The Battle of Thaatur Riqaa’ took place in Muharram of this year. In this battle, the Sahaabah on account of their poverty, were bare-footed and without riding animals. Their feet became swollen and wounded. For some relief, the Sahaabah tied pieces of cloth around their feet. It is for this reason that this battle has been named Thaatur Riqaa’ or the Battle of cloth-pieces.

On their return from the battle, the Sahaabah camped in a wilderness at midday. In order to gain some rest they spread out. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) also rested under a cactus tree. He hung his sword on the tree. Suddenly his eyes opened and he saw a kaafir with drawn sword standing over him. The kaafir said: “Muhammad! Tell me who can now save your life?” Maintaining his full composure and confidence he replied: “Allah will save me.” As the kaafir heard these words, his sword dropped from his hand. Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) picked up the sword very calmly and said: “Who will now save you?” The kaafir replied: “No one.” Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said: “Learn mercy from me.” He then lowered the sword. The effect of this attitude of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) induced the kaafir to accept Islam.

Salaat-e-Khauf was ordained in this fifth year of Hijrat.

A famous anecdote of this year was Rasulullah’s falling from the horse and injuring himself. As a result, he had to stay five days at Mashrabah.

Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) married Hadhrat Juwairiyyah in this year. Also in this year did the Munaafiqeen spread their slander against Hadhrat Aishah. This episode is known as the Episode of Ifq. In an attempt to assail her chastity and honour they spread an evil rumour. Briefly, the incident happened as follows:

Hadhrat Aishah had accompanied Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) on the Campaign of Muraysee’. On its return journey, the army encamped at a certain place. Hadhrat Aishah went into the veld to answer the call of nature. On the way her necklace broke and was lost, but she only realised this when she had returned to the tent. She immediately went back to the veld in search of her necklace. She spent quite a while searching for the lost necklace. By the time she had returned to camp, the army had departed. She was very light in weight, hence the bearers of her hoedaj did not realise that it was empty. (Hoedaj is a small cabin in which ladies of Purdah would be moved from place to place by male-bearers).

She sat down and covering herself fell asleep knowing that when her absence was discovered they will return for her. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) had appointed Hadhrat Safwaan Bin Muattal to trail behind the army. It was his duty to retrieve any items which may have been left behind or dropped by members of the party moving ahead. When he arrived at the place where the army had halted and saw Hadhrat Aishah alone in the wilderness, he loudly exclaimed in astonishment:

The sound of his voice woke her from her sleep. When she saw Hadhrat Safwaan, she immediately concealed her face because the law of Purdah had already been revealed. Hadhrat Safwaan observing the greatest degree of honour and respect, alighted from the camel. He made the camel sit down and Hadhrat Aishah mounted. Thus, they continued the journey with Hadhrat Safwaan leading the camel on foot. According to the narration of Bukhari, which is in fact narrated by Hadhrat Aishah, not a word of conversation passed between them. Before midday (of the same day) Hadhrat Aishah reached Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم).

This is the entire unadulterated episode which had transpired. However, the Hypocrites taking advantage of this event, plotted to accuse Hadhrat Aishah of having had an affair with Hadhrat Safwaan. Three simple Sahaabah whose integrity and sincerity are unquestionable, were also unwittingly embroiled in this plot of the Munaafiqeen. They were two males, Hadhrat Mistah and Hadhrat Hassan Bin Thait, and a female, Hadhrat Hamnah Bint-e-Jahsh.

Hadhrat Aishah was blissfully unaware of the slanderous rumours which were floating around. However, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) having heard the rumour was overcome with grief. He consulted several Sahaabah on this issue. Every one of them emphatically proclaimed her innocence and chastity. Hadhrat Aishah’s slave-girl, Hadhrat Bareerah vehemently vouched for her honour and innocence. Inspite of these assurances, the rumour had been given such prominence that Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was affected by lingering doubts.

On the other side, Hadhrat Aishah was being consumed by grief and sadness. She could not fathom the reason for Rasulullah’s coldness towards her. The former love seemed to have disappeared. During this time, once she went out to answer the call of nature. She was accompanied by her friend who was the mother of Hadhrat Mistah. Along the way, Hadhrat Aishah was informed of the rumour by her friend. She also apprised her of the scandal which was raging in this regard throughout Madinah.

This shocking revelation had a disastrous affect on Hadhrat Aishah. Her already weakened body suffered further. She was overtaken by a severe fever. She came home and wept uncontrollably. When Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) came home, she requested permission to go to her parents home. He gave her consent.

When Hadhrat Aishah met her mother, she cried profusely. Her mother tried to console her, but to no avail. She was heart-broken and distressed. At her mother’s home, she cried and sobbed for a day and two nights without stop. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) visited her and said:

“O Aishah! If you are chaste, most assuredly Allah Ta’ala will exculpate you. If you had erred, then repent. Allah will forgive you.”

Hadhrat Aishah, turning to her father, Hadhrat Abu Bakr, said: “Father! Answer on my behalf.”

He replied: “What do I know? What can I say?” Hadhrat Aishah then turned to her mother with the same request. She too replied similarly. Thereupon, Hadhrat Aishah said:

“I was a young girl who had not yet learnt the Qur’aan properly. Since the slander regarding me has settled in your heart, you will not believe me even if I proclaim my innocence. Now, I can say nothing other that what Hadhrat Yusuf’s father had said: ‘Patience is beautiful. And Allah is the One from Whom aid is sought regarding that which you are fabricating.”

On account of sorrow, grief and anger she was unable to remember Hadhrat Yaqub’s name, hence she said Yusuf’s father. After making this brave stand, her tears dried up.

While the inmates of the house were still around Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم), the signs of Wahi commenced. Allah Ta’ala is Independent and all things happen according to His Wisdom. Hence, a full month had passed without Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) receiving any divine directive. Now the beads of perspiration – a sign of the progression of Revelation – were forming on his mubaarak forehead. Hadhrat Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) appeared with 18 aayaat of Surah Nْr in which Hadhrat Aishah’s innocence, purity and chastity were emphatically asserted.

Upon the cessation of the Revelation, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) smiled and informed Hadhrat Aishah that her innocence has been announced by Allah Ta’ala. Her joy knew no bound. In her state of ecstatic elation she expressed her gratitude to Allah Ta’ala.

Meanwhile, Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) mounted the mimbar in the Musjid and after a lecture, recited the verses which were revealed to proclaim Hadhrat Aishah’s innocence. The Shariat’s law of punishment for slanderers of chaste women was also announced. Thus, the slanderers were flogged 80 lashes each.

The Battle of Khandaq (The Trench) also took place in this fifth year. The Sahaabah as well as Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) had themselves dug the trench. It is for this reason that this battle is called the Battle of the Trench. The huge trench was dug on the advice of Hadhrat Salman Farsi (radhiyallahu anhu).

The famous episode of Hadhrat Jabir’s invitation happened during the time the trench was being dug. While digging, Hadhrat Jabir (radhiyallahu anhu) noticed a stone tied on the stomach of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم). He hastened to his house and instructed his wife to prepare whatever food there was. He explained to her the dire strait of Rasulullah’s hunger. A goat which they owned was slaughtered and some dough was kneed. Hadhrat Jabir (radhiyallahu anhu) then invited Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) for meals, adding that one or two companions could also come along. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) enquired of the quantity of the food. When he was told, he commented: “Well and much.”

Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) then addressing all the diggers of the trench said: “Jabir has invited you all. Let’s go!”

He instructed Hadhrat Jabir not to remove the pot from the stove until he (Nabi-e-Akram) had not arrived and that the bread should be baked only when he had arrived. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) then set off with all the Sahaabah for Hadhrat Jabir’s home.

Meanwhile Hadhrat Jabir ran home in anxiety. He told his wife that Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was bringing along the whole army for meals. Full of concern she said: “I will be put to shame infront of all. The food is very little.” She asked: “Did he enquire about the quantity of food?” When Hadhrat Jabir told her that he did inform Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) of the quantity of food, she was relieved and felt confident.

Soon thereafter, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) arrived at the home of Hadhrat Jabir. He blew on the food and the dough. A short while later the food was ready to be served. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) advised them to eat at leisure. A thousand guests ate and there still remained food. This was indeed a Mu’jizah (miracle) of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم).Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) instructed that whatever food was left over should be eaten by Hadhrat Jabir’s family and served to the neighbours. There are many similar Mu’jizaat of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) regarding the miraculous increase in foods.