Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 300
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 300 the overwhelming number of the confederate army as a surging sea, he at last persuaded Kaab, chief of Banu Quraidha, to relent. It was agreed that Banu Quraidha would assist Quraish, and that Huyay should retire into their fortress in case the allies march ed back without inflicting a fatal blow upon Medina. Rumours of this defection reaching the Holy Prophet, he sent the two S’ads, chiefs of Aus and Khazraj, to ascertain the truth; and strictly charged them, if the result should prove unfavourable, to divul ge it to none other but himself. They found Banu Quraidha in a sullen mood. ‘Who is Muhammad,’ said they, ‘and who is the Apostle of God, that we should obey him? There is no bond or compact betwixt us and him. ’ After high words and threats, the messengers took their leave, and reported to the Holy Prophet that the temper of the Jews was worse even than he had feared. Sir William Muir has recorded ( Life of Muhammad, p. 309): On the whole, my impression is that Banu Quraidha entered into some kind of league with the Jewish exile Huyay, making common cause with him, and promising to take part in following up any success on the part of Quraish – a promise which they were in the b est position to fulfil – their fortress being, though at some distance from the city, on its undefended side. On his side, the Holy Prophet had marched out of Medina at the head of 3,000 Muslims and had made camp between the trench and the city, keeping the hillock Sil’a at his back. He divided his men into small pickets which he posted along the trench and on the undefended sides of Medina, instructing them