Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
On the occasion of the Battle of Tabook, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was departing from Madinah Munawwarah, he said to Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “It is necessary for either me to remain in Madinah Munawwarah, or for you to remain behind (to oversee the affairs of Madinah Munawwarah while the army is away).”
Accordingly, on the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not go out with the army, but remained in Madinah Munawwarah.
Thereafter, some people began to spread rumors that the reason why Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had told Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to remain behind was that he was displeased with him. Hearing this, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) immediately came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and mentioned to him what the people were saying.
According to one narration, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! I do not want the Arabs to say regarding me, ‘He has abandoned his cousin and remained behind.’”
Furthermore, it was the deep desire of Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to join the army so that he could strive in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, according to another narration, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! Are you leaving me behind with the women and children?”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) consoled Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and said to him, “Are you not pleased that your position with me will be like the position of Nabi Haroon (‘alaihis salaam) with Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam), except that there will be no nabi after me?”
In other words, when Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) went to Mount Toor, he left his brother, Nabi Haroon (‘alaihis salaam), in charge of the people. This indicated the high rank of Nabi Haroon (‘alaihis salaam) and the trust and confidence that Nabi Moosa (‘alaihis salaam) had in him. In the same way, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that leaving him in charge of Madinah Munawwarah was a sign of the trust, confidence and love that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had for him.
When Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard this, he immediately said, “I am pleased, I am pleased.”
(Saheeh Muslim #2404, Majma’uz Zawaa’id #14642 & 14653 and Fat-hul Baari 7/86)
