The Hypocrites' Role -1

a quarrel was about to break out between the emigrants and the helpers on account of plots and evil intentions designed by the hypocrites. the prophet [pbuh] told them off describing their misbehaviour as something smacking of pre-islamic practices. they, hypocrites with ‘abdullah bin ‘ubai at their head, were furious for the challenge which the muslims showed towards the hostile plans and vicious intrigues woven behind closed doors, and swore "the most honourable will expel the meanest out of madinah," and added: "they (the muslims) have outnumbered and shared us our land. if you fatten your dog, it will eat you." when that talk was reported to the prophet [pbuh], ‘umar, a venerable companion, asked for permission to have ibn ‘ubai killed. the prophet [pbuh] naturally turned down his proposal on the grounds that it did not become of a prophet [pbuh] to be accused of killing his people. he, on the contrary in an unexpected move, asked ‘umar to announce departure. he marched with his men for two days until the sun grew too hot. they stopped and fell asleep, a clever attempt at diverting his people’s attention from the previous event. ‘abdullah’s son heard of that vile of his father and as the party reached madinah, he drew his sword and barred his father’s entry into the town until he had confessed and declared that he himself was the meanest of the citizens of madinah and the prophet [pbuh] the most honourable of them. thus the boast recoiled on his head. it was also reported that the son was ready to kill his father if the prophet [pbuh] had wanted him to.