When they caught up with her...

When they caught up with her, they asked for the letter and she began to weep and swore having any letter. She was also subjected to a search but the letter was not found. Zubair said: “O Ali, she is swearing and in spite of searching her, the letter is not found.

Let us go back to the Prophet and report the matter.” Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said: “The Messenger of Allah (S) has said that she is having the letter and the Holy Prophet (S) had not lied in saying that he has heard it from Jibraeel and neither has Jibraeel attributed falsehood to the Almighty Allah. Saying this, he pulled out his sword and said: “I will cut off your head if you don’t give the letter.” She at last gave the letter.

Imam Ali (a.s.) brought it to the Prophet, who summoned the Muslims in mosque and all gathered. He mounted the pulpit with the letter and said: “I had prayed to the Almighty Allah to keep our plans concealed from Quraish and one of you tried to inform them about it. So one who has written this letter should own up or divine revelation will expose him. No one stood up and the Prophet repeated his statement.

Now Hatib stood up trembling like a date branch in a sharp wind and he said: “I have written this letter, but neither have I become a hypocrite nor doubt your prophethood.” “Why did you do this?” “Because my family is in Mecca unaccompanied by my tribesmen, so I feared that idolaters would slay them. So I decided to do a good turn to them, so that they may not harm me.

And this act was not committed due to doubt in religion.” Umar said: “O Messenger of Allah (S), allow me to strike off his head.” The Holy Prophet (S) said: “He is from the fighters of Badr, perhaps he will repent and the Almighty Allah will forgive him. Send him out of the Masjid.” People drove him out, beating him and he looked at the Prophet that perhaps he would forgive him. Then the Holy Prophet (S) ordered and he was brought back.