Is it true that Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) ordered the deaths of ‘innocent people’ from Bani Qurayzah? Could you plz narrate the incident regarding the Bani Qurayzah’s being punished for their betrayal of the Muslims? How many Jews were killed? Were those who were killed innocent people, and if they were then how can this be reconciled with the fact that we’re not allowed to kill innocent people in Islam? I’ve heard that all their men were killed. If so, is this fair considering the fact that not every man must’ve agreed to betraying the Muslims? Did the Bani Qurayzah accept the punishment, willingly, which was implemented? Plz provide all the details for non-Muslims keep attacking Nabi (peace be upon him) on this point. Jazaakum Allah Khair.
There was a peace treaty between the Banu Qurayza and the Muslims. When the
Quraysh went to attack Madinah Munawwarah, the Banu Qurayza broke the peace
treaty and joined the Quraysh. When Allah Ta’ala gave victory to the Muslims
in the battle of Khandaq, the Banu Qurayza went in their forts. Angel
Jibraaeel came to the Prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] and said that
Allah had ordered you to go to Banu Qurayza. The angels had not yet taken
off their armour because they were going to help the Muslims.
When the prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] went to Banu Qurayza, they
surrounded their forts for 25 days. During these 25 days, Ka’ab ibn Asad
gathered the people of Banu Qurayza and said to them that to gain victory
from the Muslims, we will have to accept one choice from the three we have.
Ka’ab ibn Ansari said the first choice is that we bring faith in the prophet
[sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] and his religion religion and become his
followers, but the people rejected this.
The second option is that you kill your kids and women and then you fight
until you die. The Banu Qurayza did not accept this choice. The third option
is that on a Saturday, we attack the Muslims. The Jews are not allowed to
fight on a Saturday, so if they attack the Muslims it would be unexpected
and there is a possibility for the Jews to win. However, the Banu Qurayza
rejected this. Afterwards, the Jews agreed upon whatever the prophet
[sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] says we will agree to it. The prophet
[sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said to them that that ‘are you not satisfied
if this matter is handed over to someone amongst you?’ The Jews agreed to
this and the prophet [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said that is Sa’ad ibn Mu
‘aadh was handed over this matter and all the Jews agreed to it.
Sa’ad ibn Mu’aadh said that all the young and strong men shall be killed
whereas the sick and the old, women and the children shall be made slaves.
This was the incident which took place regarding the Banu Qurayza.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai