29. THE MOBILIZATION OF THE MUSLIM ARMY NUMBERING THIRTY THOUSAND
Yoonus Ibn Bukair related on the authority of Ibn Ishaq that the preparation progressed well and the march became near. When Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, marched out on a Thursday, he camped with his army numbering over 30,000 men at Thaniyat Al-Wada‘. ‘Abdullah Ibn Ubayy camps his own army in a section of the Prophet’s location. While Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, proceeded, ‘Abdullah Ibn Ubayy lagged behind and eventually withdrew along with a contingent of the hypocrites and the people of doubt. Ibn Ishaq added that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, appointed ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib to oversee the affairs of his family and commanded him to remain with them. Consequently, the hypocrites began to spread rumors that he had left him behind because he was a burden to him and wanted to rid himself of him.
On the authority of Mus‘ab Ibn Sa’d who related from his father that he said that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, left ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib behind in the Battle of Tabook and he complained: “O Messenger of Allah, would you leave me behind among the women and children?” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Are you not pleased to be to me as Haroon was to Moosa with the exception that there will be no Prophet after me?”
On the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ood who said that when Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, proceeded to Tabook, each time a person would lag behind, the people would say: “O Messenger of Allah, so and so has lagged behind.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would say: “Leave him, if Allah finds any good in him, He will cause him to catch up with you. If He finds in him something that is contrary, then Allah has relieved you of him.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, Abu Dharr has lagged behind, his camel has slowed him down.” Again the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Leave him, if Allah finds any good in him, He will cause him to catch up with you. If He finds in him something contrary, then Allah has relieved you of him.” Abu Dharr rebuked his camel and when it became too slow for him, he took his belongings and placed it on his back and proceeded on the trail of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, on foot.
Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, camped at one of his rest areas when a Muslim, who was keeping watch, called out: “O Allah’s Messenger, there is a man approaching on foot along the road.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “That is Abu Dharr.” When the people looked more carefully they said: “O Allah’s Messenger, by Allah it is truly Abu Dharr!” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “May Allah have mercy on Abu Dharr, he walks alone, he will die alone and will be resurrected alone.” As time went by, Abu Dharr relocated to Rabadhah. When his death approached, he instructed his wife and his young boy: “Once I am dead, wash and shroud me in the night and then place me in the middle of the road. When the first passersby come, tell them: ‘This is Abu Dharr’.” When he died, they did as he instructed. A caravan appeared in which there was ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ood among a group of people from Kufah. (When he saw the spectacle) he asked: “What is this?” He was told: “This is the corpse of Abu Dharr.” Ibn Mas‘ood began to cry and said: “Truthful are the words of Allah’s Messenger: ‘May Allah have Mercy on Abu Dharr, he walks alone, he will die alone and will be resurrected alone’.” He dismounted and took charge of the corpse by himself and buried him.
‘Umar said: “We proceeded to Tabook in extremely hot weather and we camped at a location where we were seized by such an extreme thirst that we feared that our necks would be severed. One of us would go in search of luggage and he would not return except with a thought that his neck would be choked due to extreme thirst. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that someone would slaughter his camel and he would squeeze its waste and then drink it. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, approached the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, Allah has vouchsafed your response to supplication, so beseech Allah on our behalf.’ He asked: ‘Would you really like that?’ Abu Bakr replied in the affirmative. Then Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, raised his hands toward the sky and did not lower them till the sky became cloudy and there was a downpour; they filled all their containers. We went to check and found that the rain did not fall beyond the area of the army.”
On the authority of Abu Hurairah or Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (Al- A‘mash was doubtful) who said: During the Battle of Tabook, the Muslim army was seized by starvation so they complained to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him saying: “O Messenger of Allah, do you permit us to slaughter our animals for consumption?” He replied: “You may do so.” ‘Umar came and said: “O Messenger of Allah, if you permit them, then the riding animals will be depleted. Rather, order them to gather the remnant of their provision and ask Allah to bless it, perhaps He will cause it to be blessed.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, liked Umar’s suggestion and called for a leather mat to be spread and ordered the people to bring the remnants of their provision. A man would bring a handful of sorghum, another would come with a handful of dates, and yet another would bring only a morsel till a very small quantity was collected on the leather sheet. Then Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, supplicated for Allah’s blessings and said: “Fill your bags.” So they scooped the food and filled their bags until there was no container in the camp except that it was filled with provision. They ate to their fill and there was much more left in stock. Then Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “I bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and by it (the statement) Allah shall not cast (into the Fire) except the doubters who would be screened from Al-Jannah.”
By: Ibn Katheer
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.