The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 304
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 304 according to the law of the Torah. 1 In these circumstances, ignoring all of his treaties and agreements, Ka‘b committed treason against the Muslims, as a matter of fact, against the very government of the time. He planted the seed of violence and disorder in Madīnah; he attempted to inflame a fire of war within the country and dangerously incited the tribes of Arabia against the Muslims; he composed provocative couplets against the Muslim women, whilst composing Tashbīb ; and conspired to assassinate the Holy Prophet sa. Furthermore, all of this was done in such a time, when the Muslims were already surrounded by difficulties from all four directions and the deadly beasts of Arabia were becoming mad in the thirst for their blood. The state of the Companions was such that neither did the day pass by in peace, nor the night. Due to the danger of an enemy attack, they could not even sleep at night. In these circumstances, did the crime of Ka‘b not warrant some form of punishment? Then was there any punishment lesser than death which could have brought an end to this mischievous behaviour of the Jews? I do not believe that any unbiased individual can consider the execution of Ka‘b as being an unjust action. Even today, in countries which are known as ‘civilized’, when a criminal is guilty of the crimes of rebellion, infraction of treaty, inciting war, and attempted assassination, is such a person not administered the death penalty? The second question relates to the method of the execution. With regards to this issue, it should be remembered that there was no formal ruling power in Arabia at the time. Rather, every individual and every tribe was free and independent. In this state, which court of law existed where a case could be filed against Ka‘b and a formal judgement for his execution could be sought? Should a complaint have been lodged with the Jews, of whom he was a leader, and who had themselves committed treachery against the Muslims already, and would create disorder every other day? Should the case have been presented before the Quraish of Makkah, who were thirsty for the blood of the Muslims? Should justice have been sought from the tribes of Sulaim and Ghaṭafān, who had planned to launch a sudden attack on Madīnah at night three or four times, in the last few months alone? Reflect on the state of Arabia at the time, and then contemplate that when a person was guilty of provocation, inciting war, mischievous behaviour and attempted assassination, and due to this, his remaining alive was felt to be a threat to 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Ḥudūd, Bābur-Rajmi Fil-Balāṭ, Ḥadīth No. 6819