Simplicity & Loyalty, and Repentance
An incident highlighting the simplicity and loyalty of Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) is that when the Holy Prophet (sa) became free from the Battle of the Ditch and returned to the city, he had barely put off his arms and bathed, when he was informed by way of Divine indication that until a verdict had been settled with respect to the treachery and rebellion of the Banu Quraizah, the Holy Prophet (sa) should not have laid in his arms.
The Holy Prophet (sa) was then informed that he should march towards the Banu Quraizah at once. Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) made a general announcement to the Companions directing that everyone should set out towards the fortresses of the Banu Quraizah and that the Asr Salat would be offered there. Initially, the Jewish people behaved in a very arrogant and insolent manner. However, as time went on, they began to feel the effects of the besiegement and felt helplessness that the Muslims had surrounded them. In the end, after conferring with one another as to what to do next, they suggested that such a Muslim should be called upon who, due to having a good relation with them and out of his simplicity, could be swayed by them in order to find out the intentions of the Holy Prophet (sa) regarding them. That way, they could decide going forward as to which plan of action they should follow.
Hence, they sent a messenger to the Holy Prophet (sa) requesting him to send Abu Lubabah (ra) bin Munzir Ansari to them in their fortress so that they could take his advice. The Holy Prophet (sa) granted him permission and he went forth into their fortress. The chiefs of Banu Quraizah had planned that as soon as Abu Lubabah (ra) would enter the fortress, the women and children would all go crying to him and try to overwhelm him with all their problems and difficulties. As it were, Abu Lubabah (ra) was affected by it, and when Banu Quraizah asked him what would be of them if they opened their fortress to allow Muhammad (sa) to make his verdict, Abu Lubabah (ra) unwittingly answered, “Yes come down now” but also indicated with his hand swiping across the neck, i.e. that the Holy Prophet (sa) would order to have them killed.
Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) says that when it occurred to him that this indication was an act of dishonesty towards God and His Prophet (sa), (and that he had made a grave mistake by showing that sign) his legs gave way. He made his way to Masjid Nabwi. Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) tied himself to a pillar of the mosque (as a punishment for himself). He vowed that till God Almighty accepted his repentance, he would remain tied to that pillar.
Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) said that when the Holy Prophet (sa) got to hear the news about what took place in the fortress of Banu Quraizah, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “Leave him alone, let God Almighty decide his fate.” The Holy Prophet (sa) said, “If Abu Lubabah had come to me, I would have sought forgiveness for him. Now, that he has not come to me and has gone elsewhere, leave him be.” Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) says that he remained in this ordeal for fifteen days. Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) says, “I saw a dream and would often recall that dream. In my dream I saw that we had been surrounded by Banu Quraizah and I was trapped in a pungent swamp. I was trying to get out of there but was unable to do so. It was as if I was about to die from the smell. Then I saw a flowing river. I saw that I washed myself in this river, till I became pure and clean and started to smell nice.” Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) went to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to seek the interpretation of this dream. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) interpreted the dream that he would be faced with a difficulty which would make him grieve, but then his difficulties would be dispelled. Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) says, “While tied to the pillar, I used to recall this interpretation of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and was very hopeful that my repentance would be accepted.”
Hazrat Umme Salama (ra) states that the news of pardon of Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) was revealed in her home. (The Holy Prophet (sa) received a Divine revelation at the time.) Hazrat Umme Salama (ra) relates, “At the time of dawn, I saw that the Holy Prophet (sa) was smiling. I said, ‘May Allah the Exalted always keep you smiling. What has made you so cheerful?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘The repentance of Abu Lubabah (ra) has been accepted.’ I asked, ‘O prophet of God, can I tell him this?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Yes, if you so wish.’”
Hazrat Umme Salama (ra) says, “I called out from the door of the chamber, (this incident is before the commandment of Purdah was revealed), ‘O Abu Lababa! Be content for Allah has shown His blessings to you and has accepted your repentance.’” Upon this, people rushed to untie Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra), but he said, “No, only the Holy Prophet (sa) will free me from this pillar.” When the Holy Prophet (sa) arrived to offer the Fajr prayers, he untied Abu Lubabah (ra) with his blessed hands.” Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) said, “The ancestral home, where I ended up committing such a sin, I will forsake that house. I have made a grave error and for this, I relinquish my house and give my possessions in charity for the sake of Allah and His Prophet.” The Holy Prophet (sa) advised him that he could only give away one-third of that in charity. Hazrat Abu Lubabah (ra) gave a third of his possession in charity and gave up his ancestral home.
(Seerat Khatam-un-Nabiyeen, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra), pg. 597-599), (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 6, pg. 261-262, Abe Lubabah, Dar-ul-Kutub-ul-Ilmiyyah, 2004, Beirut)