The Campaign Against Banu al-Nadir The Jewish community in Madinah consisted of three tribes, all of whom had entered into treaties with the Prophet: 1. Banu Qaynuqa’ (who had already been expelled after violating their treaty by assaulting a Muslim woman) 2. Banu al-Nadir 3. Banu Qurayzah The Jewish tribes did not remain faithful to these agreements. One after another, they violated their treaties, stirred unrest in Madinah, and sought to undermine the Muslim community. Banu Qaynuqa’ had already been expelled in the second year after Hijrah because of their hostility and aggression against a Muslim woman. After their expulsion, Banu al-Nadir and Banu Qurayzah became cautious and remained quiet for a time. However, after the Battle of Uhud, the tragedy of al-Raji’, and the massacre of Bi’r Ma’unah, they regained their confidence. They resumed insulting Islam, provoking confrontations with the Muslims, spreading rumors, and questioning both Islam and the Prophet’s mission, saying: “No prophet has ever suffered what he has suffered.” By this they meant that if he were truly a prophet, none of these events would have happened to him. They also renewed their secret contacts with the hypocrites in Madinah and the idolaters of Makkah, working together against the Muslims. Following the tragedy of Bi’r Ma’unah, in which seventy of the finest Companions were killed, the Companion ’Amr ibn Umayyah encountered two men from Banu ’Amir on his way back to Madinah and killed them in retaliation for the massacre. He did not know that these two men were protected under a covenant granted by the Prophet. When he informed the Prophet, the Prophet said: “You have killed two men whose blood compensation must be paid.” The compensation (diyah) for accidental killing was extremely large—approximately 4.25 kilograms of gold, or one hundred camels for each victim. Since two men had been killed, the Muslims were responsible for paying double that amount: * 8.5 kilograms of gold, or * 200 camels. This was an enormous financial burden for the young Islamic state, which at the time was suffering from severe poverty and economic hardship. The Prophet therefore went to Banu al-Nadir, asking them to contribute their agreed share of the compensation. According to the Constitution of Madinah, which the Prophet had established after the Hijrah to regulate relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in the city, all parties were jointly responsible for paying blood money in cases of accidental killing. This meant that if a Jew had accidentally killed someone, the Muslims would likewise help fulfill that obligation. The Prophet went with several Companions—including Abu Bakr, ’Umar, and ’Ali—to meet the leader of Banu al-Nadir, Huyayy ibn Akhtab. Huyayy was the father of Safiyyah bint Huyayy, who would later embrace Islam and marry the Prophet after Khaybar. Safiyyah later informed the Prophet about conversations between her father and her uncle, in which they had privately acknowledged that he perfectly matched the description of the awaited prophet found in the Torah. Yet, despite their certainty, they refused to believe in him because he was an Arab rather than an Israelite, unlike the previous prophets. When the Prophet arrived, they welcomed him respectfully. The Prophet reminded Huyayy of the treaties between them, explained the incident involving the two men from Banu ’Amir, and requested that they fulfill their agreed obligation toward the blood money. Huyayy replied: “Certainly, Abu al-Qasim. It will be our pleasure.” Then he added: “Please sit here with your companions while we prepare food for you and make the necessary arrangements.” Because the weather was hot, the Prophet sat outside beside one of their walls, with his Companions around him. Huyayy then gathered his men privately and said: “This is your opportunity. You will never find him in such a vulnerable position again. He has only a handful of companions with him and is sitting unsuspectingly beside this wall. Let one of you climb onto the roof and drop a massive stone onto his head. We will finally be rid of him forever.” The others agreed. Only one of their leading rabbis, Salam ibn Mishkam, objected. He said: “Huyayy, do you not know that Muhammad is truly the Messenger of Allah?” Huyayy answered: “No.” Salam replied: “By the Lord of Moses and Jesus, you know that he is a prophet. We had hoped he would arise from among us, from the descendants of Aaron. Do not do this. By Allah, he will be informed of what you intend. Revelation from heaven will reach him, and after this you will have broken your covenant with him.” Huyayy ignored the warning and insisted on carrying out the plot. One of their chiefs, ’Amr ibn Jahhash, climbed onto the roof carrying a huge stone, preparing to hurl it down upon the Prophet. Before he could do so, Jibril (Gabriel) descended and informed the Prophet of the assassination attempt. Jibril said: “Messenger of Allah, leave immediately. Do not speak to anyone.” The Prophet quietly rose, walked away from his Companions without explanation, and hurried back to Madinah. Meanwhile, Huyayy returned and asked: “Where is Abu al-Qasim?” The Companions replied: “He stepped away for something.” They continued waiting. The Companions wondered: “Where has the Messenger of Allah gone? Surely something has happened.” Huyayy reassured them: “Perhaps he will return shortly. Stay seated—we have prepared food for you.” Soon a man came through the palm groves. They asked him: “Have you seen the Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Yes. I saw him heading toward Madinah.” The Companions immediately hurried after him. They found him at the entrance to the mosque. As soon as they greeted him, he looked at them with visible anger and said: “Bring me Muhammad ibn Maslamah.” Muhammad ibn Maslamah was one of the Ansar and had longstanding ties with the Jewish tribes dating back to before the Prophet’s migration to Madinah. The Companions asked: “Messenger of Allah, what happened?” He replied: “The Jews intended to betray us. Huyayy instructed one of his men to climb onto the roof and throw a stone at me. Jibril came and informed me. They have broken their covenant.” When Muhammad ibn Maslamah arrived, the Prophet instructed him: “Go to Banu al-Nadir and tell them: You planned treachery and arranged such-and-such. News of your plot has come from heaven to the Messenger of Allah. There is no longer any treaty between us. You have broken the covenant. Leave my city. I grant you ten days. Whoever remains after that will be put to death.” Meanwhile, before Muhammad ibn Maslamah arrived at the Jewish settlement, they still did not know why the Prophet had suddenly left. This was despite the fact that their own rabbi, Salam ibn Mishkam, had warned them that Allah would inform him of their plot—but they had ignored his advice. Salam said, “Huyayy, you say that Muhammad has returned to Madinah?” Huyayy replied, “Yes.” Salam asked, “Do you know why he left his seat and returned to the city?” Huyayy answered, “No.” Salam said, “But I do. And by the Lord of Moses and Jesus, you know as well—but you are simply too stubborn to admit it. News of your plot has reached Muhammad from heaven, just as I told you it would. You have now broken your covenant with him. Wait a little while, and Muhammad will send someone to you.” The people then asked, “What do you advise us to do, Salam?” He replied, “I advise you of only two courses of action—there is no third.” First, and this is the better choice: “Accept this man’s religion and embrace Islam. You are the People of the Scripture, and you are descendants of Aaron. Banu al-Nadir trace their lineage back to Aaron, the brother of Moses. If you accept Islam, this humiliation will be forgiven. Muhammad does not kill anyone who enters his faith. Your lives and your wealth will be protected, and your standing among his followers will be honored, for you are People of the Book and descendants of the prophets.” Huyayy replied, “As for that… no. Tell us the second option.” Salam said, “Then the second is this: Muhammad is about to send you an order to leave his land. Do not—under any circumstances—refuse him. Answer him with ‘yes.’ If you refuse now, he will never accept it from you afterward. Leave his land immediately, and you will preserve your lives and your property.” The people all answered, “That is the course we should take.” No sooner had Salam finished speaking than Muhammad ibn Maslamah knocked at their door. Salam said, “Go, Huyayy. Open the door for Muhammad’s messenger.” Huyayy opened the door and found Muhammad ibn Maslamah standing there. He greeted him warmly: “Welcome, Ibn Maslamah. He had long been their ally and friend before embracing Islam. Come in and sit with us.” Muhammad ibn Maslamah replied, “I have not come to sit among you. I am only a messenger—the Messenger of Allah has sent me to deliver his message.” He then addressed Huyayy and Salam directly. “Huyayy. Salam.” They replied, “Yes.” He continued, “Before I deliver the Messenger of Allah’s message, I ask you by Allah and by the Torah that was revealed to Moses: Do you remember the day I came to you before Muhammad came to us?” “I entered this very gathering while food was laid before you. I told you that I had something to ask.” “You said to me, ‘Sit and eat first,’ and you shared your food with me.” At that time, Salam had been holding the Torah in his hands. He had asked, “Ibn Maslamah, what keeps you from following our religion?” I answered, “I have no desire for your religion or any other.” Salam then said to me, “The only reason you do not follow our religion is that you have heard a prophet will soon be sent with the pure religion of Abraham. His time has come. He will be born in Makkah, and your city will be the place of his migration. Among his characteristics are such-and-such and such-and-such. His time is now so near that he may appear this very morning or this very evening.” The Jews admitted, “By Allah, yes. We did say that—but we did not believe your companion was the one we were awaiting.” Muhammad ibn Maslamah said, “That is all I wished to remind you of.” “Now I will deliver the Messenger of Allah’s message.” “The Messenger of Allah says: You planned an act of treachery and arranged such-and-such and such-and-such. Jibril brought him news of your plot from heaven.” “Therefore, there is no longer any treaty between us. He does not wish to fight you. Leave his land, and do not remain as his neighbors any longer.” Salam immediately replied, “We accept.” Huyayy echoed behind him, “We accept.” They agreed to leave Madinah. Muhammad ibn Maslamah then said, “The Messenger of Allah has granted you ten days. Gather your possessions and prepare to depart. Whoever is found in Madinah after that will be put to death.” They answered, “Very well. Convey to Abu al-Qasim that we are preparing to leave.” They immediately began making preparations, and news of their departure spread throughout Madinah. Muhammad ibn Maslamah returned to the Prophet and informed him that they had accepted his ruling and were preparing to depart. When ’Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the leader of the hypocrites, heard the news, he was stunned. Only a few months earlier, his allies from Banu Qaynuqa’ had been expelled, and now Banu al-Nadir were leaving as well. He thought to himself: “Who will remain?” He immediately sent one of his own messengers to Banu al-Nadir. To be continued,,,,,,,,