Then he said that it was the eve of Sabbath...

Then he said that it was the eve of Sabbath, the Muslims would not imagine that the Jews would attack on the sacred night. The attack, if it is executed, will have an element of surprise and the Muslims will be taken on unawares. But the Jews turned down even this suggestion. They said that they could not imagine desecrating the Sabbath. Twenty-five days passed since the fort was besieged. They kept raining stones and arrows on the Muslims but did not succeed in breaking the siege.

When they were fed up with the hardships of the siege, the Jews sent Nabash Ibn Qays to the Prophet (a.s) that they were willing to lay down arms if they were pardoned and allowed to move away with their families and their wealth. They then offered that they would abandon all their belongings and would leave only with the families. Even this was not acceptable to the Prophet (a.s). They were told that they must surrender unconditionally. Nabash went back and told them what transpired.

They sent a message to the Prophet (a.s) requesting him to depute Abul-Bu`bu` al-Ansari so that they talk to him and come to a final conclusion. The Prophet (a.s) sent Abul-Bu`bu` to them. They asked him if it would be safe for them if they made an unconditional surrender. He replied in the affirmative but pointed his hand towards the neck indicating his apprehension of what would happen to them if they surrender.

This act of Abul-Bu`bu` contrary to all norms of decency and was not proper official emissary to do. The Qur’an mentions about this event thus: “O believers!

Do not be dishonest in the matters of Allah and the Prophet (a.s), nor knowingly commit dishonesty with trusts.” When Banū-Qurayzah felt that unconditional surrender might spell their doom, and then they said: “We accept Sa`d ibn Mu`adh as the mediator and will abide by his decision.”[1] The Prophet (a.s) too accepted Sa`d ibn Mu`adh as the mediator and that his decision would be binding for both the parties.

[1] Tārīkh al-Tabarī, Vol 2, Page 246 Ibn Husham writes that when the Banū-Qurayzah refused to surrender, `Ali (a.s) said: “By Allah! I shall either get martyred, as Hamzah was martyred, or capture the fort!”[1] Saying this, he took al-Zubayr ibn al-`Awwam along and advanced to attack the fort. When Banū-Qurayzah saw him advancing to attack, they shouted with concern: “O Muhammad (a.s)!