Battle of Banu Qurayza

The Battle of Banu Qurayza occurred in the late Dhul-Qa'dah of the fifth year of the Hijrah (migration). Its cause was the treachery and betrayal of the Jews towards the Muslims. When the Prophet, peace be upon him, arrived in the city after the migration, he made a covenant with the Jews, outlining their rights and responsibilities. The Muslims adhered to this covenant faithfully, as it was their religious duty, characterized by loyalty and trustworthiness. However, the Jews broke the covenant tribe by tribe, and the most dangerous of these breaches was the treachery of Banu Qurayza during the Battle of the Trench.

They abandoned the Muslims in repelling the threat posed by the polytheists. After the Prophet's victorious return from the Battle of the Trench, he put down his weapons and performed ablution. At that moment, the angel Gabriel appeared with dust on his head and asked, "Have you laid down your weapons, and by Allah, you have not!" The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, inquired, "Where are they?" Gabriel pointed towards Banu Qurayza and the Prophet, peace be upon him, then announced to the people, "No one should pray 'Asr except within the territory of Banu Qurayza". This indicates that Allah ordained the Battle of Banu Qurayza.

Events of the Battle of Banu Qurayza

The Battle of Banu Qurayza was an extension of the Battle of the Trench, where the Jews of Banu Qurayza were part of a military alliance aimed at defeating and eliminating the Muslims. The Prophet, peace be upon him, appointed Bilal ibn Rabah to announce to the army that no one should pray 'Asr except within the territory of Banu Qurayza. When the Prophet decided to move his army, he ordered Ali ibn Abi Talib to carry the flag and lead the army, reaching Banu Qurayza's area ahead of the main force. When he arrived, he planted the flag, and Banu Qurayza understood that war was imminent.

The Islamic forces, led by the Prophet, peace be upon him, surrounded Banu Qurayza from all sides, placing their hands on the farms outside their fortifications. After a siege that lasted more than twenty days, the Jews began to feel fear and anxiety, realizing that the Muslims would only withdraw after either attacking them or accepting their surrender. The Jews made several unsuccessful attempts to negotiate with the Muslims, but the Muslims rejected their proposals. The Muslims began to feel tired as they endured the cold and hunger during the siege, so they decided to launch an assault. When the armies moved, the Jews surrendered unconditionally.

Results of the Battle of Banu Qurayza

The Muslims arrested the Jewish men, segregated the women from the men, and asked Sa'd ibn Mu'adh to pass judgment on the Jews. He ruled that their men should be killed, their women should be taken as captives, and their wealth should be divided among the Muslims. The Prophet, peace be upon him, commented on the verdict, saying, "You have given the judgment of God from above the seven heavens". Trenches were dug in the market of the city, and the Jews were executed in groups.

 Their executions served as retribution for their major betrayal and treachery against the Muslims. Banu Qurayza's leader, Ka'b ibn Asad, asked, "Do you not see what is happening to us? He takes us in groups and kills us". He answered, "Do you not understand that the caller does not revoke, and the one who departs from you does not return? By Allah, it is death". In their fortifications, the Muslims found 1,500 swords, 2,000 spears, 300 shields, and 500 helmets. The spoils were distributed among the Muslims, thus eradicating the sources of evil, treachery, and betrayal among those who had broken their covenant.