Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Passing by the Ruins of Thamood
The Tabook expedition is one of the famous expeditions of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and it was the last expedition in which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) took part.
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) heard that the Caesar (king of Rome) gathered a large army to wipe out Islam and was on his way to Madinah Munawwarah via Syria, he decided to lead the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to stop him on his way. Thus, on Thursday 5th Rajab 9 A.H., the Muslims marched out of Madinah Munawwarah.
As the weather was very hot and the fighting was expected to be very tough, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made a clear announcement that the Muslims should gather in strength and prepare fully to face the Roman army. He also encouraged them to spend towards the equipment of the army.
It was at this time that Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) gave all his wealth and belongings. When he was asked by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) as to what he had left for his family, he replied, “I have left Allah Ta‘ala and His Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) for them.”
Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) gave half of his belongings, and Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) gave enough wealth to equip one-third of the army. Yet, although everyone gave more than what he could afford, the army was still not fully equipped. Ten people had to share a camel which they rode in turns. This is why this battle is known as “Jaish-ul-Usrah” (the Expedition of Hardship).
The journey was long and the weather was extremely hot. The orchards were full of ripe dates which was the main food for the people of Madinah Munawwarah, and it was just the time for harvesting, when all of a sudden the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were asked to go for this battle.
It was really a severe test of their imaan. They imagined the long and difficult journey ahead, the boiling heat, the strong enemy, and to top it all, losing the entire year’s crop of dates, but they could not even dream of missing this battle because of the deep fear of Allah Ta‘ala in their hearts.
Except for the munaafiqeen (hypocrites) and those people who were excused to stay behind by Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), among whom were the women and children, nearly everybody else joined the army. Also, among those who were left behind were people who did not have any animal to ride on, nor could Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) provide them with any.
It is regarding such people that Allah Ta‘ala says in the Qur’aan Majeed:
تَوَلَّوۡا وَّ اَعۡیُنُہُمۡ تَفِیۡضُ مِنَ الدَّمۡعِ حَزَنًا اَلَّا یَجِدُوۡا مَا یُنۡفِقُوۡنَ ﴿ؕ۹۲﴾
They turned back, with eyes flowing with tears in sorrow that they could not find something to spend. (Surah Taubah v. 92)
From the true believers, there were three people who had stayed behind without any excuse. Their story will be presented later.
On their way to Syria, when the Muslims reached the area of the nation of Thamood, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) covered his face with the side of his kurta and increased the pace of his camel. He also instructed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to do the same, as that was the place where the nation of Thamood were destroyed by the punishment of Allah Ta‘ala. They were told to pass there weeping and fearing that Allah Ta‘ala should not punish them as He had punished the people of Thamood.
Note:
The most beloved Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala passed by the area of punishment with fear in his heart, and he also instructed his devoted Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) – who even during this extremely difficult journey obeyed the command of Allah Ta‘ala – to pass by while weeping and fearing that the punishment of Allah Ta‘ala should not befall them.
On the other hand, if any place is struck with an earthquake today, then it becomes a place of sightseeing for us, and if we see any ruins, then our eyes remain dry and our hearts unaffected. What a change of attitude!
(Fazaa’il-e-A’maal [English] pg. 44-46, [Urdu] pg. 33-34)
