Fire under Ash

Narrator: In the name of God. It was the year 6 AH. A piece of news was circulated in Medina. Somebody said, "It doesn't sound to be true." Another one said, "It is likely that Hareth commits such a blunder."

The news was that Hareth ibn Abi Zirar, chief of Banu Mustaliq clan, was collecting arms and forces to fight Muslims. The Prophet of Islam, in order to be sure of the report, ordered his companion Burayda to go to Banu Mustaliq clan to investigate the case. Burayda entered the clan incognito, talked to Hareth and got informed of his decision. Then he returned to the Prophet with the news that Hareth was really getting prepared for war with Muslims.

Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) departed toward Banu Mustaliq clan with his companions and encountered the clan near a well. The battle started but it didn't take long as a number of the enemy's forces were killed and their troop was shattered. The war was over but the Prophet's companions didn’t know that another sedition was in the making. Voices of two people could be heard. Each of them was appealing for help from his own clan. Muslims gathered around them. One of the Muhajerin (migrants) and one of the Ansaar (helpers) had difference on an insignificant matter. The pre-Islamic bigotries were revived. Every moment there was a fear of a new infighting.

The Prophet was informed of skirmish among Muslims and said to them, "Let these two people on themselves. This call for help is very disgusting and smells bad. It is like the calls of the era of ignorance and the ominous effects of ignorance have not been uprooted from hearts, yet."

This was just the beginning. In the battle of Banu Mustaliq, many hypocrites, who had never taken part in any battle and had no tendency for it, set out with the Prophet just due to the proximity of the war theater and the greed to attain material gains.

Abdullah ibn Ubayy, head of the hypocrites in Medina, also participated in the battle in a bid to attain spoils. He was very upset that the fire of difference had subsided. Once more, Abdullah came to the Ansaar to ignite the fire under ash again. He told them angrily, "We were wrong to place the migrants of Mecca in our city and safeguard them against the enemy. Now, whatever mishap befalls us we deserve it."

Abdullah's words were gradually affecting the Prophet's companions. As Abdullah saw that his remarks were angering the Ansaar, he continued, "Do not spend to the Muhajerin so that they scatter from around the Prophet. By God, if we return to Medina, as the powerful and honorable people of Medina, we should expel the weak Muhajerin out of Medina."

Abdulalh ibn Ubayy was happy on seeing how much his words had fomented rifts among Muslims. But this happiness didn't last long. Zaid ibn Arqam stood against him, saying, "By God, you are mean. You are the one who has no position among his kinsmen; whereas, Mohammad is endeared by Muslims and their hearts are replete with his love." Zaid came to the Prophet and informed him of Abdullah's words.

Finding his status at stake, Abdullah ibn Ubayy came to the Prophet and said, "I have never said such words."

Narrator: Some persons confirmed him. God's Messenger had to do something so that both sides would forget those remarks and quarrels. Hence, he ordered his companions to depart. One of the companions told the Prophet, "O God's Messenger! Now is not the time for departure. Why have you ordered this?"

The Prophet said, "Are you not aware of Abdullah's words and the fire he has ignited?"

 He said, "O Messenger of God! The two tribes of Ows and Khazraj, before your migration to Medina, were intended to make Abdullah the governor of Medina; but with the emergence of Islam the situation changed and people were scattered from around him, and he considers you as the cause of his failure."

The troop of Muslims set out. They marched for a full day and night and stopped only for prayer. The next day was very hot. Muslims were too tired to move any more. So, the Prophet ordered them to take rest. Muslims fell asleep as soon as they dismounted and all bitter memories had faded away in their hearts as the fire of sedition had subsided. Ayah 46 of surah Anfaal reads, "And obey Allah and His Apostle and do not dispute, or you will lose heart and your power will be gone. And be patient; indeed, Allah is with the patient."

RM/SS