The Three Absentees from the Battle of Tabuk

Hazrat Hilal (ra) bin Umayyah was among the three Ansari companions who failed to participate in the Battle of Tabuk without having any excuse. The other two companions were Ka‘b (ra) bin Malik and Murarah (ra) bin Rabi‘. The following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed in relation to them:

وَعَلَى الثَّلَاثَۃِ الَّذِیْنَ خُلِّفُوْا حَتّٰى اِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَیْہِمُ الْاَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَیْہِمْ اَنْفُسُہُمْ وَظَنُّوْا اَنْ لَّا مَلْجَاَ مِنَ اللّٰہِ اِلَّا اِلَیْہِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَیْہِمْ لِیَتُوْبُوْا اِنَّ اللّٰہَ ہُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِیْمُ

“And He has turned with mercy to the three whose case was deferred, until the earth became too strait for them with all its vastness, and their souls were also straitened for them, and they became convinced that there was no refuge from Allah save unto Himself. Then He turned to them with mercy that they might turn to Him. Surely, it is Allah Who is Oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful.” [Surah al-Taubah, Ch.9: V.118]

(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 5, p. 381, Hilal bin Umayyah (ra), Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2003)

When the Holy Prophet (sa) returned from the battle, he expressed his displeasure upon this and also reprimanded them. Subsequently, the three companions were extremely anxious and submitted before Allah the Almighty, repenting and continuously seeking forgiveness. This continued until the lamenting of these three companions – which included Hazrat Hilal (ra) – was eventually accepted and Allah the Almighty revealed a verse regarding their pardoning. Nonetheless, in relation to this battle, the extent of sacrifices presented by the Companions (ra) was also stated. Furthermore, it was stated that certain other individuals, who harboured hypocrisy inside them, did not participate in this battle and made false excuses before the Holy Prophet (sa). Some refused to go along right from the beginning and thus the Holy Prophet (sa) left the matter of such hypocrites to Allah the Almighty.

One individual who preferred not to go with the Holy Prophet (sa) was Jadd bin Qais. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked him if he would join them in the battle against the Byzantine forces. He replied that this would place him in a trial on account of the women, therefore he ought not to be placed in such a difficulty. Subsequently, the Holy Prophet (sa) let him be and permitted him to stay behind. In light of this incident, the following verse was revealed:

مِنْہُمْ مَنْ یَّقُوْلُ ائْذَنْ لِّیْ وَلَا تَفْتِنِّیْ أَلَا فِی الْفِتْنَۃِ سَقَطُوْا وَإِنَّ جَہَنَّمَ لَمُحِیْطَۃٌ بِالْکَافِرِیْنَ

“And among them is he who says, ‘Permit me to stay behind and put me not to trial.’ Surely, they have already fallen into trial. And surely, Hell shall encompass the disbelievers.” (Surah al-Taubah, Ch.9: V.49)