Re: The Prophet Kills 500 Jews?
I may be wrong, but from what I read on the internet a long time ago I believe that the reason Imam Malik doubted this version was because he maintained that the historian, Ibn Ishaq, got most of the details of the incident from the Jewish survivors and descendents of Banu Qurazya. He argued that the Jews lied to tried and discredit the Muslims.
Frankly, I'm still personally inclined to belive the "official" version, because it's pretty logical to me. On the other hand, Imam Malik basically lived in Medina almost all the time so if someone was poking around interviewing Jews in the area, he would know.
None the less, I've found a number of Hadiths that do not go against this account.
The principal hadith in the two most widely accepted Sunni hadith collections, Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, with relevance to the Banu Qurayza are the following:
Muslim Book 026, Number 5557 (abridged; remainder describes when not to kill snakes and jinn):
Abu as-Sa'ib, the freed slaved of Hisham b. Zuhra, said that he visited Abu Sa'id Khudri in his house, (and he further) said: ...] He said: There was a young man amongst us who had been newly wedded. We went with Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) (to participate in the Battle) of Trench when a young man in the midday used to seek permission from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) to return to his family. One day he sought permission from him and Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) (after granting him the permission) said to him: Carry your weapons with you for I fear the tribe of Quraiza (may harm you). The man carried the weapons and then came back and found his wife standing between the two doors...
Bukhari Volume 5, Book 57, Number 66 (nearly identical to Muslim Book 031, Number 5940:
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Az-Zubair: During the battle of Al-Ahzab, I and 'Umar bin Abi-Salama were kept behind with the women. Behold! I saw (my father) Az-Zubair riding his horse, going to and coming from Bani Quraiza twice or thrice. So when I came back I said, "O my father! I saw you going to and coming from Bani Quraiza?" He said, "Did you really see me, O my son?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Allah's Apostle said, 'Who will go to Bani Quraiza and bring me their news?' So I went, and when I came back, Allah's Apostle mentioned for me both his parents saying, "Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you."'
Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 68 (nearly identical to Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 443; Muslim Book 019, Number 4370 gives slightly more detail):
Narrated 'Aisha: When Allah's Apostle returned on the day (of the battle) of Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench), he put down his arms and took a bath. Then Gabriel whose head was covered with dust, came to him saying, "You have put down your arms! By Allah, I have not put down my arms yet." Allah's Apostle said, "Where (to go now)?" Gabriel said, "This way," pointing towards the tribe of Bani Quraiza. So Allah's Apostle went out towards them.
Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 444:
Narrated Anas: As if I am just now looking at the dust rising in the street of Banu Ghanm (in Medina) because of the marching of Gabriel's regiment when Allah's Apostle set out to Banu Quraiza (to attack them).
Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 445 (Muslim Book 019, Number 4374 is almost identical, but has "Zuhr" rather than "Asr"):
Narrated Ibn Umar: On the day of Al-Ahzab (i.e. Clans) the Prophet said, "None of you Muslims) should offer the 'Asr prayer but at Banu Quraiza's place." The 'Asr prayer became due for some of them on the way. Some of those said, "We will not offer it till we reach it, the place of Banu Quraiza," while some others said, "No, we will pray at this spot, for the Prophet did not mean that for us." Later on it was mentioned to the Prophet and he did not berate any of the two groups.
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 280 (nearly identical to Bukhari Volume 5, Book 58, Number 148 and Volume 8, Book 74, Number 278 and Muslim Book 019, Number 4368-9):
Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri: When the tribe of Bani Quraiza was ready to accept Sad's judgment, Allah's Apostle sent for Sad who was near to him. Sad came, riding a donkey and when he came near, Allah's Apostle said (to the Ansar), "Stand up for your leader." Then Sad came and sat beside Allah's Apostle who said to him. "These people are ready to accept your judgment." Sad said, "I give the judgment that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as prisoners." The Prophet then remarked, "O Sad! You have judged amongst them with (or similar to) the judgment of the King Allah."
Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 362 (nearly identical to Muslim Book 019, Number 4364):
Narrated Ibn Umar: Bani An-Nadir and Bani Quraiza fought (against the Prophet violating their peace treaty), so the Prophet exiled Bani An-Nadir and allowed Bani Quraiza to remain at their places (in Medina) taking nothing from them till they fought against the Prophet again) . He then killed their men and distributed their women, children and property among the Muslims, but some of them came to the Prophet and he granted them safety, and they embraced Islam. He exiled all the Jews from Medina. They were the Jews of Bani Qainuqa, the tribe of Abdullah bin Salam and the Jews of Bani Haritha and all the other Jews of Medina.
