The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page ccv
GENERAL INTRODUCTION They said, "We will neither join Islam nor give jizyah, for dying is better than giving jizyah. " 'Amr replied that in that case he stood absolved, and saying this left the fort. He was sighted by Muḥammad bin Maslamah, commander of a Muslim column, who asked him who he was. On learning of his identity he told him to depart in peace and himself prayed loudly: "God, give me ever the power to screen the mistakes of the decent. " What he meant was that this Jew had shown remorse and regret over the conduct of his people. It was the moral duty of Muslims, therefore, to forgive men like him. In letting him go he had done a good thing, and he prayed that God should give him the chance to do such good deeds again and again. When the Prophet got to know of what Muḥammad bin Maslamah had done, he did not reprove him for letting go this Jewish leader. Rather, he approved of what had been done. The disposition to make peace and to accept the award of the Prophet had been expressed only by individual Jews. As a people, they remained adamant and refused to accept the award of the Prophet and asked, instead, for the award of Sa'd bin Muʻādh (Bukhārī, Ṭabarī and Khamis). The Prophet accepted their demand and sent word to Sa'd, who was lying wounded, to come and give his award on the Jewish breach of faith. As soon as the Prophet's decision was announced, the Ausites who had been allies of the Banu Quraizah for a long time ran to Sa'd and began to press him to give his award in favour of the Banu Quraizah. The Khazraj, they said, had always tried to save Jews allied to them. It was up to Sa'd to save the Jews allied to his tribe. Sa'd went mounted to the Banu Quraizah. Men of his tribe ran with him on both sides, pressing him not to punish the Banū Quraizah. All that Sa'd said in reply was that the person who had to make an award held a trust. He had to discharge the trust with integrity. "I will therefore give my award, taking everything into consideration, and without fear or favour," he said. When Sa'd reached the Jewish fortress, he saw the Banu Quraizah lined up against the wall of the fort, waiting for him. On the other side were Muslims. When Sa'd got near them he asked, "Will you accept my award?" They said, "Yes. " Sa'd's Award in Harmony with the Bible Turning to the Banu Quraizah he asked the same question, and they also agreed. Then shyly he pointed to the side where the Prophet was sitting and asked if the people on that side also agreed to abide by his award. On hearing this, the Prophet replied, "Yes" (Ṭabari and Hishām). Then Sa'd gave his award in accordance with the following commandment of the Bible. Says the Bible: clxxix