Banu Qurayza

The Banū Qurayẓah ( Arabic بنو قريظة; alternate spellings include Quraiza , Qurayza , Quraytha , and the archaic Koreiza ) were a Jewish tribe who lived in northern Arabia during the 7th century , at the oasis of Yathrib (now known as Medina ). The bulk of the tribe's men were killed in 627 CE, following a siege mounted by Muslim immigrants from Mecca, angry at what they believed to be betrayal by the Banu Qurayza. This incident has been the subject of intense scrutiny by critics and defenders of Islam, who differ as to the exact course of events and what interpretation to place upon them.

Detail from miniature painting The Prophet, Ali, and the Companions at the Massacre of the Prisoners of the Jewish Tribe of Beni Qurayzah , illustration of a 19th century text by Muhammad Rafi Bazil. Manuscript now in the British Library. The Banu Qurayza ( alternate spellings include Quraiza , Qurayzah , Quraytha , and the archaic Koreiza ) were a Jewish tribe which lived in northern Arabia , at the oasis of Yathrib (now known as Medina ), until the 7th century, when the conflict arose with the Prophet Muhammad that led to their demise. Jewish tribes reportedly arrived in Hijaz in the wake of the Jewish-Roman wars and introduced agriculture, putting them in a position of cultural, economic and political dominance. However, in 5th century, the Banu Aws and the Banu Khazraj , two Arab tribes that had arrived from Yemen , gained dominance. When these two tribes became embroiled in conflict with each other, the Jewish tribes, now clients or allies of the Arabs, fought on different sides, the Qurayza siding with the Aws. In 622, the Islamic prophet Muhammad arrived at Yathrib from Mecca and reportedly established a compact between the conflicting parties. While the city found itself at war with Muhammad's native Meccan tribe of the Quraysh , tensions between the growing numbers of Muslims and the Jewish communities mounted. In 627, when the Quraysh and their allies besieged the city in the Battle of the Trench , the Qurayza entered into (eventually inconclusive) negotiations with the besiegers. Subsequently, the tribe was charged with treason and besieged by the Muslims commanded by Muhammad . The Banu Qurayza tribe eventually surrendered and the Prophet had all the men beheaded and buried en masse in trenches in the market square (apart from a few who had fled and converted to Islam). The women and children were mostly spared and the Prophet had them enslaved instead. Muhammad selected one of the women, Rayhana , for himself and took her as part of his share of the slaves . She became his slave concubine and some sources claim that he later married her. She is said to have later become a Muslim. Watt, "Muhammad", in: The Cambridge History of Islam . Alford Welch, Encyclopaedia of Islam , "Muhammad".

The Banū Qurayẓah ( alternate spellings include Quraiza , Qurayzah , Quraytha , and the archaic Koreiza ) were a Jewish tribe which lived in northern Arabia , at the oasis of Yathrib (presently known as Medina ), until the 7th century. Sometime after the Battle of the Trench in April or later in 627 AD their conflict with Muhammad led to a 25-day siege of Banu Qurayza ending in the tribe's surrender. There is much debate about the number executed with some estimating that between 400-900 males were beheaded, while the Sunni hadith simply state that all male members were killed, without specifying a figure, and one woman. Jewish tribes reportedly arrived in Hijaz in the wake of the Jewish-Roman wars and introduced agriculture, putting them in a culturally, economically and politically dominant position. However, in the 5th century, the Banu Aws and the Banu Khazraj , two Arab tribes that had arrived from Yemen , gained dominance. When these two tribes became embroiled in conflict with each other, the Jewish tribes, now clients or allies of the Arabs, fought on different sides, the Qurayza siding with the Aws. In 622, the Islamic prophet Muhammad arrived at Yathrib from Mecca and reportedly established a compact between the conflicting parties. While the city found itself at war with Muhammad's native Meccan tribe of the Quraysh , tensions between the growing numbers of Muslims and the Jewish communities mounted. In 627, when the Quraysh and their allies besieged the city in the Battle of the Trench , the Qurayza violated a treaty with the Islamic prophet Muhammad by allying with the attacking tribes, aiming to attack Muslims from behind while the other attackers attack from the front . Subsequently, the tribe was besieged by the Muslims and charged with treason by a judge accepted by both parties, Sa'd ibn Mu'adh . According to Sa'd 's verdict the men were beheaded, while all the women and children were taken captive and enslaved. Several scholars have challenged the veracity of this incident, arguing that it was exaggerated or invented. "New Light on the Story of Banu Qurayza and the Jews of Medina," Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, 1976, pp 100-107 Abu Dawud 14:2665 Watt, Encyclopaedia of Islam , "Kurayza, Banu". Watt, Encyclopaedia of Islam , "Al-Madina". Watt, "Muhammad", in: The Cambridge History of Islam . Alford Welch, Encyclopaedia of Islam , "Muhammad".

7th-century Jewish tribe within Arabia This article contains Hebrew text . Without proper rendering support , you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Hebrew letters. The Banu Qurayza ( ; alternate spellings include Quraiza , Qurayzah , Quraytha , and the archaic Koreiza ) were a Jewish tribe which lived in northern Arabia , at the oasis of Medina (previously known as Yathrib). They were one of the three major Jewish tribes of the city, along with the Banu Qaynuqa and Banu Nadir , before their elimination by the Islamic prophet Muhammad . Jewish tribes reportedly arrived in Hijaz in the wake of the Jewish–Roman wars and introduced agriculture, putting them in a culturally, economically and politically dominant position. However, in the 5th century, the Banu Aws and the Banu Khazraj , two Arab tribes that had arrived from Yemen , gained dominance. When these two tribes became embroiled in conflict with each other, the Jewish tribes, now clients or allies of the Arabs, fought on different sides, the Qurayza siding with the Aws. In 622, Muhammad migrated to Medina after successfully negotiating with the Khazraj—to which his great-grandmother belonged —and the Aws to mediate their tribal conflicts in the city. Previously, in Mecca , tensions had arisen between Muhammad and the Quraysh following his attacks on their faith after they had previously shown little interest in his proselytizing activities. After the migration, Muhammad often raided Quraysh trade caravans and plundered their goods, leading to armed conflicts between the two . Muhammad also tried to convince the Jewish population of Medina that he was their prophet, but failed and was criticized, in part, for the inconsistency of his Quran with the Jewish scriptures . This led to the transfer of the direction of the Islamic prayer from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Mecca, and sometime later to the expulsion of the Banu Qaynuqa and Banu Nadir from Medina by him. After the Battle of the Trench , Muhammad was reportedly visited by Gabriel , who directed him to attack the Qurayza. Despite the tribe's earlier assistance in excavating the trench to impede the Meccans' advance and providing the Muslims with their tools, Muhammad later accused them of having sided with his enemy—a claim that they strongly refuted. At a later stage of Muhammad's siege against them, the Qurayza initially proposed surrendering and vacating their land, while requesting permission to carry one camel load of possessions per person. When Muhammad declined, they subsequently requested to depart without taking any belongings. Muhammad, however, insisted that they surrender unconditionally. The Qurayza eventually surrendered, and their men were beheaded, their women and children were enslaved, some were sold, and their property was divided among the Muslims. Muhammad and the Origins of Islam . Bukay 2017 , Slavery and Rape.

7th-century Jewish tribe within Arabia This article contains Hebrew text . Without proper rendering support , you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Hebrew letters. Map of the Arabian Peninsula in 600 AD, showing the various Arab tribes and their areas of settlement. The Lakhmids (yellow) formed an Arab monarchy as clients of the Sasanian Empire , while the Ghassanids (red) formed an Arab monarchy as clients of the Roman Empire A map published by the British academic Harold Dixon during World War I , showing the presence of the Arab tribes in West Asia , 1914 The Banu Qurayza ( Arabic : بنو قريظة , romanized : Banū Qurayẓa ; alternate spellings include Quraiza , Qurayzah , Quraytha , and the archaic Koreiza ) were a Jewish tribe which lived in northern Arabia , at the oasis of Yathrib (now known as Medina ). They were one of the three major Jewish tribes of the city, along with the Banu Qaynuqa and Banu Nadir . Jewish tribes reportedly arrived in Hijaz in the wake of the Jewish–Roman wars and introduced agriculture, putting them in a culturally, economically and politically dominant position. However, in the 5th century, the Banu Aws and the Banu Khazraj , two Arab tribes that had arrived from Yemen , gained dominance. When these two tribes became embroiled in conflict with each other, the Jewish tribes, now clients or allies of the Arabs, fought on different sides, the Qurayza siding with the Aws. In 622, the Islamic prophet Muhammad arrived at Yathrib from Mecca and reportedly established a pact between the conflicting parties. While the city found itself at war with Muhammad's native Meccan tribe of the Quraysh , tensions between the growing numbers of Muslims and the Jewish communities mounted. In 627, when the Quraysh and their allies besieged the city in the Battle of the Trench , the Qurayza initially tried to remain neutral but eventually entered into negotiations with the besieging army, violating the pact they had agreed to years earlier . Subsequently, the tribe was charged with treason and besieged by the Muslims commanded by Muhammad . The Banu Qurayza eventually surrendered and their men were beheaded. The historicity of this incident has been questioned by Islamic scholars of the Revisionist School of Islamic Studies and by some western specialists.