Life of Muhammad — Page 88
sa 88 for the enemy to make any sudden attack on any part of the town. The enemy commanders took counsel together and decided that it was necessary to try to wean the Ban u Qurai z a, the Jewish tribe, still living in Medina, from their alliance with the Muslims and ask them to join the Arab confederates in this critical onslaught against Medina. Only the Ban u Qurai z a could give them a way to the town. At last Ab u Sufy a n ra selected H uya i bin Akh t ab, chief of the banished tribe of Ban u Na di r and principal instigator of Arab tribes against Medina, and appointed him to negotiate with the Ban u Qurai z a for facilities to attack the town from the rear. H uya i bin Akh t ab went to the Jewish fortress to see the leader of the Ban u Qurai z a. At first they refused to see him. But when he explained that this was a very opportune moment to defeat the Muslims, he succeeded in winning over one of the Qurai z ites, Ka ‘ b. He explained that all Arabia had turned out to attack and destroy the Muslims. The army which stood at the other side of the ditch was not an army, but an ocean of able-bodied men whom the Muslims could not possibly resist. Ultimately it was agreed that as soon as the army of disbelievers succeeded in forcing the ditch the Ban u Qurai z a would attack that part of Medina to which the Holy Prophet sa had sent all the women and children for safety. This plan, it was believed, would smash the Muslim resistance, and prove a death-trap for their entire population — men, women and children. If this plan had met with even partial success, it would have cost the Muslims dear and made things very difficult for them. They would have had no escape from this death-trap. TREACHERY OF BAN U QURAI Z A The Ban u Qurai z a, as we have said, were in alliance with the Muslims. Even if they had not joined the battle on the Muslim side, it was expected that they would at least bar the way of the enemy on their side. The