When the Prophet (a.

When the Prophet (a.s) advanced with the army, Ibn Ubay returned to al-Madinah with his men. After a major number of the Muslims leaving al-Madinah, the hypocrites who remained back and those who returned from the way, in the event of the defeat of the Muslim army, which `Abdullah Ibn Ubay expected, they planned to invade the Prophet’s home and loot it and send away the members of his family from al-Madinah.

There was also danger from people who had not as yet embraced Islam and were defeated in the battles that they fought with them. Such people might see an opportunity to plunder the properties and assets of the Muslims. In these circumstances, it was the demand of farsightedness that a person should be left in al-Madinah who could face any eventuality with courage and control things from going awry.

Therefore, the Prophet (a.s) decided to leave behind `Ali (a.s) whose fear was already embedded in the hearts of the Arabs because of his recent successes in the battles. The hypocrites of al-Madinah did not like this arrangement.

When they were unable to find any excuse, they said: “The Prophet (a.s) considering him a burden, has left him behind!”[1] `Ali (a.s) who was continuously winning in the battles with the infidels, was feeling for being dropped from the contingent going for the new Campaign. When he heard this taunt from the hypocrites, he could not control himself and put on the arms and started moving behind the army at some distance.

After sometime, he caught up with them and went to the presence of the Prophet (a.s). He complained to the Prophet (a.s) that the hypocrites say that he was left behind because he would be a burden during the campaign. The Prophet (a.s) said that they were liars and I am leaving you behind in al-Madinah because the administration there should be either with me or with you. He also said that in his and in his Ummah, he was his successor.

He added: “Are you not happy that you have the same relationship with me as Harūn (a.s) had with Mūsa (a.s). The only difference is that there will be no prophet after me.”[2] [1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 368 Hearing this, `Ali (a.s) happily went back to al-Madinah. And the Prophet (a.s) proceeded with the army towards the border of Syria. The ruins of the Tribes of Thamūd were on the way.

When they reached the place, the Prophet (a.s) asked his men not to take any water from the wells there, neither for ablutions nor for drinking purpose.