The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 505
XI - Treachery of the Banū Quraiẓah and the End of the Jews in Madīnah, Laws of Marriage and Divorce 505 showing mercy to a rebel in such circumstances is actually equivalent to committing an injustice against the country and its peace-abiding citizens. Therefore, until now, all civilised governments have always punished such rebels, be they men or women, with the death penalty and no sensible individual has ever raised an objection against them. Hence, the verdict of Sa‘d ra was absolutely fair, and was completely in accordance with principles of justice and equity. Moreover, due to the covenant of the Holy Prophet sa , he was not in a position to demonstrate mercy, except in the case of individuals and as far as individuals were concerned, the Holy Prophet sa made every possible attempt. However, it seems that in the embarrassment that they had refused to accept the Holy Prophet sa as a judge, they were not too inclined to make an appeal for clemency to the Holy Prophet sa. Obviously, without an appeal, the Holy Prophet sa could not show mercy, because the release of a rebel who does not even express remorse for his crime, can pose extremely dangerous ramifications. Another point to remember is that by virtue of the treaty which had been settled between the Holy Prophet sa and the Jews, one condition stated that if any matter regarding the Jews required a verdict, a decision would be made according to their own Sharī‘at. Therefore, history proves that in accordance with this treaty, the Holy Prophet sa would always issue a verdict to the Jews in accordance with the Mosaic law. Now, when we cast a glance upon the Torah, the exact same punishment for a crime as the Jews were guilty of committing has been prescribed therein, as Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh issued to the Banū Quraiẓah. Hence, the following divine commandment has been stipulated in the Bible: “When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: And when the Lord thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the Lord thy God hath given