Invasion of Banu Qurayza
| Invasion of Banu Qurayza | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Muslims | Banu Qurayza | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Muhammad Ali ibn Abi Talib | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 3000 infantary, 30 horsemen | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 2 killed | 600-900 beheaded | ||||||
The Invasion of Banu Qurayza, took place in the Dhul Qa‘dah, 5 A.H i.e. in February/March, 627 AD.
The siege lasted 25 days, after which all male members of the tribe were beheaded, the Muslim jurist Tabari quotes 600-900 being executed. The Sunni hadith do not give the number killed, but states that all male members were killed and 1 woman. The rest of the woman and children were sold in exchange for weapons and horses, according to Islamic sources. The event is also referenced in the Quran verse 3:26-27.
Visit of Angel Gabriel to declare war
Muslims believe Archangel Gabriel, visited Muhammad while he was washing clothes at Umm Salama’s house, asking that he should unsheathe his sword and to go to the Banu Qurayza and fight them. Muslims believe Gabriel said that he with a procession of angels would go ahead to shake their forts and cast fear in the hearts of the Banu Qurayza.
This is mentioned in the Sunni hadith collections:
| “ | When Allah's Apostle returned on the day (of the battle) of Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench), he put down his arms and took a bath. Then Gabriel 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." Allah's Apostle said, "Where (to go now)?" Gabriel said, "This way," pointing towards the tribe of Banu Qurayza. So Allah's Apostle went out towards them Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:1:5 | ” |
The event is also referenced by the famous Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir:
| “ | The Messenger of Allah returned to Al-Madinah in triumph and the people put down their weapons. While the Messenger of Allah was washing off the dust of battle in the house of Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, Jibril, upon him be peace, came to him wearing a turban of brocade, riding on a mule on which was a cloth of silk brocade. He said, "Have you put down your weapons, O Messenger of Allah" He said, "Yes" He said, "But the angels have not put down their weapons. I have just now come back from pursuing the people." Then he said: "Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, commands you to get up and go to Banu Quraiza. According to another report, "What a fighter you are! Have you put down your weapons" He said, "Yes". He said, "But we have not put down our weapons yet, get up and go to these people." He said: "Where?" He said, "Banu Quraiza, for Allah has commanded me to shake them." So the Messenger of Allah got up immediately, and commanded the people to march towards Banu Quraiza, who were a few miles from Al-Madinah. This was after Salat Az-Zuhr. He said, No one among you should pray `Asr except at Banu Quraiza. | ” |
Muhammad, immediately summoned the prayer caller and ordered him to announce fresh hostilities against Banu Quraiza, institued Ibn Umm Maktum as a ruler of Madinah, and entrusted the banner of war to ‘Ali bin Abi Talib who marched towards the appointed target and came close enough to hear the Banu Qurayza abusing Muhammad, who on his part set out at the head of 3000 infantry men and 30 horsemen of Ansar (Helpers) and Muhajireen (Emigrants).
Siege of Banu Qurayza
When they reached the habitations of Banu Quraiza, they laid tight siege to their forts. Seeing this terrible situation they were in, the chief of the Jewish tribe, Ka‘b bin Asad offered his people three alternatives: to embrace Islam, and consequently their life, wealth, women and children would be in full security, to kill their children and women and then challenge his followers to the sword to either exterminate the Muslims or be exterminated, or as a third possibility to take Muhammad and his people by surprise on Saturday.
None of those alternatives appealed them, so their chief, angrily and indignantly, turned to them saying: "You have never been decisive in decision-making since you were born" The gloomy future already visible, they made contacts with some Muslims, who had maintained good relation with them, in order to learn about their fate in the light of the current circumstances. They requested that Abu Lubaba be despatched to them for advice. On his arrival, the men began to implore, women and children to cry desperately. In answer to their demand for advice he pointed to his throat saying it was homicide awaiting them. He begged Muhammad for forgiveness, but Muhammad said it is only God who can forgive him.
Muslims continued their siege for many days and were getting tired. Ali bin Abi Talib and Az-Zubair bin ‘Awwam proceeded with ‘Ali swearing that he would never stop until he had either stormed their garrisons or been martyred like Hamza.
Muhammad meanwhile asked one of his poets, Hasam bin Thabit to abuse them with his poems. This is mentioned in Sunni hadith collections:
| “ | Abuse them (with your poems), and Gabriel is with you (i.e, supports you)." (Through another group of sub narrators) Al-Bara bin Azib said, "On the day of Quraiza's (besiege), Allah's Apostle said to Hassan bin Thabit, 'Abuse them (with your poems), and Gabriel is with you (i.e. supports you).' " Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:449 | ” |
Demise of Banu Qurayza
Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh decided that all the able-bodied male persons belonging to the tribe should be killed, women and children taken prisoners and their wealth divided among the Muslim fighters. Muhammad accepted his judgment saying that Sa‘d had adjudged by the Command of Allâh. The male members of the tribe who reached puberty were beheaded.
This is also referenced in the Sunni hadith collections, stating:
| “ | Then the Prophet said, "O Sad! These people have agreed to accept your verdict." Sad said, "I judge that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as captives." The Prophet said, "You have given a judgment similar to Allah's Judgment (or the King's judgment)."Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:58:148 | ” |
A large arsenal of the Banu Qurayza which consisted of 1500 hundred swords, 2000 spears, 300 hundred armours and 500 shields, were confiscated by Muhammad. Trenches were dug in the bazaar of Madinah and a number of Jews between six and seven hundred were beheaded therein. Hot beds of intrigue and treachery were thus exterminated once and for all.
Huyai, a chief of Bani Nadir and Safiyah’s father, had joined the ranks of Banu Quraiza when Quraish and Ghatfan defected, was admitted into the audience of Muhammad with his hands tied to his neck with a rope. In audacious defiance, he declared obstinate enmity to the Muhammad. He was ordered to sit down, and was beheaded on the spot.
Only one woman of the Jews was killed because she had killed a Muslim warrior by flinging a grinding stone upon him. This is also mentioned in Sunni Hadith collections:
| “ | No woman of Banu Qurayza was killed except one. She was with me, talking and laughing on her back and belly (extremely), while the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) was killing her people with the swords. Suddenly a man called her name: Where is so-and-so? She said: I I asked: What is the matter with you? She said: I did a new act. She said: The man took her and beheaded her. She said: I will not forget that she was laughing extremely although she knew that she would be killed. | ” |
A few elements of the enemy embraced Islam and their lives, wealth and children were spared. As for the spoils of the war, Muhammad divided them.
Women captives were sent to Najd to be exchanged with horses and weaponry.
In the process of the sieze laid to Banu Quraiza, one man of the Muslims, Khallad bin Suwaid was killed when a women of the Jews dropped the grinding stone on him, and another, Abu Sinan bin Mihsan, the brother of ‘Ukasha, died.
The siege of Banu Quraiza’s forts lasted for 25 days.
The event is also referenced by the famous Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir as:
| “ | Then the Messenger of Allah commanded that ditches should be dug, so they were dug in the earth, and they were brought tied by their shoulders, and were beheaded. There were between seven hundred and eight hundred of them. The children who had not yet reached adolescence and the women were taken prisoner, and their wealth was seized. | ” |
Early Islamic sources which refer to the invasion of Banu Qurayza
The event if referenced in the Quran:
| “ | And those of the People of the Book who aided them - Allah did take them down from their strongholds and cast terror into their hearts. (So that) some ye slew, and some ye made prisoners. | ” |
The early Muslim jurist Tabari and Ibn Hisham also mention this event stating 600-900 were killed. Tabari's account is as follows:
| “ | The messenger of God went out into the marketplace of Medina and had trenches dug in it; then he sent for them and had them beheaded in those trenches. They were brought out to him in groups. Among them were the enemy of God, Huyayy b. Akhtab, and Ka’b b. Asad, the head of the tribe. They numbered 600 or 700—the largest estimate says they were between 800 and 900. As they were being taken in groups to the Messenger of God, they said to Ka’b b. Asad, “Ka’b, what do you understand. Do you not see that the summoner does not discharge [anyone] and that those of you who are taken away do not come back? By God, it is death!” the affair continued until the Messenger of God had finished with them. | ” |
The event is referenced in many Sunni hadith,the hadith do not give the number of people killed, but does state that all male members of the tribe were killed
See also
References
- ^ The Sealed Nectar, by Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri, pg 201
- ^ Tafsir Ibn Kathir - The Campaign against Banu Qurayzah
- ^ Tabari, vol viii, pp.35-36
- List of Battles of Muhammad
- ^ "Invading Banu Quraiza"
- Abu Dawud 14:2665
- ^ Muhammad Husayn Haykal - The Life of Muhammad. (p. 338)
- Ibn Ishaq, A. Guillaume (translator), The Life of Muhammad, p. 464, 2002, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-636033-1
- Ibn Hisham 2/245; Talqeeh Fuhum Ahl Al-Athar pg12, as referenced in the "Sealed Nectar"Source 2
- Ibn Hisham 2/237,238; Sahih Al-Bukhari 2/590,591; Za'd Al-Ma'ad 2/72-74; Mukhtasar Seerat Ar-Rasool p.287-290 as referenced in the "Sealed Nectar",Source 2
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