by the women of Banū al-Asfar. So grant me permission to stay behind, and do not expose me to temptation.” This al-Jadd was the one who stayed away from the Pledge of Divine Pleasure beneath the tree and hid behind a red camel. The hadith concerning him states that they were all forgiven except the owner of the red camel. Allah Most High then revealed concerning him:

“Among them are those who say, ‘Grant me permission to stay behind, and do not expose me to temptation.’ Surely they have already fallen into temptation.” (Surah al-Tawbah 49)

That is, he asked to stay behind to escape the temptation of women, lest he be tempted by them and have to guard against what is forbidden and struggle with himself to refrain from it, suffering in the process—or else commit it and incur sin. For whoever sees beautiful forms and loves them, but cannot attain them—whether because the Lawgiver has forbidden it or because he is unable to do so—suffers torment in his heart; and if