Repentance of the Three Who Stayed Behind

Ka'b ibn Malik, Murarah ibn al-Rabi, and Hilal ibn Umayyah, who had stayed behind from Tabuk without excuse, were boycotted by the entire community for 50 days. No one spoke to them, and Ka'b's wife was sent away. On the 50th day, Allah revealed their forgiveness: 'And He also turned in mercy to the three who were left behind until the earth, despite its vastness, closed in on them' (9:118). Ka'b described hearing the good news as the happiest moment of his life.