The Tribe of Banu al-Nadir
The Banu al-Nadir, a group of Jews residing in Medina, exhibited hostility towards Islam and its followers, harboring enmity and plotting against them. However, they refrained from open warfare, instead choosing to employ deceitful tactics and conspiracies to undermine the Muslim community, even reaching out clandestinely to the hypocrites and pagan tribes of Mecca in their quest to harm the Muslims. This ongoing animosity persisted despite the mutual treaties and agreements established between them and the Muslim community.
The Direct Cause of the Expedition Against Banu al-Nadir
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) endured the provocations from Banu al-Nadir until their audacity reached a point where they conspired to assassinate him. It is reported that he had sought their assistance to pay the blood money for two men from Banu Amir, whom Amr ibn Umayyah al-Dhamri had killed while returning from the incident at Bir Ma’una. At that time, he was unaware of the existing covenant between the Muslims and the Jews.
The Banu al-Nadir appeared willing to assist in accordance with their obligations under the treaties with the Muslims. They requested the Prophet (peace be upon him) to wait while they fulfilled their requirements. Consequently, he sat beside the wall of one of their houses, accompanied by some of his companions.
Seeing the Prophet (peace be upon him) among them, the Banu al-Nadir were incited by temptation to conspire against him, planning to drop a stone on him. This nefarious idea was led by their most wicked member, Amr ibn Juhash. Allah revealed this treachery to the Prophet (peace be upon him), prompting him to return to Medina, where he informed his companions of the revelation and prompted them to prepare for conflict against Banu al-Nadir. He appointed Ibn Umm Maktum to take charge of Medina in his absence.
Consequences of the Expedition Against Banu al-Nadir
The Prophet (peace be upon him) dispatched Muhammad ibn Maslama to the Banu al-Nadir, ordering them to leave the city within ten days. In response, their chief, Huyayy ibn Akhtab, sent a message back asserting that they would not vacate their homes and were unconcerned with the potential actions of the Muslims. This defiance came after correspondence between him and the hypocrite leader Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, who had falsely encouraged their confidence.
Expulsion of Banu al-Nadir
The Prophet (peace be upon him) approached Banu al-Nadir, who had barricaded themselves in their homes. He initiated a siege that lasted six nights, ordering the destruction of their palm trees and the demolition of their homes. They were instructed to leave the city with nothing but their lives and what their camels could carry, exempting weaponry.
Allah instilled fear in the hearts of Banu al-Nadir, as well as among their hypocritical allies who failed to support them. This led to individuals from their ranks dismantling their own homes to load them onto their camels, as they departed with their women and children on approximately six hundred camels, fleeing to Khaybar.
The Spoils of Banu al-Nadir
The Prophet (peace be upon him) seized the property of the Banu Qurayza, along with their weapons, securing about fifty suits of armor and fifty helmets. This acquisition was considered a lawful gain for him, as it was obtained without direct combat. The fear placed in the Banu al-Nadir’s hearts forced their expulsion to Khaybar without a fight. The Prophet (peace be upon him) distributed the wealth among the emigrants to relieve the financial burden on the Ansar, who had previously shared their resources with them. He also provided support to Abu Dujana and Sahl ibn Hanif from the Ansar, owing to their poverty.
The Role of the Hypocrites in the Expedition Against Banu al-Nadir
The hypocrites learned of the predicament faced by their allies, the Banu al-Nadir, and how the Prophet (peace be upon him) had commanded them to evacuate their homes. Their leader, Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, assured them that he would stand by them, alive or dead, claiming he would fight alongside his followers, numbering around two thousand Arabs. He also promised that their allies from Ghatafan and the Banu Qurayza would lend them support.
The Banu al-Nadir, trusting the reassurances from the hypocrites, grew complacent and were falsely assured of victory over the Muslims. They decided to remain in their homes and sent a message to the Prophet (peace be upon him) stating their refusal to leave, fortifying themselves with stones and arrows.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) advanced against them, Allah instilled fear in both factions. The hypocrites abandoned the Banu al-Nadir, leaving them to their fate, as did their allies from Ghatafan, leading the Banu al-Nadir to despair of support. Ultimately, they were besieged by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), resulting in their expulsion from Medina.