Battle of Al-Muraysi' - 5 AH

The Expedition of Banu Mustaliq, also known as the Battle of al-Muraysi', took place in the fifth year of Hijra, following the Battle of Uhud. The Banu Mustaliq, a tribe located near a pond called Muraysi', south of Madinah, had previously allied with the Quraysh against the Muslims. Their leader, al-Harith ibn Abi Dirar, planned a surprise attack on the Muslims due to economic difficulties caused by the ongoing conflict with the Quraysh.

To confirm the threat, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent Buraydah ibn al-Husayb رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who disguised himself as a Bedouin. Buraydah learned the truth and escaped to warn the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ , acting swiftly, led a surprise attack with over 700 companions. The Banu Mustaliq were caught off guard, and the Muslims captured many prisoners, including women and children, and seized their livestock. The battle was a quick success with minimal casualties for the Muslims, except for one accidental death.

Although the battle itself was not particularly significant, the events that followed were. After the victory, the Prophet ﷺ married Juwayriya bint al-Harith رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, the daughter of the defeated leader. This marriage led to the conversion of her entire tribe to Islam. The incident highlighted the strategic nature of the Prophet's ﷺ marriages, which often resulted in political alliances and mass conversions to Islam.

Juwayriya bint al-Harith: A Noble and Strategic Ally

Juwayriya bint al-Harith رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, a daughter of the leader of the Banu Mustaliq, was captured during the Expedition of Banu Mustaliq, following her tribe's defeat. Known for her beauty and noble lineage, she was initially a prisoner of war. However, the Prophet ﷺ, upon meeting her, saw an opportunity for both compassion and strategic alliance. He ﷺ married her, which led to the conversion of her entire tribe to Islam. This marriage not only solidified political ties but also uplifted her status, turning her from a captive to a respected member of the Muslim community.

Incident Involving Hypocrites

It is said that a dispute arose between two young men, one from the Muhajirun and the other from the Ansar, escalating into a broader conflict and exposing underlying tensions within the Muslim community. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ intervened, condemning the divisive behavior as "disgusting" and likening it to pre-Islamic ignorance (jahiliyyah). 

Abdullah ibn Ubayy, a prominent hypocrite, sought to exploit the situation to deepen the divide. He expressed disdain for the Muhajirun and predicted their eventual expulsion from Madinah. His treacherous remarks were overheard by Zaid ibn Arqam رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who courageously reported them to the Prophet ﷺ. 

In response to the incident, Allah revealed Surah Al-Munafiqun, condemning the hypocrites for their deceit and divisive behavior. The revelation confirmed Zaid ibn Arqam’s account, vindicating his testimony and exposing Abdullah ibn Ubayy’s hypocrisy to the broader community.

Despite Umar ibn Khattab’s رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ suggestion to execute Abdullah ibn Ubayy for his treachery, the Prophet ﷺ declined. He reasoned that such an action might lead others to accuse him of killing his companions. This decision demonstrated the Prophet’s ﷺ wisdom in prioritizing the broader welfare (maslaha) of the community and maintaining harmony while addressing internal challenges with patience and strategy.

Slander of Aisha - 5/6 AH

The slander against Aisha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا  unfolded after the Expedition of Banu Mustaliq, with scholarly opinions placing it in either the fifth or sixth year of Hijra. Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, sought revenge after being exposed in the Quran for his treachery, seizing an opportunity to defame the Prophet ﷺ and his household.

After the expedition ended, the Prophet ﷺ instructed the army to camp outside Madinah for the night. During the halt, Aisha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهَا left to relieve herself, but on her way back, she realized her onyx necklace had broken and gone missing. She went back to search for it and spent considerable time looking. In the meantime, instructions were given for the army to set out. Those assigned to carry Aisha’s hawdaj (covered carriage) lifted it and moved on, not realizing she was absent. Aisha herself excused them, explaining that she was young and light in weight, so they did not notice.

When she returned, she found the camp deserted. After discovering that her necklace was actually beneath her camel, she decided to stay put, expecting they would come back for her. Eventually, she fell asleep and was awakened by the sound of a man saying, “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah.” To her surprise, it was Safwan ibn Mu‘attal al-Sulami رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who recognized her from before the revelation of hijab. Upon realizing she had been left behind, he said nothing, lowered his camel, turned away as she mounted, and then led her back to Madinah on foot in complete silence and propriety.

As they caught up with the army, Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the leader of the hypocrites positioned at the rear, saw them and began spreading false rumors about Aisha. When she returned to Madinah, Aisha fell ill with a fever for an entire month, unaware of the accusations spreading around her. Her illness and isolation only fueled the rumors further and she noticed the Prophet’s ﷺ behavior towards her had become distant.

The rumors spread rapidly, causing widespread distress in the community. The Prophet ﷺ consulted trusted companions, including Usama ibn Zaid رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who defended Aisha’s honor, and Ali ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, who suggested he could consider other options if in doubt. Similarly Aisha’s maid, Barira, affirmed her innocence as well.

Aisha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا learned of the slander from Umm Mistah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا and was deeply shaken. Seeking comfort, she requested the Prophet’s ﷺ permission to visit her parents, where she spent days in anguish, crying incessantly. Meanwhile, the Prophet ﷺ addressed the community in the mosque, voicing his distress and seeking counsel on the matter. The tense atmosphere quickly escalated when Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ offered to punish the slanderer, prompting Sa‘d ibn Ubadah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ of the Khazraj to react angrily and accuse him of tribal bias. Old rivalries between the Aws and Khazraj resurfaced, and harsh words were exchanged until tempers flared dangerously. The Prophet ﷺ intervened with wisdom, diffusing the conflict and maintaining unity within the community.

After a month of turmoil, the Prophet ﷺ received a divine revelation while visiting Aisha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا at her father’s home. Surah An-Nur (24:11–20) declared her innocence, condemned slander, and established rules for verifying accusations. These verses not only cleared Aisha’s name but also provided enduring guidance for dealing with false accusations.

The hypocrites, especially Abdullah ibn Ubayy, were exposed further, though immediate punishment was withheld due to political sensitivities. However, three Muslims—Mistah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, Hassan ibn Thabit رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, and Hamna bint Jahsh رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا — were lashed for their involvement in spreading the rumors. Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, initially vowing to stop supporting Mistah, resumed financial assistance after Allah’s revelation encouraging forgiveness and mercy.