The Battle of Banu Qaynuqaa’ - II

31/03/2010| IslamWeb

Important Events Between the Battles of Badr and Uhud

4- ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, disassociates himself from the Jews

 

‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, was one of Banu ‘Amr bin ’Awf, who had the same degree of alliance with Banu Qaynuqaa‘ as ‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy. When Banu Qaynuqaa‘ broke the pledge, he went to the Messenger of Allah and declared his disconnection from them and disassociation from their alliance before Allah The Almighty and His Messenger saying, “O Messenger of Allah, I take as allies Allah, His Messenger and the faithful believers, and disassociate myself from the alliance of those disbelievers.”

 

When it was decided that Banu Qaynuqaa‘ were to be expelled from Madeenah, the Messenger of Allah commanded ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, to be in charge of executing the process of deportation. The Jews of Banu Qaynuqaa‘ said, “O Abu Al-Waleed [‘Ubaadah's nickname], is it you from among the Aws and Khazraj who is doing this [leading the operation of expulsion] to us, although we are your allies?” ‘Ubaadah, may Allah be pleased with him, said to them, “When you waged war against the Messenger of Allah, I came to him and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I declare in front of you my disassociation from them and from their alliance.’”

 

Both Ibn Ubayy and ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, shared the same degree of alliance with them. ‘Abdullaah said to him, “Have you disassociated yourself from the alliance of your friends? This is not [a fitting reward] for their favor upon you.” He then reminded him of occasions on which they strove on their side. ‘Ubaadah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “O Abu Al-Hubaab [‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy], the hearts have changed and Islam has abrogated the treaties [of ignorance]. Indeed, you are holding fast to an ally whose evil we will soon see.”

 

The Jews of Banu Qaynuqaa‘ said, “O Muhammad, people owe us some debts.” The Prophet said: “[Whoever wishes] should demand his right and [whoever desires] should relieve his friend [from debt].” ‘Ubaadah, may Allah be pleased with him, then insistently urged them to hurry and depart and evacuate the area. They asked for respite, but he said to them, “No, not even a single hour [more]: you have only three days and no more [within which you must have departed]. This is the command of the Messenger of Allah and had I been in command, I would have given you no respite [more than this].”

 

When three days had elapsed, he set out after them, and watched them until they took the way to Ash-Shaam (greater Syra), while he was saying, “Go away - as far and remote as possible.” He reached Thubaab, and then when he was assured they were very far, he returned. They went on to the city of Athri‘aat.

 

Thus, the Jews of Banu Qaynuqaa‘ left Madeenah unarmed in willing submission, leaving their property as booty for the Muslims, and they were the bravest, the strongest, the mightiest and the greatest in number and artillery among the Jews of Madeenah. This is why the remaining tribes of Jews in Madeenah resorted to calm and silence for a period of time after this deterring punishment, during which terror overtook their hearts and weakened them.

 

5- The Quranic verses that were revealed in connection with the association of Ibn Ubayy with the Jews, and the disassociation of ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, from them

 

Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

 

{O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people. So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with] them, saying, “We are afraid a misfortune may strike us.” But perhaps Allah will bring conquest or a decision from Him, and they will become, over what they have been concealing within themselves, regretful. And those who believe will say, “Are these the ones who swore by Allah their strongest oaths that indeed they were with you?” Their deeds have become worthless, and they have become losers. O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. Your ally is none but Allah and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed - those who establish prayer and give Zakah [obligatory charity], and they bow [in worship]. And whoever is an ally of Allah and His Messenger and those who have believed - indeed, the party of Allah - they will be the predominant.} [Quran 5:51-56]

 

In his commentary on these verses, Ibn ‘Atiyyah said,

 

When the Battle of Badr ended, and the evil of Banu Qaynuqaa‘ became clear, the Messenger of Allah intended to kill them, but ‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy bin Salool extended his protection for them and was an ally to them. Meanwhile, ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, had the same degree of alliance with them as ‘Abdullaah. When ‘Ubaadah, may Allah be pleased with him, learnt about the intention of the Messenger of Allah and how the Jews contended with Allah The Almighty and His Messenger, he came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “O Messenger of Allah, I declare before Allah my disassociation from the alliance of the Jews, and I take as allies none but Allah and His Messenger.” ‘Abdullaah said, “As for me, I would never disassociate myself from the alliance of the Jews, for I am in need of them. Indeed, I fear bad consequences.”

 

The difference was patently clear between ‘Abdullaah bin Ubayy bin Salool who was consumed by and accustomed to hypocrisy, and ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, who was nurtured according to the prophetic methodology. Thus, his soul became cleansed, his heart purified, his faith strengthened, and his mind enlightened. He got rid of the evil effects of fanaticism that belonged to the pre-Islamic days and was not attached to individual inclinations and interests, but rather, gave preference to the interest of Islam over all others. Thus, he set a living example for the sincere Muslim who is true to his belief.

The Battle of Banu Qaynuqaa’ - I