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Battle of Banu Qurayza: Difference between revisions
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|Cause = Betrayal of Banu Qurayza | |Cause = Betrayal of Banu Qurayza | ||
|Territory = | |Territory = | ||
|Result = | |Result = Muslim victory | ||
|combatant1= Muslims | |combatant1= Muslims | ||
|combatant2= Jews of | |combatant2= Jews of Banu Qurayza | ||
|commander1= [[The Prophet (s)]] | |commander1= [[The Prophet (s)]] | ||
|commander2= | |commander2= | ||
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|casualties1= | |casualties1= | ||
|casualties2= 600 or 800 were killed | |casualties2= 600 or 800 were killed | ||
|Note= According to the suggestion of | |Note= According to the suggestion of Banu Qurayza, [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]] judged, based on Torah and their treaty with the Prophet (s), everyone who stayed against the Prophet (s) must be killed and women and children captured as slave, [[Qur'an]] mentioned this event in sura [[al-Anfal]]:56-58 and [[al-Ahzab]]:26-27 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{History of Early Islam}} | {{History of Early Islam}} | ||
'''The Battle with Banū Qurayẓa''' is the last battle of the [[Prophet (s)]] with the Jews of [[Medina]] that took place in [[5]]/626 because [[Banu Qurayza]] violated their treaty with the Prophet (s) and became allied with the [[polytheists]] in the [[Battle of Ahzab]]. After the | '''The Battle with Banū Qurayẓa''' is the last battle of the [[Prophet (s)]] with the Jews of [[Medina]] that took place in [[5]]/626 because [[Banu Qurayza]] violated their treaty with the Prophet (s) and became allied with the [[polytheists]] in the [[Battle of Ahzab]]. After the Battle of Ahzab, Muslims headed to the stronghold of Banu Qurayza and besieged them. After about a month, Jews surrendered and proposed the arbitration of [[Sa'd b. Muadh]], and the Prophet (s) accepted. According to some reports, Sa'd b. Muadh taking the treaty between the Prophet (s) and Banu Qurayza, into consideration on the one hand, and the rules of [[Torah]] on the other hand, declared that the combatant men of the tribe must be executed, and the children and women enslaved, and their estate confiscated. Some historians doubted the report that Sa'd b. Muadh has declared that all men of the tribe must be executed. | ||
==History of Banu Qurayza== | ==History of Banu Qurayza== | ||
There are different reports about the origin of [[Banu Qurayza]] and their migration to [[Yathrib]]. According to some oral narratives of Jews, Banu Qurayza are descendants of [[Harun (a)]] (Aaron), the brother of [[Moses (a)]], who were in Yathrib before the [[flood of 'Arim]], which caused the emigration of Arab tribes of [[Aws and Khazraj]] to Yathrib.<ref>Isfahani, Abu l-Faraj, ''Kitab al-aghani'', Vol.22, P.107</ref> | There are different reports about the origin of [[Banu Qurayza]] and their migration to [[Yathrib]]. According to some oral narratives of Jews, Banu Qurayza are descendants of [[Harun (a)]] (Aaron), the brother of [[Moses (a)]], who were in Yathrib before the [[flood of 'Arim]], which caused the emigration of Arab tribes of [[Aws and Khazraj]] to Yathrib.<ref>Isfahani, Abu l-Faraj, ''Kitab al-aghani'', Vol.22, P.107</ref> | ||
According to some reports, after the war between the Romans with Jews (70 A.C.), Banu Qurayza escaped to [[Hijaz]] and resided in Yathrib<ref>Isfahani, Abu l-Faraj, ''Kitab al-aghani'', Vol.22, PP.108-9</ref>. Some other sources identify Banu Qurayza form the Judham tribe from [[Palestine]], who converted to [[Judaism]] in the time of 'Adiya b. Samu'il ( | According to some reports, after the war between the Romans with Jews (70 A.C.), Banu Qurayza escaped to [[Hijaz]] and resided in Yathrib<ref>Isfahani, Abu l-Faraj, ''Kitab al-aghani'', Vol.22, PP.108-9</ref>. Some other sources identify Banu Qurayza form the Judham tribe from [[Palestine]], who converted to [[Judaism]] in the time of 'Adiya b. Samu'il (reign: 1075-1045 AD)<ref>al-Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', Vol.1, P.408</ref>. | ||
Banu Qurayza along other | Banu Qurayza along other Jewish tribes of Yathrib gained the political control of the city. Their ruler was a tax payer to the Iranian ruler of al-Zarih (in Bahrain)<ref>Yaqut al-Hamawi, ''Mu'jam al-Buldan'', Vol.5, PP.83-5</ref>. In 525, the Christian ruler of [[Habasha]] (Ethiopia), who was the representative of Rome, defeated the Jewish ruler in [[Yemen]]; which caused the decrease of the power of the Jews in Yathrib. And finally in a battle between the Jews and Khazraj tribe, the Jewish governor was killed and Arabs gained the control of the city<ref>Muqaddasi, ''Kitab al-bad' wa al-tarikh'', Vol.4, P.130</ref>. | ||
The rule of Arab tribes on the city made most of the Jews leave Yathrib. In the times near the | The rule of Arab tribes on the city made most of the Jews leave Yathrib. In the times near the emergence of Islam, the Jewish tribes were living in their strongholds out of the city. Banu Qurayza, had the upper hand in population compared to the other two tribes, [[Banu Nadir]] and [[Banu Qaynuqa']], and were placed in south-east of Yathrib, they were mostly farmers. The only report about Banu Qurayza is about their battle with Muslims in the year 5 AH/626. Other reports about them are about the history of Aws and Khazraj, and mostly are about pre-Islamic era. | ||
==Reason of the Battle== | ==Reason of the Battle== | ||
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When the army of polytheists of [[Mecca]] and their allies approached [[Medina]], Huyyay b. Akhtab -one of the Jews form [[Banu Nadir]] tribe, who had a major role in the formation of the army of the polytheists- met with the Banu Qurayza leaders as the representative of the polytheists and they agreed to cooperate with the polytheists against Muslims<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, PP.454-6; Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-nabawiyya'', Vol.2, PP.220-1</ref>. | When the army of polytheists of [[Mecca]] and their allies approached [[Medina]], Huyyay b. Akhtab -one of the Jews form [[Banu Nadir]] tribe, who had a major role in the formation of the army of the polytheists- met with the Banu Qurayza leaders as the representative of the polytheists and they agreed to cooperate with the polytheists against Muslims<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, PP.454-6; Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-nabawiyya'', Vol.2, PP.220-1</ref>. | ||
When the report reached the Prophet (s) he sent a group, among them [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]], [[Sa'd b. 'Ubada]], and [[Usayd b. Hudayr b. Simak|Usayd b. Hudayr]], to the stronghold of Banu Qurayza to investigate the report. | When the report reached the Prophet (s), he sent a group, among them [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]], [[Sa'd b. 'Ubada]], and [[Usayd b. Hudayr b. Simak|Usayd b. Hudayr]], to the stronghold of Banu Qurayza to investigate the report. In their meeting with the group, Banu Qurayza disdained the Prophet (s) and rejected their treaty with Muslims<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, PP.458-9; Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-nabawiyya'', Vol.2, PP.221-2</ref>. | ||
Because of the geographical location of Banu Qurayza they could attack Medina when Muslims were defending the trench; therefore the report of the betrayal of Banu Qurayza demoralized Muslims. According to some reports, when polytheists' army besieged Medina, Banu Qurayza decided to attack Medina overnight, and sent some messages to the polytheists and requested force. Hearing the report, the Prophet (s) sent 200 Muslim men to defend Medina and say [[takbir]] till morning, with the lights of day, the danger resolved<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, P.460</ref>. | Because of the geographical location of Banu Qurayza they could attack Medina when Muslims were defending the trench; therefore the report of the betrayal of Banu Qurayza demoralized Muslims. According to some reports, when polytheists' army besieged Medina, Banu Qurayza decided to attack Medina overnight, and sent some messages to the polytheists and requested force. Hearing the report, the Prophet (s) sent 200 Muslim men to defend Medina and say [[takbir]] till morning, with the lights of day, the danger resolved<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, P.460</ref>. | ||
One night about ten of | One night about ten of Jewish fighters attacked the city and returned after an hour of struggle with a group of Muslims<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, P.462</ref>. It is narrated from [[Abu Bakr]]: "we were more scared about our children and women from Banu Qurayza than from [[Quraysh]] and [[Ghatfan]]"<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, P.460</ref>. | ||
The day after the dissipation of the polytheists in the Battle of Ahzab, the Prophet (s) went for the battle with Banu Qurayza. | The day after the dissipation of the polytheists in the Battle of Ahzab, the Prophet (s) went for the battle with Banu Qurayza. | ||
==Battle== | ==Battle== | ||
Muslims besieged the stronghold of [[Banu Qurayza]]. The period of siege is reported between 15 to 25 days. Banu Qurayza proposed to surrender with the same conditions as [[Banu Nadir]] -Banu Nadir had leaved [[Medina]], leaving their belongings behind- but the [[Prophet (s)]] rejected every | Muslims besieged the stronghold of [[Banu Qurayza]]. The period of siege is reported between 15 to 25 days. Banu Qurayza proposed to surrender with the same conditions as [[Banu Nadir]] -Banu Nadir had leaved [[Medina]], leaving their belongings behind- but the [[Prophet (s)]] rejected every proposal except that they surrender unconditionally<ref>al-Waqidi, ''al-Maghazi'', Vol.2, P.501</ref>. | ||
By the propose of Banu Qurayza, the Prophet (s) accepted the arbitration of [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]], one of the nobles of [[Aws]] and the head of Banu 'Abd Ashhal<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.90</ref>. Banu Qurayza proposed the arbitration of Sa'd b. Mu'adh because they had an alliance before Islam. Sa'd referring to the rules of [[Torah]] and the treaty between the Jews and the Prophet (s) declared that who had gathered against the Prophet (s) must be executed<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.88</ref>, and the children and women become enslaved. The Prophet (s) considered the verdict in accordance to the rules of God. The verses 56 to 58 of [[Qur'an 8]] and verses 26 and 27 of [[Qur'an 33]] are about the battle with Banu Qurayza<ref>Al-Tabari, ''Tarikh al-rusul wa l-muluk'', sesele.1, P.1493; Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-nabawiyya'', Vol.3, PP.265-6</ref>. | By the propose of Banu Qurayza, the Prophet (s) accepted the arbitration of [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]], one of the nobles of [[Aws]] and the head of Banu 'Abd Ashhal<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.90</ref>. Banu Qurayza proposed the arbitration of Sa'd b. Mu'adh because they had an alliance before Islam. Sa'd referring to the rules of [[Torah]] and the treaty between the Jews and the Prophet (s) declared that who had gathered against the Prophet (s) must be executed<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.88</ref>, and the children and women become enslaved. The Prophet (s) considered the verdict in accordance to the rules of God. The verses 56 to 58 of [[Qur'an 8]] and verses 26 and 27 of [[Qur'an 33]] are about the battle with Banu Qurayza<ref>Al-Tabari, ''Tarikh al-rusul wa l-muluk'', sesele.1, P.1493; Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-nabawiyya'', Vol.3, PP.265-6</ref>. | ||
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The report about the killings are different. Some said that all the men of Banu Qurayza whose number was 600 to 800 were executed; also a woman who had killed a Muslim, was executed. One of the men of the tribe named Rifa'a b. Simawal was forgiven with the intervention of one of the aunts of the Prophet (s)<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-nabawiyya'', Vol.3, PP.263-5</ref>. Some others report that only the fighters of Banu Qurayza who had acted against Muslims were executed<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.88</ref>. | The report about the killings are different. Some said that all the men of Banu Qurayza whose number was 600 to 800 were executed; also a woman who had killed a Muslim, was executed. One of the men of the tribe named Rifa'a b. Simawal was forgiven with the intervention of one of the aunts of the Prophet (s)<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''al-Sira al-nabawiyya'', Vol.3, PP.263-5</ref>. Some others report that only the fighters of Banu Qurayza who had acted against Muslims were executed<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.88</ref>. | ||
The belongings of Banu Qurayza divided between Muslims. For the first time, the shares of cavalry and infantry specified. The cavalry were given two shares and the infantry had one. As the sources mentioned the spoils, especially the weapons, | The belongings of Banu Qurayza were divided between Muslims. For the first time, the shares of cavalry and infantry specified. The cavalry were given two shares and the infantry had one. As the sources have mentioned, the spoils, especially the weapons, were remarkable. | ||
==Historical Analysis== | ==Historical Analysis== | ||
According to the whole of reports, it could be concluded that Muslims because of their experience | According to the whole of reports, it could be concluded that Muslims because of their previous experience with the deportation of [[Banu Qaynuqa']] and [[Banu Nadir]], would not accept to only exile Banu Qurayza; because if they exited [[Medina]], they would join the opponents of Islam, just as Banu Qaynuqa' and Banu Nadir had done. | ||
The verses 26 and 27 of [[Qur'an 33]] verifies the verdict<ref>Sayyid al-Qutb, ''Fi zilal al-Qur'an'', Vol.6, P.569</ref>, but not the execution of all men of the tribe, but only those who acted against Muslims; [[Sayyid Ja'far Murtada al-'Amili]] in ''[[Al-Sahih min sirat al-Nabi al-a'zam|al-Sahih]]'' in the exegesis of the verse 26 of Qur'an 33 says: the part of the verse "… you killed a part of them, and took captive [another] part of them", the word used for ''taking captive'' ({{ia|تأسرون}}, ta'sirun) is used for men; because in Arabic, for taking women captive, another word is used; but some [[exegete]]s have incorrectly interpret the word ''killed'' about men and the word ''took captive'' for women and children<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.148</ref>. So only fighters who had acted against Muslims executed and the rest became enslaved. As [[Ibn Shahrashub]] mentioned the total number of men 700, and the number of the executed 450<ref>Ibn Shahrashub, ''al-Manaqib'', Vol.3, P.171</ref>. | The verses 26 and 27 of [[Qur'an 33]] verifies the verdict<ref>Sayyid al-Qutb, ''Fi zilal al-Qur'an'', Vol.6, P.569</ref>, but not the execution of all men of the tribe, but only those who acted against Muslims; [[Sayyid Ja'far Murtada al-'Amili]] in ''[[Al-Sahih min sirat al-Nabi al-a'zam|al-Sahih]]'' in the exegesis of the verse 26 of Qur'an 33 says: the part of the verse "… you killed a part of them, and took captive [another] part of them", the word used for ''taking captive'' ({{ia|تأسرون}}, ta'sirun) is used for men; because in Arabic, for taking women captive, another word is used; but some [[exegete]]s have incorrectly interpret the word ''killed'' about men and the word ''took captive'' for women and children<ref>Sayyid Ja'far Murtada, ''al-Sahih'', Vol.12, P.148</ref>. So only fighters who had acted against Muslims executed and the rest became enslaved. As [[Ibn Shahrashub]] mentioned the total number of men 700, and the number of the executed 450<ref>Ibn Shahrashub, ''al-Manaqib'', Vol.3, P.171</ref>. | ||
===Number of the Executed=== | ===Number of the Executed=== | ||
* Dr. Shahidi says: "It | * Dr. Shahidi says: "It seems that the story of the [[Battle of Banu Qurayza]], is altered and written years after the event, by a story teller from [[Khazraj]] tribe, whose intention was to imply that the Prophet (s) killed Banu Qurayza, the ally of [[Aws]], contrary to the ally of Khazraj (Banu Nadir) who had not been killed; because Khazraj was dearer to the Prophet (s) than Aws"<ref>Shahidi, ''Tarikh-i tahlili-i Islam'', P.90</ref>. | ||
* [[Malik b. Anas]] had named the main narrator of the story, Ibn Ishaq, as [[Dajjal]]<ref>Ibn Hajar, ''Tahdhib'', Vol.9, P.36</ref>! Because he had narrated the story of the battles of Muslims with the Jews, from Jews, who have a history of | * [[Malik b. Anas]] had named the main narrator of the story, Ibn Ishaq, as [[Dajjal]]<ref>Ibn Hajar, ''Tahdhib'', Vol.9, P.36</ref>! Because he had narrated the story of the battles of Muslims with the Jews, from Jews, who have a history of forging stories<ref>Ibn Hajar, ''Tahdhib'', Vol.9, PP.39-40</ref>. | ||
* [[Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani]] had also considered the reason of weakness of narrations of Ibn Ishaq as narrating such | * [[Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani]] had also considered the reason of weakness of narrations of Ibn Ishaq as narrating such stories from such a sources<ref>Ibn Hajar, ''Tahdhib'', Vol.9, PP.39-40</ref>. | ||
* Sayyid Ahmad Barakat had also rejected the story of Ibn Ishaq with various reasons<ref> Barakat Ahmad, ''Muhammad and the Jews: A Re-examination'', p. 24</ref>. | * Sayyid Ahmad Barakat had also rejected the story of Ibn Ishaq with various reasons<ref> Barakat Ahmad, ''Muhammad and the Jews: A Re-examination'', p. 24</ref>. | ||
* Walid ‘Arafat also considered the story of Ibn Ishaq far from the real story of Banu Qurayza, the main reason is that Ibn Ishaq | * Walid ‘Arafat also considered the story of Ibn Ishaq far from the real story of Banu Qurayza, the main reason is that Ibn Ishaq does not have any correct document, and also some other reasons are mentioned<ref>W. N. Arafat, ''New Light on the Story of Banu Qurayza and the Jews of Medina'', Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (1976), pp. 100-107</ref>. | ||
==Verdict According to Judaism== | ==Verdict According to Judaism== | ||
[[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]] issued the verdict, referring to the treaty of Banu Qurayza with the Prophet (s) and the rules of Judaism<ref>Hasani, ''Sirat al-Mustafa'', PP.519-521</ref>. The verdict was a religious ruling for Jews<ref>Abu Zuhre, ''Khatam-i Payambaran'', Vol.2, PP.671-2</ref>. In the book of Deuteronomy, about a city which is entered with force, it is said: "When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. | [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]] issued the verdict, referring to the treaty of Banu Qurayza with the Prophet (s) and the rules of Judaism<ref>Hasani, ''Sirat al-Mustafa'', PP.519-521</ref>. The verdict was a religious ruling for Jews<ref>Abu Zuhre, ''Khatam-i Payambaran'', Vol.2, PP.671-2</ref>. In the book of Deuteronomy, about a city which is entered with force, it is said: "When the Lord your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves"<ref>Old Testament, Deuteronomy, 20:13-14</ref>. | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||