The Pillar of Repentance is located in the middle of the Rawdah, to the right of the Pillar of the Mother of the Believers, ‘A’ishah. It is the fourth pillar starting from the minbar. This pillar is also known as the Pillar of Abu Lubabah, named after the Madinan companion Abu Lubabah ibn ‘Abdalmundhir.
This name comes from an event in the Seerah (biography) of the Prophet ﷺ: during the siege of Banu Qurayzah, the companion made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand while he was representing the Prophet ﷺ, who would never have done such a thing. Possessing a deep sense of justice, the companion instantly regretted his action and felt that he had betrayed the Prophet ﷺ.
He immediately headed to the mosque and chained his body to this pillar (which was then a palm tree trunk). He swore that he would neither eat nor drink until Allah accepted his repentance. His daughter would unchain him for the prayer times and when he needed to answer the call of nature, and then tie him up again. He remained like this for seven days until Allah accepted his repentance, and the Prophet ﷺ untied him with his own hands.
