~626 CE · 4 AH·Date debatedEarly tabi'un authorities Urwah ibn al-Zubayr and Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri dated this to just after Badr; later sira scholars (Ibn Ishaq, al-Waqidi, Ibn Sa'd) held this to be a mistake, since the Bir Ma'una blood-money affair that triggered it did not occur until Safar of 4 AH. The strongest opinion places the expulsion in Shawwal of 4 AH.
Early tabi'un authorities Urwah ibn al-Zubayr and Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri dated this to just after Badr; later sira scholars (Ibn Ishaq, al-Waqidi, Ibn Sa'd) held this to be a mistake, since the Bir Ma'una blood-money affair that triggered it did not occur until Safar of 4 AH. The strongest opinion places the expulsion in Shawwal of 4 AH.
What happened
In brief
The Banu Nadir were a Jewish tribe living in Madinah, bound to the Muslims by treaty. After some of their leaders plotted to kill the Prophet ﷺ while he was visiting them, he ordered them to leave the city within ten days. Abdullah ibn Ubayy, a powerful Arab chieftain of Madinah and their old ally, secretly promised to stand by them, and their own chieftain persuaded them to refuse. The Prophet ﷺ besieged their fortresses the same day. The promised help never came, the neighbouring Banu Qurayza stayed out of it, and after a week or so of siege without real fighting the Banu Nadir surrendered. The Prophet ﷺ spared their lives and let them leave with everything their camels could carry, except weapons. Most of them went to Khaybar. Their land and orchards were given mainly to the landless emigrants from Makkah, which eased the burden on the people of Madinah who had been supporting them. The episode led to the revelation of Surah al-Hashr, and the exiled leaders of the tribe would later help stir up the Battle of the Trench.
Significance
This episode is why Surah al-Hashr (chapter 59) was revealed. Ibn Abbas preferred to call it Surah Banu Nadir. It set out the rules of fay', property gained without fighting. Most of the Banu Nadir resettled in Khaybar, and their leaders later played a key role in stirring up the Battle of the Trench (al-Ahzab).
Letter · Shortly after the assassination attempt, 4 AH
You told me to wait outside while you prepared to welcome me, but you planned to throw a rock on me to kill me. The only option you have is to leave Madinah in ten days. If we see any of you after ten days, the penalty will be death.
Said as the Banu Nadir agreed to an unconditional surrender and prepared to leave Madinah in exile.
Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn SalulDramatizedThe substance of this promise is attested and condemned in Qur'an 59:11; exact phrasing here follows the lecture's paraphrase.To Huyayy ibn Akhtab
Letter · During the siege, 4 AH
No matter what happens, I will take care of you and guarantee your protection. I will never obey anyone against you, and if you are fought, I will fight alongside you. I have called my allies from the Ghatafan (2,000 strong) and we will defend you together. And if the worst happens and you are expelled, I will leave Madinah with you.
Sent to the Banu Nadir after they received the Prophet ﷺ's ultimatum to leave Madinah within ten days.
“Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“He is the One Who expelled the disbelievers of the People of the Book from their homes for [their] first banishment [ever]. You never thought they would go. And they thought their strongholds would put them out of Allah's reach. But [the decree of] Allah came upon them from where they never expected. And He cast horror into their hearts so they destroyed their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers. So take a lesson [from this], O people of insight!”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“Had Allah not decreed exile for them, He would have certainly punished them in this world. And in the Hereafter they will suffer the Punishment of the Fire.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“Have you [O Prophet] not seen the hypocrites who say to their fellow disbelievers from the People of the Book, "If you are expelled, we will certainly leave with you, and we will never ever obey anyone against you. And if you are fought against, we will surely help you."? But Allah bears witness that they are truly liars.”
Refers to Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul's secret promise of support to the Banu Nadir.
“Indeed, if they are expelled, the hypocrites will never leave with them. And if they are fought against, the hypocrites will never help them. And even if the hypocrites did so, they would certainly flee, then the disbelievers would be left with no help.”
Refers to the hypocrites' failure to make good on their promised support to the Banu Nadir.
“Indeed, there is more fear in their hearts for you [believers] than for Allah. That is because they are a people who do not comprehend.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“There is no compulsion in religion, for the Truth stands out clearly from falsehood”
Revealed when Ansar who had given sons to the Banu Nadir as Jews in Jahiliyyah tried to force those now-adult sons to accept Islam rather than be expelled with the tribe.
“As for gains granted by Allah to His Messenger from the people of [other] lands, they are for Allah and the Messenger, his close relatives, orphans, the poor, and [needy] travelers, so that wealth may not merely circulate among your rich. Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it. And whatever he forbids you from, leave it. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is severe in Punishment.”
Establishes the fiqh of fay' (property gained without battle) as applied to the Banu Nadir's land.
“This is because they defied Allah and His Messenger. And whoever defies Allah, then Allah is truly severe in Punishment.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“As for the gains Allah has turned over to His Messenger from them — you did not [even] spur on any horse or camel for such gains. But Allah gives authority to His messengers over whoever He wills. For Allah is Most Capable of everything.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“[Some of the gains will be] for poor Emigrants who were driven out of their homes and wealth, seeking Allah's bounty and pleasure, and standing up for Allah and His Messenger. They are the ones true in faith.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“And those who prepared the abode (the home) and [adopted] the faith before them...They love those who Emigrated to them and found no hesitancy in their hearts for whatever [of the gains] is given to the Muhajirun, and they preferred them over themselves, even if they were in poverty.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“And those who come after them will pray, "Our Lord! Forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded us in faith, and do not allow bitterness/resentment into our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord! Indeed, You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful."”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“You think they are one group, but in reality, their hearts are disunited.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“They are like those who recently went down before them: they tasted the evil consequences of their doings. And they will suffer a painful Punishment.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“[They are] like satan when he lures someone to disbelieve. Then after they have done so, he will say [on Judgment Day], "I have absolutely nothing to do with you. I truly fear Allah — the Lord of all worlds."”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).
“So they will both end up in the Fire, staying there forever. That is the reward of the wrongdoers.”
This ayah is part of Surah al-Hashr, which -- as this event's own significance note states -- was revealed about the expulsion of Banu Nadir (Ibn Abbas RA preferred to call it Surat Banu Nadir).