of Allah ﷺ ever planned a campaign without giving the impression that he intended another. Yet for the march to Tabūk he wanted the people openly to make full preparations. At that time I was in the best financial state I had ever known, but I kept inclining (1) toward the cool shade and the luscious fruit, and that remained my condition until he set out.

I said, ‘Tomorrow I shall go, buy my gear, and then catch up with them.’ I went to the market, but matters proved difficult; I returned and thought, ‘I will go back tomorrow.’ I kept procrastinating until the sin overtook me and I stayed behind. I began wandering through the bazaars of Madinah, and it distressed me that I saw no one except a man stigmatized (2) for hypocrisy or a man who was weak. Altogether, those who had stayed behind from the Messenger of Allah were a little over eighty men.

When the Prophet ﷺ reached Tabūk he remembered me and asked, ‘What has Kaʿb done?’ A man from my tribe replied, ‘Messenger of Allah, his two cloaks and admiring himself in them held him back.’ Muʿādh exclaimed, ‘What an evil thing you have said! By Allah, we know nothing about him but good.’

The narrator continued: When he ﷺ saw me, he smiled the smile of one who is displeased and asked, ‘Did you not purchase your mount?’ I answered, ‘Indeed I did.’ He asked, ‘Then what kept you back?’ I replied, ‘By Allah, if I were sitting before anyone other than you, I would think I could escape his wrath with an excuse, for I have been given eloquence. But I know, Messenger of Allah, that if today I told you a lie that pleased you, Allah would soon make you angry with me; whereas if I tell you the truth, you will be vexed with me, yet in that I hope for Allah’s good outcome.

By Allah, I had never been wealthier nor in better physical condition (3) than when I stayed behind from you.’ He said, ‘As for this man, he has spoken the truth. Rise until Allah judges concerning you.’ So I stood up.