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Seerah Journey · Day 78 / 80

The Three Who Stayed Behind – The Story of Ka‘b bin Malik

630–631 CE · Madinah

01

Recovered working period

630–631 CE · Madinah

Chronology/date label — item-level verification ongoing.

02

Recovered historical report

Three sincere Companions – Ka‘b bin Malik, Murarah bin al-Rabi‘, and Hilal bin Umayyah – did not join Tabuk without valid excuses. When the Prophet ﷺ returned, they confessed the truth while others fabricated excuses. The Prophet ﷺ ordered everyone to boycott them for 50 days. They were shunned by the entire community. After 50 days, Allah revealed that He had accepted their repentance. The Prophet ﷺ informed them with joy. Ka‘b gave away much of his wealth in gratitude but was told to keep some.

This is a recovered working report. Quran/hadith/quotation/date/detail inside it is not automatically authenticated or a final scholarly conclusion.

03

meUus working lesson

Truthfulness saves. Ka‘b could have lied, but he told the truth. Allah honoured him by revealing the Quranic verse of his forgiveness.

A lesson is not the same as historical fact or a religious ruling.

04

Reflection / For Today

Always speak the truth, even when it is painful. Allah will honour you in the end.

05

Deeper revisit — recovered working copy

Reminder: The hypocrites who lied were punished with Allah’s anger. The truth-tellers were forgiven.

Revisit context: Social boycott was a severe punishment, but it purified them.

Working reflection: The Quranic verses (9:117-118) about their forgiveness are recited until today. Their names are immortalised.

Working practical step: If you have a sin you have been hiding, repent to Allah privately. Then, if it involves another person, confess to them.

Journey reflection: Ka‘b never lied again after this incident. Truth becomes a habit.

One source-aware next action

Choose one factual claim from this entry. Check it in a reliable Seerah/hadith source, note any date/narration disagreement, then write a separate Reflection Only line.