The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 380
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 380 stepped into the field of battle against the Banū Naḍīr with a group of his Companions. Most historians have adopted the above-mentioned narration, to the extent that this very narration has become generally renowned and prominent in history. However, in contrast to this, an authentic narration has been transmitted by Imām Zuhrī. This narration states that after the Battle of Badr (the exact year and month are not known), the chieftains of the Quraish wrote a letter to the Banū Naḍīr saying, “Declare war against Muḥammad [sa] and the Muslims, or we shall wage war against you. ” Upon this, the Banū Naḍīr mutually consulted and decided that they should tactfully assassinate the Holy Prophet sa. To this end, they schemed to invite the Holy Prophet sa by some excuse, and then find an opportunity to murder him. As such, they sent word to the Holy Prophet sa that they would like to arrange a religious dialogue between the Holy Prophet sa and their own scholars. 1 They claimed that if the truth of the Holy Prophet sa became evident to them, they would accept him; therefore, the Holy Prophet sa should come along with thirty Companions so that an exchange of religious views could take place with thirty Jewish scholars. 2 On the one hand, they conveyed this message to the Holy Prophet sa , while on the other, they consolidated their scheme and fully prepared accordingly. They conspired that after the Holy Prophet sa had arrived, these very same “scholars,” secretly possessing hidden daggers, would find an opportunity and assassinate the Holy Prophet sa. However, a lady from the tribe of the Banū Naḍīr, transmitted timely information with respect to the evil motives of her people to a man from the Anṣār , who was her brother. The Holy Prophet sa had only just left his residence, when he received this news and returned. 3 The Holy Prophet sa immediately commanded mobilisation, and set out towards the fortresses of the Banū Naḍīr. As soon as he reached there, the Holy Prophet sa besieged them and sent a message to their chieftains that under the circumstances which had come to light, they could not be permitted to remain in Madīnah, until they were to settle a new treaty with the Holy Prophet sa and assure him that they would not violate their treaty and commit 1 They knew full well that the easiest and most difinitive means by which the Holy Prophet sa could be motivated was by the ploy of ‘preaching. ’ 2 Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Kharāji Wal-Imārati. . . . . , Bābun Fī Khabarin-Naḍīr, Ḥadīth No. 3004 3 Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 2, p. 510, Ḥadīthu Banin-Naḍīr, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)