Allahumastarawratinawaamin raw atina(O Allah conceal our faults and keep us safe from the things which we fear),

Subhanallah, each day I learn how much the sahabahs feared their Lord and loved the Prophet SalllahuAlayhiwasalam, it was so much more than just reciting the Quran and memorising the words. It was living the word of the Quran.

Ya Allah grant us such faith.

Ka’ab bin MalikRadiyallahuanhu, I shiver every time I hear his story.

A Prophet’s companion that told the truth and was forgiven, by Allah. Subhanallah, to have been forgiven by Allah in your lifetime and you know about it? What an honour!

It was the battle of Tabuk and the sahabas had been ordered to go to war by their Khalif. Yet Ka’ab for no reason except procrastination – strong, agile, wealthy, and able – fell back from the Battle of Tabuk.

On their return from the expedition, Ka’ab heads to his beloved Prophet and meets nothing but anger from him. While others stepped forward to tell lies about why they could not make the trip, Ka’ab confesses; that despite his eloquence and knowing he could lie as those who had, he did not. He was in the best of conditions but just did not make it.

This was along with two other companions – Hilal bin Umayyah and Marar bin Rabi.

How many times has it just been easier to tell a lie? In the midst of a crowd of people, knowing the derision you will face? A small lie. Allah knows that you are contrite. Why can’t I just save myself from the humiliation of man?

But Ka’ab and his companions chose the humiliation of man. And the punishment of their Lord.

And that punishment was for the people to completely boycott them.

Imagine. You’re in a place you call home, but no one speaks to you, greets you, or acknowledges you exist. Ya Allah, look at the strength of the companions. No one spoke to them because their Lord asked them not to, and an entire community kept mute.

They were an Island on their own.

While the other 2 men who were older, confined themselves to weeping in their homes, Ka’ab was young and kept hoping somebody would speak to him. He would go to the Masjid and believe that maybe he was being looked at, maybe someone would feel sorry for him, but no one budged.

And then, their wives were asked to leave them. Their garments and covers were stripped. For when the whole world turns its back on you, at least within your home and with your spouse, you draw comfort.

The 2 older companions were allowed to have their wives with them but not Ka’ab. The world was straitened, and he headed to the roof of his house and stayed miserable.

And then even more trials came.

The Christians sent delegates asking him to apostatise to their religion since he had no comfort with his own brethren. Subhanallah, does this sound familiar? In the very midst of struggle, then temptation rears its ugly head always.

But for Ka’ab this was nothing. All he wanted was the pleasure of Allah and that was the only thing that could heal his heart. He ripped the invite to shreds.

And finally, 50 days later, the good news came that His Lord had forgiven him.

Subhanallah! What a story.

Ka’ab dressed the one who brought the news, in the clothes he wore on his person in joy, and borrowed the clothes he now wore to look upon the face of the beloved Prophet sallalahualayhiwasalam. Subhnallah! Such was his joy and triumph that that major adversity became an act of peace and acceptance.

To be talked about thousands of years to come.

And to show that Allah’s mercy far outweighs his wrath. But first, we must be steadfast and patient.

Allahu Akbar.

A couple of notes I must not forget to mention as I close this:

•    I read the excuse of one of the hypocrites Al-Jad bin Qays who had the effrontery to tell our beloved that he should be excused because he would be tempted by Roman women. May Allah save us from hypocrisy.

•    At the mention of Hilal bin Umayyah and Marar bin Rabi’s names as persons who were punished alongside him, Ka’ab was content that he was in the right company, as they were men who had participated in the battle of Badr.

•    The Romans never showed, and the battle wasn’t even fought!

•    Ka’ab says when he was being congratulated for Allah’s acceptance of his repentance, TalhahRadiyallahuanhu got up to shake his hand, and no other emigrant had done that and for this, he will never forget Talhah.

May Allah grant us good akhlaaq and keep us upon His path, in obedience, patience, adversity, and peace.

Ameen.