Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 286
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 286 was keen on killing his own followers. He sent for Abdullah bin Ubayy and some of his associates and inquired from them what had happened. They swore that none of them had said anything like that which was attributed to them. Some Ansar urged that Zaid bin Arqam might have been mistaken. The Holy Prophet dismissed the whole affair, but Zaid’s report was later confirmed by revelation. The Holy Prophet sent for Abdullah bin Ubayy and his associates and told them that Zaid’s report had been confirmed, and then directed Umar to announce the immediate departure of the force for Medina. It was high noon and the heat was intense, and though the Holy Prophet generally avoided marching at that time of day, he decided that in the circumstances it was best to start the march immediately. Everyone became ready to set forth. Usyad bin Hudhair, chief of Aus, was curious to discover the reason for this unusual direction of the Holy Prophet. He went to him and submitted, ‘Messenger of Allah, you do not normally march at this time of day. What has caused you to start the march at this time?’ To which the Holy Prophet replied, ‘Usyad, have you not heard that Abdullah bin Ubayy says that, arriving in Medina, the most honoured one among us shall expel the meanest one among us?’ Usyad submitted, ‘Messenger of Allah, you can certainly e xpel Abdullah from Medina, for undoubtedly you are the most honoured among us, and he is the meanest one. But, Messenger of Allah, you are aware that before your arrival in Medina, Abdullah was highly esteemed among his people and they were planning to mak e him their king. Your arrival frustrated that project and he has since been full of envy towards