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Life-of-Muhammad

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<strong>Life</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Muhammad</strong> sa<br />

did not reprove him for letting go this Jewish leader.<br />

Rather, he approved <strong>of</strong> what had been done.<br />

The disposition to make peace and to accept the<br />

award <strong>of</strong> the Prophet sa had been expressed only by<br />

individual Jews. As a people, they remained adamant<br />

and refused to accept the award <strong>of</strong> the Prophet sa and<br />

asked, instead, for the award <strong>of</strong> Sa‘d ra bin Mu‘adh<br />

(Bukhari, Tabari and Khamis). The Prophet sa accepted<br />

their demand and sent word to Sa‘d ra , who was lying<br />

wounded, to come and give his award on the Jewish<br />

breach <strong>of</strong> faith. As soon as the Prophet's sa decision was<br />

announced, the Ausites who had been allies <strong>of</strong> the Banu<br />

Quraiza for a long time ran to Sa‘d ra and began to press<br />

him to give his award in favour <strong>of</strong> the Banu Quraiza.<br />

The Khazraj, they said, had always tried to save Jews<br />

allied to them. It was up to Sa‘d ra to save the Jews allied<br />

to his tribe. Sa‘d ra went mounted to the Banu Quraiza.<br />

Men <strong>of</strong> his tribe ran with him on both sides, pressing<br />

him not to punish the Banu Quraiza. All that Sa‘d ra said<br />

in reply was that the person who had to make an award<br />

held a trust. He had to discharge the trust with<br />

integrity. "I will therefore give my award, taking<br />

everything into consideration, and without fear or<br />

favour," he said. When Sa‘d ra reached the Jewish<br />

fortress, he saw the Banu Quraiza lined up against the<br />

wall <strong>of</strong> the fort, waiting for him. On the other side were<br />

Muslims. When Sa‘d ra got near them he asked, "Will you<br />

accept my award?" They said, "Yes."<br />

SA‘D'S ra AWARD IN HARMONY WITH THE BIBLE<br />

Turning to the Banu Quraiza he asked the same<br />

question,and they also agreed. Then shyly he pointed to<br />

the side where the Prophet sa was sitting and asked if the<br />

people on that side also agreed to abide by his award.<br />

On hearing this, the Prophet sa replied, "Yes" (Tabari and<br />

Hisham). Then Sa‘d ra gave his award in accordance with<br />

the following commandment <strong>of</strong> the Bible. Says the Bible:

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