Parables of the Qur’an

Episode Fifteen

Amr Khaled

The story of Ka’ab Ibn Malek

In The Name of Allah[1], The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds, All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet (SAWS).[2]  W are going to live with the events of a new story pertianing to the question, “Do you live for your own self or you feel yourself affiliated with your homeland?” there is no objection to have your own desires, ambitions and private project. However, you should not forget that you are part of your community and homeland as well. I warn whoever lives for himself, “Be careful, this story may happen to you”.

This story is relevant to the Prophet (SAWS) and his Companions; it focuses on this theme-be aware that our countries have challneges, so do not live for achieving your private project and neglect the public challenge. As long as there are challenges, there is also leadership govering this homeland working to set plans and face challenges as we are going to see now how the leadership of the Prophet (SAWS) was.

The story events:

It is the story of Ka’b Ibn Malik who was one of the Companions of the prophet (SAWS). This story occurred in the ninth year A.H.[3]; namely, one year before the death of the Prophet (SAWS). The events of the story occurred upon launching the battle of Tabuk-one of the battles of the Prophet (SAWS). Muslims were challenged by the Romans who were mobilizing their armies to attack Madinah[4].  Accordingly, Muslims had to get out of Madinah immediately before the advent of the Roman armies. The battle time was extremely difficult and the temperature was pretty hot as well. Besides, the second problem was that fruits were ripened and harvest time approached. Since the Companions of the Prophet (SAWS) were farmers, every one of them prepared himself to harvest the crops as it was source of their livelihood.  However, there was a challenge facing their homeland; namely, the distance between Madinah and Tabuk was estimated by 1000 kilometers, in addition to the lack of money. 

Allah (SWT) named this battle in the Ever-Glorious Qur’an “adversity” (Ar.'Usrah) because of severe hardships and difficulties occurred then. Every three Companions of the Prophet (SAWS) were riding a camel alternately.  Imagine how many kilos everyone had to walk!!   

This story is mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhary and was revelaed in surat[5] at-Taubah (repentence) to talk about Ka’b Ibn Malik. The name of the surat not only denotes repentance from one's sins; rather, it is repentance from individuality. If you live for your own self and own children-ignoring poor families living in your homeland- then, you have to repent because you live for your own interests. 

Ka’b Ibn Malik said, “I have never remained behind Allah's Messenger (SAWS) in any expedition except this Battle”.  He continued, “I witnessed al-‘Aqaba pledge”, which was one of the most important and famous events. Having said this, he declared his sincerity and loyalty. He continued saying, “The Prophet (SAWS) used to hide the destination where he intended to go except this time”.  Why? Because Muslims would meet a strong enemy; since the journey was long, he (SAWS) had to inform them to equip themselves.

Ka’b Ibn Malik talked about the inner conflict between ego and homeland, He said, “Whenever I intended to get out making preparations, I feel frustrated and I postponed preparations several times until the prophet (SAWS) and the army left Madinah”.

He added, “Never did I possess means enough and more favorable than in this occasion and I had never two rides before this battle”.  He admits his fault frankly without any excuse.  Ka’b said, “Until the army left Madinah and it became impossible to join them” He imagined the calamity owing to his remaining behind Allah's Messenger (SAWS) and 40 days passed.  Ka’b said, “The Prophet (SAWS) was on his way returning from Tabuk and I became perturbed. I wondered, "what would I tell him (SAWS) and I thought of lying”.  Notice that Ka’b was an eloquent poet.  He added, “I asked myself how I would save myself from his anger tomorrow?

Here, we are given a lesson, "What will you tell Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) on the Day of Judgment when you meet him. Ka’b said, “When the Prophet (SAWS) arrived to Medinah I decided to tell the truth.  When I went to the Prophet (SAWS) in the mosque, I found about more than 80 hypocrites. They offered their excuses and took an oath, the Prophet (SAWS)  accepted their excuses and sought forgiveness for them until he saw me and said, ‘ Come forward’ -Imagine yourself meeting the prophet (SAWS) on the Day of Judgment-He (SAWS) smiled angrily.  I sat in front of him and he (SAWS) said to me, ‘What kept you behind?’ Here, let me ask you, “What has kept you far from having a message to live for?"

Ka’b continued, “The Prophet (SAWS) asked, ‘What kept you behind? Did not you have a camel?’, I replied,  “O Allah's Messenger, by Allah, if I were to sit in the presence of a king, I would have lied, and I have also the knack to fall into argumentation, if I were to put forward before you a false excuse to please you, Allah would definitely provoke your wrath upon me,  and if I speak the truth you may be annoyed with me but I hope Allah (SWT)[6] bestow His mercy on me when I tell the truth.  I never possessed so good means, and I never had such favorable conditions before this battle and I had two rides.  Allah's Messenger (SAWS) said, ‘This man told the truth, so get up until Allah reveals His command regarding you."

I would like you to imagine yourself meeting the Prophet (SAWS) at the fount[7] and your deeds are presented before him (SAWS).  Do you work hard and make life? Or are you extremely enthusiastic about something and ignore it afterwards? Or do you remain behind and weep vainly day and night?

A moment of truth

Notice that Ka’b struggled for telling the truth because faith does not include lie; besides he wanted to respect himself because a liar humiliates himself.  Moreover, hypocrites may look pride but they feel extremely humiliated. Allah (SWT) creates man with instincts such as: food, drink and self-respect. Thus, man likes to be respected by instinct. 

Furthermore, it is not a shame to commit a mistake as we all are humans liable to mistakes.  Every one of us has an inner conflict between right and wrong.  If you live for your own self for a period of time, you have to confront and reform yourself just as Ka’b Ibn Malik taught us.

Ka’b Ibn Malik said, “I thought of going back to Allah's Messenger (SAWS) and contradict myself.  Then I asked, ‘Has anyone else also met the same fate?’ they said, ‘two and the same verdict were given to them’.  I said, ‘Who are they?’, they said, ‘Hilal Ibn Umayya and Murara Ibn ar-Rabi'’, when they mentioned two persons who had participated in battle of Badr and they were two of the best Prophet’s companion, I said, ‘by Allah, I will go on”.  Ka’b said, “The Prophet (SAWS) forbade people of Medinah to talk with us for 50 nights”.  None of their families, companions and the whole community greeted them, it was a severe punishment.  However, they were respected due to their truthfulness unlike hypocrites.  When Ka’b Ibn Malik remained behind the Prophet (SAWS) once, he was punished for 50 days.  How many times have you remained behind him (SAWS) and your homeland?.  You have to abandon excuses and learn to be true to yourself.

Darkest days

After The Prophet (SAWS) forbade people of Madinah to talk with them, Ka’b said, “Life had become hard for me”.  It is a very accurate expression to describe the bad conditions he had reached, Allah (SWT) describes this condition saying what can be translated, “And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.”[8] (TMQ, 9:118).[9]

This sever punishment was given to learn that one should not neglect rights of one's homeland because this issue does not only belong to the Prophet (SAWS),  but also to the whole nation and the Prophet (SAWS). Can you remain behind the intercession of the prophet (SAWS) and his fount?.  Thus, this issue necessitates repentence for every minute remaining behind the Prophet (SAWS).

Ka’b continued, “My two companions - Hilal Ibn Umayya and Murara Ibn ar-Rabi’- confined themselves inside their houses weeping.  Since I was young, I went to pray at the mosque and I went to the market but none spoke to me. When I saw the Prophet (SAWS) in the mosque, I greeted him (SAWS) and asked myself whether his lips stirred in response or not?  During praying, I used to steel glances at him (SAWS) and when I cast a glance at him he turned his face away".   He went on saying," when things got worse, I climbed the wall of the garden of Abu- Qatada- my cousin- while working in his garden.   I greeted him but he did not reply, I said to him, ‘Abu Qatada, I adjure you by Allah, do you know that I love Allah and His Messenger?’, but he did not reply.  I repeated the same question for three times and he replied at the last time saying, ‘Allah and His Messenger (SAWS) know best'. Thereupon, my eyes flooded with tears and I descended the wall.  While I was walking in the market of Medinah a Nabatean from amongst the Nabateans of Syria -a Syrian peasant-had a message and asked people to about me. He came and delivered me a letter sent from the King of Ghassan.

The message read as follows, ‘It has been conveyed to us that your companion-the Prophet (SAWS) – abandoned you; so join us that we should accord you honor’”.  Here, let me ask you this question: Will you abandon your homeland if something wrong happens to you? If you live in a country and has obtained its nationality, this is also your homeland and you have to serve it but do not forget your origin homeland.  Ka’b said, “As I read that letter I said, ‘This is another trial, so I burnt it in the oven”.  Although he suffered inner conflict, he did not abandon his homeland becuse he was a true believer.

He said, “When 40 days were over, a messenger of Allah's Messenger (SAWS) came to me and said, ‘Allah's Messenger (SAWS) has commanded you to remain separate from your wife’.  I said, ‘Should I divorce her or what?’ He said, ‘No, but only remain separate from her and don't have sexual intercourse with her’.  I said to my wife, ‘You better go to your parents and stay there with them’.  The wife of Hilal Ibn Umayya came to Allah's Messenger (SAWS) and said, ‘Allah's Messenger, Hilal Ibn Umayya is an aged man, and he has no servant. Do you allow me to serve him?’ he (SAWS) said, ‘yes, but do not go near him’.  She said, ‘By Allah, he has no such instinct for anything and he spends his time weeping since then”.  It is time to realize the fact that your country, village and friends need your aid.  Choose a poor family and bring it out of poverty through learning and establishing micro-project.

Glad tidings of Allah's forgiveness

The Fifty nights had been over, he got a deterrent punishment and its significance had cleared.  These ayahs[10] were revealed in surat at-Taubah, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated, “Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.  And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful.  O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true.  It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah , nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.  Nor do they spend an expenditure, small or large, or cross a valley but that it is registered for them that Allah may reward them for the best of what they were doing” (TMQ, 9:117-121).[11]

These verses were revealed at dawn time-while Ka’b was performing dawn prayer on the top of his house- as a result of his distress.  Ka’b said, “Two men ran together, one galloped his horse and the other climbed a mountain”.  Notice that the society was coherent as individuality is dispraised.  Ka’b continued, “The one who was on the mountain said, ‘There is a glad tiding for you, Allah (SWT) has accepted your repentance’, the voice was faster than the horse.  I was on the top of my house and I fell down in prostration for thanking Allah (AWJ)[12] ”.  The horseman reached to him and Ka’b said, “By Allah, I only possessed one cloak, I took it off and clothed the bearer of good tidings. I ran to the mosque.  On my way, I met groups of people who greeted me”. The condition was completely changed after the revelation of ayahs as the Ever-Glorious Qur’an changes people completely. Ka’b said, “They said, ‘Here is a greeting for you for your repentance being accepted by Allah’. When I entered the mosque, I saw the prophet (SAWS) smiling at me and his face looked like the moon and it was from this that we recognized his happiness”.  Do you like to meet the Prophet (SAWS) smiling at you or considering you one of those who remain behind him (SAWS)? Ka’b said, “The Prophet (SAWS) said, ‘There is a glad tiding for you in the best day in your life; Allah (SWT) has accepted your repentance”.

I believe the best day of your life when Allah (SWT) forgives you and accepts your repentance.  Ka’b said, “Allah's Messenger, I want to give away sadaqa (a charitable deed) for Allah's sake”.  Ka’b realized that he was punished because he ignored his community.  Hence, he wanted to repent by giving sadaqa.  Thereupon, the Prophet (SAWS) said, “Keep some property with you”, Ka’b said, “But all my property, I shall keep with me that part   which fell to my lot in Khaibar.  Allah (SWT) has granted me salvation because of truth and, therefore, repentance implies that I should not speak anything but truth as long as I live.

The following ayah was revealed, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated, “O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true” (TMQ, 9:119).

As for hypocrites, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated, “They will swear by Allah to you when you return to them that you would leave them alone. So leave them alone; indeed they are evil; and their refuge is Hell as recompense for what they had been earning” (TMQ, 9:95).

Finally, who is going to promise henceforward not to remain behind the Prophet (SAWS)? Who is going to confront himself and refrain from individuality? Be true to your self as Ka’b Ibn Malik taught us and start over.  Peace and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you.

Translated by: The English Convoy – Dar al-Tarjama

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[1] Allah (God): The word Allah is the Arabic term for God. Although the use of the word "Allah" is most often associated with Islam, it is not used exclusively by Muslims; Arab Christians and Arabic-speaking Jews also use it to refer to the One God. The Arabic word expresses the unique characteristics of the One God more precisely than the English term. Whereas the word "Allah" has no plural form in Arabic, the English form does. Allah is the God worshipped by all Prophets, from Adam to Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

[2] SAWS: Salla Allah alayhe Wa Salam [All Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him]

[3] A.H after hijrah of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah in 622 A.D.

[4] Madinah: Where the prophet Muhammad (SAWS) emigrated with his companions in 622 AD.

[5] Surat: A chapter; the Qur’an is comprised of 114 surahs

[6] SWT: Suhanahu wa Ta'ala  [Glorified and Exalted Be He].

[7] Fount: The Prophet’s fount at which the true believers will meet him to drink from his hands on the Day   of Judgment.

[8] Extracted from Sahih International

[9] TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an.  This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of the stated (Surah:Ayah) of the Qur'an.  Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.

[10] Ayah:A verse in the Qur'an

[11] Extracted from Sahih International

[12] AWJ: Aza-Wa-Jal [Glorified and Sublime be He].