The Insult of the Goldsmith

A few days following the rejection, a Muslim lady made her way to the same market and was insulted in a despicable manner by a goldsmith. An Ansar happened to overhear the insult and came to her assistance. Sharp words were exchanged which ultimately led to blows during which the goldsmith fell and was accidentally killed.

Once again the Jews who had agreed that such matters were to be brought before the Prophet (sa) to be resolved, threw the agreement to the wind, and sent word to their former Arab allies that had not converted from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj to rise up with them against the Prophet (sa).

The Fortresses of Kaynuka

Many years before, not far from the market place, the Jews had built fortresses to protect themselves in times of trouble. These fortresses were soon to be come a hive of activity with provisions and arms being delivered by all possible means available.

No sooner had the supplies been delivered than the Jews barricaded themselves inside and waited for their allies to arrive. The tribesmen of the Kaynuka numbered twice that of the Muslims who fought at Badr and expected their force to swell still further as soon as their pagan allies learned of their up rise.

When news of the Kaynuka's intent reached the Prophet (sa) he gathered his men, surrounded the fortresses and then sent word to them demanding an unconditional surrender. During this time the call to rise up against the Prophet (sa) reached the ears of the unbelieving chieftains of the Khazrajite tribe.

Ibn Ubayy, one of its chieftains, was inclined to go their assistance, however, another chieftain, Ubadah, reminded him that the pact they had made with the Jews in years gone by was no longer existent. Ubadah shrewdly observed and drew ibn Ubayy's attention to the fact that the Jews had broken their pact with them in preference to one made with the Prophet (sa) who they now intended to fight.

Two weeks passed, and the tribesmen of Kaynuka remained barricaded in their fortresses waiting for their allies to come to their aid. As each day came and went their hopes started to dwindle; they had to face the fact that they would either have to engage the Prophet (sa) and his companions alone or accept the unconditional terms of surrender.

Surrender and Expulsion

As the Prophet (sa) waited for the Kaynuka's answer, ibn Ubayy sought him out in a belligerent manner. When he found him he demanded, "Muhammad, treat my allies well!" The Prophet (sa) declined to comment and turned away from him, whereupon ibn Ubayy seized him by the neck of his coat of mail.

The expression of the Prophet's face changed and he asked him to release his hold. Ibn Ubayy swore that he would never do so until he received a promise from the Prophet (sa), then he asked whether it was his intent to kill the Jews. Prophet Muhammad (sa) informed him that it had never been his intent, rather, it was to spare their lives, however, he informed him that from now on they were to be banished and their possessions confiscated.

He then told ibn Ubayy if he desired to do so he could escort them to wherever they wished to relocate. Ibn Ubayy accepted the Prophet's decision and sent word to his allies informing them of their fate and then escorted them to a Jewish settlement at Wadi Al Kura, which lies some distance away to the north of Medina. As for their confiscated possessions, they were to greatly enrich the Muslim armory, as the Kaynuka were highly skilled smiths and much needed coats of mail, and weapons were among the spoils.

Ka'b, the Son of Ashraf

The Jew, Ka'b, Ashraf's son, had not only used his wealth against the Prophet (sa) and more recently composed a poem that served to stir and fuel the emotions of the Koraysh, now wrote another poem as he rode on his cloud of infamy in Mecca. This time however, it was not in praise of the Koraysh, it was a poem written in extremely poor taste that not only degraded Muslim women but insulted them.

When the Prophet (sa) heard of Ka'bs disgraceful conduct he ordered that if any Muslim should come across him he should be killed. Ka'b, however, had not returned to Medina, he married and chose to live in a fortress near Wadi Mudhanib to the south of the City near a lava plain. Silkan, Salam's son was the half brother of Ka'b and had converted to Islam, when he learned of the Prophet's order, he, together with Abbad Bishr's son; Al Harith, Aus' son, who were joined by Abu Abs, Jabir's son conspired together to bring about the downfall of Ka'b.

The plan they devised was that Silkan should go to the fortress and entice Ka'b to come out while the others concealed themselves a distance away. With this intent, one moonlight night Silkan and his companions made their way to Wadi Mudhanib and just before they reached the fortress Silkan's companions took up their positions whilst he went on alone to the fortress.

Upon reaching the fortress Silkan discovered the doors were locked so he called out to his half brother, whereupon Ka'b peered out from behind the fortifications and upon realizing it was his brother went out to meet him. Silkan told him that there were certain matters with which he wished to speak about in private away from the ears of the fortress, and so together they went for a stroll under the moonlit sky.

When they reached the place where his companions had concealed themselves, Silkan cried out, "Kill the enemy of Allah!" The companions leapt upon Ka'b and accomplished their mission and so Ka'b never lived to write another poem. During the attack, Al Harith was wounded and lost a lot of blood, however, when they reached Medina they went straight to the Prophet (sa) to tell him of their success.

Upon seeing Al Harith's wound, the Prophet (sa) massaged some of his salvia upon the wound and by the permission of Allah it healed immediately. News of Ka'bs death spread rapidly throughout Medina and those whose intentions were to rid themselves of the Prophet (sa) and his followers, were, for the time being, hesitant to take further action.