The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 306
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 306 to them. Furthermore, by taking full responsibility for this action, the Holy Prophet sa proved that there was no question of deception or anything of that sort. Moreover, the Holy Prophet sa clearly told the Jews that on the basis of such and such grave crimes, this punishment was administered to Ka‘b, and that it was issued by his express order. The delegation accepted the logic in this explanation and spoke no more, believing the crimes of Ka‘b to sufficiently and legally warrant the punishment meted out to him. The allegation that on this occasion, the Holy Prophet sa gave his Companions permission to lie and cheat, is absolutely incorrect and authentic narrations reject this notion. The Holy Prophet sa did not at all give permission to lie and speak falsehood. Rather, according to the narration in Sahih Bukhārī, which is the most authentic of all narrations, when Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra said to the Holy Prophet sa that in order to execute Ka‘b silently, we shall be required to say something, taking into consideration the towering benefits, which were the reason for a silent punishment in the first place, the Holy Prophet sa responded merely by saying, “Alright then. ” On this occasion, there was absolutely no further explanation or clarification by either the Holy Prophet sa or Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra. 1 Obviously, the only thing that was implied by the Holy Prophet sa was that in order for Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra and his companions to bring Ka‘b outside upon reaching his home, they would surely be required to say something as a result of which Ka‘b would willingly and happily leave his home and come along with them; and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. After all, during a time of war, when spies are sent on a mission, they too are required to say such things, and no sensible individual ever objects to this. Hence, in any case, the mantle of the Holy Prophet sa is pure. Now remains the issue of Muḥammad bin Maslamah ra , and his companions who went there and actually said such things. As such, even in their dialogue, there is actually nothing about it which can be deemed immoral. In actual fact, they did not say anything false. Albeit, taking into consideration the fundamental purpose of their mission, they did use certain words, which could be construed in more than one way, but there was no other option. In a state of war, for a good and righteous cause, such a mild diversion from simple and straightforward words, cannot be objectionable at all in the eyes of a sensible and honest individual. As a matter of fact, the truth is that the conversation of Muḥammad bin Maslamah and his Companions is a very 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī, Bābu Qatli Ka‘b bin Al-Ashraf, Ḥadīth No. 4037