Chapter on the prohibition of boycotting a Muslim for more than three days: Allah the Exalted said: “Indeed, the believers are brothers, so make settlement between your brothers.”

The Shaykh : As for the hadiths the author mentioned regarding the prohibition of boycotting, we have previously discussed them in detail and clarified that it is not permissible for a Muslim to boycott his Muslim brother for more than three days. However, for less than three days, he may boycott him, though it is not recommended. He may do so because a person may have some thoughts or feelings of anger toward his brother, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) granted him a dispensation of only three days. After that, he must greet him. But if the boycotting is for a religious interest, such as being a cause for the boycotted person to reform and abandon his sin, then there is no harm in it; indeed, it may be obligatory. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered the boycotting of Ka'b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) and his two companions, Hilal ibn Umayyah and Murarah ibn al-Rabi', who lagged behind in the Battle of Tabuk. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returned from the battle, the hypocrites came to excuse themselves to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and swore oaths that they were excused. Then Allah the Exalted said: impure . Even if you were to be pleased with them, it would be of no benefit. As for these three, Allah granted them mercy through their truthfulness. They openly told the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that they had lagged behind without an excuse. The most severe of them was Ka'b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), a young, vigorous man. He had two mounts in that battle, meaning he was wealthy and could have gone out to fight, but his soul was tempted to delay, saying, “I will go out tomorrow, I will go out tomorrow, I will go out tomorrow.”