continuation : (requested by a mod...huhuhu)
"I only plead for my distress and anguish unto Allah," (XII: 86)
he wept so much that he could not recite any further. In Tahajjud, he would sometimes fall to the greund and
would get indisposed with excessive weeping .
Such was the fear of Allah in Hadhrat Umar(Radhiyallaho anho) whose name struck terror in the hearts of
the mightiest monarchs of his time. Even today, the people are filled with awe when they read about him. Is
there any person in power today who is prepared to show such kindness to the people in his charge?
The Tabuk expedition is one of the major campaigns of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), and the last one in which he personally took part. When he received the news that the Caesar (of Rome) had mustered a large force to crush the power of Islam and was on his way (through Syria) to invade Madinah, he decided to lead the Sahabah to check him on his way. On Thursday the 5th of Rajab, 9 A.H .. the devoted band marched out of Madinah. As the weather was hot and the fighting was expected to be very tough. the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) made an open declaration that the Muslims should gather in strength and prepare fully to face the forces of the Roman Empire. He also exhorted them to contribute towards the equipment of the expedition. It was on this occasion that Hadheat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) contributed all his belongings. When he was questioned by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) as to what he had left for
his family, he replied:
"I have left Allah and His Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) for them."
Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) contributed half of his belongings and Hadhrat 'Usman (Radhiyallahoanho) provided for the equipment of one-third of the whole army. Although everybody, contributed beyond his means, yet the equipment fell far short of the requirements. Only one camel was available for each group of ten persons, who were to ride it in turn. This is why this campaign is known as: "The campaign of hardship."
The journey was long and the weather hot and dry. The orchards were laden with ripe dates (the staple crop of Madinah) and it was just the time for harvesting, when all of a sudden the Sahabah were required to start on this campaign. It was really an acid test of their Imaan. They visualised the long and arduous journey, the scorching heat, the formidable enemy opposed to them and, to top all, the prospective loss of the year's crop, but they could not even dream of evading the call to arms, and that solely on account of the deep-rooted fear of Allah in their hearts. Except the women, children (who were excusable), those who were ordered to stay behind by the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) himself. and the munafiqin, nearly everybody joined the
expedition. Also among those left behind were such persons as could neither arrange conveyance for themselves, nor was the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) able to provide them with any.
It is about such people that Allah says in his Book:
"They turned back with eyes flowing with tears in sorrow that they could not find means to spend." (IX: 92)
Of the true believers. those who stayed behind without any excuse whatsoever were three in number. Their story would be presently related. On their way to Syria when the expedition reached the habitation of Thamud, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) covered his face with his shirt and quickened the pace of his camel. He also instructed the Sahabah to do the same, since that was the se-ne of Thamud's destruction.
They were advised to pass there weeping and fearing lest Allah should punish them aa he had punished the Thamud.
The dearest and the most beloved Prophet of Allah and his privileged companions pass by the ruins of the punished people in fear and tears, lest they meet the same fate; on the other hand today, if any place is struck with an earthquake, it becomes a place of sightseeing for us and, if we come across any ruins, our eyes remain dry and our hearts unaffected. What a change of attitude!
Among the Munafiqin who did not join the Tabuk expedition, there were more than eighty persons from among the Ansar and an equal number from amongst the nomadic Arabs and a large number from the outstations.
Not only did they stay behind themselves, but they induced others to do so saying:
"Go not forth in the heat."
Allah's reply to this was:
"Say the fire of Hell is of more intense heat."
From amongst theIalthful, there were only three persons who" failed to rally to the Prophet's call. They were Murarah bin Rabi, Hilal bin Umayyah and Ka'ab bin Malik (Radhiyallaho anhurn). Murarah had orchards of dates, laden with fruit. He persuaded himself to lag behind with the plea:
"I have taken part in all the campaigns so far. What possible harm would befall the Muslims, if I miss this one?"
He feared the loss of his entire crop in his absence, and this prevented him from going out. But when he realised his . folly, he gave away incharity the whole crop and garden, too. that had caused him to tarry behind the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam).
Hilal's case was different. Some of his kinsfolk who had been away for a long time had just returned to Madinah. It was for the sake of their company that he did not
join the expedition. He also had participated in all the campaigns previously and thought (like Murarah) that it would not matter much if he missed just that one campaign. When he came to know of the seriousness of his default, he made up his mind to sever all his connections with those relatives who had been the cause of that blunder.
Ka'ab himself gives his account in detail, which is quoted in all books of Hadith. He says:
"I had never been financially so well off as I was at the time of Tabuk. I had two dromedaries of my own. I had never possessed this number before. It was a habit with the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) that he never disclosed the destination of. his expeditions, but he would keep. enquiring about the conditions prevailing elsewhere. But this time in view of the distance, the hot season, and the strength of the enemy, he had declared his destination, so that preparations could be made thorough and complete. The number of the participants was so large that it was difficult to note down
their names even, so much so, that absentees could hardly be detected in the large host. The gardens of Madinah were full of fruit. I intended every morning to make preparation for the journey but, somehow or other, the days passed by. and I made no progress. I was satisfied that I had all the necessary means at my disposal and that I would be ready. in no time if I once did decide to do so. I was still in this state of indecision when I learnt that the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had left
with his companions. The idea still lingered in my mind that I would take a day or two to get ready and overtake the party. This procrastination continued till the time for the Prophet's arrival in Tabuk drew very near. I then tried to get ready but again, somehow or other, I did not do so. Now, when I came to look at the people left behind, I realised that there was none in Madinah except those who had been condemned as Munafiqin or had been specially exempted from going for certain reasons.
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) on reaching Tabuk inquired as well, 'How is it that I do not see" Ka'ab?' Somebody said, '0, Prophet of Allah: His. pride in wealth and ease has caused him to stay behind.' Ma'az interrupted and said, No, this is wrong. As far as our knowledge goes, he is a true Muslim.' The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) however, kept quiet."
Ka'ab (Radhiyallaho anho) says:
"After a few days I heard the news of the Prophet's return. I was struck with grief and remorse. Good excuses one after the other entered my mind, and I was sure that I could escape the Prophet's wrath with one of them for the time being, and later on I could pray for forgiveness to Allah. I also sought advice of the wise men of my family in the matter. But when I knew that the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had actually arrived, I was convinced that nothing but the truth would save me; so I decided to speak out the plain truth. It was a habit with the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) that whenever he returned from a journey he would repair to the rnusjid, first of all, say two rakaat 'Tahiyyatul musjid' and then stay there for a while to meet visitors. Now also, as he sat in the musjid, the Munafiqin came and placed before him on solemn oaths, their excuses for failing to accompany him on the campaign. He took them at their words, leaving the rest to Allah. Just then I came and greeted him with 'salaam'. He turned his face with a sardonic smile. I besought him with the words: '0,
Prophet of Allah! You turn your face from me. By Allah! I am neither a Munafiq, nor have I the least doubt in my faith.' He asked me to draw near and I did so. He then said to me: 'What prevented you from going out? Had you not purchased the dromedaries? I made a reply: '0, Prophet of Allah: If I were dealing with a worldly man, I am sure I would escape his displeasure through (seemingly) reasonable excuses, for Allah has endowed me.with the gift of the gab. But in your case I am sure that if I appease you with a false statement, Allah would be displeased with me. And, on the other hand, I
am sure that if I displease you by confessing the simple truth, then Allah would very soon blow away your displeasure. I, therefore, make bold to speak the very truth. By Allah, I had no excuse at all. I had never been so well to do as I was at that time.
' The Prophet (Sallallahoalaihe wasallam) remarked:
'He is speaking the truth.' He then said to me: 'You go away, Allah will decide about you. When I left the musjid, many a man of my clan blamed me and admonished. me thus; D: 'Never before you had committed any wrong; if after making some good excuse for once, you had requested the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) to pray for your goodness, surely his prayer would have sufficed you.' I inquired of them if there were any more people like me. They informed me that there were two other persons viz. Hilal bin Umayyah and Murarah bin Rabi, who also had admitted their faults like me and
received the same reply from the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). I knew that both of them were very good Muslims and had participated in the campaign of Badr. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) issued instructions that none was to speak with the three of us.'
-to be continued (work to do :hiding
