35. OTHER DISOBEDIENT INDIVIDUALS WHO ALSO LAGGED BEHIND
They were ten individuals who lagged behind Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the Battle of Tabook. Upon the Prophet’s return, they tied themselves to the pillars of the Mosque. When Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, passed by, he asked: “Who are these people?” He was told: “This is Abu Lubabah and his compatriots who lagged behind you (and have tied themselves) till you free and excuse them.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “I swear by Allah, I shall not free them nor shall I excuse them until Allah Himself frees them. They turned away from me and lagged behind from the battle alongside the Muslims.” When this statement of Allah’s Messenger was conveyed to them they resolved: “We shall not unbind ourselves until Allah Himself frees us.”
Then Allah revealed: “And (there are) others who have acknowledged their sins.” Upon the revelation of this Verse, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sent word to them freeing and excusing them. As a token of their gratitude, they came to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, with their wealth saying: “O Messenger of Allah, this is our wealth, give it in charity and seek forgiveness on our behalf.” The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “I have not been commanded to take your properties.” Then Allah revealed: “Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. Verily! Your invocations are a source of security for them, and Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower” (Soorah At-Tawbah 9:103) upto the Verse: “And others await Allah’s Decree, whether He will punish them or will forgive them.” (9:106) These are those who did not fetter themselves to the pillars of the mosque so they kept hoping till Allah revealed yet another Verse: “Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhajiroon and the Ansar who followed him (Muhammad) in the time of distress (Tabook expedition, etc.) ” (Soorah At-Tawbah 9:117) upto the Verse: “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).” (9:118) till the end of the Verse. This is how ‘Atiyyah Ibn Sa’d Al-A‘wfi has related it on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas.
I said: Perhaps these three were not mentioned along with the remainder of his compatriots and he was just mentioned because he was their leader as indicated by the wordings of Ibn ‘Abbas. And Allah (SWT) knows best.
I said: Those who lagged behind from the Battle of Tabook were in four categories: those who were ordered (to remain behind) and will be rewarded, such as ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad Ibn Maslamah and Ibn Umm Maktoom. The second category consists of those who were excused. These were the weak and sick ones as well as those who turned back weeping. The third category is the disobedient and guilty ones. They were three individuals: Abu Lubabah and his compatriots. The fourth category was of the blameworthy and disparaged ones and they were the hypocrites.
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.