THE BATTLE OF BANU QURAIZAH
This (section) includes the severe punishment Allah, the Almighty, meted out to them (in this world) and His promise of an even more excruciating one in the Hereafter. All this owing to their disbelief and nullification of the pact between them and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, coupled with their allying with the confederates against him.
Allah The Almighty says: And Allah drove back those who disbelieved in their rage, they gained no advantage (booty, etc.). Allah sufficed for the believers in the fighting (by sending against the disbelievers a severe wind and troops of angels). And Allah is Ever All-Strong, the Almighty. And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allah brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives. And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches, and a land which you had not trodden (before). And Allah is Able to do all things. (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:25-27)
Al-Bukhari related that Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated, “Whenever Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, returned from a Ghazwah, Hajj or ‘Umrah, he used to say Takbeer thrice at every elevation of the ground and then would say: “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah; He is One and has no partner. All the kingdoms are for Him, and all the praises are for Him, and He is Omnipotent. We are returning with repentance, worshipping, prostrating, and praising our Lord. He has kept up His promise and made His slave victorious, and He Alone defeated all the clans of (nonbelievers).”
Al-Bukhari also related that ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated, “When the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, returned on the day (of the Battle) of Al-Khandaq (i.e. the Trench), he put down his arms and took a bath. Then Jibraeel, whose head was covered with dust, came to him saying, “You have put down your arms! By Allah, I have not put down my arms yet.” “Where (is the new battlefront)?”) Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked and Jibraeel said, “This way,” pointing toward the tribe of Bani Quraizah. So Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went out toward them.
Al-Bukhari related: Anas Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “As if I am just now looking at the dust rising in the street of Banu Ghanm (in Madinah) because of the marching of Jibraeel’s regiment when Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, set out to Banu Quraizah (to attack them).”
Al-Bukhari related that Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said, “On the day of Al-Ahzab (i.e. Clans), the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ‘None of you (Muslims) should offer the ‘Asr prayer but at the place of Banu Quraizah.’ The ‘Asr prayer became due on them on the way. Some of them said, “We will not offer it till we reach it, i.e. the place of Banu Quraizah,” while others said, “No, we will pray at this spot, for the Prophet did not mean that for us.” Later on it was mentioned to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and he did not berate any of the two groups.
Al-Baihaqi also related that ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was once with her in her apartment when a man said the greeting of peace. “Immediately, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sprinted to his feet and I also got up in pursuit and it turned out to be Dihyah Al-Kalbi. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ‘This is Jibraeel. He has commanded me to march toward Banu Quraizah. He said: ‘You have put down your arms! As for us, we have not put down ours. We pursued the polytheists till we reached Hamra’ Al-Asad’.”
Al-Baihaqi also related that ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was once with her in her apartment when a man said the greeting of peace. “Immediately, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sprinted to his feet and I also got up in pursuit and it turned out to be Dihyah Al-Kalbi. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ‘This is Jibraeel. He has commanded me to march toward Banu Quraizah. He said: ‘You have put down your arms! As for us, we have not put down ours. We pursued the polytheists till we reached Hamra’ Al-Asad’.”
Thus, a party prayed with faith and expectation of reward while the other refrained with faith and expectation of reward and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not berate any of the two groups. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, proceeded till he came upon an assembly on his way to Banu Quraizah. He asked them: “Did (you see) anyone pass by?” They answered, “It was only Dihyah Al-Kalbi who passed by while riding on a gray mule, under him was a sheet of brocade.” The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “That was Jibraeel who has been sent to shake Banu Quraizah and to cast terror into their hearts.”
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, laid siege to them and asked his Companions to stand guard for him till he could make them hear his words. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, called out to them: “O brothers of apes!” They said, “O Abul-Qasim, you were not a barbarous person.” He besieged them till they succumbed to the judgment of Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘adh, may Allah be pleased with him, for they had been his allies in the past. Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, gave a judgment concerning them that their fighting men be killed and their children and women be enslaved. This Hadith is related from ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, as well and others with numerous good chains.
Moosa Ibn Uqbah said: When ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, saw Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, coming in his direction, he said, “O Messenger of Allah, return, for Allah has sufficed you against the Jews.” Meanwhile, ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, had heard vile comments from them concerning Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his wives, may Allah be pleased with them all. ‘Ali detested that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, should also hear such comments. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Why are you asking me to go back?” But ‘Ali did not disclose what he had heard from them. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then said: “Perhaps you have heard something evil from them concerning me. Proceed, for once the enemies of Allah see me they will not be able to say any of what you have heard.”
When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, reached their fort, they were at the top of the fortress; he called out at the top of his voice: “Respond, O Jews! O brethren of apes, Allah has disgraced you and sent down His indignation on you!”
Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, besieged them for about ten nights with a detachment of Muslims. Allah, the Almighty, sent back Huyayy Ibn Akhtab into the fort of Banu Quraizah and Allah cast terror into their hearts and the siege became excruciating for them. They appealed to Abu Lubabah Ibn Abdul Mundhir, may Allah be pleased with him, to come to them. They had been allies of the Ansar. Abu Lubabah said, “I shall not go to them until Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, permits me. “I have permitted you,” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said.
Abu Lubabah, may Allah be pleased with him, approached them and they cried out to him saying, “What is your opinion on this matter and what do you command us (to do)?” Then Abu Lubabah made a signal to his throat running his finger across it indicating that they would be slaughtered. Abu Lubabah had barely departed when he realized that a great Fitnah (trial) had afflicted him. Then he said, “I shall not look into the face of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, till I offer a sincere repentance and until Allah, the Almighty, acknowledges it in me.”
Thus, he returned to Madinah and tied himself to a pillar of the mosque. It is claimed that he remained tied like that for close to twenty nights. When he noticed the long absence of Abu Lubabah, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked: “Has not Abu Lubabah concluded (his discussion) with his allies?” Then he was informed of what had happened and the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “A trial had befallen him in my absence, had he come to me I would have sought forgiveness for him but since he has done this, then I shall not move him from his spot until Allah judges his case as He wishes.”
Ibn Hisham said: According to what Sufyan Ibn Uyainah narrated from Isma‘eel Ibn Abu Khalid, from Abdullah Ibn Abu Qatadah, then Allah revealed: O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly your Amanat (things entrusted to you, and all the duties which Allah has ordained for you. (Surah Al-Anfal 8:27)
Ibn Hisham said: Abu Lubabah, may Allah be pleased with him, remained fettered for six nights. All the while, his wife would come to him at each time of Salat to loosen the rope so that he could pray, afterwards, he would return to being tied up till Allah, the Almighty, revealed: And (there are) others who have acknowledged their sins, they have mixed a deed that was righteous with another that was evil. Perhaps Allah will turn unto them in forgiveness. Surely, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah At-Tawbah 9:102)
Ibn Ishaq related: In the morning, they (Banu Quraizah) submitted to the judgment of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Then the Aws were aroused saying, “O Messenger of Allah, they are our allies and not the Khazraj’s. You are aware of how you have recently treated their own allies.” By their statement they intended the clemency granted the Banu Qainuqa‘ when ‘Abdullah Ibn Ubayy requested it for them as mentioned earlier.
Ibn Ishaq added: When the ‘Aws said those words to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he said: “Would you be satisfied if one of your own tribe gives judgement concerning them?” “Yes,” they replied. “Then let Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘adh be the arbiter.” Meanwhile, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had taken Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘adh, may Allah be pleased with him, for treatment in a tent belonging to a woman from Banu Aslam called Rufaidah located inside the mosque. The woman used to treat the wounded. When Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, was appointed as the judge concerning the Banu Quraizah, his tribesmen came to where he was being treated, lifted him unto a donkey upon which a leather cushion had been placed, for Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, was a handsomely corpulent man.
His tribesmen brought him toward the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while they were saying to him, “O Abu ‘Amr, be nice to your allies for Allah’s Messenger has appointed you so that you may show some leniency to them.” When they persistently pestered him with that request, he said, “It is time for Sa‘d, in the cause of Allah, the Almighty, not to fear the blame of anyone who would blame.” Hearing these words, one of those who were accompanying Sa‘d went to the household of Banu ‘Abdul Ashhal to announce the death of Banu Quraizah before the arrival of Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, owing to the words he had heard from him.
When Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, reached the location of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the other Muslims, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Go to your chief.” The Emigrants said: Allah’s Messenger only addressed the Ansar but the Ansar believed he intended all the Muslims. So they rose to him and said, “O Abu ‘Amr, Allah’s Messenger has appointed you in charge of your allies’ affairs that you may arbitrate concerning them.” Then Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Do you make a covenant with Allah, the Almighty, that you will execute the judgment that I will pronounce on them?” They said, “Yes.” He added, “And the one who is here?” looking at the direction of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, without mentioning his name out of veneration. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Yes.” Then Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “My judgment concerning them is that their men should be killed and (their) wealth distributed and (their) children and women should be taken as captives.”
Ibn Ishaq said: ‘Asim Ibn ‘Umar Ibn Qatadah narrated to me from ‘Abdur Rahman Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘adh from Alqamah Ibn Waqqas Al-Laithi that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him: “You have ruled concerning them with the judgment of Allah from above the seven heavens.”
Imam Ahmad, may Allah have Mercy upon him, related from Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, that the tribe of Quraizah succumbed to the ruling of Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘adh, may Allah be pleased with him. Thus, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sent for Sa‘d and he came while riding on a camel. When he was close to the mosque of the Prophet, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Stand up to meet your chief; or the best of you.” Then he added: “These people have conceded to your judgment.” Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “Let us kill their fighting men and take captives their children and women.” Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, commented: “You have adjudicated with the judgment of Allah.” Or perhaps he said: “You have ruled with the judgment of the king.”
Ibn Ishaq related: They had said to Ka‘b Ibn Asad while they were being taken to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, one after the other, “O Ka‘b, what do you think they are doing to us?” He responded, “Must you demonstrate lack of sense at every moment? Don’t you see that the caller is unceasing and that each person taken away from you does not return? By Allah, it (i.e., your fate) is execution.”
The proceedings continued in that manner till they were finished with. Then Huyayy Ibn Akhtab was brought with his hand tied to his neck with a string. When he saw Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he said, “I do not reproach myself for my enmity with you but whoever Allah, the Almighty, has forsaken will be forsaken.” Then he turned to the people and said, “O people, there is no problem with the command (judgment) of Allah, the Almighty. This is a record, a decree and a massacre which Allah has decreed on the Children of Isra’eel.” Then he sat down and he was decapitated.
Jabal Ibn Jawwal Ath-Tha’labi said:
By your life! Akhtab did not reproach himself,
Rather, whomever Allah has forsaken stands forsaken,
He will strive till the soul attains its excuse,
Agitate for every agitator covets prestige
Ibn Ishaq said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had ordered the execution of everyone who had grown (private hairs – i.e., attained puberty). Shu‘bah Ibn Al-Hajjaaj narrated to me from Abdul Malik Ibn ‘Umair, from ‘Atiyah Al-Qurazee who said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ordered the execution of everyone that had attained puberty from Banu Quraizah. I was a young lad at the time and they discovered that I had not yet attained puberty so I was left.”
The compilers of the four Sunans related the Hadeeth from Abdul Malik Ibn ‘Umair from ‘Atiyah Al-Qurazi with similar wordings. Based on this Hadith, some of the scholars hold the opinion that the growth of hair in the pubic area is a sign of puberty. In fact, it is puberty based on the more authentic of the two opinions of Ash-Shafi‘i and there are scholars who differentiate the boys of the Ahl Dhimmah. Thus, it is puberty in respect of them to the exclusion of others, for the Muslim will be hurt by that (i.e. checking the pubic area).
Ibn Ishaq also related from ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said: “None of their women were killed except one.” She added: “By Allah, she was conversing with me and she laughed boisterously while Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was executing her men in the marketplace. Then a caller called out her name, ‘Where is such and such woman?’ She answered, ‘I am, by Allah.’ I said to her, ‘Woe, what befell you?’ She said, ‘I will be executed.’ ‘For what?’ I asked and she said, ‘For a crime which I have committed’.” Then she was taken away and decapitated. ‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, used to say: “By Allah I never ceased to marvel at her. She was good natured and she laughed a lot even while she knew she was going to be executed.” This is how Imam Ahmad, may Allah have Mercy upon him, has related it from Ya‘qoob Ibn Ibraheem from his father from Muhammad Ibn Ishaq.
Ibn Ishaq said: Afterward, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, divided up the wealth, women and children of Banu Quraizah among the Muslims after taking the Khumus (one-fifth). He gave three portions to the horsemen, two for the horse and one for the rider; he gave one portion to the infantry. The horses on that day numbered thirty-six.
By: Ibn Katheer
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