The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 504
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 504 but the question is: was any other option available? When a surgeon deems it necessary to amputate the hand or leg of a patient’s body, or becomes compelled to sever another part of the body, every noble individual feels a shock, that if this had not occurred, i. e. , if the circumstances did not require, it would have been better. However, one is forced to submit in the face of compelling circumstances. As a matter of fact, in such circumstances, the action of the surgeon is considered to be worthy of praise, inasmuch that with the sacrifice of a smaller part of the body, a thing of greater value is saved. Similarly, although the verdict of Sa‘d was a strict one in itself, it was a necessary outcome brought about by compelling circumstances, without which there was no other option. It is for this reason that even a historian like Margoliouth, who is not at all from among the friends of Islām, is compelled to admit on this occasion that the decision of Sa‘d ra was based on compelling circumstances, without which there was no other option. Hence, Mr. Margoliouth writes: “The great invasion, which Mohammed declared to have been miraculously frustrated, was due or believed to be due, to the propaganda of members of the Banu Nadir, whom the Prophet had been satisfied with banishing. Should he banish the Kuraizah, he would thereby be setting free a fresh set of propagandists. On the other hand, those who had taken part openly with the invaders of Medinah could not very well be permitted to remain there. To banish them was unsafe; to permit them to remain was yet more dangerous. Hence they must die. ” 1 It should also be taken into consideration that the Banū Quraiẓah were not only allies and confederates of the Holy Prophet sa , rather, by virtue of their initial treaty, had already accepted the government of the Holy Prophet sa in Madīnah, or in the least, they had accepted his sovereignty. Hence, they were not merely a treacherous ally or ordinary enemy, rather, they were also rebellious and extremely dangerous ones at that. The penalty for rebellion, especially at a time of war, has always been execution. If a rebel is not given a strict punishment, the system of government crumbles completely; and mischievous and rebellious people develop such courage, which proves to be immensely destructive to the peace and comfort of society. Undoubtedly, 1 Mohammed and The Rise of Islām, By David Samuel Margoliouth, The Destruction of the Jews, p. 333, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York & London, The Knickerbocker Press, Third Edition (1905)