The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

IMAM ABO AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATH~R
down your arms! I swear by God, we have not! Go out and battle them!' The
Messenger of God (SAAS) asked, 'Where to?' 'Over here,' Gabriel responded,
gesturing towards Bana Quraym. And so the Messenger of God (SAAS) went
forth against them."' Hishk stated, 'My father informed me that they accepted
the authority of the Prophet (SAAS) over them and that he then delegated
that authority to Sa'd. He then stated, "I judge that the warriors be executed,
that their women and offspring he taken captive and that their properties be
divided up.""'
Hishw went on, "My father stated further, 'I was told that the Messenger of
God (SAAS) said, "You have judged them by God's judgement."'"
Al-Bukhnri stated, "Zakariyyz' b. Yahyx related to us, quoting 'Ahd Allnh b.
Numayr, quoting Hishk, from his father, from 'A'isha, who said, 'At al-khandaq
Sa'd was wounded. One of Quraysh, a man named Hihhxn h. CAriqa, shot an
arrow at him and hit hi
in the main vein in his arm. The Prophet (SAAS) set
up a tent for him in the mosque so that he could visit hi
from nearby. When
the Messenger of God (SAAS) had returned from al-khandaq and had put
down his weapons and had bathed, Gabriel, shaking dust off his head, came to
hi and said, "So, you have put down your weapons? I swear by God, I've not
done that! Go forth against them!" The Prophet (SAAS) asked, "Where to?"
Gabriel then gestured towards Ban Qurayza. The Messenger of God (SAAS)
then did go out against them and they accepted his authority; he then delegated
this authority to Sa'd. The latter decreed, "I judge that their warriors be executed,
that their women and offspring be taken captive and that their properties be
divided up." "'
Hishzm went on, "My father quoted 'A'isha as saying that Sakl stated, '0
God, You well know that there is no one I would rather fight on your behalf than
a people who have called Your messenger a liar and have exiled hi. 0 God, I
believe You have put an end to warfare between us and them. Give me life for so
long as there is any warfare against eraysh, so that I may fight against them for
You. And if You have brought the war to an end, recommence it and place my
death therein.' Then there was an explosive emission from his upper chest, hut
this did not alarm anyone. But there was a tent (for the wounded) belonging to
Banii Ghifa in the mosque. And, when the blood began streaming down towards
them, they shouted, 'Hey, you in the tent, what is this coming down to us from
you?' It was from Sa'd; his wound was streaming blood and he died of it."
This was related by Muslim from a hadith of 'Abd All& b. Numayr.
I would comment that Sa'd frst spoke this prayer before he passed judgement
on Bann Qurama. This is why he prayed that his death not occur before he
had settled with Bann Qurayza. And God did answer his prayer. After issuing
his judgement on them, and God had pleased hi greatly thereby, he prayed a
second time in this way and God then gave him martyrdom, may God he pleased
with him and give hi pleasure. Reference to his death will come shortly, if
God so wills it.