The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 465
X - Siege of Madīnah and Delicate State of the Muslims, Failure of the Disbelievers and Reality of Miracles 465 maintained so that people were not made apprehensive. When these people reached the dwellings of Banū Quraiẓah and approached Ka‘b bin Asad, this evil man confronted them in a very arrogant manner. When the two Sa‘ds spoke of the treaty, Ka‘b and the people of his tribe turned wicked and said, “Be gone! There is no treaty between Muḥammad [sa] and us. ” Upon hearing these words, this delegation of Companions set off. Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh ra and Sa‘d bin ‘Ubādah ra then presented themselves before the Holy Prophet sa and informed him of the state of affairs in an appropriate manner. 1 At this time, as far as apparent means were concerned, the horizon of Madīnah was immensely dark and gloomy. On all four fronts of the city, thousands of bloodthirsty enemies had setup camp. All of them lay in ambush to find an opportunity so that they could pounce at the Muslims and annihilate them. Within the city, at arms reach of the Muslims, were the treacherous Banū Quraiẓah, who were no less than a fierce army in themselves, boasting hundreds of armed young men. They were in a position to attack the Muslims from the rear whenever they so pleased or whenever an opportunity presented itself. The Muslim women and children, who resided in the city, were easy prey for them at all times. As a result of this state of affairs, and the reality of this cannot remain hidden upon any wise individual, immense fear and terror surged through the weaker Muslims, and the hypocrites openly criticized: “It seems as if the promise of God and His Messenger with respect to the victory and triumph of the Muslims was nothing but lies. ” 2 Various hypocrites presented themselves before the Holy Prophet sa and began to say, “O Messenger of Allāh, our homes are completely unprotected in the city, please grant us permission so that we may stay in our homes to defend them. ” In response to this, the following divine revelation was sent down: 1 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, pp. 625-626, Ghazwatul- Khandaqi Fī Shawwālin Sanata Khamsin, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 2 Al-Aḥzāb (33:13)