(r) came upon them in Rabi’ul-Awwal, 4 A.H. the siege of Banu an-Nadir lasted for six nights
whilst God cast terror in the hearts of the Jews. They requested the Prophet (r) that if he
agreed to spare their lives, they would abandon the city with their belongings except their
war implements. The offer was accepted and Banu an-Nadir departed from Madina after
destroying their houses and loading all that they could on their camels. (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II,
pp. 190-91)
The chapter of the Qur'an entitled al-Hashr (Exile) in the Qur’an calls attention to the ba-
nishment of Banuan-Nadir.
“He it is Who hath cause those of the People of the Scripture who disbelieved to go
forth from their homes unto the first exile. Ye deemed not that they would go forth,
while they deemed that their strongholds would protect them from Allah. But Allah
reached them from a place whereof they reckoned not and cast terror in their hearts
so that they ruined their house with their own hands and the hands of the believers.
So learn a lesson. O ye who have eyes!” [Qur'an 59:2]Many of these exiles settled in Khaybar, the Jewish centre in the north of Hijaz, whereas
others went away to the far-off Syria. And the Muslims got rid of that sneaky dark corner of
deception in their midst without having to meet the Jews in an open fight. The lands and
groves left by the Jews were divided up among the first Makkahn emigrants.
THE EXCURSION OF DHAT-UR-RIQ’A
In the fourth year of the Hijrah, the Prophet of God (r) decided to make an excursion into
Najd. Together with six companions that included Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, he took refuge from
an oasis in that area. The group had to cover the distance mostly on foot, as only one camel
was at their service. The incursion was called Dhat-ur-Riq’a as the companions taking part in
the expedition had to bandage their injured feet and toes. (Al-Bukhaari, Chap. Expedition of
Dhat’ur-Riq’a).
The Prophet (r)’s party approached the enemy, but there was no fighting for each feared
the other. The Prophet (r) led the prayer of fear in this expedition. (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p.
204).
WHO CAN NOW SAVE YOU?
While the Prophet (r) was on his way back to Medinah, he stopped and leaned back to
take rest under the shade of a thicket of acacia trees after hanging his sword to a branch.
Jabir relates that he was taking a nap along with his friends when they heard the Prophet
(r) calling them. They saw a Bedouin sitting by the side of the Prophet (r) and when they
went to him, he said, “I was sleeping when this man came and took hold of my sword. As I