He thought of borrowing some money from Banū-al-Nadir for...

He thought of borrowing some money from Banū-al-Nadir for paying to the families of the two deceased persons as a settlement. They responded by saying that he was their guest and they would comply with what he has asked for. The Prophet (a.s), along with his , went to the locality of Banū-al-Nadir which was in the neighborhood of al-Madinah. He sat there with his back to the wall of their fortress. Banū-al-Nadir were not having any good intentions.

They sent a person, `Amr ibn Jahsh, to climb the wall of the fortress and throw a big stone on the Prophet (a.s) to kill him. The Prophet (a.s) got a vision that he should immediately rise and return to al-Madinah. He sent a word through Muhammad ibn Maslamah that the Banū-al-Nadir were behaving treacherously and were attempting to kill him contrary to the terms of their agreement. He served them a notice that with all their belongings they should go away within ten days.

When Banū-al-Nadir got this notice, they prepared to leave al-Madinah. But `Abdullah ibn Ubay, who was their cohort, asked them to keep staying in their homes and not to shift to any other place. He assured them that he would help them with two thousand strong contingent. He also told them that in the event of a conflict even Banū-Qurayzah, Banū-Ghatafan and their allies too will help them.

When Banū-al-Nadir received offers of help, they decided to stay put and sent word to the Prophet (a.s) that they would not evacuate their homes and he might do whatever he wished to! In a manner, it was an invitation to fight, leaving no choice for the Prophet (a.s). The Prophet (a.s) got together a small contingent and marched towards the fortress.

Al-Tabari writes: “On that day the Standard of the Prophet (a.s) was in the hand of `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s).”[1] When Banū-al-Nadir saw the Islamic contingent coming, they locked themselves inside the fortress. The Muslims established a siege of the fortress. When they saw that they were surrounded from all sides, the Banū-al-Nadir started flinging stones and arrows from the ramparts of the fortress but did not succeed in disturbing the siege.

One night some Jews came out of the fortress and sent a barrage of arrows on the Muslims to force them lift the siege. One of them took aim of the Prophet’s tent and shot an arrow. The Prophet (a.s) ordered his tent to be pitched at the base of the hill away from the open, exposed place.