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الفتح الربانی
Fath al-Rabbani
أبواب فى فضائل بعض الصحابة الكرامChapters on the Virtues of Some Noble Companions
بَابُ مَا جَاءَ فِي كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكِ الْأَنْصَارِي رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُChapter on What Has Been Narrated Regarding Ka'b ibn Malik al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him
Hadith 11880
اُردوEn
عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ وَكَانَ قَائِدَ كَعْبٍ مِنْ بَنِيهِ حِينَ عَمِيَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يُحَدِّثُ حَدِيثَهُ حِينَ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ فَقَالَ كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ لَمْ أَتَخَلَّفْ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي غَزْوَةٍ غَيْرِهَا قَطُّ إِلَّا فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ غَيْرَ أَنِّي كُنْتُ تَخَلَّفْتُ فِي غَزْوَةِ بَدْرٍ وَلَمْ يُعَاتِبْ أَحَدًا تَخَلَّفَ عَنْهَا إِنَّمَا خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُرِيدُ عِيرَ قُرَيْشٍ حَتَّى جَمَعَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ عَدُوِّهِمْ عَلَى غَيْرِ مِيعَادٍ وَلَقَدْ شَهِدْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَيْلَةَ الْعَقَبَةِ حِينَ تَوَاثَقْنَا عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي بِهَا مَشْهَدَ بَدْرٍ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ بَدْرٌ أَذْكَرَ فِي النَّاسِ مِنْهَا وَأَشْهَرَ وَكَانَ مِنْ خَبَرِي حِينَ تَخَلَّفْتُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ لِأَنِّي لَمْ أَكُنْ قَطُّ أَقْوَى وَلَا أَيْسَرَ مِنِّي حِينَ تَخَلَّفْتُ عَنْهُ فِي تِلْكَ الْغَزَاةِ وَاللَّهِ مَا جَمَعْتُ قَبْلَهَا رَاحِلَتَيْنِ قَطُّ حَتَّى جَمَعْتُهَا فِي تِلْكَ الْغَزَاةِ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَلَّمَا يُرِيدُ غَزَاةً يَغْزُوهَا إِلَّا وَرَّى بِغَيْرِهَا حَتَّى كَانَتْ تِلْكَ الْغَزَاةُ فَغَزَاهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي حَرٍّ شَدِيدٍ وَاسْتَقْبَلَ سَفَرًا بَعِيدًا وَمَفَازًا وَاسْتَقْبَلَ عَدُوًّا كَثِيرًا فَجَلَّى لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ أَمْرَهُ لِيَتَأَهَّبُوا أُهْبَةَ عَدُوِّهِمْ فَأَخْبَرَهُمْ بِوَجْهِهِ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ وَالْمُسْلِمُونَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَثِيرٌ لَا يَجْمَعُهُمْ كِتَابُ حَافِظٍ يُرِيدُ الدِّيوَانَ فَقَالَ كَعْبٌ فَقَلَّ رَجُلٌ يُرِيدُ يَتَغَيَّبُ إِلَّا ظَنَّ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ سَيُخْفَى لَهُ مَا لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فِيهِ وَحْيٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَغَزَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ تِلْكَ الْغَزْوَةَ حِينَ طَابَتِ الثِّمَارُ وَالظِّلُّ وَأَنَا إِلَيْهَا أَصْعَرُ فَتَجَهَّزَ إِلَيْهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ مَعَهُ وَطَفِقْتُ أَغْدُو لِكَيْ أَتَجَهَّزَ مَعَهُ فَأَرْجِعَ وَلَمْ أَقْضِ شَيْئًا فَأَقُولُ فِي نَفْسِي أَنَا قَادِرٌ عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِذَا أَرَدْتُ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ كَذَلِكَ يَتَمَادَى بِي حَتَّى شَمَّرَ بِالنَّاسِ الْجِدُّ فَأَصْبَحَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ غَادِيًا وَالْمُسْلِمُونَ مَعَهُ وَلَمْ أَقْضِ مِنْ جَهَازِي شَيْئًا فَقُلْتُ الْجَهَازُ بَعْدَ يَوْمٍ أَوْ يَوْمَيْنِ ثُمَّ أَلْحَقُهُمْ فَغَدَوْتُ بَعْدَ مَا فَصَلُوا لِأَتَجَهَّزَ فَرَجَعْتُ وَلَمْ أَقْضِ شَيْئًا مِنْ جَهَازِي ثُمَّ غَدَوْتُ فَرَجَعْتُ وَلَمْ أَقْضِ شَيْئًا فَلَمْ يَزَلْ ذَلِكَ يَتَمَادَى بِي حَتَّى أَسْرَعُوا وَتَفَارَطَ الْغَزْوُ فَهَمَمْتُ أَنْ أَرْتَحِلَ فَأُدْرِكَهُمْ وَلَيْتَ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ ثُمَّ لَمْ يُقَدَّرْ ذَلِكَ لِي فَطَفِقْتُ إِذَا خَرَجْتُ فِي النَّاسِ بَعْدَ خُرُوجِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَطُفْتُ فِيهِمْ يَحْزُنُنِي أَنْ لَا أَرَى إِلَّا رَجُلًا مَغْمُوصًا عَلَيْهِ فِي النِّفَاقِ أَوْ رَجُلًا مِمَّنْ عَذَرَهُ اللَّهُ وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى بَلَغَ تَبُوكَ فَقَالَ وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْقَوْمِ بِتَبُوكَ ”مَا فَعَلَ كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ“ قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي سَلِمَةَ حَبَسَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بُرْدَاهُ وَالنَّظَرُ فِي عِطْفَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ بِئْسَ مَا قُلْتَ وَاللَّهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا خَيْرًا فَسَكَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ كَعْبُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَدْ تَوَجَّهَ قَافِلًا مِنْ تَبُوكَ حَضَرَنِي بَثِّي فَطَفِقْتُ أَتَفَكَّرُ الْكَذِبَ وَأَقُولُ بِمَاذَا أَخْرُجُ مِنْ سَخَطِهِ غَدًا أَسْتَعِينُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ كُلَّ ذِي رَأْيٍ مِنْ أَهْلِي فَلَمَّا قِيلَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَدْ أَظَلَّ قَادِمًا زَاحَ عَنِّي الْبَاطِلُ وَعَرَفْتُ أَنِّي لَنْ أَنْجُوَ مِنْهُ بِشَيْءٍ أَبَدًا فَأَجْمَعْتُ صِدْقَهُ وَصَبَّحَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَكَانَ إِذَا قَدِمَ مِنْ سَفَرٍ بَدَأَ بِالْمَسْجِدِ فَرَكَعَ فِيهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَمَّا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ جَاءَهُ الْمُتَخَلِّفُونَ فَطَفِقُوا يَعْتَذِرُونَ إِلَيْهِ وَيَحْلِفُونَ لَهُ وَكَانُوا بِضْعَةً وَثَمَانِينَ رَجُلًا فَقَبِلَ مِنْهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَانِيَتَهُمْ وَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ وَيَكِلُ سَرَائِرَهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى حَتَّى جِئْتُ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ تَبَسَّمَ تَبَسُّمَ الْمُغْضَبِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي ”تَعَالَ“ فَجِئْتُ أَمْشِي حَتَّى جَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي ”مَا خَلَّفَكَ أَلَمْ تَكُنْ قَدِ اسْتَمَرَّ ظَهْرُكَ“ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَوْ جَلَسْتُ عِنْدَ غَيْرِكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا لَرَأَيْتُ أَنِّي أَخْرُجُ مِنْ سَخَطَتِهِ بِعُذْرٍ لَقَدْ أُعْطِيتُ جَدَلًا وَلَكِنَّهُ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ لَئِنْ حَدَّثْتُكَ الْيَوْمَ حَدِيثَ كَذِبٍ تَرْضَى عَنِّي بِهِ لَيُوشِكَنَّ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى يُسْخِطُكَ عَلَيَّ وَلَئِنْ حَدَّثْتُكَ الْيَوْمَ بِصِدْقٍ تَجِدُ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ إِنِّي لَأَرْجُو قُرَّةَ عَيْنِي عَفْوًا مِنَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَاللَّهِ مَا كَانَ لِي عُذْرٌ وَاللَّهِ مَا كُنْتُ قَطُّ أَفْرَغَ وَلَا أَيْسَرَ مِنِّي حِينَ تَخَلَّفْتُ عَنْكَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ ”أَمَّا هَذَا فَقَدْ صَدَقَ فَقُمْ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فِيكَ“ فَقُمْتُ وَبَادَرَتْ رِجَالٌ مِنْ بَنِي سَلِمَةَ فَاتَّبَعُونِي فَقَالُوا لِي وَاللَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَاكَ كُنْتَ أَذْنَبْتَ ذَنْبًا قَبْلَ هَذَا وَلَقَدْ عَجَزْتَ أَنْ لَا تَكُونَ اعْتَذَرْتَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِمَا اعْتَذَرَ بِهِ الْمُتَخَلِّفُونَ لَقَدْ كَانَ كَافِيَكَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ اسْتِغْفَارُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ لَكَ قَالَ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا زَالُوا يُؤَنِّبُونَنِي حَتَّى أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَرْجِعَ فَأُكَذِّبَ نَفْسِي قَالَ ثُمَّ قُلْتُ لَهُمْ هَلْ لَقِيَ هَذَا مَعِي أَحَدٌ قَالُوا نَعَمْ لَقِيَهُ مَعَكَ رَجُلَانِ قَالَا مَا قُلْتَ فَقِيلَ لَهُمَا مِثْلُ مَا قِيلَ لَكَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُمْ مَنْ هُمَا قَالُوا مُرَارَةُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ الْعَامِرِيُّ وَهِلَالُ بْنُ أُمَيَّةَ الْوَاقِفِيُّ قَالَ فَذَكَرُوا لِي رَجُلَيْنِ صَالِحَيْنِ قَدْ شَهِدَا بَدْرًا لِي فِيهِمَا أُسْوَةٌ قَالَ فَمَضَيْتُ حِينَ ذَكَرُوهُمَا لِي قَالَ وَنَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ عَنْ كَلَامِنَا أَيُّهَا الثَّلَاثَةُ مِنْ بَيْنِ مَنْ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْهُ فَاجْتَنَبَنَا النَّاسُ قَالَ وَتَغَيَّرُوا لَنَا حَتَّى تَنَكَّرَتْ لِي مِنْ نَفْسِي الْأَرْضُ فَمَا هِيَ بِالْأَرْضِ الَّتِي كُنْتُ أَعْرِفُ فَلَبِثْنَا عَلَى ذَلِكَ خَمْسِينَ لَيْلَةً فَأَمَّا صَاحِبَايَ فَاسْتَكَانَا وَقَعَدَا فِي بُيُوتِهِمَا يَبْكِيَانِ وَأَمَّا أَنَا فَكُنْتُ أَشَبَّ الْقَوْمِ وَأَجْلَدَهُمْ فَكُنْتُ أَشْهَدُ الصَّلَاةَ مَعَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَأَطُوفُ بِالْأَسْوَاقِ وَلَا يُكَلِّمُنِي أَحَدٌ وَآتِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَهُوَ فِي مَجْلِسِهِ بَعْدَ الصَّلَاةِ فَأُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَقُولُ فِي نَفْسِي حَرَّكَ شَفَتَيْهِ بِرَدِّ السَّلَامِ أَمْ لَا ثُمَّ أُصَلِّي قَرِيبًا مِنْهُ وَأُسَارِقُهُ النَّظَرَ فَإِذَا أَقْبَلْتُ عَلَى صَلَاتِي نَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَإِذَا الْتَفَتُّ نَحْوَهُ أَعْرَضَ حَتَّى إِذَا طَالَ عَلَيَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ هَجْرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مَشَيْتُ حَتَّى تَسَوَّرْتُ حَائِطَ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَمِّي وَأَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَيَّ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا رَدَّ عَلَيَّ السَّلَامَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا قَتَادَةَ أَنْشُدُكَ اللَّهَ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ قَالَ فَعُدْتُ فَنَشَدْتُهُ فَسَكَتَ فَعُدْتُ فَنَشَدْتُهُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَايَ وَتَوَلَّيْتُ حَتَّى تَسَوَّرْتُ الْجِدَارَ فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا أَمْشِي بِسُوقِ الْمَدِينَةِ إِذَا نَبَطِيٌّ مِنْ أَنْبَاطِ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ مِمَّنْ قَدِمَ بِطَعَامٍ يَبِيعُهُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ يَقُولُ مَنْ يَدُلُّنِي عَلَى كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ فَطَفِقَ النَّاسُ يُشِيرُونَ لَهُ إِلَيَّ حَتَّى جَاءَ فَدَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كِتَابًا مِنْ مَلِكِ غَسَّانَ وَكُنْتُ كَاتِبًا فَإِذَا فِيهِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَقَدْ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّ صَاحِبَكَ قَدْ جَفَاكَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْكَ اللَّهُ بِدَارِ هَوَانٍ وَلَا مَضْيَعَةٍ فَالْحَقْ بِنَا نُوَاسِكَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ حِينَ قَرَأْتُهَا وَهَذَا أَيْضًا مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ قَالَ فَتَيَمَّمْتُ بِهَا التَّنُّورَ فَسَجَرْتُهُ بِهَا حَتَّى إِذَا مَضَتْ أَرْبَعُونَ لَيْلَةً مِنَ الْخَمْسِينَ إِذَا بِرَسُولِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَأْتِينِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تَعْتَزِلَ امْرَأَتَكَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ أُطَلِّقُهَا أَمْ مَاذَا أَفْعَلُ قَالَ بَلْ اعْتَزِلْهَا فَلَا تَقْرَبْهَا قَالَ وَأَرْسَلَ إِلَى صَاحِبَيَّ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لِامْرَأَتِي الْحَقِي بِأَهْلِكِ فَكُونِي عِنْدَهُمْ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَ اللَّهُ فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ قَالَ فَجَاءَتِ امْرَأَةُ هِلَالِ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ هِلَالًا شَيْخٌ ضَائِعٌ لَيْسَ لَهُ خَادِمٌ فَهَلْ تَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَخْدُمَهُ قَالَ ”لَا وَلَكِنْ لَا يَقْرَبَنَّكِ“ قَالَتْ فَإِنَّهُ وَاللَّهِ مَا بِهِ حَرَكَةٌ إِلَى شَيْءٍ وَاللَّهِ مَا يَزَالُ يَبْكِي مِنْ لَدُنْ أَنْ كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِكَ مَا كَانَ إِلَى يَوْمِهِ هَذَا قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي بَعْضُ أَهْلِي لَوِ اسْتَأْذَنْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي امْرَأَتِكَ فَقَدْ أَذِنَ لِامْرَأَةِ هِلَالِ بْنِ أُمَيَّةَ أَنْ تَخْدُمَهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ لَا أَسْتَأْذِنُ فِيهَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَمَا أَدْرِي مَا يَقُولُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا اسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ وَأَنَا رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ فَلَبِثْنَا بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ عَشْرَ لَيَالٍ كَمَالَ خَمْسِينَ لَيْلَةً حِينَ نَهَى عَنْ كَلَامِنَا قَالَ ثُمَّ صَلَّيْتُ صَلَاةَ الْفَجْرِ صَبَاحَ خَمْسِينَ لَيْلَةً عَلَى ظَهْرِ بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِنَا فَبَيْنَمَا أَنَا جَالِسٌ عَلَى الْحَالِ الَّتِي ذَكَرَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى مِنَّا قَدْ ضَاقَتْ عَلَيَّ نَفْسِي وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيَّ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ سَمِعْتُ صَارِخًا أَوْفَى عَلَى جَبَلِ سَلْعٍ يَقُولُ بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ يَا كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ أَبْشِرْ قَالَ فَخَرَرْتُ سَاجِدًا وَعَرَفْتُ أَنْ قَدْ جَاءَ فَرَجٌ وَآذَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِتَوْبَةِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَلَيْنَا حِينَ صَلَّى صَلَاةَ الْفَجْرِ فَذَهَبَ النَّاسُ يُبَشِّرُونَنَا وَذَهَبَ قِبَلَ صَاحِبَيَّ يُبَشِّرُونَ وَرَكَضَ إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ فَرَسًا وَسَعَى سَاعٍ مِنْ أَسْلَمَ وَأَوْفَى الْجَبَلَ فَكَانَ الصَّوْتُ أَسْرَعَ مِنْ الْفَرَسِ فَلَمَّا جَاءَنِي الَّذِي سَمِعْتُ صَوْتَهُ يُبَشِّرُنِي نَزَعْتُ لَهُ ثَوْبَيَّ فَكَسَوْتُهُمَا إِيَّاهُ بِبِشَارَتِهِ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَمْلِكُ غَيْرَهُمَا يَوْمَئِذٍ فَاسْتَعَرْتُ ثَوْبَيْنِ فَلَبِسْتُهُمَا فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَتَأَمَّمُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَلْقَانِي النَّاسُ فَوْجًا فَوْجًا يُهَنِّئُونِي بِالتَّوْبَةِ يَقُولُونَ لِيَهْنِكَ تَوْبَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكَ حَتَّى دَخَلْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ حَوْلَهُ النَّاسُ فَقَامَ إِلَيَّ طَلْحَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يُهَرْوِلُ حَتَّى صَافَحَنِي وَهَنَّأَنِي وَاللَّهِ مَا قَامَ إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ غَيْرَهُ قَالَ فَكَانَ كَعْبٌ لَا يَنْسَاهَا لِطَلْحَةَ قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَلَمَّا سَلَّمْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ وَهُوَ يَبْرُقُ وَجْهُهُ مِنَ السُّرُورِ ”أَبْشِرْ بِخَيْرِ يَوْمٍ مَرَّ عَلَيْكَ مُنْذُ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ“ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَمِنْ عِنْدِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ ”لَا بَلْ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ“ قَالَ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا سُرَّ اسْتَنَارَ وَجْهُهُ كَأَنَّهُ قِطْعَةُ قَمَرٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ قَالَ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنْ أَنْخَلِعَ مِنْ مَالِي صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ ”أَمْسِكْ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ“ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُمْسِكُ سَهْمِي الَّذِي بِخَيْبَرَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا اللَّهُ تَعَالَى نَجَّانِي بِالصِّدْقِ وَإِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنْ لَا أُحَدِّثَ إِلَّا صِدْقًا مَا بَقِيتُ قَالَ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا أَعْلَمُ أَحَدًا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَبْلَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الصِّدْقِ فِي الْحَدِيثِ مُذْ ذَكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَحْسَنَ مِمَّا أَبْلَانِي اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَاللَّهِ مَا تَعَمَّدْتُ كَذِبَةً مُذْ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِلَى يَوْمِي هَذَا وَإِنِّي لَأَرْجُو أَنْ يَحْفَظَنِي فِيمَا بَقِيَ قَالَ وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى {لَقَدْ تَابَ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ فِي سَاعَةِ الْعُسْرَةِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍ مِنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّهُ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ وَعَلَى الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا حَتَّى إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنْفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّوا أَنْ لَا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ} [التوبة: 117-119] قَالَ كَعْبٌ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَلَيَّ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ قَطُّ بَعْدَ أَنْ هَدَانِي أَعْظَمَ فِي نَفْسِي مِنْ صِدْقِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَنْ لَا أَكُونَ كَذَبْتُهُ فَأَهْلِكُ كَمَا هَلَكَ الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوهُ حِينَ كَذَبُوهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى قَالَ لِلَّذِينَ كَذَبُوهُ حِينَ كَذَبُوهُ شَرَّ مَا يُقَالُ لِأَحَدٍ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {سَيَحْلِفُونَ بِاللَّهِ لَكُمْ إِذَا انْقَلَبْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لِتُعْرِضُوا عَنْهُمْ فَأَعْرِضُوا عَنْهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ وَمَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ جَزَاءً بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ فَإِنْ تَرْضَوْا عَنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَرْضَى عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ} [التوبة: 95-96] قَالَ وَكُنَّا خُلِّفْنَا أَيُّهَا الثَّلَاثَةُ عَنْ أَمْرِ أُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ قَبِلَ مِنْهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ حِينَ حَلَفُوا فَبَايَعَهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمْ فَأَرْجَأَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَمْرَنَا حَتَّى قَضَى اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فَبِذَلِكَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى {وَعَلَى الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا} وَلَيْسَ تَخْلِيفُهُ إِيَّانَا وَإِرْجَاؤُهُ أَمْرَنَا الَّذِي ذَكَرَ مِمَّا خُلِّفْنَا بِتَخَلُّفِنَا عَنِ الْغَزْوِ وَإِنَّمَا هُوَ عَمَّنْ حَلَفَ لَهُ وَاعْتَذَرَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَبِلَ مِنْهُ (مسند أحمد: 15882)
It is narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Abdullah, who says: Abdullah bin Ka’b, who used to guide his father, Sayyiduna Ka’b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), due to his father’s blindness, says: Sayyiduna Ka’b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated his story when he stayed behind from the Battle of Tabuk. He said: I participated in all the battles with the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), except for Tabuk and Badr; I stayed behind from them, but there was no reproach from Allah upon those who stayed behind from Badr. The purpose of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in that battle was to pursue the caravan of Quraysh, but Allah suddenly brought about the enemy and the battle took place. I was present with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on the night of Aqabah, and he took a pledge from everyone to remain firm on Islam. That night of Aqabah is dearer to me than the Battle of Badr, even though Badr is more famous among the people. As for the incident of the Battle of Tabuk, never before had I possessed two mounts at the same time, but at the time of this expedition, I owned two mounts. Moreover, it was the practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that when he intended to go to war, he would not clearly indicate the destination, but would speak in ambiguous terms so that people would think of another place. When the time for battle came, the heat was very intense, the journey was long and waterless, and the enemy was numerous. Therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed the Muslims fully that we are going to Tabuk so that they could prepare. At that time, a large number of Muslims were with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), but there was no register or anything in which everyone’s names were written. There were very few Muslims who did not want to participate in this battle, but they thought that their absence would not be known to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) unless revelation came. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) began preparations for the battle, and it was a time when the fruit was ripening and sitting in the shade was pleasant. Everyone was preparing, but every morning I would think that I would prepare, what is the hurry? I can prepare at any time. Thus, the days passed. One morning, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) set out. I thought, let him go, I will prepare in a day or two and join them on the way. The next morning, I tried to prepare, but I could not, and I remained as I was. The same happened on the third day, and this continued. By now, everyone had gone far ahead. I tried several times to go and join the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), but it was not destined. Alas! If only I had done so. After the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had left, when I walked around in Madinah, I would see only hypocrites or those who were weak, feeble, and ill. I was very regretful. (When I later inquired, I found out that) the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not remember me anywhere along the way, but when he reached Tabuk and was sitting among the people, he said: Where is Ka’b bin Malik? A man from Banu Salamah, Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Unais (may Allah be pleased with him), said: O Messenger of Allah! He stayed behind because of his pride in his beauty and comfort. But Sayyiduna Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him) said: You have not spoken well. By Allah, O Messenger of Allah! We only know good of him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent upon hearing this. When I learned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was returning, I began to think of some excuse that could save me from his anger. Then I consulted the wise people of my family about what to do in this matter. But when it became known that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was very close to Madinah, the thought of making an excuse left my heart, and I became certain that a lie would not save me from his anger. In the morning, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah, and his practice was that when he returned from a journey, he would first go to the mosque and offer two units of prayer. This time too, he did the same and sat in the mosque. Now those who had stayed behind began to come and present their excuses and swear oaths. They were about eighty (80) or a little more. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted their excuses, took their pledge again, and prayed for their forgiveness, leaving their inner thoughts to Allah. When I came, I said, “Peace be upon you.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied with a smile of anger and said: Come. So I went and sat before him. He asked me: Ka’b, why did you stay behind, even though you had arranged for a mount? I said: Your statement is correct. If I were before anyone else, I could have made excuses and gotten away, for I am eloquent. But Allah is my witness, I know that if today I lie to please you, tomorrow Allah will make you angry with me. Therefore, I will speak the truth, even if you are angry with me. In the future, I hope for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. By Allah! I am at fault, though I have no lack of wealth, yet I could not participate. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Ka’b has spoken the truth. Go, and wait for Allah’s command regarding you. I got up and left. The people of Banu Salamah followed me and said: We have never seen any fault in you until now. You could have presented an excuse before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) like the others. The Prophet’s prayer for forgiveness would have been enough for you. They kept advising me thus, until I began to think of going back to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and retracting my previous statement and presenting an excuse. Then I asked them: Is there anyone else who has admitted his fault as I have? They said: Yes, there are two other men who have confessed, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to them what he said to you. I asked their names, and they said: One is Murarah bin Rabi’ al-Amiri and the other is Hilal bin Umayyah al-Waqifi. Both were righteous men and had participated in the Battle of Badr. Their case was like mine. Hearing their names, I felt reassured and left. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade all Muslims from speaking to these three men. This order was not given for the other people who stayed behind and made false excuses. Now, what happened was that people began to avoid us, and we became as if no one knew us. It was as if the earth had changed for us. Fifty nights passed in this state. My two companions stayed at home, but I was strong-hearted; I would go out, join the congregational prayers, go to the market, but no one would speak to me. I would also come to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who would be sitting on his prayer mat. I would greet him, and I would wonder whether his lips moved in reply or not. Then I would pray near him and look at him stealthily to see what he did during this time. When I was in prayer, he would look at me, and when I looked at him, he would turn away from me. When the period of people’s avoidance became long and I became weary of their silence, one day I went to my cousin, Sayyiduna Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), in his garden and greeted him. I loved him very much, but by Allah, he did not reply to my greeting. I said: O Abu Qatadah! Do you know that I love Allah and His Messenger? He did not answer. I swore and repeated the question, but still no answer. The third time, he only said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Then I could not control myself and began to weep and left. One day, I was walking in the market when a Christian farmer from Syria, who had come to sell grain, was asking people about me. They pointed me out, and he came to me and gave me a letter from the Christian king of Ghassan. It said: I have learned that your Prophet is treating you harshly, but Allah has not disgraced or humiliated you. You are a useful man. Come to us, and we will treat you well. I thought this was a double trial, so I threw the letter into the oven and burned it. Forty days had passed, ten remained, when the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) messenger, Sayyiduna Khuzaymah bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him), came to me and said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says: Separate from your wife. I asked: What does that mean? Should I divorce her or something else? He said: Just separate and do not have relations. The same order was given to my two companions. So I told my wife to go to her family until Allah decides my case. Meanwhile, the wife of Sayyiduna Hilal bin Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Hilal bin Umayyah, my husband, is very old. If I serve him, is there any harm? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: There is no harm, just do not let him have relations. She said: O Messenger of Allah! He has no such desire, and since this happened, he has been weeping continuously. When this became known, my relatives said to me: Go to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and seek permission for your wife as Hilal’s wife has received. I said: By Allah! I will never do so. I do not know what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will say. I am a young man, not weak like Hilal. After that, those ten nights also passed, and on the morning of the fiftieth night, I prayed Fajr on the roof of my house and sat there, feeling that life had become unbearable and the earth, despite its vastness, had become constricted for me. Suddenly, a caller from Mount Sala’ called out: O Ka’b bin Malik! Glad tidings for you! As soon as I heard this voice, I fell in prostration out of joy and became certain that the difficulty was over, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had announced after Fajr that Allah had forgiven us. Now people began to come to me and my two companions with congratulations and glad tidings. A man came running on his horse, and another from Banu Salamah climbed Mount Sala’ and called out. His voice reached me quickly. I was so happy that I took off my two garments and gave them to him, though I had no other clothes. I borrowed two garments from Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), put them on, and went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). On the way, there was a crowd of people congratulating me and saying: May Allah’s favor be blessed for you. When I entered the mosque, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting, and others were present. Talhah bin Ubaydullah saw me, ran to me, shook my hand, and congratulated me. Among the Muhajirun, only Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) did this. By Allah, I will never forget his action. When I greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), his face was shining with joy. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: O Ka’b! Rejoice in the best day you have had since your birth. I asked: Is this forgiveness from Allah or from you, O Messenger of Allah? He said: It is from Allah. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was happy, his face would shine like the moon, and we would recognize his happiness. Then I sat before him and said: O Messenger of Allah! In gratitude for this deliverance and forgiveness, should I not give all my wealth in charity for Allah and His Messenger? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Give some, and keep some for yourself, for that will be better for you. I said: Yes, I will keep my share in Khaybar. Then I said: O Messenger of Allah! I was saved because I spoke the truth, so I will always speak the truth for the rest of my life. By Allah! I do not know if Allah has ever shown such kindness to anyone for speaking the truth as He has to me. Since that day, I have never lied, and I hope Allah will protect me from lying for the rest of my life. At that time, Allah revealed these verses to His Prophet: {لَقَدْ تَابَ اللّٰہُ عَلَی النَّبِیِّ وَالْمُہَاجِرِینَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ الَّذِینَ اتَّبَعُوہُ فِی سَاعَۃِ الْعُسْرَۃِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا کَادَ یَزِیغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِیقٍ مِنْہُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَیْہِمْ إِنَّہُ بِہِمْ رَئُ وْفٌ رَحِیمٌ۔ وَعَلَی الثَّلَاثَۃِ الَّذِینَ خُلِّفُوا حَتّٰی إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَیْہِمُ الْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَیْہِمْ أَنْفُسُہُمْ وَظَنُّوا أَنْ لَا مَلْجَأَ مِنَ اللّٰہِ إِلَّا إِلَیْہِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَیْہِمْ لِیَتُوبُوْا إِنَّ اللّٰہَ ہُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیمُ۔ یَا أَیُّہَا الَّذِینَ آمَنُوْا اتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ وَکُوْنُوْا مَعَ الصَّادِقِینَ} … Indeed, Allah has turned in mercy to the Prophet and the Muhajirun and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty, after the hearts of a party of them had nearly deviated, but He turned to them in mercy. Surely, He is Most Kind, Most Merciful to them. And [He also turned in mercy] to the three who were left behind, until the earth, vast as it is, became constricted for them, and their souls became constricted for them, and they realized that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them in mercy so that they would repent. Surely, Allah is the Most-Relenting, Most Merciful. O you who have believed! Fear Allah and be with those who are truthful. (Surah At-Tawbah: 117-119) Sayyiduna Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I have never seen a greater favor and kindness than that Allah granted me the ability to speak the truth before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and saved me from destruction, otherwise I would have been ruined like the others who lied to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), swore false oaths, and about whom this verse was revealed: {سَیَحْلِفُونَ بِاللّٰہِ لَکُمْ إِذَا انْقَلَبْتُمْ إِلَیْہِمْ لِتُعْرِضُوْا عَنْہُمْ فَأَعْرِضُوا عَنْہُمْ إِنَّہُمْ رِجْسٌ وَمَأْوَاہُمْ جَہَنَّمُ جَزَائً بِمَا کَانُوْا یَکْسِبُونَ۔ یَحْلِفُونَ لَکُمْ لِتَرْضَوْا عَنْہُمْ فَإِنْ تَرْضَوْا عَنْہُمْ، فَإِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَرْضٰی عَنِ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِینَ۔} … They will swear to you by Allah when you return to them so that you may turn away from them. So turn away from them; indeed, they are impure, and their abode is Hell as recompense for what they used to earn. They will swear to you so that you may be pleased with them, but if you are pleased with them, indeed, Allah is not pleased with the defiantly disobedient people. (Surah At-Tawbah: 95, 96) Sayyiduna Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) says: We three are separate from those hypocrites who made many excuses and swore false oaths, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted their excuses, took their pledge, and prayed for their forgiveness, but left our case pending until Allah revealed this verse: {وَّعَلَی الثَّلٰثَۃِ الَّذِیْنَ خُلِّفُوْا حَتّٰی اِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَیْہِمُ الْاَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَیْہِمْ اَنْفُسُھُمْ وَظَنُّوْٓا اَنْ لَّا مَلْجَاَ مِنَ اللّٰہِ اِلَّآ اِلَیْہِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَیْہِمْ لِیَتُوْبُوْا اِنَّ اللّٰہَ ھُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیْمُ۔ } … And [He also turned in mercy] to the three who were left behind, until the earth, vast as it is, became constricted for them, and their souls became constricted for them, and they realized that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them in mercy so that they would repent. Surely, Allah is the Most-Relenting, Most Merciful. (Surah At-Tawbah: 118) The Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) leaving us behind and delaying our case, as mentioned, was not because we stayed behind from the expedition, but because of those who swore oaths and presented excuses before the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he accepted their excuses.
