When news of the treatment meted out to Hazrat Ummi Habibah(ra) spread throughout Madinah, the companions and residents of Madinah were left shocked; they understood that now it was useless to hope of any good to come from the rebels. It was at this very time that Hazrat ‘A’ishah(ra) decided to go for hajj and she began to make preparations for the journey. When people learned that she was about to leave Madinah, some of them requested that if she remained behind, perhaps this would be conducive to bringing an end to the conflict and the rebels would take heed. However, she refused saying:
“Do you want me to receive the same treatment as Ummi Habibah(ra). By God! I cannot put my honour at risk (as she was the honour of the Holy Prophet(sa)). If I am targeted in any way, what will be the means of my protection? Only God knows the extent to which the rebels will grow in their mischief and what will be their outcome.”
Just as Hazrat ‘A’ishah Siddiqah(ra) was leaving she devised a strategy; had it succeeded, this conflict may have been suppressed to some extent. She sent a message to her brother, Muhammad bin Abi Bakr, that he should also accompany her to perform hajj but he refused. Upon this, Hazrat ‘A’ishah(ra) said, “What am I to do, I am helpless. If I had the strength, I would never allow these rebels to succeed in their designs.”