Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib

The Expedition of BanŪ-qurayzah

When the joint forces of the Quraysh and the Jews were vanquished in the ghazwah al-Ahzab, The Prophet (a.s) decided to take action against Banū-Qurayzah who had breached their agreement with the Muslims and openly sided with the Quraysh-Jewish Combine during that campaign, on the instigation of Huyay ibn Akhtab. The Prophet (a.s) formed an advanced party of three Khazrajis under `Ali (a.s) and sent them with the standard of war. Al-Tabari writes:

“The Prophet (a.s) gave the Standard of War to `Ali ibn Abi-Talib and sent him with the Advance Guard towards Banū-Qurayzah.”[1]

Banū-Qurayzah had a feeling that they might be punished for their breach of the agreement. They had locked themselves up in their fort after the armies of the infidels was decimated and thought that their fort was unconquerable. When `Ali (a.s) reached near the fort, and planted a spear in the ground, the Jews shouted invectives against the Prophet (a.s). When he heard this, he wanted to return and tell the Prophet (a.s) to stop going close to the fort. He was still on the way when the Prophet (a.s) arrived. `Ali (a.s) requested him not to go near the fort because the Jews were using foul language. The Prophet (a.s) said that when they see him, they would desist from using such language. On reaching near the fort, the Prophet (a.s) reprimanded them and ordered his tent to be pitched outside the fort. The Muslims laid siege of the fort and sealed all the exit and entry points for the besieged Jews. Among the inmates of the fort was Huyay ibn Akhtab who had tempted Banū-Qurayzah to support the Quraysh in the Battle of al-Ahzab. He had promised the Banū-Qurayzah that in the event of the defeat of the Quraysh he would stay with them and share their fate.

The chief of Banū-Qurayzah, Ka`b ibn Asad saw that the siege by the Muslims was getting tougher, therefore he told his people that there is mention of the prophethood of Muhammad (a.s) in the Divine Books, and if

[1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 245

they agree to embrace Islam now, they could win their freedom without any problem… But their men would not agree to this suggestion. Then Ka`b suggested that the next course of action open for them was to kill their women and children, go out of the fort and fight to finish. Doing this, they will have no care left for their families. They would not accept even this suggestion. Then he said that it was the eve of Sabbath, the Muslims would not imagine that the Jews would attack on the sacred night. The attack, if it is executed, will have an element of surprise and the Muslims will be taken on unawares. But the Jews turned down even this suggestion. They said that they could not imagine desecrating the Sabbath.

Twenty-five days passed since the fort was besieged. They kept raining stones and arrows on the Muslims but did not succeed in breaking the siege. When they were fed up with the hardships of the siege, the Jews sent Nabash Ibn Qays to the Prophet (a.s) that they were willing to lay down arms if they were pardoned and allowed to move away with their families and their wealth. They then offered that they would abandon all their belongings and would leave only with the families. Even this was not acceptable to the Prophet (a.s). They were told that they must surrender unconditionally. Nabash went back and told them what transpired. They sent a message to the Prophet (a.s) requesting him to depute Abul-Bu`bu` al-Ansari so that they talk to him and come to a final conclusion. The Prophet (a.s) sent Abul-Bu`bu` to them. They asked him if it would be safe for them if they made an unconditional surrender. He replied in the affirmative but pointed his hand towards the neck indicating his apprehension of what would happen to them if they surrender.

This act of Abul-Bu`bu` contrary to all norms of decency and was not proper official emissary to do. The Qur’an mentions about this event thus:

“O believers! Do not be dishonest in the matters of Allah and the Prophet (a.s), nor knowingly commit dishonesty with trusts.”

When Banū-Qurayzah felt that unconditional surrender might spell their doom, and then they said:

“We accept Sa`d ibn Mu`adh as the mediator and will abide by his decision.”[1]

The Prophet (a.s) too accepted Sa`d ibn Mu`adh as the mediator and that his decision would be binding for both the parties.

[1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 246

Ibn Husham writes that when the Banū-Qurayzah refused to surrender, `Ali (a.s) said:

“By Allah! I shall either get martyred, as Hamzah was martyred, or capture the fort!”[1]

Saying this, he took al-Zubayr ibn al-`Awwam along and advanced to attack the fort. When Banū-Qurayzah saw him advancing to attack, they shouted with concern:

“O Muhammad (a.s)! We bow our heads to the decision of the arbitrator, Sa`d ibn Mu`adh!”

Sa`d ibn Mu`adh was injured in the Battle of al-Ahzab and was recuperating at al-Madinah in the tent of Rafidah al-Ansariyyah. When he was brought in a litter, Banū-Aws surrounded him and said that the Prophet (a.s) had left the decision about the fate of Banū-Qurayzah to him and he should give a mild judgment in their favor. Sa`d said that he will give a decision which is just and fair. The people understood from what Sa`d said that the judgment would go against Banū-Qurayzah. His decision was that the men of Banū-Qurayzah be executed and the women and children taken as slaves. Therefore, the men were executed and the women and children taken away as captives. Their belongings were confiscated and distributed to the troops. The Holy Qur’an says about this incident:

وَأَنْزَلَ الَّذِينَ ظَاهَرُوهُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ مِنْ صَيَاصِيهِمْ وَقَذَفَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ الرُّعْبَ فَرِيقًا تَقْتُلُونَ وَتَأْسِرُونَ فَرِيقًا . وَأَوْرَثَكُمْ أَرْضَهُمْ وَدِيَارَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُمْ وَأَرْضًا لَمْ تَطَئُوهَا وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرًا.

“And He drove down those of the followers of the Book who backed them from their fortresses and He cast awe into their hearts; some you killed and you took captive another part. And Allah turned back the unbelievers in their rage; they did not obtain any advantage, and Allah sufficed the believers in fighting; and Allah is Strong, Mighty.”

This punishment appears very severe, but if the circumstances were considered, the worst critic would accept that Banū-Qurayzah did deserve the harsh punishment. Despite the Prophet (a.s) giving all the concessions in terms of the agreement, Banū-Qurayzah collaborated with the enemy, the Quraysh, against the interests of the Muslims. Even their chief, Ka`b ibn Asad, had accepted that the Prophet (a.s) was abiding by the agreement in

[1] Sīrat ibn Hushām, Vol 3, Page 251

word and spirit. Flouting this agreement, Banū-Qurayzah themselves were responsible for the consequences. When Banū-al-Nadir were exiled from al-Madinah, the agreement with Banū-Qurayzah was revised maintaining the old mild terms even when the circumstances demanded making a more severe agreement. But they flouted the agreement by collaborating with the enemy during the battles of Uhud and al-Ahzab. If they were left alive, they would be a constant danger to the people of al-Madinah. The punishment meted out to them was not so strange for the people of the world. Traitors and collaborators are dealt with everywhere in this manner. When Huyay ibn Akhtab, the main instigator of the episode who tempted Banū-Qurayzah to collaborate with Quraysh was taken for execution he told `Ali (a.s), “A decent person is executing another decent person!” And then he requested `Ali (a.s) that he not be undressed after execution. `Ali (a.s) said it was not his way to render an enemy naked after killing him! In accordance with his practice, he did not take away the dress of Huyay.