The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was returning from the expedition of Tabuk, and as he drew near Madinah he said, "There are people in Madinah who were with you every step of the way, every valley you crossed."The companions asked, "Messenger of Allah, even though they are in Madinah?"He replied, "Yes, even though they are in Madinah. A valid excuse kept them behind."
أن رسول الله ﷺ رجع من غزوة تبوك، فدنا من المدينة فقال: إن بالمدينة أقواما ما سرتم مسيرا ولا قطعتم واديا إلا كانوا معكم قالوا: يا رسول الله، وهم بالمدينة؟ قال: وهم بالمدينة، حبسهم العذر.
Bukhari narrated it in "Al-Maghazi" (4423) from Ahmad bin Muhammad, who said, Abdullah (that is, Ibn Mubarak) informed us, who said, Humayd Tawil informed us, from Anas bin Malik, who said, and then he recounted it.