"Yes, I'm Wrong..."

NTUMeSsage
9 Jumadil Awwal 1429 H

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuhu

"Yes, I'm Wrong..."
by: Radyum Ikono

"I can prepare it later", said Abdullah Ka'ab bin Malik to himself after recieving order from prophet Muhammad, directed to all muslim fellows to get prepared for battle of tabuk. He went back to his house and indeed didn't prepare anything.

The battle of tabuk was quite special, because that was the first time muslims would have a fight with the Romans, one of the greatest empire in the world at that period of time. In addition, approximately 3000 numbers of muslims would face immense difficultuies in overcoming the power of ±10000 roman's forces. The situation became even worse as Tabuk (the place of the battle) was the farthest location among all location of battles that had been encountered by Muslims. Obviously, only those who really had a strong commitment of Islam would go for this war.

When the day came for muslims to go for the battle, Ka'ab was still haven't prepared anything to join the forces. He said, "I will prepare it later, in 1 or 2 days, and I will join them after they all leave madinah." He –again- went back to his house and didn't prepare anything. Soon, after Rasulullah and his fellows had left Madinah for several days, Ka'ab realized that he could not reach and join them; the temperature was very hot at that time and it was very difficult to find the way through alone. He indeed realized that he had infringed upon Rasulullah's order...

However the battle did not actually happen. The Roman army did not come to the appointment place. After waiting for few days, the Muslim forces headed back to Madinah.

* * *

The decision had been set. As the punishment for Ka'ab for not attending the war, he would be isolated from the society. Rasulullah forbided people to talk and to be in contact with Ka'ab for 50 days. Ka'ab accepted that punishment without any objection. He gently admitted that he was wrong.

Those 50 days, however, didn't go through smoothly, as there were a lot of temptations as well as calamities. There was a letter from Ghassan clan, persuaded Ka'ab to join their clan. However, he declined the offer. The worst thing came at 40th day; one of Rasulullah's messenger came to Ka'ab and told him not to interact with his wife!

Alhamdulillah, with the mercy from Allah, Ka'ab bin Malik could pass through all the 50 days of punishment. Some of his friends celebrated, welcoming him back. They cried and hugged him, showing deep love to their brother because of Allah...

* * *

Points to Learn:
1. Do not ever procrastinate your job, especially for job involving a lot of people (e.g. serving community). Conquer time before you conquer other things. Successful people are those who are able to lead the time, not be led by time.

2. Make an iqob (punishment) system. Rasulullah and his muslim fellows at that time were very used to this kind of system. In another story, Umar bin Khattab sold his garden just because he missed the 1st raka'at of solat in mosque. Abu Lubabah was the one who 'really loved' to tie his neck on the pillar of mosque whenever he felt of breaching Rasulullah's order. Now, why don't we try to apply this system to our self? Make some promises or targets of any good deeds, hence, whenever we fail of making them, force yourself to be punished...

Wallahua'lam...

Want to know more about history of Islam? Just Google it and allocate your spare time :)

Maroji' (Reference):
1. Anis Matta, Dari Gerakan ke Negara. Jakarta: Fitrah Rabbani, 2006
2. http://blog.its.ac.id/indramuslim/2008/02/08/karena-kejujuran-cobaan-berubah-menjadi-nikmat/#more-197