The Hypocrites’ Attempt to Sow Dissention Between the Muhaajiroon (emigrants) and the Ansaar (helpers) During this Battle
Many hypocrites went out with the Muslims to the Battle of Banu Al-Mustaliq even though they had often refrained from participating in previous Battles. Nevertheless, when they saw the Muslims win one battle after another, they joined them craving the booties. When the Muslim army reached the spring of Al-Muraysee‘, the hypocrites revealed their grudge against Islam and the Muslims. Whenever Islam gained a new victory, they would become even more spiteful, and their hearts looked forward to the day when the Muslims would suffer defeat to satisfy their need for revenge. When the Muslims were victorious in the Battle of Al-Muraysee‘, the hypocrites tried to arouse the spirit of tribalism between the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar. When they failed, they tried to harm the Prophet by defaming him and his household. They waged a bitter psychological war through the story of the Ifk (or the Slander Affair) which they fabricated.
Let us listen to the honorable Companion, Zayd bin Arqam, may Allah be pleased with him, who witnessed and took part in the first incident, narrate the story. He said
While I was taking part in a Battle, I heard ‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy [bin Salool] saying, “Do not spend on those who are with the Messenger of Allah until they disband and go away from him. If we return [to Madeenah], surely, the more honorable will expel the meanest amongst them.” I reported that [saying] to my uncle who, in turn, informed the Prophet of it. The Prophet sent for me and I narrated the whole story to him. Then he sent for ‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy and his companions, and they took an oath that they did not say that. So, the Messenger of Allah disbelieved me and believed him.
I was distressed as I had never been before. I stayed at home and my uncle said to me, “You simply wanted the Prophet to disbelieve your statement and hate you.” So, Allah Revealed [the Soorah beginning with what means]: {When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad], they say, “We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.” And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars.} [63:1] The Prophet then sent for me, recited it, and said: “O Zayd, Allah has corroborated your statement.”
Jaabir bin ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, who was another eyewitness, narrated what happened near the spring of Al-Muraysee‘, and led to what the hypocrites said to arouse tribalism and disunite the Muslims. He said
We were in a Battle and a man from the Muhaajiroon kicked an Ansaari man. The Ansaari man said, “O Ansaar! [Help!]” And the emigrants said, “O Muhaajiroon! [Help!]” The Messenger of Allah heard that and said: “What is this call of Jaahiliyyah [pre-Islamic era]?” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, a man from the Muhaajiroon kicked one of the Ansaar.” The Prophet said: “Quit it [this call]. It is a detestable thing.” ‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy heard this and said, “Have they [the Muhaajiroon] done so? By Allah, when we return to Madeenah, surely, the more honorable will expel the meanest from it.”
When this statement reached the Prophet ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, got up and said, “O Messenger of Allah, let me chop off the head of this hypocrite [‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy]!” The Prophet said: “Leave him, lest the people say that Muhammad kills his companions.”
In another narration, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, said to the Prophet “Command ‘Abbaad bin Bishr to kill him.” The Prophet rejected this suggestion saying: “What if people say that Muhammad kills his companions? Rather, order the people to move on.”
It was a time that was not customary for the Prophet to travel in. When ‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy knew that Zayd bin Arqam, may Allah be pleased with him, had reported what he said to the Prophet he went to the Prophet and swore by Allah that he had not said so. The Ansaar who were there said, “O Messenger of Allah, perhaps the boy imagined what he said.”
When the Prophet ordered the people to move on, Usayd bin Hudhayr met the Prophet greeted him and said, “O Messenger of Allah, you have ordered people to move on at an unusual hour!” The Prophet said: “Have you not heard what your companion said?” “Who?” Usayd, may Allah be pleased with him, asked. The Prophet answered: “‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy.” He asked, “What did he say?” The Prophet said: “He claimed that when he returns to Madeenah, surely, the more honorable will expel from it the meanest.” Usayd, may Allah be pleased with him, promptly said, “You, the Messenger of Allah, will expel him from it if you wish. He is the meanest and you are the most honorable.” He added, “O Messenger of Allah, be lenient on him. By Allah, Allah The Almighty brought you to us while his people were making the final preparations to crown him. Therefore, he believes that you seized his kingship.”
Then, the Prophet marched with his men that day until nightfall, and they marched during the night until morning came, and during the day until the sun grew very hot. Then they stopped, and as soon as they dismounted they fell asleep.
He only did this to divert the people’s attention from talking about this incident. The Soorah (of Al-Munaafiqoon), where the hypocrites were mentioned, was revealed regarding Ibn Ubayy and his fellow hypocrites. When it was revealed, the Prophet took Zayd bin Arqam by his ear and said: “This is the boy whose ear was exonerated by Allah.”