Chapter on the Expedition of Bani An-Nadir and the Revelation of Allah's Praise for His Messenger concerning what Bani An-Nadir intended with their deceit

It has been narrated that the Zuhri said that some believed the incident of Bani An-Nadir occurred before Uhud, while others believed it happened after Uhud and after the incident of Bi'r Ma'unah. The details of this account have been previously mentioned.

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported that Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub narrated to them from Ahmed ibn Abdul Jabbar, who narrated from Yunus ibn Bukayr, who narrated from Ibn Ishaq, that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went to Bani An-Nadir seeking their help in paying the blood money for the two killed men from Bani Amir. There was an agreement and pact between Bani An-Nadir and Bani Amir. When the Messenger of Allah asked them for help in paying the blood money, they agreed to assist him. However, some of them had a secret conversation and expressed their doubts about finding a man suitable for their plan. The Messenger of Allah was sitting beside a wall of their houses when they suggested finding a man to climb a house and drop a rock on him, thus killing him and ending their problem. Amr ibn Jahhash volunteered for the job and proceeded to fulfill their plan by climbing the house to throw a rock at the Messenger of Allah.

Prophet Muhammad's Strategy in the Battle of Khaybar

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, along with a group of his companions, including Abu Bakr, Umar, and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them), received news from the sky about the plans of the people. The Prophet then instructed his companions not to leave and returned to Medina.

When the Prophet's companions delayed their journey to meet him, they encountered a man coming from Medina who informed them that the Prophet had already entered the city. The companions then caught up with him and the Prophet informed them of the Jews' plans for treachery. The Prophet ordered war against them and led the people towards the enemy, where they fortified themselves in castles. The Prophet commanded cutting down the palm trees and setting them on fire as a strategic measure.

When questioned about this act, the Prophet replied that he was preventing corruption, as decreed by Allah in the Quran. Even though the destruction seemed extensive, it was necessary to humiliate and deter the wrongdoers. A similar incident occurred with the Banu Nadir tribe, where the Prophet ordered cutting down their palm trees and setting them on fire. Again, Allah clarified in the Quran that it was not corruption but a means to a justified end.

Another narration by Ibn Ishaq recounts the burning of the palm trees of the Banu Nadir tribe as a strategic move by the Prophet during the siege, demonstrating his sound tactical decisions during warfare.

Translation: Burning the Palm Trees of Banu Nadir

By Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Fadl ibn Muhammad ibn Aqil al-Khuza'i

Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Fadl ibn Muhammad ibn Aqil al-Khuza'i narrated to us, saying: Ibrahim ibn Hashim al-Baghawi informed us, saying: Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Asma narrated to us, saying: My paternal uncle, Juwayriya ibn Asma, reported to me from Nafi', from Abdullah, that the Prophet, peace be upon him, ordered the burning of the palm trees of Banu Nadir, specifically the Buwayrah, and it was owned by Hissan.

Abu al-Hasan mentioned regarding the incident involving the Sarat of Banu Lu'ay that there was a huge conflagration at Buwayrah. This had been narrated by Al-Bukhari in Sahih from Ishaq ibn Nasr, from Habban, from Juwayriya ibn Asma. Additionally, Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith responded by saying, "May Allah perpetuate this from a noble act... He set ablaze in its surroundings the Hellfire. You will know whose end is disgraceful and which of our lands will be affected."

In another narration, it was reported that the Prophet, peace be upon him, was among his relatives, Banu Lu'ay, but it was stated that they were the nobles of the Quraysh. As Al-Karmani mentioned, this refers to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and his kin. This incident took place during the breach of the treaty between the Quraysh and the Prophet, peace be upon him.

It should be noted that the term "Mustatir" meant widespread or scattered. The hadith is found in Al-Bukhari through Ishaq, from Habban, from Juwayriya, transmitted via Nafi, from Ibn Umar in the chapter of the Campaigns, under the heading of the incident involving Banu Nadir, recorded in different sources.

The participation of Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith, a cousin of the Prophet, peace be upon him, who converted to Islam later, is also documented in the historical accounts. He accompanied the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the Battle of Hunayn after his conversion.

The prayers were aimed at invoking the burning and destruction of the infidels' lands by the Muslims. It was not a supplication against them but a wish to see the land associated with the infidels destroyed. This was specifically referring to the regions surrounding Medina and other areas populated by Muslims.

It signifies that two lands were mentioned - one representing faith, symbolized by Medina, and the other denoting disbelief, represented by Mecca.

Transmission of the Hadith

Narrated by Abu Abdullah Al-Hafidh, who narrated that Abu Al-Husayn ibn Ya'qub said that Abu al-Abbas Al-Sarraj informed him, who narrated from Abu al-Mundhir, who narrated from Yahya ibn Hammad, who narrated from Juwayriyah. The hadith states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) cut and burnt the palm trees of Bani Nadir.

Chain of Narrators

The hadith was also narrated by Abu Muhammad ibn Abi Hamid Al-Muqri, Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn Al-Hasan Al-Qadi, and Abu Sadiq Muhammad ibn Ahmad Al-Attar, all confirming the authenticity of the narration.

Explanation

It is mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) cut and burnt the palm trees of Bani Nadir, specifically at Al-Buwairah. This action was followed by a revelation from Allah, as mentioned in Surah Al-Hashr, verse 5, condemning the actions of the hypocrites.

Story of the Jewish tribes of Banu Nadir and Qurayzah

It was narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fought against the Jewish tribes of Banu Nadir and Qurayzah. He banished Banu Nadir and spared Qurayzah, even granting them favors, until eventually Qurayzah too engaged in battle. This hadith is recorded in authentic hadith collections.

Hadith Narration Chain

1. Abu al-Hasan al-Alawi reported that Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Al-Husayn al-Qattan narrated from Abu al-Azhar, who heard from Muhammad ibn Shurahbeel, who narrated from Ibn Jurayj, from Musa ibn Uqbah, from Nafi', from Ibn Umar.

2. Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz reported from Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn al-Mani, who narrated from Isma'il ibn Qutaybah, who heard from Yazid ibn Salih, who reported from Bukayr ibn Ma'ruf, from Muqatil ibn Hayyan.

Prophet's Strategy in Battle

According to the Quranic verse, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would demolish walls of enemy strongholds to create more space for combat. The Jews had a practice of drilling holes in their homes to defend when attacked. This strategy is highlighted by the verse: "So take warning, O people of vision." (Quran, Surah Al-Hashr, 59:2)

Interpretation of a Quranic Passage

Explanation:

The verse mentioned in this passage discusses the cutting down of palm trees and the destruction of crops during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Jews criticized the Prophet's actions of cutting down their palm trees, accusing him of causing corruption. This caused concern among the Muslims, who feared that this act might constitute wrongdoing. However, Allah revealed that whatever was cut down was by His permission and what was left standing was also by His permission. This reassured the Prophet and the believers, while bringing disgrace to the wrongdoers.

Historical Incident

During a siege, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reached an agreement with the opposing party to spare their lives and relocate them to another land. For every three individuals, a camel and provisions were provided, and the term "al-Jala" refers to the act of expelling people from their land to another.

Commentary on Surah Al-Hashr

It is mentioned that Surah Al-Hashr was revealed concerning the Banu Nadir tribe.

Prophetic Mission to the Banu Nadir Tribe

Imam al-Bukhari included in his authentic collection, from another perspective, a narration by Hushaym:

Chain of Narration

Abu al-Hasan Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ishaq al-Bazzaz narrated to us in Baghdad, saying Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Fakihi informed us. He said, "Abu Yahya ibn Abi Masarra narrated to us, who said, 'Ya'qub ibn Muhammad al-Zuhri informed us, who said, 'Ibrahim ibn Ja'far ibn Mahmud ibn Muhammad ibn Muslima narrated from his father, from his grandfather, from Muhammad ibn Muslima: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent him to the Banu Nadir tribe and instructed him to delay their expulsion for three nights.'

Narration Details

When Muhammad ibn Muslima, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came to them, he said, 'I have been sent by the Messenger of Allah to you to tell you to leave my land.' When they received him, they said, 'The Messenger of Allah sent me to you with a message, which I will not convey until I inform you of something you are familiar with in your gathering.' They asked, 'What is it?' He responded, 'I remind you of the Torah that Allah revealed to Moses: Do you know that I came to you before Muhammad was sent, and you have the Torah between you? You said to me in this gathering, 'O son of Muslima, if you wish, we will provide for you, and if you wish, we will deprive you. I said to you, 'Rather, provide for me, and do not deprive me. By Allah, I will never be deprived.’ You then provided for me in a garment of yours and said, ‘What prevents you from our religion except that it is the religion of the Jews, as if you desire the Hanifiyyah you have heard of. But indeed, Abu 'Amir al-Rahib is not with you. Its [true] bearer, the Laughing Conqueror with red eyes, will come to you from the direction of Yemen, riding a camel, wearing two garments. His sword will be on his shoulder, speaking wisdom as if it were your own book. By Allah, he will bring pillage, death, and great calamity to your village. They said, 'Indeed, we have said that but it has not been fulfilled.' The man then left, saying, 'I am done. Truly, the Messenger of Allah has sent me to you, saying, 'You have violated the covenant made with you by betraying me.’ And he informed them of what they concealed as they planned, and of 'Amr ibn Jahash appearing at the house to undermine it with a boulder, they remained silent, not uttering a word. He commanded them to leave his land and granted them a respite of ten days. Whoever is seen after that will have their neck struck.’ They said, 'O Muhammad, we did not expect that a man from the Aws would bring this.' Muhammad ibn Muslima said, 'Hearts changed. They remained for days making preparations. They sent out to their supporters in Dhul Jadara to fetch weapons, and they gathered men from the bravest among them and amidst camels, they found those for combat.'