niggardly and greedy. In short, he is the complete antithesis of a true believer:
“They think that Al-Ahzab (the Confederates) have not yet withdrawn, and if Al-Ahzab (the
Confederates) should come (again), they would wish they were in the deserts (wandering)  among the bedouins, seeking news about you (from a far place); and if they (happen) to be  among you, they would not fight but little.” 33:20
All enemies of Islam from the Jews, hypocrites and polytheists did acknowledge that Islam had the  upper hand not because of material superiority, multitudes of troops or much equipment; but it was  rather due to the noble values, refined ethics and high attributes that imbued the Muslim community  and whoever was attached to it. The enemies of Islam were already aware of that flood of light  derived  wholly from the person of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) , who always stood as an excellent  exemplar for men to copy and follow.
The enemies of Islam, after steering the course of futile warfare against the new religion for five  years,  came to realize fully that exterminating Islam is not accessible in the battlefields, so they resorted to  other tactics. They, being reputed gossip-mongers, decided to launch a widespread propaganda  campaign aiming at slandering the person of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in a most sensitive area  of the Arabian life, namely ethics and traditions. Following the battle of the Confederates, the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) married Zainab bint Jahsh after her marriage with Zaid bin Haritha, his adopted  son, had broken up. They seized this opportunity and began to circulate idle talk against the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) in Arabia depending on a tradition among the desert Arabs that prohibits  contracting a marriage with an adopted son’s divorcee. They alleged that his marriage would be  considered a heinous sin. They also based their malicious propaganda on the fact that Zainab was his  fifth wife whereas the number was strictly limited to a maximum of four in the Noble Qur’ân, hence  the  validity of this marriage was in doubt, according to them.
These rumours and gossips had a negative impact on the morale of some weak-hearted Muslims until  the decisive verses were revealed acquitting the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and invalidating all  those  ill designs and obnoxious schemes:
“O Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)! Keep your duty to Allâh, and obey not the  disbelievers and the hypocrites (i.e. do not follow their advices). Verily! Allâh is Ever All-Knower,
All-Wise.” 33:1
THE WICKED ROLE THEY PLAYED IN THE COURSE OF THE GHAZWAH OF BANI
AL-MUSTALIQ:
During this Ghazwah, the hypocrites almost managed to create a sort of discord among the Muslims  themselves, coupled with a serious and ugly slander against the Prophet (Peace be upon him) himself.
In short, their behaviour was an authentic translation of Allâh’s Words:
“Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and  they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among  you …” 9:47
A quarrel was about to break out between the Emigrants and the Helpers on account of plots and evil  intentions designed by the hypocrites. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) told them off describing their  misbehaviour as something smacking of pre-Islamic practices. They, hypocrites with ‘Abdullah bin
‘Ubai  at their head, were furious for the challenge which the Muslims showed towards the hostile plans and  vicious intrigues woven behind closed doors, and swore “the most honourable will expel the meanest  out of Madinah,” and added: “They (the Muslims) have outnumbered and shared us our land. If you  fatten your dog, it will eat you.” When that talk was reported to the Prophet (Peace be upon him),
‘Umar, a venerable Companion, asked for permission to have Ibn ‘Ubai killed. The Prophet (Peace be  upon him) naturally turned down his proposal on the grounds that it did not become of a Prophet
(Peace be upon him) to be accused of killing his people. He, on the contrary in an unexpected move,  asked ‘Umar to announce departure. He marched with his men for two days until the sun grew too  hot.
They stopped and fell asleep, a clever attempt at diverting his people’s attention from the previous  event. ‘Abdullah’s son heard of that vile of his father and as the party reached Madinah, he drew his  sword and barred his father’s entry into the town until he had confessed and declared that he himself  was the meanest of the citizens of Madinah and the Prophet (Peace be upon him) the most honourable  of them. Thus the boast recoiled on his head. It was also reported that the son was ready to kill his