worldly motive—whether out of desire or fear—while still loathing the unbelievers and disowning their religion. Such a case requires further consideration, and one may argue that it does not constitute disbelief by citing the story of Ḥāṭib ibn Abī Baltaʿah (may Allah be pleased with him). Ḥāṭib was one of the Emigrants who had fought at Badr; he had children and property in Mecca and was not himself from Quraysh but only their ally.
When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) resolved to conquer Mecca after its people had broken the treaty, he ordered the Muslims to prepare for the expedition and said, “O Allah, conceal our news from them.” (1) Ḥāṭib then wrote a letter and sent it to the people of Mecca, informing them of what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) intended, hoping thereby to gain their favor. Allah Most High exposed the matter to the Messenger of Allah in answer to his supplication. He dispatched ʿAlī, al-Zubayr, and al-Miqdād, saying, “Ride until you reach Rawḍah Khākh. There you will find a woman carrying a letter—take it from her.”
ʿAlī said, “We galloped off on our horses until we reached the meadow, where we found the woman. We said, ‘Hand over the letter.’ She replied, ‘I have no letter.’ We said, ‘Either you produce the letter or we will strip you of your garments.’ She then brought the letter out from within her hair braids (2). We took the letter and brought it to the Messenger of Allah. It read: ‘From Ḥāṭib ibn Abī Baltaʿah to a number of the idolaters in Mecca, informing them of some of the affairs of the Messenger of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘O Ḥāṭib, what is this?’ (3) He replied, ‘Do not be hasty with me. I was a man attached to Quraysh, though not one of their own, and those who are with you from…"