عبد الله بن أبي
ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ubayy
Person
A leading man of Medina, known as the chief of the hypocrites, whom the Prophet treated with restraint.
What it means
Before the Prophet’s arrival Ibn Ubayy was in line to lead Medina. He outwardly joined the Muslims but repeatedly undermined them: he withdrew about 300 men on the way to Uhud, and said on one expedition, “when we return to Medina the mightier will expel the meaner from it” (63:8).
What the sources say
His own son, a sincere Muslim, offered to kill him. The Prophet refused, saying people must not say that Muhammad kills his own companions (Sahih al-Bukhari). When Ibn Ubayy died the Prophet prayed over him and asked forgiveness, until a revelation forbade it (9:84). Muslims cite this as an example of restraint toward a man who had caused grave harm.