Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Ka'b ibn Ashraf was a wealthy Jew of Madinah.
With the advent of Islam, he felt a great blow to his capitalistic prestige, and he would constantly devise schemes day and night to uproot Islam.
He would incite the disbelievers of Makkah to fight the Noble Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) by lamenting over those disbelievers who were killed at Badr, and he would compose satirical and derogatory poetry against the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
For this impure mission, he even went to Makkah once after the Battle of Badr.
Eventually, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), being fed up with his indecent actions, presented his case before the assembly of the Companions, upon which Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) volunteered himself.
He sought permission from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), saying, "I will go to him and say whatever is appropriate about you in his presence. Please grant me permission."
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) granted him permission, so Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu), along with Ka'b's foster brother Abu Na'ilah, went to him at night.
Ka'b called them inside the fortress, and when he was about to go to them, his wife tried to stop him. He said, "There is no stranger; it is Muhammad ibn Maslamah, and my brother Abu Na'ilah is with him, and there are two or three others."
They were Abu Abs ibn Jabr, Harith ibn Aws, and 'Abbad ibn Bishr.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) said, "I will hold Ka'b's head under the pretense of smelling his hair. When you see that I am holding his head firmly, then strike off his head with the sword."
Then, when Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) came to Ka'b, he said, "O Ka'b! I have never smelled a fragrance like your hair in my entire life."
Ka'b replied, "I have a woman with me who is more perfumed and fragrant than all the women of Arabia."
Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) asked permission to smell his head, and, grasping Ka'b's head firmly, signaled to his companions.
They struck off his head with the sword and returned to the court of the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) with this glad news.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was very pleased and supplicated for goodness for these warriors of Islam.
The kunyah of Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) is Abu Abdullah al-Ansari, and he was among those who participated in Badr.
Another reason given for the killing of Ka'b ibn Ashraf is that he broke his covenant.
In this way, he became a traitor to the country and repeatedly committed acts of treachery.
Therefore, his final punishment was exactly what was meted out to him.
Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) mentioned the depositing of weapons as collateral at Ka'b's place.
From this, the purpose of the chapter is established.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Ka‘b ibn Ashraf was a Jewish leader. After the Battle of Badr, when the major tyrants of Quraysh were killed, he began to incite the people of Makkah against Islam and the Muslims. In his poetry, he would mock Muslim women and insult the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and for this reason, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ordered his killing.

(2)
The commentator of Bukhari, Ibn al-Munir, says that Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) established the aforementioned chapter after “pledging armor as collateral” because armor is a defensive weapon, not an offensive one. Imam Bukhari’s (rahimahullah) intent is to show that offensive weapons can also be pledged as collateral. An objection may be raised to this reasoning, that in the narration, the pledging of the weapon was merely a ruse and had no real connection to reality. However, despite being a ruse, Ka‘b ibn Ashraf was made to believe that the transaction being conducted with him was permissible and lawful according to our practice, and thus the transaction took place. Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) deduced his argument from this. (Fath al-Bari: 5/177)

(3)
From this hadith, it is understood that the punishment for one who insults the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is death, even if he is a dhimmi (non-Muslim under Muslim protection). However, according to Imam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah), such a person cannot be killed. At this point, ‘Allamah ‘Ayni (rahimahullah) said with great courage and boldness: I too hold the view that whoever insults the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is, in absolute terms, deserving of death, whoever he may be. (‘Umdat al-Qari: 5/30) This is the hallmark of the scholars of truth: they follow the truth, even if that truth is against someone beloved to them. This is what love for the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and following him demands.

Hadith Commentary:
Ka‘b ibn Ashraf, the Jew, was the most severe enemy of the Muslims in Madinah, who would daily devise new conspiracies against the Muslims. He would even incite the Quraysh of Makkah against the Muslims and was always lying in wait for them. However, Allah, the Exalted, willed the survival of Islam and the Muslims, so in this situation, this mischief-maker was eliminated and sent to Hell. Truly, as the verse says:
“The light of Allah laughs at the movements of disbelief; this lamp cannot be extinguished by mere blowing.”
Like Abu Rafi‘, this accursed one was also determined in his enmity towards the Muslims. He would satirize the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and present polytheism (shirk) as superior to the religion of Islam, inciting the polytheists to attack the Muslims and assisting them with his wealth.

Hazrat Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) sought permission for his elimination, saying, “I will say words of complaint about you as appropriate.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) granted him permission. The purpose of Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) in this was to gain Ka‘b’s trust; otherwise, Ka‘b would have become suspicious from the outset and arranged for his own protection.

Some have objected that this hadith does not correspond to the translation of the chapter, because there is no mention of any lie by Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) in it. The answer to this is that the absolute mujtahid, Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah), in accordance with his habit, has alluded to another route (tariq) of this narration, in which it is clearly mentioned that, when departing, he had sought permission from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to complain about him and to say whatever he wished, and the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) granted him permission. This includes the allowance of lying.

Eventually, Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) said to Ka‘b, in the course of conversation, “Friend, what a wonderful fragrance comes from your head!”
That accursed one replied, “I have a woman who is the best in all of Arabia.”
Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) said, “Friend, let me smell your hair a little.”
He said, “Smell it.” Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu), under this pretext, grasped his hair firmly from the middle of his head and signaled to his companions. With a single blow of the sword, they severed his head. From this, the subject of the chapter is established.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Ka'b bin Ashraf was the worst enemy of the Muslims in Madinah Tayyibah, who would devise a new conspiracy against the Muslims every day.
Satirizing the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was his favorite pastime.
He would incite the polytheists of Makkah to attack the Muslims and would also provide them with financial support.
Eventually, Muhammad bin Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) put an end to him and sent him to Hell.

➋
Although lying is not mentioned in this narration, Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has alluded to the narration in which Muhammad bin Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu), when setting out, sought permission from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that, while making complaints about you, whatever I wish to say, may I do so? And he granted him permission.
This includes lying as well.
In any case, lying is permitted during war, as has already been mentioned in the narration of Tirmidhi.

Hadith Commentary:

Since here the mention is of a sudden attack by way of deception upon Ka‘b ibn Ashraf, which was carried out by Muhammad ibn Maslamah radi Allahu anhu, the subject matter of the chapter is thus established from this. Further details have already been mentioned.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Ka'b bin Ashraf was a tyrant (taghut) among the Jews.
He used to satirize the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in poetry and caused him distress.
When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) expressed the desire for him to be killed, Muhammad bin Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) accepted the responsibility for this virtuous deed and killed him.
It is incorrect to say that Muhammad bin Maslamah (radi Allahu anhu) killed Ka'b bin Ashraf after granting him safety; rather, he spoke to him about buying and selling and established familiarity with him, then, finding the opportunity, killed him.

➋
This very cleverness and cunning is called warfare, without which there is no alternative.
Even in today’s mechanical age, lying in ambush for the enemy is the norm among nations.
In Islam, this permission is only for dealing with combatant disbelievers (harbi kuffar); otherwise, to take any action by deceiving someone is not permissible according to the Shari'ah.

Hadith Commentary:
The leader of the group that accomplished the task of eliminating Ka‘b ibn Ashraf was Muhammad ibn Maslamah radi Allahu anhu. He made a promise to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, but remained anxious for several days. Then he went to Abu Na’ilah, who was Ka‘b’s foster brother, as well as to ‘Abbad ibn Bishr and Harith ibn Aws. He also included Abu ‘Abs ibn Jabr in the consultation, and all of them together went to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and requested permission to speak to Ka‘b in whatever manner they deemed appropriate. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, as a matter of expediency, granted them permission. When they set out from Madinah at night, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam accompanied them as far as Baqi‘. It was a moonlit night. He said, “Go, may Allah help you.”

Ka‘b ibn Ashraf was a very staunch and bigoted Jew of Madinah and a wealthy man. He harbored intense hatred and enmity towards Islam. He would incite the Quraysh to confront the Muslims and was always scheming to have the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam killed through some deception. In Fath al-Bari, there is mention of an invitation in which this tyrant invited the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam with this evil intention, but Jibril alayhis salam informed the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam of his malicious intent, and he narrowly escaped.

Observing all these evil actions, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam expressed his intention before the Companions to eliminate him, upon which Muhammad ibn Maslamah al-Ansari radi Allahu anhu expressed his willingness. Ka‘b ibn Ashraf was also the maternal uncle of Muhammad ibn Maslamah. However, the bond of Islam and the Messenger of Islam sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was far superior to all worldly relationships. In any case, Allah Ta‘ala caused this tyrant to be eliminated in such a manner that the door to tribulations was closed, peace was established, and many people were saved from the prospect of war and bloodshed.

Hafiz (Ibn Hajar) says:
“Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi narrated from the route of al-Zuhri from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Ka‘b ibn Malik from his father that Ka‘b ibn al-Ashraf was a poet who would satirize the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and incite the disbelievers of Quraysh against him. When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam arrived in Madinah, its people were of mixed backgrounds. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam intended to reconcile them. The Jews and polytheists would inflict the most severe harm upon the Muslims, so Allah commanded His Messenger and the Muslims to be patient. When Ka‘b refused to desist from his harm, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ordered Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh to send a group to kill him. Ibn Sa‘d mentioned that his killing took place in Rabi‘ al-Awwal of the third year (of Hijrah).” (Fath al-Bari)

In summary, Ka‘b ibn Ashraf was a poet who would satirize the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in his poetry and incite the disbelievers of Quraysh to attack him. When the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam arrived in Madinah, its inhabitants were intermixed. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam undertook the task of reforming and improving them. The Jews and polytheists were intent on inflicting the severest harm upon the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Thus, Allah commanded His Messenger sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the Muslims to be patient. When Ka‘b ibn Ashraf’s mischief exceeded all bounds and he did not desist from causing harm, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ordered Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh radi Allahu anhu to send a group to eliminate him. Ibn Sa‘d said that the killing of Ka‘b ibn Ashraf occurred in the third year of Hijrah.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Ka‘b’s father, Ashraf, was from the Banu Nuhayyan tribe.
In the pre-Islamic era, he killed a man, then fled from there and came to Madinah Tayyibah, where he made a pact with the Banu Nadir. Later, he married Aqilah, the daughter of Abu al-Huqayq, and from her Ka‘b was born.
Two reasons are mentioned regarding his killing:
a.
After the Battle of Badr, he incited the Quraysh to rise up and assured them of every kind of material and financial support; in fact, he took a delegation of sixty men to Makkah and encouraged them to wage war against the Muslims.
In addition, he was a poet who, in his poetry, insulted Islam and the people of Islam, and composed indecent verses about Muslim women.
b.
He invited the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the plan was arranged such that when he (the Prophet) was seated in the house, they would suddenly attack him and martyr him. However, Jibril (alayhis salam) informed him of this, and shielded him with his wings and brought him away. Upon returning, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Now his harm has reached its limit; he must be killed.”
Thus, he was brought to his just end.
(Fath al-Bari: 7/421, 422)

➋
Five Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma‘in) participated in the killing of Ka‘b ibn Ashraf, the Jew:
Muhammad ibn Maslamah, Abu ‘Abs ibn Jabr, Harith ibn Aws, Abu Na‘ilah, and ‘Abbad ibn Bishr (radi Allahu anhum ajma‘in).
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself accompanied them up to Baqi‘.
Then, invoking the name of Allah, he sent them off and supplicated:
“O Allah! Help them.”
When these Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma‘in) returned after killing him, they raised the cry of takbir upon reaching near Baqi‘.
Upon reaching the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), they threw his head before him.
He expressed gratitude to Allah for his being killed.
(Fath al-Bari: 7/424)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: (1)
Ka‘b bin Ashraf belonged to the Banu Nabhān branch of the Tayy tribe, so he was of Arab descent. His father, Ashraf, had killed someone, so he fled to Madinah and established friendly relations with the Banu Nadir, and married ‘Aqilah, the daughter of the Jew Abu al-Huqayq, from whom Ka‘b was born. After the incident of Badr, he began satirizing the Muslims and started praising the enemies of Islam. Then, in order to provoke the zeal of the polytheists, to intensify their fire of revenge, and to incite them to wage war against the Muslims, he began composing poetry lamenting and mourning the chiefs of Quraysh who had been killed in the Battle of Badr and thrown into a well. Then he began composing obscene poetry about the women of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) and, through his insolence and abusive speech, caused severe distress to the Muslims. Troubled by these circumstances, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) decided to put an end to him.

(2)
There is a conjunction of doubt (wāw wahm) between Razi‘ah and Abu Na’ilah, because by Razi‘ is meant Abu Na’ilah himself. Abu Na’ilah, Muhammad bin Maslamah, and Ka‘b bin Ashraf were all foster brothers. Despite this, the spiteful and enemy of the Muslims, Muhammad bin Maslamah, demands the pledging of a wife and son as security. From this, it can be understood how harmful a person he was, who was not only the enemy of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) but of all the Muslims and of the religion itself. Therefore, to have such a harmful person killed is to bring comfort and peace to everyone.

For details, see Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
Ka‘b ibn Ashraf, the Jew, belonged to the Banu Nadir tribe.
He was very wealthy and a poet.
He harbored intense enmity towards the Muslims.
He would continually incite people against the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Muslims.
Instead of joining the Muslims and defending them, he went to Makkah and encouraged the Quraysh to wage war.
He also broke the covenant.

➋
In order to strike at the enemy, it is temporarily permissible to fabricate certain statements that outwardly appear to be against Islam and the Muslims.
And war is the name of deception (stratagem).

Benefit:
From this hadith, we find evidence of the honor and courage of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in). If a person uses evil words about Allah Ta'ala or His Prophet, he should be killed. For example, when Ka'b bin Ashraf committed insolence against the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), the Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) went to his house and killed him. Many such incidents of protective faith (ghayrah imani) are found in the books of Seerah. One should avoid keeping children as collateral (rahn), because Allah Ta'ala has honored the children of Adam: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam” (: Bani Isra'il: 70). It is permissible to keep something else as collateral for the sake of necessity. It is not correct for a leader to speak ill of the Muslims.