The Importance of Truthfulness – By Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali [Part 6]

Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Mad’khali, may Allah preserve him, continued…

Kab Bin Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:

I never remained behind Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from any expedition which he undertook except the Battle of Tabuk and that of the Battle of Badr. So far as the Battle of Badr is concerned, nobody was blamed for remaining behind as Allah’s Messenger and the Muslims (did not set out for attack but for waylaying) the caravan of the Quraish, but it was Allah Who made them confront their enemies without their intention (to do so). I had the honour to be with Allah’s Messenger on the night of ‘Aqaba when we pledged our allegiance to Islam and it was more dear to me than my participation in the Battle of Badr, although Badr was more popular amongst people as compared with that (Tabuk). And this is my story of remaining back from Allah’s Messenger on the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk. Never did I possess enough means and (my circumstances) more favourable than at the occasion of this expedition. And, by Allah, I had never before this expedition simultaneously in my possession two rides. Allah’s Messenger set out for this expedition in extremely hot season; the journey was long and the land (which he and his army had to cover) was waterless and he had to confront a large army, so he informed the Muslims about the actual situation (they had to face), so that they should adequately equip themselves for this expedition, and he also told them the destination where he intended to go. And the Muslims who accompanied Allah’s Messenger at that time were large in numbers but there was no proper record of them. Ka’b (further) said: Few were the persons who wanted to absent themselves, and were under the impression that they could easily conceal themselves (and thus remain undetected) until revelations from Allah, the Exalted and Glorious (descended in connection with them). And Allah’s Messenger set out on an expedition when the fruits were ripe and their shadows had been lengthened. I had weakness for them and it was during this season that Allah’s Messenger made preparations and the Muslims too along with them. I also set out in the morning so that I should make preparations along with them but I came back and did nothing and said to myself: I have enough (to make preparations) as soon as I like. And I went on doing this (postponing my preparations) until people were about to depart and it was in the morning that Allah’s Messenger set out and the Muslims too along with him, but I made no preparations. I went early in the morning and came back, but I made no decision. I continued to do so until they (the Muslims) hastened and covered a good deal of distance. I also made up my mind to march on and to meet them. Would that I would have done that but perhaps it was not destined for me. After the departure of Allah’s Messenger as I went out amongst people, I was shocked to find that I did not find anyone like me but people who were labelled as hypocrites or the people whom Allah granted exemption because of their incapacity.

This excerpt highlights the significance of the Pledge of Aqabah and its position in his heart, as it embodied profound meanings that represents the robust foundation upon which is established the migration to Madinah by the companions of Allah’s Messenger, the support given by the Ansar, the establishment the Islamic state, and served as the foundation for Jihad and the strength of Islam and the Muslims. From this foundation emerged the various expeditions and campaigns, leading to the defeat of apostasy and the expansion of Islamic armies across the world, illuminating hearts with the light of Iman and guiding them out from darkness into light. It was from this understanding that this noble companion recognised the status of the Pledge of Aqabah, expressing that he would not be pleased with any substitute for it, as he stated: “It was more beloved to me than participation in the battle of badr”.

He spoke about the circumstances surrounding his absence from the Battle of Tabuk with the courage of the truthful, in a clear and illuminated manner, overflowing with truthfulness from a heart exemplifying Iman, and a soul filled with integrity and truthfulness whose similarity is not witness in that type of dreadful situation where the cowardly the hypocrites would resort to lying and false pretenses by fabricating excuses that were swiftly exposed by Allah, leading to their disgrace and ultimately consigning them to the abode of destruction (hell fire).

He clearly stated that his absence was not due to poverty or hardship, nor was it a result of incapacity or weakness, as he had previously participated in the Battle while in a condition less favourable than that of this particular expedition. He said: “Never did I possess enough means and (my circumstances) more favourable than at the occasion of this expedition. And, by Allah, I had never before this expedition simultaneously in my possession two rides”.

He clearly stated the reasons that undermined his resolve in participating in Jihad (Battle of Tabuk, which included the intense heat, the long journey, the perilous vast terrains between Madinah and Tabuk, and the numerous forces of the Romans and Arabs allied with them. He mentioned that the Messenger of Allah informed the people of their duty to prepare themselves for their expedition.

He clearly stated what may be one of the most significant reasons for staying behind (.e. not going for the Tabuk expedition), which is the ripe fruits and good shade. He then clearly expressed it despite the possibility of (being able) to conceal it, but his truthful soul did not allow him except to reveal it, (saying) “I had a weakness for them”, in other words, “My soul inclined towards them”. This represents a profound level of truthfulness that very few individuals attain. He mentioned his internal struggle and hesitation regarding joining the Messenger of Allah.

He mentioned the pain of regret and sorrow that accompanied his state of being left behind, as he found no example of his condition except for a man deeply entrenched in hypocrisy or a person whom Allah has excused due to weakness. This reflects the vitality of his heart and being truthful in his Iman. [Paraphrased. Refer to the Arabic text here sidq ]