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Campaign Against Banu Mustaliq
In 627 C.E., Jewish tribe of Mustaliq which had its settlement at some distance from Madina entered into
alliance with the tribe of Banu Khuza'a, and both agreed to make common cause against the Muslims. The
Holy Prophet deputed the emissary to contact the Banu Mustaliq and report about the true state of
affairs. The emissary reported that the Banu Mustaliq were in a hostile mood and were planing invasion of
Madina. The Holy Prophet thereupon led a Muslim force to the territory of Banu Mustaliq. Ali bore the
standard as usual.
The Holy Prophet gave the Banu Mustaliq the option to submit but they chose to fight. The battle began
duel between Qattada the leader of Banu Mustaliq and Ali. In a few rounds Ali killed Qattada. Thereafter
another Jewish leader Malik confronted Ali. Ali killed in no time. After the death of Malik his son crossed
swords with Ali with the intent to avenge the death of his father. There after the tribe lost the will to fight.
They laid arms and agreed to pay tribute.
While returning from the campaign against Banu Mustaliq an incident took place which cast its shadow on
the future course of Islamic history. Each time the Holy Prophet went on a campaign, one or two of his
wives accompanied him, and the decision was always taken by the drawing of lots. On the Banu Mustaliq
campaign, Ayesha accompanied the Holy Prophet. She traveled on the back of a camel in a closed litter.
On the way to Madina the returning army followed by its long procession of supplies, captives and
thousands of beasts after travelling throughout the night broke camp at dawn. Ayesha left her litter to
satisfy a natural need and returned to her camel. Back in the litter she noticed that she had lost her
necklace of Yemenite agates. Returning in her footsteps she sought the necklace for some time, and at
last finding it, returned to the caravan. But the spot was deserted and the caravan had left. The camel
rider seeing the litter closed, and thinking that it was occupied had placed it on the camel and departed
with it. Ayesha called aloud but no one responded to her call. She decided to lie there covering herself
hoping that some one would come to fetch her. Soon she fell asleep. "We belong to God and to Him we
return" fell on the ears of Ayesha and she awoke with a start. A young man stood there holding a camel
by its tether. The young man Safwan bin Muattal following the army in the rear noticed a young woman
sleeping in the desert, and upon approaching her recognized her as the wife of the Holy Prophet. Ayesha
quickly covered herself with a veil, Safwan adjusted the camel's saddle-girth, and made it kneel. Ayesha
mounted the camel. Holding the beast by the bridle, Safwan took the road to Madina. After a long and
tiring journey, Ayesha caught up with the army at noon. The arrival of Ayesha attended by a young man
caused some rumors in the camp.
Back in Madina, the calumnies of the slanderers gained publicity. Safwan swore that in his lifetime he had
never touched a woman. Ayesha fell sick. She realized that the behavior of the Apostle of God towards
her had changed. She went to the house of her father. Amidst sobs, Ayesha asked her mother "Mother,
what story are the people relating about me". Her mother replied, "do not be distressed. By Allah, there is
not a handsome and noble woman whom her husband loves, but has other wives besides her, that such
tales are bandied about". This did not console the young lady. She knew no rest, and her tears did not
cease to flow. The Holy Prophet consulted his friends about divorcing Ayesha. Umar said that he was
certain that the hypocrites were speaking lies. He added, "By reason of God not allowing a fly to settle
upon your blessed skirts, because it alights also on impure things, how then God would not preserve you
and your name from a worse defilement". The other Companions advised the Holy Prophet to keep his
exalted mind at ease, for they were certain that God would cause the innocence of the young lady to
become manifest. Ali was of the view that there was no dearth of women for the Holy Prophet and
Ayesha could be divorced even though she was innocent.
One day, Ayesha was sitting in the house of her parents and was weeping when the Holy Prophet
appeared all of a sudden, and after the usual salutation spoke to his wife, "O Ayesha if you are innocent,
God will come to your help; if you are guilty repent, and ask forgiveness". Ayesha said that she had to
wait till God cleared her of the insinuation for He alone was her witness. Before the Holy Prophet could
leave the house of his father-in-law, the signs of divine revelation manifested themselves on the Holy
Prophet. His mother-in law placed a cushion under his head and covered him with a Yemeni cloak. When
the revelation was over, drops of perspiration trickled down his face. He smiled and said, "Glad tiding to
you Ayesha, God the Most High has exculpated you, and borne witness to your innocence". Ayesha
thereafter returned to the house of the Holy Prophet and those who had slandered were punished.
This incident led to some bitterness between Ayesha and Ali. Ali had not levied any charge against
Ayesha. He only said in a casual way that she could be divorced even if she was innocent. The grievance
of Ayesha was that Ali should have defended her like Umar. The Holy Prophet had great love for Ayesha
and that became a matter of some jealousy with others. It appears that even Fatima had some grouse on
this account. The Holy Prophet offered her the advice: "If your father loves a person, why should you not
love that person as well."
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