l'riw alia TrtaRIlI^141
came from so many froms that the Muslims couJd not per form the early
afternoon and midafte.rnoon prayers (ai;ZNhr and ol-asr') at meir respective
rimes, nor after that me sunset prayer (al-maghrib). The Prophet was
annoyed, and th e siege was beginning to affect the Companions' motale.
Revelation tells of their feelings:
When they came on you from abovc you and from below you [from all
sides], and when the eyes swerved and the hearts gaped up to the throats,
and you imagined various thoughts about God! In Ulal situation, the
Believers wen:: tried: they were shaken as by a tremendous shaking. 20The trial \vas a difficuJt one, and it also revealed the sincerity and fideli-
ty of tribes as well as individuals. Not only had the war brought to light
the Banu Qurayzah clan's double-dealing, but it had also, once again,
exposed the hypocrites, who were quick to mink of reconsidering their
commitment or even surrendering. The Quean says: "And when the hyp-
ocrites and those in whose heart is a disease [doubtJ say: 'God and His
Messenger promised us nothing but delusions!",21 Some wanted to rerum
to their families, saying, " TruJy our houses arc bare and exposed."22
Others merdy wanted to escape the fighting and p ro tec t themselves, since
it seemed obvious to them that the Muslims' defense would shortly give
way. Resisting fo r days in this manner appeared impossible.
The majoriry of ~'Iuslims, however, were faithful to the Prophet and
his example and shared his determination. It is in relation to this crisis,
which brought to light the depth and sincerity of faith and of commit-
ment to the One, that the verse abom the Prophet's exemplarity was
- revealed: ' 'You have indeed in the 1"1essenger of God an excellent exam~
pIe for he who hopes in [aspires to get close to] God and the Final Day
and who remembers God imenseiy." 23
The meaning of the verse far transcends the circumstances of that bat-
tle. It tells of th e Prophet's role and status in and for the life of every
i\I uslim individual, but it takes on an even more powerful dimension when
one remembers the circumstances of its Revelation: a besieged commu-
nity, shaken, unable within the scope of human sight and intelligence to
sec any way out of the impending clisaster, whose ranks dwindle away
through desertion and treaso n, and who unite around the Messenger, his
faith, and his trust. Revelation confirms this: