Sayyiduna Ka'b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates his incident when he stayed behind from accompanying the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Battle of Tabuk. Before his repentance was accepted, the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Companions had boycotted him and his two companions. When forty days had passed in this state of being boycotted, the messenger of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to me with this message: that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commands you to separate from your wife as well. I asked: Should I divorce her or what should I do? He said: Just separate from her and do not go near her. The same message was sent to my other two companions. So I said to my wife: Go to your family and stay with them until Allah decides concerning this matter. Al-kh.