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100<br />
<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: