Volume 8 Surah 9 - Enjoy Islam

Al-Tawbah (The Repentance) | THE EARTH’S SUFFOCATING EXPANSEtravelling fast to catch up with the army. Apparently, `Umayr had some good reasonfor his delay. The two travelled together until they were close to Tabūk. AbūKhaythamah then said to `Umayr: “I have perpetrated something bad. It may beadvisable for you to slow down a little until I catch up with the Prophet (peace beupon him).”`Umayr slowed down and Abū Khaythamah continued to travel at speed. Whenhis figure was visible to the army encamping at Tabūk, some of the Prophet’sCompanions drew his attention to the person travelling alone. The Prophet said: “Letit be Abū Khaythamah.” When the man drew nearer, they said: “Messenger of God,it is indeed Abū Khaythamah.”When he reached the place where the Prophet was, he dismounted and greetedthe Prophet. The Prophet spoke to him a phrase which implied warning. Interpreterssuggest that it meant that he, Abū Khaythamah, had brought himself very close todestruction. Abū Khaythamah related his story, and the Prophet prayed to God toforgive him.The Hour of DifficultyOne factor that contributed to the difficulty facing the Muslims was the attitude ofthe hypocrites who not only tried to seek excuses for themselves to stay behind, butalso tried to show the decision to fight the Byzantines as lacking careful planning andconsideration.A report mentions that a group of hypocrites, including Wadī`ah ibn Thābit, aswell as a man called Makhshī ibn Ĥimyar, an ally of the tribe of Salamah, were withthe Muslim army when the Prophet headed for Tabūk. Some of them tried to frightenthe believers and spread doubt in their ranks. They said: “Do you think fighting theByzantines the same as internal warfare between Arabian tribes? We can even nowsee how you will all be taken captive tomorrow and will be put in chains.” Makhshīsaid: “I wish we could escape with only 100 lashes each, without having verses of theQur’ān revealed to expose us as a result of what you have said.”The Prophet was informed of this and he said to `Ammār ibn Yāsir: “Rush to thosepeople for they are burnt. Ask them about what they have said and if they deny it,tell them that they have said these very words.” `Ammār went to them and told themexactly what the Prophet said. They came to the Prophet to apologize. Wadī`ah ibnThābit said to the Prophet as he mounted his camel, and Wadī`ah holding its reins:“Messenger of God, we were only talking idly and jesting.” Makhshī said:“Messenger of God, my name and my father’s name prevented me from leavingthese people.” (This is a reference to the fact that he was only an ally occupying aweak position.) He was the one among those to whom this verse refers who was226