Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 314
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 314 affirmative, on which the Holy Prophet observed, ‘Never mind, they persecuted Moses even more than they have persecuted me. ’ The Holy Prophet advanced with his followers and invested the strongholds of Banu Quraidhah. In the beginning, the Jews behaved arrogantly and insolently. On one occasion, when a few Muslims had incautiously sat down in the shade of a wall of the stronghold, a Jewish woman cast down a heavy mill - stone upon them from the top of the wall, which kill ed one of the party, Khallad, and the others escaped. But as time passed they began to feel the privation and distress imposed upon them by the siege and began to cast about for means of relief. Their chief, Ka’ab bin Asad, made three proposals to them and told them to adopt whichever they pleased. He said, ‘My first proposal is that we should all believe in the truth of Muhammad, as events have proved it and our scriptures support him. Once we embrace Islam, all controversy between us would cease. ’ His pro posal was immediately and firmly rejected. He then said, ‘My second proposal is that we should slaughter our women and children and then, without fear of consequences, take up our swords and go forth and fight the Muslims. ’ This proposal was also rejected as it was pointed out that after they had slaughtered their women and children, life would not be worth living. Finally, he said, ‘My last proposal is that as this is the eve of Sabbath, and Muhammad and the Muslims would be unwary, believing themselves se cure against any action on our part, we should emerge suddenly from our strongholds during the night and attack the Muslim force. If they are taken by surprise, we might repel them and put them to flight. ’ His people rejected this