Surah Al-Ahzaab (33) — Ayah 26

26. And those among the People of the Book [36] who supported the disbelievers, Allah brought them down from their fortresses [37] and cast terror [38] into their hearts. You killed a group of them, and you took another group captive [39].

[36] These were the Jews of Banu Qurayzah who were allies of the Muslims. After the exile of Banu Qaynuqa‘ and Banu Nadir, this was the only Jewish tribe left in Madinah. This was because this tribe was somewhat more noble and more observant of their covenants compared to the others. When Banu Nadir were exiled towards Khaybar and preparations for the Battle of Ahzab began, the chief of Banu Nadir, Huyayy ibn Akhtab, went to the chief of Banu Qurayzah, Ka‘b ibn Asad, in the darkness of night. Ka‘b realized that Huyayy had come to persuade him to break his covenant with the Muslims. Therefore, he did not open the door. Huyayy spoke some flattering words to him, so eventually he opened the door. Huyayy said: “Ka‘b! I have brought you the honor of the times and a rising sea. These people have made a pact with me that they will not leave until they have wiped out Muhammad ﷺ and his companions.” In response, what Ka‘b said is worthy of being written in golden letters. He said: “Huyayy! By Allah, you have brought me the disgrace of the times and a cloud that only thunders and flashes. Woe to you. Leave me to my own state. I have seen nothing but truthfulness and sincerity in Muhammad ﷺ.” [ابن هشام 2: 220، 221] But Huyayy kept enticing Ka‘b with false hopes until he finally compelled him to break the covenant. He said: If the Quraysh return without finishing off Muhammad, then I too will remain besieged with you and will not go back; then whatever fate befalls you will befall me as well. On this condition, Ka‘b also joined the confederates.

Internal Threats in Madinah:

To investigate this situation, the Prophet ﷺ sent the leaders of the Ansar (Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah, Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh, ‘Abdullah ibn Rawahah, and Khawwat ibn Jubayr ؓ) to inquire about the matter, and also instructed them that if the news of Banu Qurayzah’s treachery was true, they should not inform him in the presence of others, but only by a gesture. When they returned and indicated to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that the news was true, it caused him great distress. The purpose of concealing this news was only so that the morale of the Muslims would not be weakened. The Muslims were at least assured of internal security in Madinah, but this situation created a threat within Madinah as well. [بخاری۔ کتاب المغازی۔ باب غزوہ خندق]
[37]
The Siege of Banu Qurayzah:

After about a month of siege, when the confederate army fled, it was now time to punish Banu Qurayzah for their breach of covenant. After the Battle of Khandaq, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was bathing at the house of Sayyidah Umm Salamah ؓ when Jibril came and said, “You have taken off your weapons, but the angels have not yet taken theirs off.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ immediately announced that the warriors should perform the ‘Asr prayer at the place of Banu Qurayzah. [بخاری۔ کتاب المغازی۔ باب مرجع النبی من الٰی بنی قریظة ومحاصرتہ ایاھم]

Thus, within a few hours, three thousand armed warriors reached Banu Qurayzah and laid siege to them. Banu Qurayzah fortified themselves (Huyayy ibn Akhtab also, as promised, was besieged with them). Their chief, Ka‘b ibn Asad, presented three proposals to his people: The Surrender of the Jews:
1. Accept Islam. In this case, your lives and property will be safe, and it has already become clear to you that this is indeed the true Prophet whose glad tidings you find in your own book.
2. Kill your wives and children with your own hands. Then fight bravely, and either die or achieve victory.
3. Or resort to trickery and attack the Muslims on the Sabbath, because they will be assured that there will be no fighting today.
But Banu Qurayzah did not accept any of their chief’s proposals, so he said in frustration: None of you has ever spent even a single night with wisdom. [الرحيق المختوم۔ اردو ص 494]

Now only one path remained before them, and that was to surrender their weapons to the Muslims.

[38]
The Jews Accept the Judgment of Sayyiduna Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh:

Treachery and breach of covenant make a nation extremely cowardly. They had ample provisions, and they had prepared one and a half thousand swords, two thousand spears, three hundred coats of mail, and five hundred shields for the extermination of the Muslims. But at the time of need, none of these things benefited them. After only 25 days of siege, they surrendered on the condition that whatever decision their ally, Sayyiduna Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh, made regarding them, they would accept it. They had enough provisions in the fortress that, if they wished, they could have remained besieged for a year and lived comfortably, but their guilty conscience soon made them restless, and Allah cast awe of the Muslims into their hearts.

[39]
The Fate of Banu Qurayzah:

Sayyiduna Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh had received a severe wound in the Battle of Ahzab, as is evident from the following hadith: Sayyidah ‘A’ishah ؓ narrates that in the Battle of Khandaq, Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh was struck by an arrow in the median vein, so a tent was set up for him in the mosque so that he could be visited closely. There was also a tent of Banu Ghifar in the mosque. When (Sayyiduna Mu‘adh’s) blood began to flow towards their tent, they became frightened and said: O people of the tent! What is this that is flowing from your side towards us? It was seen that blood was flowing from Sa‘d’s wound. Eventually, he died from this wound. [بخاری۔ کتاب الصلوٰۃ۔ باب الخیمۃ فی المسجد للمرضی وغیرھم]

Therefore, he could not participate in the Battle of Banu Qurayzah. He was brought to the site for judgment mounted on a donkey, and he showed no leniency to his treacherous allies. He gave the verdict: “(1) All the men should be killed, (2) the women and children should be taken as slaves, (3) their wealth should be distributed among the warriors.” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, upon hearing this verdict, said: “You have given the same judgment as Allah has given above the seven heavens.” [بخاری۔ کتاب المغازی۔ باب مرجع النبی من الیٰ بنی قریظۃ ومحاصرتہ ایاھم]

Accordingly, more than six hundred fighting men were killed, and among the slain was Huyayy ibn Akhtab, who had compelled Banu Qurayzah to break their covenant and brought this calamity upon them. These people were not killed merely because they were prisoners of war, but they had other crimes as well, such as:
(1) Despite the renewal of the covenant, they broke it at a very critical time and exposed the Muslims to internal threats.
(2) Instead of facing the Muslims bravely, they tried to attack the forts of women and children.
(3) Even after the Battle of Ahzab, by joining Huyayy ibn Akhtab, they started inciting unrest in Madinah, and instead of repenting for their treachery, they began preparing for confrontation.