Campaign against Ban£ Na¤¢r

Campaign against Ban£ Na¤¢r

Following the murder of two members of Ban£-`ªmir,[1] the Holy Prophet expressed his condolences and grief. He said, “I have to pay their blood-money.”[2] Ban£-`ªmir sent a letter to the Holy Prophet demanding with blood-money.[3] Because Ban£-`ªmir had a peace treaty with Ban£’l-Na¤¢r, the Holy Prophet, along with some An¥¡r, went to their castle around Medina in order to ask for help in paying the blood-money. The chiefs of Ban£’l-Na¤¢r superficially agreed to the Holy Prophet’s proposal but secretly had appointed a man to throw a stone on his head to kill him. Through Divine information, the Holy Prophet became aware of this conspiracy.[4] He suddenly left for Medina, ordering them to leave it and allowing them to keep their own possessions. Being frightened, they intended to leave that place forever; but `Abdull¡h ibn Ubayy seduced them to resist promising that he would assist them if a war broke out. He told them that if they were expelled from Medina, he would leave there.[5]

Some historical accounts report that prior to this event, Quraysh had provoked Ban£’l-Na¤¢r to fight against Muslims.[6] These provocations were influential in the outcomes of this event.

Having been misled by `Abdull¡h’s false promises, Ban£’l-Na¤¢r preferred to stay. By the command of the Holy Prophet, the Muslim troops surrounded their castle for fifteen days during which there was no sign of supporting troops! Ban£’l-Na¤¢r had to surrender and take their possessions on camels; some going to Damascus and others to Khaybar, including their chief °uyay ibn Akh§ab. They were welcomed by the people of Khaybar who showed obedience to their chief.[7]

Since Ban£’l-Na¤¢r surrendered with no fight, their possessions were at the disposal of the Holy Prophet. After obtaining the consent of An¥¡r, the Holy Prophet divided these possessions among the emigrants.[8]

God, in the Holy Qur'¡n, mentions the treason of Ban£’l-Na¤¢r and their fate with the following words:

He it is Who caused those who disbelieved of the followers of the Book to go forth from their homes at the first banishment; you did not think that they would go forth, while they were certain that their fortresses would defend them against Allah; but Allah came to them when they did not expect, and cast terror into their own hands and the hands of the believers; therefore take a lesson, O you who have eyes.

And had it not been that Allah had decreed for them the exile, He would certainly have punished them in this world, and in the Hereafter, they shall have chastisement of the fire.

That is because they acted in opposition to Allah and His Apostle, and whoever acts in opposition to Allah, then surely, Allah is severe in requiting evil.[9]