Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 78
78 said: “Ali, are you afraid that I might hear abuse from our opponents? Moses was of their own kith and kin, and they treated him far worse than they have treated me. I can expect nothing better at their hands. ” The Jewish strongholds were surrounded by the Prophet’s forces, and the Jews soon found that they had no alternative but to surrender. Instead of throwing themselves on the Prophet’s mercy, however, they asked for arbitration by Saad bin Muaz, the chief of the Aus, who had been their ally before the Emigration. Saad had been wounded during the battle of the Trench, and was being tended in the mosque at Medina. Brought before the Prophet and the leaders of the Jewish tribe, Saad was informed why his presence was desired. After making sure that his decision would be accepted by both sides and would be carried out, Saad pronounced sentence in accordance with the Jewish law applicable in such a case (Deut. 20:10 ⎯ 18). It was a terrible sentence: death to all males, and all property to be taken as booty. But the Jews had brought it upon themselves, first by their treachery, next by their resistance to the Muslims after they had been caught in their treachery, and finally by preferring the judgement of Saad, who had been their ally, rather than thrown themselves upon the well- known and oft-experienced mercy of the Prophet. The sentence was carried out, but the Prophet invited