28. THOSE WHO REMAINED BEHIND DUE TO AN EXCUSE AMONG THE WEEPERS AS WELL AS OTHERS
Allah, the Almighty, says: “And when a Soorah is revealed, enjoining them to believe in Allah and to strive hard and fight along with His Messenger, the wealthy among them ask your leave to exempt them (from Jihad) and say, ‘Leave us (behind), we would be with those who sit (at home).’ They are content to be with those (the women) who sit behind (at home). Their hearts are sealed up (from all kinds of goodness and right guidance), so they understand not. But the Messenger (Muhammad) and those who believed with him (in Islamic Monotheism) strove hard and fought with their wealth and their lives (in Allah’s Cause). Such are they for whom are the good tidings, and it is they who will be successful. For them Allah has got ready gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.
And those who made excuses from the Bedouins came (to you, O Prophet) asking your permission to exempt them (from the battle), and those who had lied to Allah and His Messenger sat at home (without asking the permission for it) ; a painful torment will seize those of them who disbelieve. There is no blame on those who are weak or ill or who find no resources to spend (in Jihad), if they are sincere and true (in duty) to Allah and His Messenger. No ground (of complaint) can there be against the Muhsinoon (good-doers). And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Nor (is there blame) on those who came to you to be provided with mounts, and when you said: “I can find no mounts for you,” they turned back, while their eyes were overflowing with tears of grief that they could not find anything to spend (for Jihad). The ground (of complaint) is only against those who are rich, and yet ask exemption. They are content to be with (the women) who sit behind (at home) and Allah has sealed up their hearts (from all kinds of goodness and right guidance) so that they know not (what they are losing). (Soorah At-Tawbah 9:86-93)
We have extensively explained this in the Tafseer in a manner that suffices, and all praise and grace is due to Allah. The weepers are those who approached the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to provide them with mounts so that they can accompany him in this battle; however, they could not find any mounts with him so they returned weeping out of sorrow for missing the Jihad and spending in the path of Allah. Ibn Ishaq related: They were seven individuals from the Ansar as well as from other groups. From Banu ‘Amr Ibn ‘Awf were Salim Ibn ‘Umair, ‘Ulbah Ibn Zaid from Banu Harithah, Abu Laila ‘Abdur Rahman Ibn Ka‘b from Banu Mazin Ibn An-Najjar, ‘Amr Ibn Al-Humam Ibn Al-Jamooh from Banu Salimah and ‘Abdullah Ibn Al-Mughaffal Al-Mazani. Some people said it was ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Al-Muzani, Haramiyy Ibn ‘Abdullah of Banu Waqif and Irbad Ibn Sariyah Al-Fazari.
Abu Moosa narrated: “My Companions sent me to Allah’sMessenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to ask him for some riding animals as they were accompanying him in the army of Al-‘Usrah, which was the Ghazwah of Tabook. I asked: ‘O Allah’s Prophet! My companions have sent me to you to provide them with means of transportation.’ He said: ‘By Allah! I will not make you ride anything.’ It happened that when I reached him, he was in an angry mood, and I didn’t notice it. So I returned in a sad mood because of the refusal of the Prophet and for the fear that the Prophet might have become angry with me. So I returned to my companions and informed them of what the Prophet had said. Only a short while had passed when I heard Bilal calling: ‘O ‘Abdullah Ibn Qais!’ I replied to his call. Bilal said: ‘Respond to Allah’s Messenger who is calling you.’ When I went to him (i.e. the Prophet), he said: ‘Take these two camels tied together and also these two camels tied together,’ referring to six camels he had brought from Sa’d at that time.
“The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, added: ‘Take them to your companions and say: ‘Allah (or Allah’s Messenger) permits you to ride on these,’ so ride on them.’ So I took those camels to them and said: ‘The Prophet permits you to ride on these (camels), but by Allah, I will not leave you until some of you proceed with me to someone who heard the statement of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Do not think that I narrate to you a thing which Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not say.’ They said to me: ‘We consider you truthful, and we will do what you like’.”
The sub-narrator added: So Abu Moosa proceeded along with some of them until they came to those who had heard the statement of Allah’s Messenger, in which he (had initially) denied them (some animals to ride on) and (his statement) whereby he gave them the same. So these people told them the same information as Abu Moosa had told them.
Ibn Ishaq said: A couple of Muslims vacillated in their intention until they eventually lingered behind, neither out of doubt nor dubiety. Among them were: Ka‘b Ibn Malik Ibn Abi Ka‘b from Banu Salimah, Murarah Ibn Rabee’ from Banu ‘Amr Ibn ‘Awf and Hilal Ibn Umayyah from Banu Waqif and Abu Khaithamah from Banu Salim Ibn ‘Awf. They were truthful individuals whose (belief in) Islam cannot be impugned.
I say: As for the first three, the summary of their story shall be related in a short while, insha’Allah. It is concerning them that Allah revealed: “And (He did forgive also) the three [who did not join the Tabook expedition (whom the Prophet) ] left (i.e. he did not give his judgment in their case, and their case was suspended for Allah’s Decision) till for them the Earth, vast as it is, was straitened and their own selves were straitened to them, and they perceived that there is no fleeing from Allah, and no refuge but with Him.” (Soorah AtTawbah 9:118) As for Abu Khaithamah, he resolved to catch up with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as shall be related shortly.
By: Ibn Katheer
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