The Truth about the Alleged Punishment for Apostasy in Islam — Page 101
101 the Holy Prophet sa. After the death of the Holy Prophet sa , Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra tried to counsel the rebels by means of negotiations through emissaries and via correspondence as well. He waited for the army to return that had gone out under the command of Us a ma. However, with the intent to attack, the rebels advanced towards Medina. They encamped at Al-Abraq and Dhul Qar s a just outside Medina and sent a message to Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra that they were willing to say the S al a t but wanted payment of Zakat to be dispensed with. Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra refused to agree to this demand and appointed Hadrat ‘Al i , Zubair and ‘Abdull a h bin Mas‘ u d ra to stand guard at various outward points of Medina. The people of Medina started gathering in the mosque. A delegation of the rebels got back to their comrades and informed them that the number of Muslims present in Medina was very small. Consequently, the rebels attacked the outskirts of Medina. In response Hadrat Ab u Bakr ra took the Muslims, who had gathered in the mosque, and they went out on camelbacks to confront the enemy. The enemy retreated. However, even in retreat, it employed different techniques to startle the camels of the Muslims. As a result, the camels ran uncontrollably towards Medina. Although the Muslims did not suffer any casualties, yet the enemy deemed them to be weak and sent a message to their rebel comrades to come and join them in