Bismillah ir rahman ir raheem the jews of medina during the time of the Prophet by
|
|  Yüklə 297 Kb.
|
The Conspiracy between the Jews and the Unbelievers Despite their pledged alliance with the Prophet, the Jews of Yathrib conspired against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and secretly sent word to Abu Sufyan informing him that he could expect his caravan to be attacked. Abu Sufyan was alarmed when he received news of the impending attack and hired Damdam, Amr Al Ghifari's son to hasten on to Mecca to rally the Koraysh to come out and join him in defense of the caravan as he feared the attack to be imminent. It was hoped by the Jews that with the advance warning they had sent to Abu Sufyan, that the annihilation of the Muslims would be brought about and they would be free of them once and for all. The Jews knew the Koraysh were capable of rallying the support of not only their own tribe but those allied to them and in doing so the Muslims would be greatly outnumbered and their way of life would return to the way they had been before the Prophet’s arrival in Medina. When the news reached Mecca, Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl both of whose hatred of the Prophet was well known spared no effort in mustering an army of 1,300 soldiers with a large supply of food against the vastly outnumbered band of 317 Muslims who had only anticipated an encounter with their caravan in the direction of Badr. However, neither the Jews nor the Koraysh had reckoned on the supportive help of Allah towards His Prophet and the Muslims. During the hostilities at Badr, Allah sent angels riding piebald horses to help and despite the dominant Koraysh army and the treachery of the Jews, Allah gave victory to the Muslims. Abdullah Rawahah’s son and Zayd Haritha’s son were sent in advance back to Medina with the news of the victory Allah had given them. The news of the Prophet's victory spread like wild-fire throughout the City, whereupon the Muslims rejoiced and gave thanks to Allah. As for the hypocrites and Jewish tribes of An-Nadir, Krayzah, and Kaynuka, their hopes were dashed. All had hoped for the destruction of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his followers. Chapter 7 Breaching of the Treaty The Market Place of the Tribe of Kaynuka Not long after the Prophet's return from Badr, he went to the Jewish market place of the Kaynuka which was also frequented by Muslims. He hoped the widely reported miraculous events of Badr might have touched the hearts of the Jews and caused them to reflect. As he walked through the market place he invited them to Islam and entreated them not to let the anger of Allah come upon them as it had just done upon the Koraysh. However, his invitation fell on deaf ears and someone called out in defiance, "Muhammad, do not be fooled by those circumstances. You fought against men who did not know how to fight; that is why you were able to get the better of them! By Allah, if you make war on us you will soon know that we are a force to reckon with!" The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) did not respond and returned home. Allah Exposes the Hidden Enmity of the Jews Despite the fact that the Jews had been treated well by the Muslims who had abided by the alliance contracted with them, the Jews concealed their deep enmity toward the Prophet. However, this deep enmity was not to remain concealed much long as Allah warned the Prophet and his Companions that all was not as it appeared and sent down verses which revealed their hidden feelings: "Believers, do not take intimates with other than your own. They spare nothing to ruin you, they yearn for you to suffer. Hatred has already shown itself from their mouths, and what their chests conceal is yet greater. Indeed, We have made clear to you the signs, if you understand. There you are loving them, and they do not love you. You believe in the entire Book. When they meet you they say, ‘We believe.’ But when alone, they bite their finger-tips at you out of rage. Say, ‘Die in your rage! Allah has knowledge of what is in your chests.” Koran 3:118-19 Allah also drew the attention of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his followers to the following, saying: "When you are touched with good fortune, they grieve, but when evil befalls you, they rejoice. If you are patient and cautious, their guile will never harm you. Allah encompasses what they do." Koran 3:120 He also sent down verses which permitted the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to counteract acts of treachery with justice and instructions as to how his adversaries should be treated if they should incline to peace, saying: “If you fear treachery from any of your allies, you can dissolve with them equally. Allah does not love the treacherous." Koran 8:58 "If they incline to peace, incline to it also, and put your trust in Allah. Surely, He is the Hearing, the Knowing." Koran 8:61 Ka’b, the son of Ashraf Ka’b, Ashraf's son had been born of a Jewish mother and an idol worshipping father from the tribe of Tayy but on account of his mother being a Jewess, the Jews accepted him as one of their own into her tribe of An-Nadir. Ka’b was wealthy and known for his poetry, and over the years had become an influential An-Nadir tribesman. When he heard the news of the Koraysh defeat at Badr, with the demise of so many if its chieftains, he could not accept it and his tongue revealed his innermost thoughts as he exclaimed, "By Allah, if Muhammad has killed these, can the depths of the earth be better than its surface!" Ka’b could not accept the news to be true, he thought that the turn of events was unbelievable so upon the return of several Muslims whom he knew to be reliable he questioned them, but to his dismay all confirmed the same account. Despondent yet angered, Ka’b rode off for Mecca with the intention of inciting the Koraysh to revenge themselves by riding against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) again, but this time to fight him in Yathrib. To add fuel to the fire he composed an impassioned poem in honor of the lamented Koraysh chieftains and their fallen tribesmen, which he knew would kindle the emotions of everyone in Mecca. Added to Ka’bs impassioned poetry was the realization that the Koraysh now had unexpected allies in Medina, as each time a Jewish caravan arrived in Mecca, they brought news of the Prophet's movements. And so it was that the Jews began to break the treaty, just as the waves of the sea gently erode a mound of sand upon the shore until none remains. The Insult of the Goldsmith of Kaynuka Shortly after the Prophet’s visit to the market place of the Kaynuka, a Muslim lady made her way to that same market and was insulted in a despicable manner by a goldsmith who then tied the hem of her dress to her back so that as soon as she stood up her privates became exposed. An Ansar happened to see the disgraceful behavior and came to her assistance. Sharp words were exchanged which ultimately led to blows during which the goldsmith fell and was accidentally killed. Once again the Jews who had agreed that such matters were to be brought before the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to be resolved, threw the agreement to the wind and prepared to fight against the Muslims. The Fortresses of the Kaynuka Many years before, not far from their market place the Jews had built fortresses to protect themselves in times of trouble. These fortresses were soon to become a hive of activity, with provisions and arms being delivered by all possible available means. No sooner had the supplies been delivered than the Jews barricaded themselves inside. The tribesmen of the Kaynuka numbered twice that of the Muslims who fought at Badr. It was on 15th Shawwal 2H when news of the Kaynuka's intent reached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), he gathered his men, surrounded the fortresses, and then sent word to them demanding an unconditional surrender. During this time the call to rise up against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) reached the ears of the unbelieving chieftains of the Khazrajite tribe. Abdullah, Ubayy’s son was a hypocrite, who claimed his conversion to Islam started to remind his people of their friendship with the Jews. However Ubadah, a Muslim chieftain, was quick to remind him that the pact they made with the Jews in years gone by was no longer existent. Ubadah shrewdly observed and drew Abdullah Ubayy's son attention to the fact that the Jews had broken their pact with their tribe in preference to one made with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Ubadah’s words were effective and Abdullah, Ubayy’s son abandoned his intention to go to the help of the Jews. Surrender and Expulsion Two weeks had passed, and the tribesmen of Kaynuka remained barricaded in their fortresses. As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) waited for the Kaynuka's answer, Abdullah, Ubbay’s son sought him out in a belligerent manner. When he found him he demanded, "Muhammad, treat my allies well!" The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) declined to comment and turned away from him, whereupon Abdullah Ubayy’s son seized him by the neck of his coat of mail. The expression of the Prophet's face changed and he asked him to release his hold. Abdullah swore that he would never do so until he received a promise from the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), then he demanded to know whether it was his intent to kill the Jews. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) informed him that it had never been his intent, rather it was to spare their lives. However, he informed Abdullah that from now on the Jews of the tribe of Kaynuka were to be banished and their possessions confiscated. He then told Abdullah that if he desired to do so, he may escort them to wherever they wished to relocate. Abdullah accepted the Prophet's decision and sent word to his allies, informing them of their fate and then escorted the Jews out of Arabia to the Syrian town of Azru’a. As for their confiscated possessions, they were to greatly enrich the Muslim armory, as the Kaynuka were highly skilled smiths and much needed coats of mail and weapons were among the spoils. The Infamy of Ka’b, the son of Ashraf The Jew, Ka’b, Ashraf's son, who had not only used his wealth against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) but more recently composed a poem that served to stir and fuel the emotions of the Koraysh, now wrote another poem as he rode on his cloud of infamy. This time however, it was not in praise of the Koraysh, it was a poem written in extremely poor taste that not only degraded Muslim women but insulted them. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) heard of Ka’bs continued disgraceful and inciting conduct he ordered that if any Muslim should come across him, they should kill him. Ka’b however, had not returned to Medina, he had chosen to live in a fortress south east of Medina, beyond the houses of the tribe of Bani An-Nadir. Muhammad, Maslama's son took up the challenge and asked the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) if it were permissible for him to deceive Ka’b and was told it was. Muhammad, Maslama's son went to Ka’b and said to him, "The man (referring to the Prophet) demands charity from us, and is troubling us, so I have come to borrow something from you." Ka’b exclaimed, "By Allah, you will soon become tired of that man!" Muhammad, Maslama's son said, "Well, now we have followed him, we do not want to leave him until we see how the matter will turn out. We want you to lend us a couple of camel loads of food." Ka’b agreed, but had a condition to make saying, "I agree, however in return you must collator something to me." Maslama's son asked, "What do you require?" Ka’b replied, "Collator your women to me." He replied, "How can we collator our women to you when you are the most handsome of Arabs?" Ka’b then said, "Well, collator your sons to me." To this Maslama's son replied, "If we were to do so they would be abased by the peoples saying 'you were collateral for the price of a couple of camel loads of food', and that would disgrace us, but we are prepared to collator our arms to you" and this proved to be acceptable to Ka’b. It was time to depart and Maslama's son said he and his companions would return. On the night of 14th Rabi’1 3H, Muhammad Maslama's son and Abu Na'ila who was Ka’bs suckling brother together with Harith son of Aws and Abu Abs son of Jabr returned. Ka’b invited Maslama's son and Abu Na'ila into his fortress and then went down with them. As they were going out Ka’bs wife said, "I hear a voice as if blood is dropping from him." Ka’b rebuked her saying, "They are none other than my brother and my foster brother Abu Na'ila, and a generous man ought to respond even to a night visitation, even if he were to be invited to be killed!" Beforehand, Maslama's son had told his companions, "when Ka’b comes, I will touch his hair as if smelling it, and when you see that I have taken hold of his head, strike him." A short distance away from the fortress Maslama's son said to Ka’b, "I have never smelled a better perfume than that which you are wearing." Ka’b replied, "Yes indeed, I have with me a mistress who is the most perfumed women of Arabia." Then Maslama's son asked to smell his head and Ka’b lowered his head so that he might do so. No sooner than Maslama's son had taken hold of his head his companions seized him and killed him. During the attack, Harith was wounded and lost a lot of blood, however, when they reached Medina they went straight to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to tell him of their success. Upon seeing Harith's wound, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) massaged some of his salvia upon the wound and by the permission of Allah it healed immediately. News of Ka’bs death spread rapidly throughout Medina and those whose intentions were to rid themselves of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his followers were, for the time being hesitant to take further action. Abu Sufyan’s reaction to the death of Ka’b When news of Ka'bs death reached Mecca, Abu Sufyan was even more determined to take revenge and swore an oath that he would not bathe until he had led an attack against the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) because among Abu Sufyan’s motivations was that the rating of the Koraysh among other Arab tribes was at an all time low and Abu Sufyan was intent on re-establishing their former position. It was now Dhul-Hijjah 2H, two months after Badr. In a state of fury he mustered two hundred men from the remnants of the Koraysh army and left Mecca by way of Najd. After many days travel they reached a waterhole in the vicinity of Mount Thayb, which lies outside Medina and there he ordered his army to strike camp. As darkness approached and the Muslims were at prayer in the Mosque, Abu Sufyan ventured into Medina and made straight for the house of a Jew named Huyay, Akhtab's son, and announced himself as he knocked at the door. Huyay took fright and refused to open the door, so Abu Sufyan made his way to the house of Shalom, Mishkam's son who was not only a chief, but also the banker of the Jewish tribe of An-Nadir. This time he was made most welcome, Shalom invited him into his home, entertained him with food and wine for he guessed the reason for Abu Sufyan's visit and was eager to help him achieve his goal. Later that same night, Abu Sufyan returned to his camp and dispatched a party of his men onto the outskirts of Medina. When they reached Al Urayd, a suburb of Medina, they found an Ansar and his companion tending to young palm trees, whereupon they attacked and killed them, then torched the newly planted grove and returned to camp. When news of the martyred Companions reached the ears of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), he and his Companions rode out in pursuit of the aggressors. However, it was to no avail because upon the marauder's return, Abu Sufyan ordered his men to break camp for memories of Badr were still very fresh upon their minds and they did not wish to face the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) again. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his Companions pursued Abu Sufyan until they reached a place called Karkaratu'l Kudr but the Koraysh were long gone and it was thought pointless to continue any further, so they returned to Medina. Chapter 8 Desertion Uhud Abu Sufyan and his fellow chieftains were determined to regain their once honored status among the Arabs. It had been a devastating blow to the Koraysh when their well equipped army of over one thousand had been defeated at Badr by just over three hundred poorly equipped Muslims. War loomed high on the horizon once again as Abu Sufyan mustered together not only his own Koraysh army but those allied to him. Unknown to Abu Sufyan, Abu Talib learned of the planned attack and sent word post-haste to Medina to inform the Prophet. This advance warning was indeed a great blessing and the Muslims were able to prepare themselves and make the necessary defensive arrangements and it was decided not to engage the Koraysh in Medina but at Uhud. The Prophet and his Companions set out for Uhud and on their way as they stopped to offer a prayer, Abdullah Ubayy’s son who had already displayed signs of hypocrisy during the recent events with the Kaynuka and had reluctantly ridden out with the Muslims was approached by men with similar inclinations to his own and all agreed that they would return to Medina and not take part in the forthcoming encounter. Abdullah and his men whose number accounted for one third of the Prophet’s army rode off and left the Prophet without mentioning their decision. When one of the Companions by the name of Abdullah, son of Haram learned of their desertion, he chased after them on his horse. Upon catching up with them he entreated not to abandon them, saying, "Fellow tribesmen, I call upon you by Allah not to abandon your people and your Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) now that the enemy is near!" In a patronizing manner they replied, "If we knew you were going to fight we would not have abandoned you, however we do not think there will be hostilities." Abdullah Haram’s son pleaded with them over and over again until he realized he was wasting his time and as he turned to leave them, he cursed them saying, "May Allah curse you, you enemies of Allah! Allah will make His Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) independent of you!" and then returned to join the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Now that the Muslim army had been substantially reduced the Prophet was asked by a Companion whether he thought they should call upon the help of the Jews with whom they were allied and had pledged to lend their assistance in times such as this. However, in light of recent events, the Jews could not be trusted and so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied that there was no need for them. The outcome of the hostilities was indecisive. There had been times when the Koraysh had the upper hand and other times when the Muslims gained the upper hand. The Koraysh sustained substantial losses and injury to both their army and their mounts. Hardly any of their rides had escaped injury and Abu Sufyan gave the command to return to Mecca having failed to gain any spoils of war. Although the Muslims also sustained substantial injuries it was decided to return to Medina and then go in pursuit of the Koraysh to ensure they did not return to attack Medina. Such an action could not be considered that of a defeated army. The 70 Companions Sent to Teach the Tribes of the Najd Shortly after the marriage between the Prophet and Lady Zaynab daughter of Khuzaimah, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) received a visit from Abu Bara, the elderly chieftain of Lady Zaynab's tribe. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) welcomed him and spoke to him of Islam, and his heart inclined toward it, although he was not as yet prepared to make a commitment. Abu Bara recognized the high principals of Islam, and its morality and knew its teachings would benefit his tribe, so he asked the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to send some of his Companions to them so that they might learn saying, "O Messenger of Allah, if you send some of your Companions to the people of Najd to call them to Islam, I expect them to accept." Whereupon the Prophet expressed his concern saying, "I am afraid the people of Najd will kill them." Abu Bara replied, "I will protect them." After Abu Bara's assurance that the Companions would travel in safety under his protection, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) agreed and sent 70 Companions known for their piety and knowledge to teach and appointed Mundhir, Aamir's son from the tribe of Khazrah to lead the delegation.
. When Haram delivered the message Aamir scoffed and rejected it, then at his command a spear was thrust forcefully into Haram’s back. As Haram was dying he cried out, “Allah is the Greatest! By the Lord of Ka’bah I have triumphed!” Aamir, Tufayl’s son immediately called upon the rest of the tribe of Aamir to join him and attack the Companions, but they refused saying that they were under the protection of Abu Bara. Aamir now turned his sight to the tribe of Saleem for help and Usaiyah, Ri’al and Dhakwan responded with their tribesmen. It wasn’t long until Aamir and his allies reached the well, and unmercifully ambushed the Companions who fought as best they could until all lay dead around the well. Ka’b, Zayd An-Najjar’s son was the only one to survive. No sooner had the camels been settled and left to graze, Al Mundhir and Amr made their way back to the well. As they approached, to their great distress, they noticed birds of prey circling above the well and fear for their Companions engulfed their hearts. They approached the well with caution and to their great distress their fear was realized as their eyes gazed upon their martyred companions laying where they had fallen whilst the Sulaym tribesmen stood around talking to one another. Amr was taken captive whereas Al Mundhir was killed. Aamir knew that Amr belonged to the tribe of Mudar and on account of his relationship with them he spared his life, but shaved his head. Just before Amr returned to Medina he was told that his aggressors from the Saleem had learned of their presence from one of Abu Bara's tribe. Amr was grieved by what appeared to be a treacherous act of the tribe and with a heavy heart set off for Medina. As he journeyed, Amr came across two men from tribe of the Bani Kilab. Amr was unaware that the tribesmen had refused to join Aamir, Tufayl’s son. Supposing the tribesmen were among those responsible for the loss of his companions, Amr attacked and killed both of them. It was a regrettable incident, both men were in fact loyal to Abu Bara. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) learned of the martyrdom of his Companions and also of the two innocent tribesmen he was deeply saddened and justly ordered that blood-money must be paid to the tribesmen next of kin in restitution. Chapter 9 The Plots on the Life of the Prophet The An-Nadir Plot to Murder the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) The matter of how to raise sufficient money to recompense the family of the two innocent dead tribesmen killed by Amr after the massacre at the well of Ma’una weighed heavily upon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Now, the Jewish tribe of An-Nadir had entered into an agreement with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and were also friendly to Abu Bara's tribe, so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) decided to go to them and ask to assist as per their part of the agreement. Omar, Abu Bakr and Ali accompanied the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to the fortresses of the An-Nadir that lay on the outskirts of Medina to speak with them. The Jews invited the Prophet and his Companions to sit in the shade of one of the walls of their houses and went off supposedly to raise the necessary funds. However, that was not their intent. For sometime they had been plotting ways in which to assassinate the Prophet and now here he was with just three of his Companions and no one else to defend him. The Jews connived together and decided that now the opportunity presented itself they would drop a millstone from the top of the house as the Prophet rested beneath it walls and kill him. However, Shalom, Mishkam’s son cautioned them against such an act and told them that Allah would reveal their plot to him, thereby admitting they knew he was a prophet. No one paid attention to Shalom and Amr, Jahsh’s son climbed up the stairs with a very heavy millstone. As Shalom predicted, Gabriel came to the Prophet and told him of their evil intent and the Prophet and his Companions got up subtly in a way in which the Jews did not notice and returned home. |