The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 305
VII - Commencement of War with the Tribes of Najd and the Jews, the Marriage of Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah and Ḥafṣah, and a Few Miscellaneous Incidents 305 their own security and the security of the country, what other alternative was available to the Muslims, except for executing such a person when the opportunity presented itself, in the consideration of self-defence. It is far more beneficial for an evil and violent man to be executed, as opposed to the lives of many peace-abiding citizens being put to danger, and the peace of the country being ruined. Then, as mentioned above, in light of the treaty which took place between the Muslims and Jews after the migration, the Holy Prophet sa did not possess the capacity of an ordinary citizen. On the contrary, he had now become the chief executive of the democratic state which had been established in Madīnah. The Holy Prophet sa had been given the authority to issue whatever verdict he deemed appropriate with respect to all disputes and political affairs. 1 Hence, in the interest of domestic peace, if the Holy Prophet sa declared Ka‘b as being worthy of death due to his mischievous behaviour, what right does anyone possess to object to this verdict of the Holy Prophet sa as if one is sitting on a court of appeal to reconsider his decision; especially after 1300 years have elapsed and many intricate details of that era are not at our disposal either; and when historical evidence establishes that even the Jews themselves found this punishment of Ka‘b as being reasonable in light of his crimes, and took to silence without raising a single objection. If the allegation is raised that prior to the verdict of execution why were the Jews not summoned so that the crimes of Ka‘b could be listed, and then after proof had been completely furnished, his execution could have been formally and publicly announced. The answer to this has already been presented above. At the time, the situation prevalent was so sensitive that if such a method had been employed there was a serious risk of the rise of inter-tribal conflict. Moreover, it would not have been surprising for a dangerous chain of violence and bloodshed, and civil war to have broken out in Madīnah. Hence, in the likeness of those tasks which prove to be more beneficial if done quickly and silently, taking into consideration public peace, the Holy Prophet sa deemed it appropriate to quietly issue the verdict relevant to the punishment of Ka‘b. However, there was absolutely no deception of any kind involved in this, nor did the Holy Prophet sa intend to keep this punishment secret, because as soon as the delegation of Jews came to the Holy Prophet sa the following morning, the Holy Prophet sa immediately and without hesitation related the entire account 1 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, pp. 354-355, Hijratur-Rasūl sa / Kitābuhū sa Bainal-Muhājirīna Wal-Anṣāri Wa Muwāda‘atu Yahūd, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)