islamic-jihad-legacy-of-forced-conversion-imperialism-slavery

Life of Prophet Muhammad and the Birth of JihadA Jewish woman, whose husband was beheaded, demanded the same fate for herself too thanbecoming a slave to her husband’s murderers. Her wish was granted and she accepted death with a smilingface. Muhammad’s young wife Aisha, who witnessed the massacre, later used to say that this heroine’s smileas she embraced death was to haunt her ever after. According to Ibn Ishaq, ‘Aisha used to say, ‘I shall neverforget my wonder at her good spirits and her loud laughter when all the time she knew that she would bekilled.’’ 81 Another old Jewish man, named al-Zabir, who had earlier saved lives of some Muslims, was offeredpardon. But he declined it saying that he had no desire to live anymore, since all of his dear ones were gone.Ibn Ishaq records of him saying: ‘‘What does an old man without family and without children want with life.’’Muhammad shouted: ‘‘Yes, you too will join them—in the fire of Hell’’ and order his execution. 82Of the properties of Banu Qurayza captured as the sacred booty, Muhammad kept one-fifth as hisown share and the rest were distributed amongst his followers. The captive women and children were alsodistributed likewise. The young and pretty ones amongst the female captives became sex-slaves; Muhammadhimself took a beautiful woman, named Rayhana, as his own concubine. He took her to bed on the same nightafter slaughtering the men. Some of the women were sold overseas for acquiring weapons and horses forusing in future battles of which records Ibn Ishaq: ‘Then the apostle sent Sa’d b. Zayd al-Ansari… with someof the captive women of B. Qurayza to Najd and he sold them for horses and weapons.’ 83Attack on the Jews of Khaybar: With the extermination of Banu Qurayza, Medina was cleansed ofthe Jews. Muhammad’s attention now turned to the Jewish community away in Khaybar, another powerfulJewish stronghold in the Arabian Peninsula, located about seventy miles north of Medina on the way to Syria.He was particularly resentful of the exiled Banu Nadir Jews, who had resettled there after their expulsion fromMedina. Its leader Abu Rafi was among the confederate army that laid siege on Medina in the battle of theDitch. Therefore, revenge against Abu Rafi and his community was due.Soon afterwards (627), Muhammad sent an expedition to Khaybar under the command of Ali, whichyielded no result except the capture of camels and flocks. Muhammad then sent a band of assassins to murderAbu Rafi. The assassins on a friendly pretension got access into the house of Abu Rafi and dispatched him.When the successful assassins returned to Medina, the Prophet exclaimed: ‘‘Success attend you!’’ ‘‘And thee,O Prophet!’’ they replied.’ 84 Another such assassination mission was sent forth to murder Osier (Yuseir), theleader of Khaybar. But the Jews were very alert this time round and the mission failed.Then in January 628, Muhammad openly sent a delegation of thirty Muslims to Khaybar fornegotiations with its leader. After their arrival, they assured Oseir that ‘Muhammad would make him rulerover Khaybar and treat him with distinction and gave him a solemn guarantee of safety.’ Upon this assurance,a delegation of thirty Khaybar men, led by Oseir, headed for Medina. Each Jewish man sat behind a Muslimon the camel and when some distance away from Khaybar, Muslims fell upon the Jews and killed them withonly one escaping. When this brutal murder of the Jews was recounted to Muhammad, he thanked God,saying, ‘‘Verily, the Lord hath delivered you from an unrighteous people.’’ 85Next in May 628, the Prophet set upon an expedition against Khaybar with himself at the commandof 1,600-strong army. They approached Khaybar secretly by night. According to Ibn Ishaq, when the workersof Khaybar came out in the morning with their spades and baskets, they saw the apostle and the army. So,‘they cried, ‘Muhammad with his force’ and turned tail and fled. The apostle said, ‘Allah akbar! Khaybar isdestroyed.’’ 86 When the sanguinary battle ensued, Muslims at length achieved victory with ninety-three81. Ibn Ishaq, p. 465; also Walker, p. 185–8682. Ibn Ishaq, p. 46683. Ibid, p. 46584. Muir, p. 34885. Ibid, p. 34986. Ibn Ishaq, p. 511; also see Bukhari 2:6836