During the famous battle of Banul
Mustaliq in 5 A.H., a Muhajir had trouble with an Ansaari over some
small matter. Each of them called his own people for help and there
was a serious danger of a fight among the two groups of the Muslims,
but this was avoided through the efforts of some sensible people.
Abdullah bin Ubayy, who was the chief of the Munafiqin, was a very
bitter enemy of Islam. Outwardly acted like a Muslim, and was treated
as one by the other Muslims. When he came to know of this incident,
he used some rude words for Nabi SAW and, taking advantage of the
situation, addressed his people thus: "All this is the outcome
of the seed that you people have sown with your own hands.
You provided a home to
these strangers (meaning the Muhaajireen) in your town and shared
your wealth equally with them. If you take back your help from them,
they will be forced to go back." He further said: "By
Allah! On return to Madinah Munawwarah, we, the respected people,
shall drive out these mean people from there." Hadhrat Zaid bin
Arqam RA, an Ansari boy, was listening to him. He could not tolerate
these words and at once replied angrily by saying to him: "By
Allah! You yourself are
wretched. Even your own
people look down upon you, and nobody will support you. Muhammad SAW
is most honoured.
He is given respect by
Rahman and respected by his followers." Abdullah bin Ubayy said:
"All right. Do not mention it to anybody. It was only a joke. I
was not serious in what I said." However, Hadhrat Zaid went
straight to Nabi SAW and told him what the Munafiq had said. 'Umar RA
asked for Nabi's SAW permission to kill Abdullah bin Ubayy but Nabi
SAW refused.When Abdullah bin Ubayy learnt that Nabi SAW had received
the news about his disrespectful talk, he came to him and swore by
Allah SWT saying: "I never said such a thing. Zaid RA is a
liar he has given you a false report." A few of the Ansaar were
also sitting with Nabi SAW. They also supported him by saying: "O,
Nabi of Allah! He is the chief of his clan and is a big man. His
statement is more reliable than the report of a mere boy. It is just
possible that Zaid RA might have misheard or misunderstood him."
Nabi SAW accepted this
statement and took no action against him. When Zaid RA came to know
that the Munafiq had lied to Nabi SAW through false oaths, he would
not come out for shame of being called a liar by the people. He would
not even go to Nabi SAW. At last, Allah revealed Soorah Al
Munafiqoon, in which the report of Zaid RA was shown to be true and
the Munafiq was shown to be a liar. After this, all people began to
honour Zaid RA and look down upon the Munafiq.
The Munafiq (Abdullah bin
Ubayy) had a son. His name was also Abdullah RA and he was a very
sincere Muslim. When the Mujahiden were about to reach Madinah
Munawwarah, he drew out his sword and stood just outside the town
and, in a challenging tone, said to his Munafiq father: "I will
not allow you to enter Madinah Munawwarah, until you admit with your
own tongue that it is you who is mean and Muhammad SAW is most
honoured."This surprised him very much, as the son had always
been very respectful to him, but now he was prepared to kill him, his
own father, for the honour of Nabi SAW. The Munafiq had to say: "By
Allah! I am mean, and Muhammad SAW is most honoured." He was
then allowed to enter the town.
