News reached Mecca that the returning contingent had been spotted approaching Mecca, so Ali rode out to greet them and tell them to hasten on to Mecca in order to offer the pilgrimage. Amongst the charity and gifts they brought were several bales of cotton -- sufficient to clothe the entire contingent.

Their own clothes had become soiled from their journey so they asked Ali if they could use it to make clothes for the pilgrimage. However, Ali was not agreeable and told them that all must be taken to the Prophet (sa) for him to decide and distribute.

After Ali returned to Mecca, the person in charge of the goods was persuaded to lend each man sufficient cloth for a fresh change of clothing and this he did. When they reached Mecca Ali met them and was surprised to see them all wearing clean clothes. When Ali asked the man in charge of the merchandise he replied, “I gave them some cloth so that they would reach the pilgrims with better appearance.”

Ali was upset that they had taken the matter into their own hands and not waited for the Prophet (sa) to determine its distribution and ordered them to take off their new clothes and put their old ones back on.

This gave rise to discontent among the contingent but when the Prophet (sa) heard their murmuring he said, "O people, do not blame Ali, for he is zealous in the Path of Allah and should not be blamed." For those who heard his word it was sufficient, but for those unaware of the Prophet's statement, a feeling of unfairness stirred in their heart.

Murmuring among the contingent continued to abound until one day a man went to the Prophet (sa) and complained against Ali whereupon the expression on the Prophet's changed as he asked, "Am I not closer to the believer than his self?" The man hung his head in shame as he agreed and the Prophet (sa) continued, "Whosoever I am closest to, Ali is closest to him." The pilgrimage with its festivities was over and it was time to return to Medina.

When they reached Ghadir Al Khumm, the Prophet (sa) called for a halt and his followers around him. Then he took Ali by the hand and repeated what he said earlier then supplicated, "O Allah, be the Friend of whosoever is his friend, and the Enemy of him who is his enemy." From that moment onwards the murmuring against Ali was laid to rest.

The False Prophet

The Christian tribe of Hanifa had recently entered into Islam, however, it became apparent that all was not well amongst them when Musaylima laid claim that he had become a prophet. Soon after Prophet Muhammad's return to Medina a letter arrived from Haroun who was better know as Musaylima that read:

From Musaylima, the Messenger of Allah To Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon you. I have been given the power to share your authority. Half of the earth is ours, and half belongs to the Koraysh, even though they are sinners."

Having read the letter, the Prophet (sa) asked its bearers if this was also their opinion and they affirmed that it was. Then the Prophet (sa) spoke saying, "By Allah, if it was not for envoys to be put to death, I would indeed sever your heads!"

The Prophet (sa) called for his scribe and dictated a letter for the envoys to delivery to Musaylima. He commenced, "From Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, to Musaylima, the liar. Peace be upon he that follows guidance. Indeed, the earth belongs to Allah. He causes whom He will of His worshipers to inherit it. Only those who fear their Lord will prosper." The Prophet (sa) decided not to act hastily so he postponed dealing with the matter.

The Emergence of Concealed Emotions

Musaylima was not the only person deviate, a woman from the tribe of Tamin by the name of Sajah claimed to have become a prophetess.

From Yemen, Aswad, Kabs son rose up against the Prophet (sa) and gained control over a considerable area, but his uprising was short lived. Aswad was a proud man and his new subjects disliked his arrogance, so it wasn't surprising when, after just a few months he was assassinated.

Tulayha from the tribe of Asad renounced Islam, and was yet another to rise up against the Prophet (sa) but this time the Prophet (sa) sent Khalid against him. Several months later, the expert Abyssinian spear thrower, Wahshi, took aim at Musaylima and his spear pierced his hand. Abdullah, Nusaybah's son seized the moment and put an end to him with the smite of his sword.