The Expedition Against Banu Qurayzah
غزوة بني قريظة
Summary
Immediately after the Battle of al-Khandaq, the Prophet marched against Banu Qurayzah, who had violated their treaty with the Muslims by conspiring with the confederate armies during the siege of Madinah. After a siege of approximately twenty-five days, they surrendered and accepted the judgement of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, their former ally from the Aws tribe.
Details
When the confederate forces withdrew from Madinah after the Battle of al-Khandaq, Jibril came to the Prophet and instructed him not to lay down arms but to proceed to the fortresses of Banu Qurayzah. The Prophet announced to his Companions: 'None of you should pray Asr except at Banu Qurayzah.' Their treachery during the siege had been instigated by Huyayy ibn Akhtab of Banu Nadir, who personally convinced Ka'b ibn Asad, the leader of Banu Qurayzah, to break their pact with the Prophet, opening the southern flank of Madinah during its most vulnerable hour. The Muslim army besieged their fortresses for approximately twenty-five nights. When Banu Qurayzah finally agreed to surrender, they requested that the judgement be referred to Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, chief of al-Aws, who had been their pre-Islamic ally. Sa'd, who was gravely wounded from an arrow injury sustained during the Battle of al-Khandaq, was brought on a donkey. He ruled that the fighting men should be executed for their act of treason and the women and children taken as captives, and that their property be distributed. The Prophet said: 'You have judged according to the judgement of Allah from above seven heavens.' This judgement was consistent with the laws of war for high treason during active siege, and the incident is referenced in Surah al-Ahzab (33:26–27). Sa'd ibn Mu'adh passed away shortly after from his wound, and it is narrated that the Throne of the Most Merciful shook at his death.