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The Origins of the Islamic State/Part 1/Chapter 3

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The Origins of the Islamic State, Part I (1916)
by Aḥmad ibn Yaḥyá al-Balādhurī, translated by Philip Khuri Hitti
Chapter III—The Possessions of the banu-Ḳuraiẓah
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Aḥmad ibn Yaḥyá al-Balādhurī3650362The Origins of the Islamic State, Part I — Chapter III—The Possessions of the banu-Ḳuraiẓah1916Philip Khuri Hitti
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CHAPTER III

The Possessions of the banu-Ḳuraiẓah

The subjection of the banu-Ḳuraẓiah. The Prophet besieged banu-Ḳuraiẓah for a few days in dhu-l-Ḳaʿdah, and a few days in dhu-l-Ḥijjah, of the year 5, the whole time being fifteen days.[1] These banu-Ḳuraiẓah were among those who had assisted in the fight against the Prophet in the battle of al-Khandaḳ [the moat] also called battle of al-Aḥzâb [the confederates]. Finally they surrendered and he installed Saʿd ibn-Muʿâdh al-Ausi as their ruler. The latter decreed that every adult[2] be executed, that women and children be carried as captives and that all that they possessed be divided among the Moslems.[3] The Prophet approved of the decree saying: "What thou hast decreed is in accordance with the decree of Allah and his Prophet."

Gabriel appears to the Prophet. ʿAbd-al-Wâḥid ibn-Ghiyâth from ʿÂʾishah:—When the Prophet was done with the battle of al-Aḥzâb, he went into the wash-room in order to wash. There Gabriel appeared to him and said, "Muḥammad, thou hast laid down thy arms; but we have not yet. Hasten against the banu-Ḳuraiẓah." ʿÂʾishah upon this said to the Prophet: "O Prophet of Allah, I have seen him [Gabriel] through a hole in the door with the dust around his head!"[4]

​The adults executed. ʿAbd-al-Wâḥid ibn-Ghiyâth from Kathîr ibn-as-Sâʾib:—Banu-Ḳuraiẓah were presented to the Prophet with the result that those of them who had attained to puberty[5] were executed and those who had not attained to puberty were spared.

Ḥuyai ibn-Akhṭab put to death with his son. Wahb ibn-Baḳîyah from al-Ḥasan:—Ḥuyai ibn-Akhṭab made a covenant with the Prophet agreeing never to assist anyone against him and mentioned Allah as surety for the covenant. When he and his son were brought before the Prophet on the day of Ḳuraiẓah, the Prophet remarked: "The one mentioned as surety has done his part." By the order of the Prophet the heads of the man and his son were cut off.[6]

The division of the booty. Bakr ibn-al-Haitham from Maʿmar who said:—I once asked az-Zuhri whether the banu-Ḳuraiẓah had any lands, to which he replied directly, "The Prophet divided it among the Moslems into different shares."

Al-Ḥusain ibn-al-Aswad from ibn-ʿAbbâs:—The Prophet divided the possessions of the banu-Ḳuraiẓah and Khaibar among the Moslems.[7]

The conquest according to az-Zuhri. Abu-ʿUbaid al-Ḳâsim ibn-Sallâm from az-Zuhri:—The Prophet pressed the siege against banu-Ḳuraiẓah until they surrendered to Saʿd ibn-Muʿâdh who decreed that their men be executed, their children be taken as captives and their possessions be divided. Accordingly, a certain number of men were put to death on that day.

Footnotes edit

  1. ↑ Dhu-l-Kaʿdah 23—dhu-l-Ḥijjah 9; cf. Wâḳidi, tr. Wellhausen, p. 210; Ṭabari, vol. i, p. 1487.
  2. ↑ Literally "every one on whose beard the razor could be used."
  3. ↑ Wâḳidi, Maghâzi, p. 373.
  4. ↑ Wâḳidi, Maghâzi, p. 371 ; Ibn-Sa'd, vol. ii1, p. 55; Ibn-Hishâm, p. 684.
  5. ↑ Literally every one who "had the dreams and hair" that mark adolescence.
  6. ↑ Ṭabari, vol. i, p. 1494.
  7. ↑ Wâḳidi, Wellhausen, pp. 220–221.
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