Islam's Response to Contemporary Issues — Page 42
42 islam’s response to contemporary issues company of others that the moment they returned to Medina, the noblest would expel the meanest among the Medinites. They say, ‘If we return to Medina, the most exalted will, surely, drive out therefrom the most mean,’ while true honour belongs to Allah and to His Messenger sa and the believers; but the hypocrites know not. 50 Everyone understood the implied insult to the Holy Prophet sa. They were seething with indignation and rage to the extent that, if permitted, they would have most certainly put ‘Abdull a h bin Ubayy to the sword. It is reported authentically that tempers were running so high at this incident that no less a person than the son of ‘Abdull a h bin Ubayy himself approached the Holy Founder sa of Islam seeking permission to kill his father with his own hands. The son argued that if anyone else did so, he might later on, in ignorance, entertain the thought of revenge against his father’s killer. For centuries, the Arabs were accustomed to take revenge at even the smallest insult hurled at them or their close relative. Perhaps, this custom was what the son had in mind. But the Holy Prophet sa refused to grant his request nor did he permit anyone else from among his Companions to punish the hypocrite, ‘Abdull a h bin Ubayy, in any manner whatsoever. 51 Having returned to Medina after the expedition, ‘Abdull a h bin Ubayy continued to live in peace. When he died at last, a natural death, of course, to the surprise of everyone, the Holy Prophet sa gave ‘Abdull a h’s son his own shirt so that he could enshroud his father’s body for burial—a singular act of blessing, indeed, which must have