The Pseudo-Believers of the State of Madina

According to a narration in Bukhari Sharif, Hazrat Saad bin Ubada (RA) stated that before the arrival of the Prophet (PBUH) in Medina, the tribes of this region had decided to establish a government. Abdullah bin Ubai was chosen as its head, but before his coronation, the Messenger of Allah arrived (may Allah honor him and grant him peace) causing the establishment of this government to fall into disrepair. Hazrat Saad Bin Ubada RA has described this area as "Ahl Hazihil Bahirah" (inhabitants of this sea belt) which is the sea belt from Medina to the port of Yanbu.

On the other hand, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had been struggling to make his station/center in this area for at least two years. The Bait-e-Uqba Aula (pledge 1) and the Bait-e-Uqba Sania (pledge 2) with the representatives of Aus and Khazraj, the two tribes of Ansar-e-Madinah, were done in this very same context. According to this the Prophet (PBUH) formally appointed twelve Naqibs (representatives) who paved the way for the Misaq-e-Madina (Treaty of Medina) by meeting and communicating with the relevant tribes and leaders in the area. As a result, as soon as he arrived in Madinah, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) gained the status of the head and his state and government were established. And then this government and state were transferred to Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) after the departure of the Prophet (PBUH) and it took the title of "Khilafah-e-Rashida".

This ten-year reign of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) is referred to as the "Riyasat-e-Madina (State of Madinah) in which the Ansar-e-Madinah (local/host Muslims) as well as the tribes of the Jews and other people were also a part. In this period, the inhabitants of the "State of Madinah" included Muslims and non-Muslims, as well as people (non-muslims) who took Shahadah (oath/creed to become a Muslim) and used to participate in worship and affairs with the Holy Prophet (PBUH). They claimed that (1) we believe in Allah Ta'ala (2) we believe in the Hereafter and (3) we bear witness that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah. But the Holy Qur'an refused to recognize them as Muslims by saying, "Wa Ma Hum Bimu'mineen" (they are not Muslims) and "Ina Hum Lakaziboon" (they are liars). Therefore, in Islamic history, they are referred to as Munafiqeen (hypocrites).

They remained a part of the population of Madinah for ten consecutive years and many of their incidents are mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith, some of which are being mentioned here so that the conduct of the Prophet (PBUH) could be understood regarding these non-Muslims who took Shahadah (outh/creed):

★ Abdullah bin Ubai also took Shahadah, but he was the leader of this group and for the rest of his life, after losing the rulership of this sea belt, he kept taking revenge from the Prophet (PBUH) and the people of faith.

★ In the Battle of Uhud, a thousand army under the leadership of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) reached the foothills of Uhud to fight the Quraysh army, of which Abdullah bin Ubai led three hundred astray back. After the war ended, there was a consultation about these three hundred people who left the field, what should be done with them? And there were two opinions on whether to conduct an operation against them or not. So, by saying in the Holy Qur'an, the Muslims were stopped from such an action, "فما لکم فی المنافقین فئتین" Why have you divided into two groups regarding the hypocrites? So no action was taken against them.

★ This group created a storm of indecency in Madinah Munawarah for about a month by falsely slandering Um-al-Mu'mineen Hazrat Aisha RA, the details of which are mentioned in the Qur'an and hadiths. This entire campaign according to "والذی تولیٰ کبرہ" (as for their mastermind) was led by Abdullah bin Ubai. After this conspiracy and nefarious campaign, there is no need to explain the details of what actions and against whom they were taken by the Prophet (PBUH), is obvious to everyone.

★ In Surah al-Manafiqun, Allah Almighty mentions the planning of Abdullah bin Ubai and his companions that the Ansar (local Muslims) will be stopped from spending on the emigrants in Madinah and the emigrants will be expelled from Madinah. Hazrat Zayd bin Arqam RA reported this secret planning to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), then these hypocrites denied the report with oaths, on which Allah Almighty confirmed Hazrat Zayd Bin Arqam RA's report in Surah Al-Manafiqoon, and declared these hypocrites liars. Hazrat Zayd bin Arqam has also mentioned this in the Riwayt (report) of Bukhari Sharif.

★ The activities and actions of these hypocrites regarding their stay back and preventing others from participating in the battle of Tabuk, are mentioned in detail in the Surah At-Tawbah.

★ The action of the hypocrites to establish their very own station in the name of the mosque in Madinah has also been described in the Holy Quran, after which some decisions were announced about these hypocrites:

(1) The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was prohibited from leading their funerals.

(2) Saying prayers on their graves was also prohibited.

(3) The building was built in the name of the mosque was demolished and it was declared a front of Muslim enemies for infidelity, damage, and division among Muslims.

(4) Participation of these people in any future Jihad (war alongside Muslims) was prohibited.

(5) By saying "فسیری اللہ عملکم ورسولہ والمومنون" (your deeds will be observed by Allah, His Messenger, and the believers) their permanent collective monitoring was announced (in the Quran).

The purpose of these mentions is that during the ten-year reign of the Prophet (PBUH), these bearing-witness non-Muslims also lived along with other non-Muslims among the citizens. Actions were taken against them according to the situations arised, and actions have also been avoided under expediency and wisdom on occasions. In this regard, researchers should be attentive to planning for today's conditions and requirements. Our primitive opinion is that whether or not to act against such people depends on the requirements of the situation and the collective interest and needs of the Ummah, which should be determined by the authorities and the religious and academic leaders together.

(An AI-assisted translation of a column published in the Daily Ausaf, Islamabad on 29th June 2024)