Life of Muhammad — Page 98
sa 98 Qurai z a had dishonoured their pact with the Muslims and this could not be passed over. The Prophet sa collected his exhausted force and told them that there was no rest for them yet. Before the sun went down, they must fall upon the Ban u Qurai z a in their fortifications. Then he sent ‘ Al i ra to the Ban u Qurai z a to ask them why they had gone back on their solemn word. The Ban u Qurai z a showed no regret and no inclination to ask for forgiveness. Instead, they insulted ‘ Al i ra and the other Muslim delegates and started hurling vile abuse at the Prophet sa and the women of his family. They said they did not care for Muhammad sa and had never had any kind of pact with him. When ‘ Al i ra returned to report the reply of the Jews, he found the Prophet sa and the Companions advancing towards the Jewish fortifications. The Jews had been abusing the Prophet sa , his wives and daughters. Fearing lest this should pain the Prophet sa , ‘ Al i ra suggested there was no need for the Prophet sa to take part as the Muslims themselves could deal with the Jews. The Prophet sa understood ‘ Al i ra and said, "You want me not to hear their abuse, ‘ Al i ra ?" "Exactly," said ‘ Al i ra. "But why?" said the Prophet sa. "Moses as was of their kith and kin. Yet they inflicted more suffering on him than they have on me. " The Prophet sa continued to advance. The Jews put up their defences and started fighting. Their women also joined them. Some Muslims were sitting at the foot of a wall. A Jewish woman, seeing this, dropped a stone on them, killing one named Khallad ra. The siege went on for some days. At the end of this period, the Jews felt they would not be able to hold out for long. Then their chiefs sent word to the Prophet sa requesting him to send Ab u Lub a ba ra , an An sa r i chief of the Aus, a tribe friendly to the Jews. They wanted to consult him about a possible settlement. The Prophet sa sent Ab u Lub a ba ra to the Jews, who asked him if they should lay down their arms and accept the award of the Prophet sa. Ab u Lub a ba ra said they should. But at the