا وَ تَسْلِيْمًا
"When the believers caught sight of the confederates (Ahzaab), they said: 'This is
what Allah and His Messenger had promised us and Allah and His Messenger had
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صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Seeratul Mustafa
spoken the truth'. And this only enhanced their faith and submission." [Surah
Ahzaab verse 22]
Nonetheless, the Jews as well as the hypocrites acted treacherously and deceptively
on this expedition. The Muslims were thus wedged in on all sides by the enemy on
the outside and an enemy within. Due to the frustrating difficulties of the siege,
Rasulullah skal thought that perhaps the Muslims, driven by natural human
nature, would be thrown into a cauldron of panic and anxiety. This is why
Rasulullah Ucieauf proposed that a peace treaty be fostered with 'Uyaynah bin
Hisn and Haaris bin 'Awf (both leaders of the Ghitfaan tribes) by offering them a
third of the produce of the palm orchards of Madinah. This proposal, Rasulullah
Acta deduced, would drive them away from supporting Abu Sufyaan and also
somewhat relieve the current siege. Subsequently, Rasulullah Leaf expressed
this idea before S'ad bin Mu'aaz deals and S'ad bin 'Ubaadah deadly. They replied:
"O Rasulullah cká ! Did Allah Ta'ala command you to do this? If yes, it
would only be our pleasure to execute this divine commandment or are you
proposing this merely out of affection and compassion for us?" Rasulullah
Lucka replied: "This is not a divine commandment of Allah. This is merely a
suggestion on my part with your best interests at heart. All the Arabs have united
their forces against you and they are 'raining down arrows onto you from a single
bow'. With the strategy I have in mind, I wish to undermine their united stance
and chip away at their cohesive strength."
Stad bin Mu'aaz ◌ُرَضِّ اللّهُ عَنْه submitted: "O Rasulullah ◌َصَلَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم! When all of us
were disbelievers, we worshipped idols. We had no idea whatsoever about Allah
Ta'ala. Even at that time none of them had the guts to take a single bunch of dates
from us except as a guest or by purchasing it from us. And now when Allah Ta'ala
has blessed us with this incomparable gift of Hidaayat (divine guidance) and
honoured us with Islam we must surrender our wealth to them? This is impossible!
By Allah! We have no need to relinquish our wealth to these people. By Allah! We
will present them with nothing but the sword. They may do as they deem fit."
صَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ then took hold of Rasulullah's رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ Hadhrat S'ad bin Mu'aaz
blessed hand and rubbed out the entire text of the proposed peace agreement that
was written down in this respect.
Two weeks passed like this without any actual combat. During these two
weeks, both sides merely engaged in lobbing arrows at one another. At length, a
few mounted warriors of the Quraysh; 'Amr bin 'Abduwudd, 'Ikramah bin Abi
Jahal, Hubairah bin Abi Wahab, Diraar bin Khattaab and Nawfal bin 'Abdullah,
stepped out to engage the Muslims. When they reached the trenches, they
remarked: "By Allah! We've never had such deceptive tactics amongst the Arabs
before this."
One section of the trench was a bit narrow. They managed to breach this weak
spot, scaled over and challengingly roused the Muslims to step out for hand-to-