#I deserved better from someone who called me their firmest friend

[the-descolada]

It’s very hard to reconcile memories of someone being a positive presence in your life when the downturn was so sudden. One second I had a friend whose love for me I thought was genuine and trusting and then that fell apart so quickly and completely I had no idea it was even happening before it was too late bc of irrational fears inside their head I couldn’t have foreseen or even known about and all of that fell on me and their anxiety became a justification to treat me so fucking badly and I just couldn’t handle that bc I’m only human

[plutoswrath]

i’m jealous of your big heart when it comes to animals lmao. i’m arachnophobic and it can be so annoying to have sometimes. i haven’t been able to tie it back to astrology, as much as i would like to. i asked because i was wondering if there was a clear indicator based off certain placements like how 6th house rules animals, 6th is ruled by mercury so i jumbled them even though i probs shouldn’t have lol. and with venus it ties to personal taste so i wondered if it could indicate a liking towards a certain animal. i have sag and sag venus in 6th and embarrassingly enough, i was obsessed with horses. like i came out of the womb adoring them. as soon as i learned to talk i was a walking horse encyclopedia. my obsession died down. i’m not a horse girl, i swear on my life.

i agree with you about the cancer loving animals. animals are babies and momma cancer loves to nurture the babies. i feel like cancers are the most likely to hate the “are you a dog or cat person” question. they’d get offended because how dare someone assume their heart isn’t big enough for both. more than both, really. throw a turtle in there. a rabbit even. cancer asc peeps usually have a shit ton of animals. it’s probably the sag/abundance in the 6th. or they either own a horse or Great Dane. but this is off topic because i forgot i had a follow up question.

if you could tie an animal or a couple animals to each sign that you think best represents that sign? or just seems like one they’d like? some are so easy and others just leave me blank. my arachnophobia thinks scorpio’s deserve better than scorpions but my terror blinds me. but i was looking up the symbolism behind animals and tying them to signs. so far, i’ve concluded that while horses should go with sag, their highly intuitive and empathetic animals. their behavior is like a mirror so if you’re nervous, they are too. so pisces or cancer actually seems to be a better fit. and to stay on topic of cancer with animals, i always tie wolves and dogs in general to cancer. the wolves are tied to the moon and familial dynamics and also i think they’re a great symbolic opposition to leo and how leos tend to resemble cats. sun and moon, dog and cat, night and day, that sort of thing. i realized i’ve rambled but i’m looking forward to your opinion because i’m so lost on what other signs would have. it’s been a year old question in my brain and it’s time for help from the master.

I'm sorry to hear that, I'm had a friend once who was arachnophobic and having phobias like these is really no fun, I can't imagine what it feels like really having them. And omg don't feel bad for liking horses when you were a child, literally so many children, especially young girls, like horses simply because people decided horses where a 'teenage girls only' thing somehow?? (and I will have to dig deeper into this at a point because here where I come from the horse girl thing is soooo painfully real and I want to understand the phenomena). And if I'm not mistake, arachnophobia (like most types of phobias), stem from some kind of trauma right? I absolutely don't try to get to personal but if we look at phobias in that way, maybe it's good to also include looking at planets/asteroids that point to trauma or aspects that can represent/indicate traumatic experiences in that sense! And I agree wholeheartedly to the 'dog or cat' question, I don't get offended by it but I hate this question in general because every animal deserves my love and empathy adfghj and yes, mother feelings definitely play into this haha! I think cancers enjoy (to an extent) having that occasional (or constant) outlet for their nurturing side and the bound you have to animals is also very intuitive and requires a lot of patience and getting educated as well as being observant and reading between the lines somehow and all that dedication paired with emotional knowledge just really speaks to water signs in general (and animals don't judge openly with words, just your energy asdfgh) Uhh, I like the question regarding the animals and I agree with your takes on it so far!! I think one animal can not represent all the core traits of a sign alltogether, but I'll try my best here! and psdfghj no need to call me master because I'm literally so far from anything close to that but thank you so much still, I feel honored really!!

The Signs as Animals:

Disclaimer: some of them are inspired by my ‘the Wild Unknown Animal Spirit’ tarot deck.

Aries: House cat. I know, I always thought cats actually link pretty well to Aries! Cats are just the perfect mixture of intelligen and curious, reserved, stubborn, aggressive, senstive as well as playful/impulsive! They are quick to learn and not afraid to face off against any other, bigger animals, but also can live pretty well together with other pets in the house, as long as they don‘t bother them too much. Especially when it comes to intimacy/pda they are very picky, but forceful when demand it. Seem flexible and unbothered at first but actually have the firmest boundaries when it comes to their personal freedom. Will let you believe they need you but give it a few weeks and the neighbor has better treats than you and gone they are asdfgh, but it's actually a harmful stereotype to believe that cats don't need you because they can become extremely fond of you and grow very attached.

Taurus: Elk. Based on the interpretation of my tarot deck. The elk represents earth energy, it is grounded, is established in itself and knows their core values and acts according to them. They show consistency, coherence and care. Dedicated to who they love and what they care for. Can become narrow minded due to knowing what's best, based on their perception of what's right and necessary, which can effect their ego negatively. Very Taurus for me. Gemini: Dragonfly. I refer to the interpretation of the Dragonfly based on my tarot deck. The dragonfly represents the mind: everchanging, quick, fascinating, a reflection of the world inside us and aroudn us. As the dragonfly is very quick (refering to Mercury's fast and nervous energy) the dragonfly also calles for paying attention to what quality our mind has and to become mindful, because on first glance things always appear different tahn on first glance (Mercury floats between detail-oriented and paying attenetion and being too fast, impatient). The dragonfly is joy and magic, as well as impatience, restlessness and being unable to concentrate. Cancer: Killer Whales (but also whales in general)! I thought especially about Killer Whales, because I once watched a documentary on them and they went in depth about how they have different cultures and different languages even (if I remember correctly) in their familys. Cancer often gets associated with the home life, but I think I wanted to look at it from another perspective, as in how does family 'become' family and how do those family roots develope, what do they consist of, how do we define family and what holds it together (and especially: how do our roots shape our own emotional patterns and nature in life?). I think the mystery of the Killer Whales but the whole complexity that lies behind the fascination of how these animals function and also how deeply affected Killer Whales are by their emotions/when they are absent from their kin, just opens up another big question of family dynamics and how we relate to one another and how principles we always condoned to human beings now apply to animals too. I think the whole part about the Killer Whales relation to emotions and their family's cultures just really made me link them to Cancer. Leo: Otter. I refer o the meaning of teh Otter based on my tarot deck. The Otter resembles the energy of the inner child: it's pure bliss, playfulness, they love to live and live for life itself, and out of this eagerness to enjoy life comes also a contentment and completeness towards life itself. To reconnect with otter energy, it is advised to step into settings of celebration, or total creative self expression and from the outside looking 'unproductive/selfish' indulgence. But actually, this energy is what makes life so enjoyable in the first place.

Virgo: Octopus. Highly intelligent beings that can quickly adapt and take the initiative. Self sufficient by nature, they aren't aggressive unless provoked, they like to mind their business unless they get curious (then they cling heavy onto you because you are their new object of interest). They can change color if it's needed (Virgo is a mutuable sign and can blend in perfectly in social occasions/new situations) and tbh the inking part about octopus just reminds me of the fact that most Virgos have a really quirky side to them you only get to see when you annoy them long enough (aka you are a long term friend). Libra: Gazelle. I refer to the meaning of ten Gazelle based on my tarot deck. The gazelle combines the creation of beauty and harmony, creativity and hyper awareness of it's surroundings, very affected of the imbalances in it's environment, but in it's try to remain this beauty around them, they tend to forget their achievments and stay in the present with their thoughts, as they constantly wheigh out the 'what if's'. A very perceptive animal in the tarot deck and this attribute is equally it's strong suit and downfall. Scorpio: Tiger. I refer here to the meaning of the Tiger based on my tarot deck. Waits in stillness and darkness to reconnect to their own inner power. Healing in isolation with the help of the lunar forces, waiting to regenerate. The Tiger energy shows itself in being passionate, sensual and stepping into ones own power, recognizing ones strength. For me, this is very Scorpio (Moon) for me. When the Tiger in unbalanced, it becomes overstimulated and acts according to this hyperawareness. Sagittarius: Zebra. I refer here to the meaning of the Zebra based on my tarot deck. The Zebra stands for an open mind, visionary and eccentric, new thinking, as well as being young at heart and expansion. I personally connect horses with passion and drive, because they are truly powerhouses. Based on the meaning of my tarit deck, the Zebra also is sociable, at least people find themselves drawn to the energy of the Zebra because it triggers their desire to learn, and I think this is something very beautiful Sagittarius symbolizes when they come into your life: be prepared to broaden your horizon for more. 

Capricorn: Camel. I refer to the meaning of the Camel based on my tarot deck. Camels here represent absolute dependence on self and being able to find the answer to problems in oneself. This self reliance and capability reminds me of capricorns, the camel is finding the 'cool' aka water inside of them and Capricorn is traditionally also symbolized as the sea-goat (which I seriously think should really be considered when anaylzing this archetype) and Capricorns have (imo at least) a rich emotional life, but it's just deeply locked within. The Camel represents showing responsibility for their own actions, regulating the self and circumstances around them as best as they can, which makes sense for Capricorns, ruled by Saturn they usually are confronted with task in their life. If the Camel energy is out of balance, it shows a lack of vitality, with Capricorn representing the senior age in life makes sense, especially since Capricorns can tend to feel very old (exhausted)- Aquarius: Platypus- and no, I’m not using the Platypus because ‚wow all Aquarius are so weird like straight up aliens 🤪🤪’ I think the platypus is a good representation because it makes us question what we’ve known so far about animals and Aquarius too is a sign that introduces us to new ideas and perspectives all in the favor of progress and considering alternatives, leaving the status quo. Pisces:  Raven/Crow. I name these two in particular because as far as I know it’s only the ravens that have been documented intimating people’s voices and tones, but crows are definitely more known for their bright mind. For me people often forget Pisces mutable nature and how quick witted they actually are. These birds are hyper intelligent and their observational skills are truly amazing. In my Wild Uknown Animal Spirit deck, the crow is an animal carrying 3rd eye energy. Here, the view is clear, the crow is moving through different dimensions and sees what other’s cant. For and the emotional depth (void) Pisces is conencted to it just seem to make sense. 

[lifeofresulullah]

The Life of The Prophet Muhammad: The Battle of Tabuk and Afterwards

The Expedition of Tabuk (Part.7)

Three People for whom the Earth Seemed Narrow

Ka’b b. Malik, Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya were three sincere and sound Muslims. However, they did not join the army for the Expedition of Tabuk and remained in Madinah due to their negligence; they did not have any legitimate excuses.

Ka’b b. Malik was a poet from the tribe of Khazraj of Ansar. He was one of the three poets that joined the Pledge of Aqaba. He recited heroic poets that aroused heroism. Before the Expedition of Tabuk, he had joined all of the battles except the Battle of Badr. On the day of Uhud, when there was a tumult and everything was in a mess, he recognized the Messenger of God from his bright eyes under his helmet and called out to the Companions to gather around the Messenger of God. He received eleven wounds on that day.[83]

Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya were two companions from the People of Badr; they had high ethics and virtues.

Why did They not Join?

Ka’b b. Malik, one of those three people, narrates the reason why he remained in Madinah as follows:

“...The Messenger of God fought that war (the Expedition of Tabuk) at the time when the fruits had ripened and the shade looked pleasant. God's Messenger and his Companions prepared for the battle.

I started to go out in order to get myself ready along with them, but I returned without doing anything. I would say to myself, 'I can do that.' So I kept on delaying it every now and then till the people got ready and the Messenger of God and the Muslims along with him departed, and I had not prepared anything for my departure, and I said, ‘I will prepare myself for departure one or two days after him, and then join them.'

In the morning following their departure, I went out to get myself ready but returned having done nothing. Then, again in the next morning, I went out to get ready but returned without doing anything. Such was the case with me till they hurried away and the battle was missed (by me). Even then, I intended to depart to take them over. I wish I had done so! However, I could not do it.”

The situation of the other two Companions was no different. They did not remain behind with bad intentions. They acted neglectfully and remained behind. This situation caused them to experience a hard test and trouble.

They Go to the Prophet to Seek Forgiveness

When the Messenger of God was in his mosque, those three Companions came and asked for forgiveness. They stated clearly why they had remained behind.

Ka’b b. Malik narrates the time when they asked for forgiveness as follows:

“The Messenger of God arrived in the morning, and whenever he returned from a journey, he used to visit the Mosque first of all and offer a two rak'ah prayer therein and then sit for the people.

So when he had done all that (this time), those who had failed to join the battle of Tabuk came and started offering (false) excuses and taking oaths before him. They were something over eighty men; God's Apostle accepted the excuses they had expressed, took their pledge of allegiance asked for God's Forgiveness for them, and left the secrets of their hearts for God to judge.

Then I came to him, and when I greeted him, he smiled a smile of an angry person and then said, 'Come on.'

So, I came walking till I sat before him.

He said to me, 'What stopped you from joining us. Had you not taken part in the Pledge of Aqaba?’

I said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of God! I promised to help you at any rate.

O Messenger of God! By God, if I were sitting before any person from among the people of the world other than you, I would have avoided his anger with an excuse. By God, I have been bestowed with the power of speaking fluently and eloquently, but by God, I knew well that if today I tell you a lie to seek your favor, God would surely make you angry with me in the near future, but if I tell you the truth, though you will get angry because of it, I hope for God's Forgiveness. Really, by God, there was no excuse for me. By God, I had never been stronger or wealthier than I was when I remained behind you.”

After this talk of Ka’b, the Messenger of God said, “As regards this man, he has surely told the truth. So get up till God decides your case.”

The other two Companions spoke like Ka’b. The Prophet told them to go and wait until God sends down a verdict about them.

Prohibition of Talking

The Messenger of God forbade all the Muslims to talk to those three people until God sent His verdict to him through revelation.

Upon this prohibition, everybody was keeping away from them. The people they wanted to talk to, even their relatives, did not want to talk to them; they did not even respond when they greeted them. From then on, the earth seemed narrow to them despite all its spaciousness and it started to depress their souls and squeeze their hearts.

Ka’b b. Malik describes this depressing and troublesome state as follows:

“My two fellows remained in their houses and kept on weeping, but I was the youngest of them and the firmest of them, so I used to go out and witness the prayers along with the Muslims and roam about in the markets, but none would talk to me, and I would come to the Messenger of God and greet him while he was sitting in his gathering after the prayer, and I would wonder whether the Prophet moved his lips in return to my greetings or not.

Then I would offer my prayer near him and look at him stealthily. When I was busy with my prayer, he would turn his face towards me, but when I turned my face to him, he would turn his face away from me.”

Yes, those three Companions were undergoing such a painful and exemplary test. Ka’b, who saw that nobody wanted to talk to him, went to Abu Qatada, his cousin, and greeted him. Abu Qatada did not reply his greeting. How could Abu Qatada reply the greeting of someone that the Messenger of God did not reply? It does not matter whether he was a close relative or a brother.   This shows the love and loyalty of the Companions to the Messenger of God.

Ka’b b. Malik, said to Abu Qatada, who did not reply his greeting, “O Abu Qatada! I beseech you by God! You know how much I love God and His Messenger.”

Abu Qatada kept quiet. Ka’b asked him again but he remained silent. When  I asked for the third time, he said, "God and His Messenger know it better.”

When Ka’b received this answer from Abu Qatada, his uncle, whom he loved very much, started to cry and left that place crying.

The Letter from Jabala to Ka’b

Ka’b and his friends were still being boycotted by the Messenger of God and the Muslims when Ka’b received a letter from Jabala b. Ayham, the Christian ruler of Ghassans. The following was written in the letter:

"I have been informed that your friend (the Prophet) has treated you harshly. God does not let you live at a place where you feel inferior and your right is lost. Do not stay there; join us; we will treat you respectfully as you deserve."

When Ka’b read the letter, he said to himself, 'This is also a sort of a test.' Then, he tore the letter into pieces and burned it down; Thus, he showed his loyalty to the Messenger of God.

Another Prohibition…

The test of Ka’b and the two Companions got more severe after forty days passed. The Messenger of God sent them the following message:

“Do not approach your wives.”

When Ka’b received this order, he said to his wife, “Go to your parents’ house and remain with them till God gives His verdict in this matter.”

Ka’b b. Malik and the other two Companions, Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya, were undergoing a tough test and their loyalty to God and His Messenger was being measured. As it was seen, they clearly showed the loyalty that fitted them.

The Insight in the Woman Companion

Hilal b. Umayya, one of those three people, were too old to look after himself. He always cried due to the boycott. He did not eat or drink anything. He only drank very little water or milk.

When he was informed about the order of the Prophet, his wife went to the presence of the Messenger of God and said,

“O Messenger of God! Hilal b. Umayya is too old to look after himself. There is nobody else to look after him. Will you let me serve him and look after him?”

The Messenger of God said, “You can look after him without letting him approach you.”

The woman said, “O Messenger of God! By God, he cannot move toward me or anything else. By God, he has been crying since the day he was boycotted; I fear that he will be blind.”

The Expected Verdict

The suffering of the three Companions ended on the fiftieth day. God Almighty sent His verdict about them through the following verse:

“(God turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind: (they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to them, for all its speciousness and their (very) souls seemed straitened to them― and they perceived that there is no fleeing from God (and no refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent: for God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.”

They are Given the Good News!

When God Almighty stated that he forgave those three Companions, their painful and tough test that lasted for fifty days ended.

After performing the morning prayer, the Messenger of God told his Companions that God Almighty accepted the repentance of those three people.

Thereupon, Zubayr b. Awwam mounted his horse and rode very fast to give the good news to  Ka’b b. Malik, Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya.

Meanwhile, Ka’b was sitting in his house. Just then, Zubayr came and gave him the good news; he prostrated. All of his troubles disappeared. His small house became as wide as the world. The distress in his spirit was replaced by relief and joy. He took off his garment and dressed Zubayr with it due to his joy.[99]

When Hilal b. Umayya heard that his repentance was accepted, he prostrated at once. He did not get up for a long time. The Companion who gave him the good news said,

“I thought he was going to die due to his joy.”

Murara b. Rabi was given the good news by another Companion.

Ka’b in the Presence of the Prophet

Ka’b b. Malik wanted to learn that his repentance was accepted from the Messenger of God himself. Therefore, he started to walk toward the mosque of the Prophet. The people who saw him said, “O Ka’b! We congratulate you on God's Acceptance of your repentance.”

Ka’b entered the mosque and kneeled down before the Messenger of God.  The face of the Messenger of God was bright with joy. He replied Ka’b’s greeting with a smile. Then, he said, “Be happy with the best day that you have got ever since your mother delivered you.”

Ka’b said, “O Messenger of God! Is this forgiveness from you or from God?'

The Prophet said, “It is directly from God.”

Ka’b, who was relieved of the stress, was very happy. He said, “O Messenger of God!  Because of the acceptance of my repentance, I will give up all my wealth as alms for the sake of God and His Messenger.”

The Prophet said, “Keep some of your wealth, as it will be better for you.”

[basicsofislam]

PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)’s BIOGRAPHY : The Expedition of Tabuk.Part5

Arriving in Madinah

Finally, the Messenger of God arrived in Madinah with his army after a tiring journey in the month of Ramadan.[Ibn Sa’d, ibid, Vol. 2, p. 167.]

Great Victory

The Islamic army did not confront anybody in Tabuk. However, it was a great success for the Islamic army to cover such a distance under very hard circumstances and to attempt to confront the enemy. This expedition was also a clear challenge to the Byzantine Empire, one of the biggest states of that time. The fact that the challenge was not responded was very significant. This showed that there was no power to face the power of Islam.  

Three People for whom the Earth Seemed Narrow

Ka’b b. Malik, Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya were three sincere and sound Muslims. However, they did not join the army for the Expedition of Tabuk and remained in Madinah due to their negligence; they did not have any legitimate excuses.

Ka’b b. Malik was a poet from the tribe of Khazraj of Ansar. He was one of the three poets that joined the Pledge of Aqaba. He recited heroic poets that aroused heroism.[ Ibn Athir, Usdu’l Ghaba, Vol. 4, p. 248; Ibn Hajar, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 302. ]Before the Expedition of Tabuk, he had joined all of the battles except the Battle of Badr. On the day of Uhud, when there was a tumult and everything was in a mess, he recognized the Messenger of God from his bright eyes under his helmet and called out to the Companions to gather around the Messenger of God. He received eleven wounds on that day.[ Ibn Athir, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 247. ]

Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya were two companions from the People of Badr; they had high ethics and virtues.[ Ibn Athir, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 343. ]

Why did They not Join?

Ka’b b. Malik, one of those three people, narrates the reason why he remained in Madinah as follows:

“...The Messenger of God fought that war (the Expedition of Tabuk) at the time when the fruits had ripened and the shade looked pleasant. God's Messenger and his Companions prepared for the battle.

I started to go out in order to get myself ready along with them, but I returned without doing anything. I would say to myself, 'I can do that.' So I kept on delaying it every now and then till the people got ready and the Messenger of God and the Muslims along with him departed, and I had not prepared anything for my departure, and I said, ‘I will prepare myself for departure one or two days after him, and then join them.'

In the morning following their departure, I went out to get myself ready but returned having done nothing. Then, again in the next morning, I went out to get ready but returned without doing anything. Such was the case with me till they hurried away and the battle was missed (by me). Even then, I intended to depart to take them over. I wish I had done so! However, I could not do it.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 176; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 87. ]

The situation of the other two Companions was no different. They did not remain behind with bad intentions. They acted neglectfully and remained behind. This situation caused them to experience a hard test and trouble.

They Go to the Prophet to Seek Forgiveness

When the Messenger of God was in his mosque, those three Companions came and asked for forgiveness. They stated clearly why they had remained behind.

Ka’b b. Malik narrates the time when they asked for forgiveness as follows:

“The Messenger of God arrived in the morning, and whenever he returned from a journey, he used to visit the Mosque first of all and offer a two-rak'ah prayer therein and then sit for the people.

So when he had done all that (this time), those who had failed to join the battle of Tabuk came and started offering (false) excuses and taking oaths before him. They were something over eighty men; God's Apostle accepted the excuses they had expressed, took their pledge of allegiance asked for God's Forgiveness for them, and left the secrets of their hearts for God to judge.

Then I came to him, and when I greeted him, he smiled a smile of an angry person and then said, 'Come on.'

So, I came walking till I sat before him.

He said to me, 'What stopped you from joining us. Had you not taken part in the Pledge of Aqaba?’

I said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of God! I promised to help you at any rate.

O Messenger of God! By God, if I were sitting before any person from among the people of the world other than you, I would have avoided his anger with an excuse. By God, I have been bestowed with the power of speaking fluently and eloquently, but by God, I knew well that if today I tell you a lie to seek your favor, God would surely make you angry with me in the near future, but if I tell you the truth, though you will get angry because of it, I hope for God's Forgiveness. Really, by God, there was no excuse for me. By God, I had never been stronger or wealthier than I was when I remained behind you.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 177; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 87-88. ]

After this talk of Ka’b, the Messenger of God said, “As regards this man, he has surely told the truth. So get up till God decides your case.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 177; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

The other two Companions spoke like Ka’b. The Prophet told them to go and wait until God sends down a verdict about them.[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 177; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

Prohibition of Talking

The Messenger of God forbade all the Muslims to talk to those three people until God sent His verdict to him through revelation.[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 177; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

Upon this prohibition, everybody was keeping away from them. The people they wanted to talk to, even their relatives, did not want to talk to them; they did not even respond when they greeted them. From then on, the earth seemed narrow to them despite all its spaciousness and it started to depress their souls and squeeze their hearts.

Ka’b b. Malik describes this depressing and troublesome state as follows:

“My two fellows remained in their houses and kept on weeping, but I was the youngest of them and the firmest of them, so I used to go out and witness the prayers along with the Muslims and roam about in the markets, but none would talk to me, and I would come to the Messenger of God and greet him while he was sitting in his gathering after the prayer, and I would wonder whether the Prophet moved his lips in return to my greetings or not.

Then I would offer my prayer near him and look at him stealthily. When I was busy with my prayer, he would turn his face towards me, but when I turned my face to him, he would turn his face away from me.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 177; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

Yes, those three Companions were undergoing such a painful and exemplary test. Ka’b, who saw that nobody wanted to talk to him, went to Abu Qatada, his cousin, and greeted him. Abu Qatada did not reply his greeting. How could Abu Qatada reply the greeting of someone that the Messenger of God did not reply? It does not matter whether he was a close relative or a brother.   This shows the love and loyalty of the Companions to the Messenger of God.

Ka’b b. Malik, said to Abu Qatada, who did not reply his greeting, “O Abu Qatada! I beseech you by God! You know how much I love God and His Messenger.”

Abu Qatada kept quiet. Ka’b asked him again but he remained silent. When  I asked for the third time, he said, "God and His Messenger know it better.”

When Ka’b received this answer from Abu Qatada, his uncle, whom he loved very much, started to cry and left that place crying.[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 178; Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 458; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

The Letter from Jabala to Ka’b

Ka’b and his friends were still being boycotted by the Messenger of God and the Muslims when Ka’b received a letter from Jabala b. Ayham, the Christian ruler of Ghassans. The following was written in the letter:

"I have been informed that your friend (the Prophet) has treated you harshly. God does not let you live at a place where you feel inferior and your right is lost. Do not stay there; join us; we will treat you respectfully as you deserve."[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 179; Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 458; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88 ]

When Ka’b read the letter, he said to himself, 'This is also a sort of a test.' Then, he tore the letter into pieces and burned it down;[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 179; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]Thus, he showed his loyalty to the Messenger of God.

Another Prohibition…

The test of Ka’b and the two Companions got more severe after forty days passed. The Messenger of God sent them the following message:

“Do not approach your wives.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 179; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

When Ka’b received this order, he said to his wife, “Go to your parents’ house and remain with them till God gives His verdict in this matter.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 179; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

Ka’b b. Malik and the other two Companions, Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya, were undergoing a tough test and their loyalty to God and His Messenger was being measured. As it was seen, they clearly showed the loyalty that fitted them.

The Insight in the Woman Companion

Hilal b. Umayya, one of those three people, were too old to look after himself. He always cried due to the boycott. He did not eat or drink anything. He only drank very little water or milk.

When he was informed about the order of the Prophet, his wife went to the presence of the Messenger of God and said,

“O Messenger of God! Hilal b. Umayya is too old to look after himself. There is nobody else to look after him. Will you let me serve him and look after him?”

The Messenger of God said, “You can look after him without letting him approach you.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 179; Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 458; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

The woman said, “O Messenger of God! By God, he cannot move toward me or anything else. By God, he has been crying since the day he was boycotted; I fear that he will be blind.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 179; Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 458; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 88. ]

The Expected Verdict

The suffering of the three Companions ended on the fiftieth day. God Almighty sent His verdict about them through the following verse:

“(God turned in mercy also) to the three who were left behind: (they felt guilty) to such a degree that the earth seemed constrained to them, for all its speciousness and their (very) souls seemed straitened to them― and they perceived that there is no fleeing from God (and no refuge) but to Himself. Then He turned to them, that they might repent: for God is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.”[ At-Tawba, 118. ]

They are Given the Good News!

When God Almighty stated that he forgave those three Companions, their painful and tough test that lasted for fifty days ended.

After performing the morning prayer, the Messenger of God told his Companions that God Almighty accepted the repentance of those three people.

Thereupon, Zubayr b. Awwam mounted his horse and rode very fast to give the good news to  Ka’b b. Malik, Murara b. Rabi’ and Hilal b. Umayya.

Meanwhile, Ka’b was sitting in his house. Just then, Zubayr came and gave him the good news; he prostrated. All of his troubles disappeared. His small house became as wide as the world. The distress in his spirit was replaced by relief and joy. He took off his garment and dressed Zubayr with it due to his joy.[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 180; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 89. ]

When Hilal b. Umayya heard that his repentance was accepted, he prostrated at once. He did not get up for a long time. The Companion who gave him the good news said,

“I thought he was going to die due to his joy.”

Murara b. Rabi was given the good news by another Companion.

Ka’b in the Presence of the Prophet

Ka’b b. Malik wanted to learn that his repentance was accepted from the Messenger of God himself. Therefore, he started to walk toward the mosque of the Prophet. The people who saw him said, “O Ka’b! We congratulate you on God's Acceptance of your repentance.”

Ka’b entered the mosque and kneeled down before the Messenger of God.  The face of the Messenger of God was bright with joy. He replied Ka’b’s greeting with a smile. Then, he said, “Be happy with the best day that you have got ever since your mother delivered you.”

Ka’b said, “O Messenger of God! Is this forgiveness from you or from God?'

The Prophet said, “It is directly from God.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 180; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 89. ]

Ka’b, who was relieved of the stress, was very happy. He said, “O Messenger of God!  Because of the acceptance of my repentance, I will give up all my wealth as alms for the sake of God and His Messenger.”

The Prophet said, “Keep some of your wealth, as it will be better for you.”[ Ibn Hisham, ibid, Vol. 4, p. 180; Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 459; Bukhari, ibid, Vol. 3, p. 89. ]