Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 164

Chapter Eight 164 Quraish, but the Quraish would be of no use to them after the war. He further told them that the siege was going to last only a few days and the Quraish would be gone, leaving the Banū Quraiẓah at the mercy of the Muslims who would certainly not forget their rebellion. Nu‘aim advised them to demand a few members of the Quraish tribe as a guarantee. Nu‘aim then went to the Quraish and told them about the intentions of Banū Quraiẓah, advising them not to give the hostages as they might be betrayed and the hostages turned over to the Muslims. Nu‘aim’s plan soon took hold. The Quraish called upon the Banū Quraiẓah saying that they were growing tired of the long siege, and asking the Banū Quraiẓah to join forces with them to launch a combined sudden attack on the Muslims the following day. The Banū Quraiẓah were cautious because of Nu‘aim’s advice, stating that they could not join them as the following day was the day of Sabbath. They also demanded few hostages from them as a condition to join forces with them against the Muslims as a guarantee for not betraying them afterwards. The Quraish and Banū Ghaṭafān were stunned on hearing this condition. It further strengthened their suspicion. They readily refused to provide any hostages and left it up to them if they wanted to join the attack. At the same time, the Banū Quraiẓah saw Nu‘aim’s self-fulfilling prophecy come true, and their doubts about the Quraish were further strengthened. In this way, Nu‘aim bin Mas’ud’s strategy created a wave of rift and mistrust in the army of the disbelievers. The other relief for the Muslims came in the form of a strong storm that started at night. The storm caused pandemonium in the enemy’s army, with tents being blown away, pots and pans were overthrown, fires being extinguished, and sand and pebbles being blown fiercely into the faces of the enemy.