Life in Madinah- Expulsion of Jews

Expulsion of Jews from Madinah

Introduction:
There were three tribes of Jews in Madina:
1. Banu Nadir
2. Banu Qaynuqa
3. Banu Qurayza

Bani Nadir and Bani Qurayza had the best agricultural lands in Madina. The Jews of Madina had close relations with
the powerful settlement of Jews in Khyber. Pre-Hijrat Arabs of Yasrib clashed with the Jews because:

I) Bani Qaynuqa, who were goldsmiths and bankers, were loan sharks. They practiced usury, which was banned in
Islam.
II) Bani Nadir and Bani Qurayza had the best lands; the land-hungry Arabs yearned for a fair division of the extremely
fertile lands around Madina.

Muhammad (PBUH)’s attempts at a settlement with the Jews:

According to the Charter of Madina:
I) Muslims and Jews formed one political Ummah or State.
II) The allies and clients of Jews enjoyed the security and freedom given to the Jews.
III) Jewish citizens would have the same rights as Muslims citizens of Madina.
IV) Jews could practice their religion as freely as the Muslims.

Besides, these provisions were made to strengthen the bond between Muslims and Jews:
1. The Jews‘ holy city, Jerusalem, was the Qibla of the Muslims.
2. Muslims kept fast on Ashura.
3. Muslims also prayed at the time of Jewish mid-day worship.
4. Muslims were allowed to eat food with Jews.
5. Muslims were allowed to marry Jewish women.

Jewish attempts to provoke the Muslims:

Jews joined forces with the Munafiqeen, who were headed by Abdullah bin Obay.
Jewish poets satirized Muhammad (PBUH), the Quran and Muslim women.
Jews intentionally mispronounced the Quran, changing its meaning and committing blasphemy.
Finally, these steps were taken against the Jews, before extraditing them:

I) Qibla was changed from Jerusalem to Makkah.

II) Fasting was enjoined in the month of Ramadan.
III) Jews were denounced for altering the words of their Torah and corrupting their own religion.

Expulsion of Bani Qaynuqa (February, 624 AD) – After Badr:

Bani Qaynuqa were goldsmiths and bankers. They lent Muslims money and charged heavy interest on it, which was
against the Muslim law. A Muslim woman went to a Qaynuqite goldsmith‘s shop to buy some gold ornaments; A Jew
pinned her skirt to her dress; when the woman got up, her back was bared and nearby Jews jeered lewdly; on this, a
Muslim man killed a laughing Jew; the rest of the Jews killed the Muslim man.

Muhammad (PBUH) hoisted the white banner with which the Muslims had fought at Badr and lay siege to the
fortress-houses of the Jews. After a siege of 15 days, Jews surrendered. Muhammad (PBUH) gave all 400 men a
death sentence. Abdullah bin Obay came to their rescue.
Finally, Bani Qaynuqa was expelled from Madina. Muslims received the Jews‘ goldsmith tools and household goods.

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Allah, the Exalted, says in the Holy Quran :
O you who believe! Take not as your advisors those outside your religion since they will not fail to do their best to
corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their
breasts conceal is far worse….. (3:118)

Expulsion of Bani Nadir (June, 625 AD) – After Uhad:

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) and a number of Companions went together to Banu Nadir, one of the three Jewish
tribe of Madina. Their purpose was to ask them to help pay blood money for two people that were killed from Banu
Amir tribe. The giving of such help was binding upon Banu Nadir; one of the conditions of the peace pact they made
with the Muslims was that they would help in the matter of blood money.

Apparently the Jews showed willingness to help the Muslims, but when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was sitting beside
the wall of one of their houses, seeing how vulnerable he was, their leaders said to one another, ―Indeed, you will
never again find the man to be in a similar situation. Who among us will climb this house and throw a large stone at
him, thus freeing us from him.‖
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was informed of this plan through revelation. He instantly left the place and then sent
Muhammad bin Maslamah Ansari to convey to them the message that he knew precisely what it was that they were
plotting.

Muhammad (PBUH) gave the Jews an ultimatum telling them to leave Madina within ten days, with half of the
agricultural produce of their lands. After a siege of 14 days, Jews departed with as much as they could carry on their
camels. Their lands were divided between the Muhajireen and 2 destitute Ansar. Some of the Bani Nadir settled in
Khyber and later conspired with the Quraish before the Battle of the Ditch.

Expulsion of Bani Qurayza (March, 627 AD) – After Battle of the Ditch:
As the people of Banu Qurayza had exhibited open betrayal and hostility towards Muslims at the time of the Battle
of the Ditch which was a violation of the pact that they had signed with them, Muhammad (PBUH) besieged their
fortresses for 25 days.

Bani Qurayza offered to leave Madina on the same terms as the other two Jewish tribes, but this offer was rejected.
Their allies, Aus, pleaded with Muhammad (PBUH) to be lenient with the Bani Qurayza. Muhammad (PBUH) offered
the Jews a chance to be judged by a person from their allied tribe, Aus.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) nominated Hazrat Saad bin Muaz for this task.

Hazrat Saad, according to the Torah, sentenced all the Jewish men to death, and declared that the women and
children be sold as slaves. Accordingly, 600-700 Jewish men were executed for their treachery. Allah, the Exalted,
says in the Holy Quran:

“And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers), Allah brought them down from their
forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives
And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches……” (33:25-27)

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