Life-of-Muhammad

Life of Muhammad sa 95"Have you anyone else with you?" asked theProphet sa . "Yes," said ‘Ibad ra , "A party of Companions.We will guard your tent.""Leave my tent alone. The disbelievers are trying tocross the ditch. Go and fight them" (Halbiyya, Vol. 2).As we said before, the Jews tried to enter the townsurreptitiously. A Jewish spy lost his life in the effort.When they found that their intrigue had become known,they began to help the Arab confederates more openly. Aconcerted attack in the rear, however, was notattempted, because the field on this side was narrowand with the posting of the Muslim guards a large-scaleattack had become impossible. But a few days later, theJews and pagan confederates decided to make asimultaneous and sudden attack upon the Muslims.THE CONFEDERATES DISPERSEThis dangerous plan, however, was foiled by God in amiraculous manner. It happened in this way'. OneNu‘aim ra , who belonged to the tribe of Ghatafan, becameinclined towards Islam. He had come with the paganarmies but looked for an opportunity to help theMuslims. Alone, he could not do much. But when hesaw that Jews had made common cause with the Arabsand Muslims seemed faced with certain death anddestruction, Nu‘aim ra made up his mind to do what hecould to save the Muslims. He went to the BanuQuraiza, and talked to their chiefs. If the Arab armiesran away, what did they expect Muslims would do? TheJews being in compact with the Muslims, should theynot be ready for punishment due to those who provefalse to a compact? The interrogation frightened theJewish leaders. They asked him what they should do.Nu‘aim ra advised them to ask for seventy pagans ashostages. If the pagans were honest about a concertedattack they would not refuse the request. They shouldsay that these seventy would guard their strategic