Chapter on the Killing of Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf

Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz informed us, saying: Abu al-Abbas, Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, informed us, saying: Ahmad ibn Abd al-Jabbar informed us, saying: Yunus ibn Bukayr narrated to me from Ibn Ishaq, who said: Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr ibn Hazm and Salih ibn Abi Umamah ibn Sahl ibn Hunayf said, "The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, dispatched two emissaries to the people of Medina after the Battle of Badr, Zaid ibn Harithah to the people of Safilah, and Abdullah ibn Rawahah to the people of Al-A'liyah, to give them glad tidings of Allah's victory for His Prophet. Zaid ibn Harithah sent his son Usamah ibn Zaid when he got married to Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah. It was said to Usamah, 'Your father has come.' Usamah replied, 'I approached him while he was standing among the people saying, "Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah, Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, Nubayh and Munabbih were killed, and Umayyah ibn Khalaf." He was criticizing the nobles of the Quraysh. I asked, 'Is this more deserving, O my father?' He said, 'Yes, by Allah, O my son.' Abdullah mentioned their names" (Tafsir al-Tabari, al-Maghazi by Al-Waqidi, Ibn Sa'd, Ibn Habib, Ibn Hisham, Ibn Abd al-Barr in al-Durar [142], Ibn Hazm [154], Eyoon al-Athar, al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, al-Nawawi [17:72]).

Letter from Ibn Rawahah

Addressed to the noble people, when Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf received it, he exclaimed: "Is this more deserving of attention? These are the kings of the Arabs and the leaders of the people. A king has never faced the likes of these before."

Ka'b's Reaction

Ka'b then went to Mecca and stayed with 'Atikah bint Usaid ibn Abi al-Iyad, who was staying with Mut'im ibn Abu Widah. He wept over the Quraysh who had been killed and incited against the Messenger of Allah, saying: "The losses at Badr will forever haunt its people... For a battle like Badr, weep and mourn. The elite of the people were killed in their own dwellings... Do not be deceived, for kings can be overthrown. Many noble souls have perished... The one with glory to whom the destitute turn. Hands are lifted in supplication as the stars fall... The burden-bearers grow bold and demand their share. And people say, debased by their wrath... Indeed, Ibn al-Ashraf weeps in anguish."

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

They were truthful, so the earth would desire them for an hour, then they were killed... The land would mourn for its inhabitants and split apart.

He who spreads gossip with a stab... Or lives blind, unable to hear.

I was informed that Al-Harith ibn Hisham among them... Among the people, he builds righteousness and gathers.

He went to visit Yathrib in crowds, and indeed... He protects with noble lineage.

I was informed that all the Banu Kinanah... Submitted to the killing of Abu Al-Walid and diminished.

Ibn Ishaq said: And a woman from the Ansar said... I heard the saying of Ibn Al-Ashraf. The eyes wept for Badr and its people...

And Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib felt elevated in sorrow... And Hassan ibn Thabit said: The eyes of Ka'b wept...

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

At Badr, I saw some of them... The eyes wept and tears fell from them.

Ibn Ishaq said: Then Ka'b returned to Medina and praised Umm al-Fadl bint al-Harith, saying: You are a comfort, you have not veiled yourself with a veil... And you who abandon Umm al-Fadl, in the sanctuary, with your words. He sought vengeance with the women of the Muslims until he hurt them.

Abu al-Husayn ibn al-Fadl al-Qattan reported from Baghdad, saying Abu Bakr ibn Attab reported from al-Qasim ibn Abdullah ibn al-Mughira, who said Ibn Abi Uways reported from Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn Uqbah, from his uncle Musa ibn Uqbah, who said: "Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf was a Jewish man and one of the Banu Nadir, a noble among them, who harmed the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, with his incitement. He rode to the Quraysh and incited them against the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. Abu Sufyan said to him: I call upon you by Allah, tell me which religion do you consider dearer to Allah, our religion or the religion of Muhammad?"

After this incident, in the biography of Ibn Hisham, it was mentioned: He wept, as you have made a weaning slave weep... from one end to the next. For indeed the Merciful One healed a leader among us... and disgraced a people who fought him and caused chaos.

The rest of the story can be found in the biography of Ibn Hisham (2:430-436), as narrated by Ibn Kathir in al-Tarikh (4:6).

Dialogue with Ibn al-Ashraf

After having fed the pigs and offered water mixed with milk to the people, Ibn al-Ashraf commented, "You are more guided than them." He then left with the clear agreement of the polytheists to wage war against the Messenger of Allah, declaring their enmity. The Prophet then expressed concerns about Ibn al-Ashraf's hostility towards them and his incitement of others.

The Assassination of Ibn al-Ashraf

Muhammad bin Maslama volunteered to kill Ibn al-Ashraf and sought permission from the Prophet, which was granted. Returning to his household, he met Silkan bin Salama heading towards the Prophet. Muhammad bin Maslama informed him of the Prophet's instructions to kill Ibn al-Ashraf, who had been their confidant in the days of ignorance, and asked Silkan to hand him over for execution, to which Silkan agreed.

The Request for Permission

Upon returning with Silkan to the Prophet, the latter inquired if he had been ordered to kill Ka'b bin al-Ashraf. On receiving an affirmative response, Silkan reiterated his commitment to execute the task, prompting Muhammad bin Maslama to seek permission to carry out the deed as commanded.

Conversation with Ibn al-Ashraf

When I spoke to Ibn al-Ashraf, he said: "You are saying something permissible." Then Silkān, Muḥammad ibn Maslamah, ʿAbbād ibn Bishr ibn Waqsh, Salmah ibn Thābit ibn Waqsh, and Abū ʿAbs ibn Jabr went out until they found him on a moonlit night. They hid in the shadows of palm trees. When Silkān saw him, he called out: "O Kaʿb!" Kaʿb asked, "Who is this?" Silkān replied, "This is Abū Laylā, O Abā Nāʾilah." Kaʿb, also known as Abū Nāʾilah, replied, "Do not come down, for you are my enemy." Kaʿb's wife cautioned him not to go down as his brother would only come to him with good news. Despite her warning, Kaʿb descended.

Encounter with Silkān

When Kaʿb opened the door, Silkān asked him who he was. Kaʿb said, "Your brother." Silkān told him to bow his head, which Kaʿb did, and he recognized him. Silkān then approached the group and explained that they faced difficulty with their companion. Kaʿb agreed to talk and showed Silkān his armor inside a sheath of arrows. Kaʿb mentioned that they had dates, barley, and ghee, inviting them to his place. Silkān complimented Kaʿb's fragrance by touching and smelling his head. This act was repeated a few times until Kaʿb felt safe.

Deadly Betrayal

Then, Silkān seized Kaʿb's head swiftly, drew his sword, and killed him, declaring his enmity with God, to which Kaʿb's wife cried out. Silkān embraced Kaʿb and shouted for his companions to kill him in the name of God. They repeatedly stabbed him until one of them dealt him a fatal blow, and they left completely unaware of whether they hit his face or leg. They departed swiftly, leaving behind their wounded companion. When they returned, they found him clinging to life at the base of a cliff, so they carried him home to his family. Ultimately, Allah slew Ibn al-Ashraf due to his animosity towards God, His Messenger, and His incitement.

Translation of the Classical Arabic Text

Excerpt 1:

The killing of Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf was mentioned in the presence of Mu’awiyah, and Ibn Yamīn said: “His killing was treacherous.” Muhammad ibn Maslama then said to Mu’awiyah: “O Mu’awiyah, did the Messenger of Allah betray you, and you do not deny it! By Allah, a roof of a never-ending house will not cover me and you if the blood of this man remains without me killing him.” Ahmad [ibn Hanbal] said: What we have mentioned and continue to mention of the treachery of Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf, his breaking his covenant with the Messenger of Allah, and his enmity towards him and the Muslims, then whoever denies this statement is a liar, and it reflects his bad judgment and vile speech. Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf deserved to be killed due to his evident treachery, breach of covenant, and disbelief. Success is from Allah.

Excerpt 2:

Huwayy ibn Akhtab and Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf came to Makkah to the Quraysh. They swore to fight the Messenger of Allah. The Quraysh said to them: “You are the knowledgeable people of the ancient scriptures. Inform us about yourselves and about Muhammad.” They replied: “We clean the sacrificial animals, we mix milk with water, we treat the pilgrims, we connect family ties.” The Quraysh asked: “And Muhammad?” They answered: “A splitter of our families, followed by thieves.”

Source: This narrative is extracted from Musa ibn Uqbah in "Ad-Durar" by Ibn 'Abd al-Barr (p.143) and "‘Uyūn al-Athar" (1:356).

Al-Hajij Banu Ghifar

The Banu Ghifar said, "No, rather you are better than them and have shown a better way." So Allah, the Exalted, revealed: "Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, believing in superstition and false gods?"

Sufyan said, "The Ghifar were people of theft in the era of ignorance." Ibn Abi Uways informed us, saying, "Ibrahim bin Jafar bin Mahmoud bin Muslima narrated from his father from Jabir bin Abdullah who said: 'When Ka'b bin Ashraf left and went to Mecca and stayed there, he said, "I will not help him nor fight against him." So it was said to him in Mecca, 'O Ka'b, is our religion better or the religion of Muhammad and his companions?' He replied, 'Your religion is better and older, while the religion of Muhammad is new.' So the verse was revealed: 'Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, believing in superstition and false gods?' Then Ka’b bin Ashraf came to Al-Medina declaring his enmity to the Prophet and his coming. The first thing he said was: 'Depart, you refuse to adopt the exploits ... and one who abandons you is like abandoning the source of every merit in the Haram. Saffron, radiating, if you are squeezed, you will exude the scent of ambergris, henna, and perfume. The daughter of Amr stirred up the heart, and if she wished, she could cure Ka'b from sickness. I have never seen a sun before it rises, until it appeared to us on a night of darkness. He also said, 'She ground, with a grinding stone, Badr for the destruction of its people, and from such a Badr will the beginning be made." (Quran, Surah An-Nisa, 24:51)

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Changing Words in Poetry
He mentioned the verses we mentioned, changing a letter with another and omitting the seventh verse, saying: "For the destruction of Banu al-Hakim and drowning." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, once said in a gathering: "Who will go to Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf? For he has harmed us with his poetry and strengthened the polytheists against us." Muhammad ibn Maslamah said: "I will go, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet said: "Then you go." So Muhammad went for a while, then returned and said: "I have something to say." The Prophet said: "Say it." So Muhammad spoke, and the Prophet said, "Say you are in difficulty." Muhammad left and returned after a day or two until he reached Ka'b while he was leaning against a wall. Muhammad said, "O Ka'b, I have come about a need," and mentioned the incident regarding his killing. This narration has been reported through Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz who narrated through Abu Al-Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abdus, who narrated through Uthman ibn Saeed, who narrated through Ali ibn al-Madin, who narrated through Sufyan, who narrated through Amr ibn Dinar, who said: "I heard Jabir ibn Abdullah saying, 'The Messenger of Allah said: Whoever goes to Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, indeed he has harmed Allah and His Messenger.' Muhammad ibn Maslamah stood up and asked, 'O Messenger, do you approve if I kill him?' The Prophet said, 'Yes.' Muhammad asked, 'Allow me to say something.' The Prophet said, 'Say it.' So Muhammad went and said, 'This man has asked us for charity, and indeed he has burdened us, and I have come to ask you permission to deceive him.' The Prophet said, 'Yes, you may deceive him.' Muhammad then said, 'We have followed his trail and we disapprove of leaving him until we see how things turn out. We intended for him to trust us.' The Prophet said, 'Pledge me your women.' The companions asked him how they could pledge their women while he was the most handsome Arab. The Prophet replied, 'Pledge me your children.' The companions asked how they could pledge their children, and it was decided to pledge their trustworthiness as security in that regard."

Story of the Killing of Ka'b ibn Ashraf

One day, some people asked Sufyan: "Do you pledge allegiance to the enemy?" Sufyan said: "Do you mean weapons?" They replied yes, and Sufyan promised to bring them. That night, accompanied by Abu Na'ila, who was the brother of Ka'b through nursing, he called him outside the fort. When they came down, Sufyan's wife asked where he was going at this hour. Sufyan replied that it was only Muhammad ibn Maslama and his brother Abu Na'ila. He told them that when they see him they should extend their hands for safety.

He came to them with a pleasant smell, and said he had never smelled something as fragrant as that night. He asked Ka'b if he could smell his head, then he and his companions. When Ka'b asked if he could smell him, Sufyan said yes. As Ka'b leaned down, Sufyan told his companions to attack him. They hit and killed him, then went to the Prophet Muhammad and informed him.

Hadith Details

This story is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari by 'Ali ibn al-Madini, and the chain of narration is continued by Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn al-Hasan al-Qadi, Abu Sahl Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah ibn Ziyad al-Qattan, 'Abd al-Karim ibn al-Haytham, Abu al-Yaman, and Shu'ayb from al-Zuhri, with Abu Dawud also mentioning it in the chapter of jihad with a separate chain of narration.

Life of Ka'b ibn Malik

Imam Ahmad reported that 'Abdullah ibn Ka`b ibn Malik was one of the three persons (from the Ansar) on whom the pledge of allegiance was taken. He said: Ka`b ibn Malik al-Asadi informed me that Ka`b ibn al-Ashraf was a Jewish poet, who would satirize and incite the Quraysh against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in his poetry. Upon emigrating to Madinah, the Muslims, the pagans, and the Jews lived together, with the Jews inhabiting the districts and the fortresses surrounding Madinah. They were confederates of the Banu al-Aus and Banu al-Khazraj, the two main tribes in Madinah.

Patience and Forgiveness

Despite facing verbal abuse and harm from the pagan Quraysh and the Jewish community in Madinah, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and his companions were instructed by Allah to exercise patience and forgiveness towards them. Allah revealed verses exhorting patience and forgiveness towards those who cause harm and exhibit envy towards the believers. When Ka`b ibn al-Ashraf persistently refused to cease his harm towards the Prophet and the Muslims, the Messenger of Allah instructed Sa`d ibn Mu`adh to send a group to kill him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then dispatched a group to confront Ka`b, who expressed fear upon seeing them and disapproved of their intentions.

Meeting with a Group of People

When they were asked, "What has brought you here?" They replied, "We have come with a need to you." He said, "Let some of you draw near to me and tell me about it." So, some of them approached him and said, "We have come to sell you arms so that we may spend their proceeds in charity." He said, "By Allah, if you do that, indeed you have exerted yourself. This man has been afflicted with you. So, he made an appointment with them to come to him in the evening, away from public view. They came, and a man from among them called out, and he stood up to leave. His wife asked him, 'What have they approached you for at this hour, something that you would like?' He replied, 'Yes, indeed they have informed me of their purpose.' Abu 'Abbas embraced him, but Muhammad ibn Maslamah struck him with a sword. Some of them stabbed him with a sword in his side. When they killed him, the Jews and their pagan allies were frightened."

Reaction of the People and the Prophet

The next morning, they went to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and informed him that their leader was killed, triggering fear in the community. The Prophet reminded them of the warnings he had given them in his sermons and invited them to draft a document between themselves and the Muslims to resolve the issue. The Prophet (peace be upon him) wrote a comprehensive document between them and the Muslims. The document remained with Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Story of the Killing of Ibn al-Ashraf

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us saying: Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub narrated to us that Ahmad ibn Abd al-Jabbar told us, saying: Yunus ibn Bukayr reported from Ibn Ishaq, who said that Abdullah ibn Al-Mughith reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Who will rid me of Ibn al-Ashraf?" Then he mentioned the incident in detail and named those who gathered to kill him: Muhammad ibn Maslamah, Silkān ibn Salamah ibn Waqsh, known as Abu Na'ilah, one of the Banu 'Abd al-Ashhal, who was a foster brother of Ka'b, 'Abbad ibn Bishr ibn Waqsh, brother of the Banu 'Abd al-Ashhal, al-Harith ibn Aws ibn Mu'adh, one of the Banu 'Abd al-Ashhal, Abu 'Abs ibn Jabr, one of the Banu Harithah. It was mentioned that al-Harith ibn Aws was injured by some of their swords in his head and leg. They brought him to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the middle of the night while he was praying, so they greeted him with Salam. The Messenger of Allah then came out and was informed of the enemy of Allah, so he spat on the wound of our companion and we returned to our families.

Additional Narrations

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz also mentioned that Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub narrated the biography of Ibn Hisham, who reported from Abdullah ibn Al-Mughith ibn Abu Burdah Al-Zafri, Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Hazm, Asim ibn Umar ibn Qatadah, and Salih ibn Abu Umamah ibn Sahl. Each of them had shared some parts of the story as well.

Hadith Narration

Narrated by Ibn Abbas: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, walked with them to Baqi al-Gharqad. Then he turned toward them and said, "Go in the name of Allah. O Allah, help them."

Incident of Muhyisa and Ibn Sunayna

Hadith: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "Whoever you find from the men of the Jews, kill him." So Muhyisa bin Mas'ud jumped upon Ibn Sunayna, a man from the Jewish traders who used to deal and engage in transactions with them, and killed him. At that time, Huwayyisa bin Mas'ud had not yet embraced Islam and he was older than Muhyisa. When he killed him, Huwayyisa started hitting him saying, "O enemy of Allah, I killed him. By Allah, a fat was lying in his belly from his property." Muhyisa said, "I was commanded to kill him as he commanded me to kill you. Would you have liked me to let him go after he had tried to kill me?"

Conversion of Huwayyisa

The incident led to Huwayyisa embracing Islam on that day. It is reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, when he learned of the killing of the Jewish man, ordered this.