What happened to the Banu Qurayza?

After the Battle of the Trench, Muhammad’s forces besieged the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza. The Qur’an says a party of the People of the Scripture was killed and a party taken captive. Sahih al-Bukhari says Sa‘d judged that their warriors should be killed and their women and children taken prisoner, and that Muhammad approved that judgment.

Key points

• Qur’an 33:26And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party [i.e., their men] you killed, and you took captive a party [i.e., the women and children].Qur’an 33:26 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ says a party was killed and a party taken captive, and Qur’an 33:27And He caused you to inherit their land and their homes and their properties and a land which you have not trodden. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.Qur’an 33:27 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ says the believers inherited their land, homes, and property.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 4117Narrated `Aisha: When the Prophet (ﷺ) returned from Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench) and laid down his arms and took a bath, Gabriel came and said (to the Prophet (ﷺ) ), You have laid down your arms? By Allah, we angels have not laid them down yet. So set out for them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Where to go?" Gabriel said, "Towards this side," pointing towards Banu Quraiza. So the Prophet (ﷺ) went out towards them.Sahih al-Bukhari 4117 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ says Gabriel, after the Trench, pointed Muhammad toward Banu Qurayza.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 3043Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: When the tribe of Bani Quraiza was ready to accept Sa`d's judgment, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for Sa`d who was near to him. Sa`d came, riding a donkey and when he came near, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said (to the Ansar), "Stand up for your leader." Then Sa`d came and sat beside Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who said to him. "These people are ready to accept your judgment." Sa`d said, "I give the judgment that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as prisoners." The Prophet (ﷺ) then remarked, "O Sa`d! You have judged amongst them with (or similar to) the judgment of the King Allah."Sahih al-Bukhari 3043 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ records Sa‘d’s judgment and Muhammad’s approval.
• Ibn Ishaq, page 461 says the siege lasted twenty-five nights, and page 464 gives a figure of 600 or 700, with some reports as high as 800 or 900.
• Sahih al-Bukhari 4028Narrated Ibn `Umar: Bani An-Nadir and Bani Quraiza fought (against the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) again) . He then killed their men and distributed their women, children and property among the Muslims, but some of them came to the Prophet (ﷺ) 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.Sahih al-Bukhari 4028 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ distinguishes this killing from the earlier exile of Banu al-Nadir.

The Qur’an

Qur’an 33:26And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party [i.e., their men] you killed, and you took captive a party [i.e., the women and children].Qur’an 33:26 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ (Saheeh International) says:

And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party [i.e., their men] you killed, and you took captive a party [i.e., the women and children].

Qur’an 33:26 · Saheeh International

Qur’an · accepted by Muslims

Qur’an 33:27And He caused you to inherit their land and their homes and their properties and a land which you have not trodden. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.Qur’an 33:27 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ (Saheeh International) says:

And He caused you to inherit their land and their homes and their properties and a land which you have not trodden. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.

Qur’an 33:27 · Saheeh International

Qur’an · accepted by Muslims

The reports

Sahih al-Bukhari 4117Narrated `Aisha: When the Prophet (ﷺ) returned from Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench) and laid down his arms and took a bath, Gabriel came and said (to the Prophet (ﷺ) ), You have laid down your arms? By Allah, we angels have not laid them down yet. So set out for them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Where to go?" Gabriel said, "Towards this side," pointing towards Banu Quraiza. So the Prophet (ﷺ) went out towards them.Sahih al-Bukhari 4117 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ (Muhammad Muhsin Khan) says:

Narrated `Aisha: When the Prophet (ﷺ) returned from Al-Khandaq (i.e. Trench) and laid down his arms and took a bath, Gabriel came and said (to the Prophet (ﷺ) ), You have laid down your arms? By Allah, we angels have not laid them down yet. So set out for them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Where to go?” Gabriel said, “Towards this side,” pointing towards Banu Quraiza. So the Prophet (ﷺ) went out towards them.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4117 · Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Sunni hadith

Sahih al-Bukhari 3043Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: When the tribe of Bani Quraiza was ready to accept Sa`d's judgment, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for Sa`d who was near to him. Sa`d came, riding a donkey and when he came near, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said (to the Ansar), "Stand up for your leader." Then Sa`d came and sat beside Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who said to him. "These people are ready to accept your judgment." Sa`d said, "I give the judgment that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as prisoners." The Prophet (ﷺ) then remarked, "O Sa`d! You have judged amongst them with (or similar to) the judgment of the King Allah."Sahih al-Bukhari 3043 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ (Muhammad Muhsin Khan) says:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: When the tribe of Bani Quraiza was ready to accept Sad’s judgment, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) sent for Sad who was near to him. Sad came, riding a donkey and when he came near, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said (to the Ansar), “Stand up for your leader.” Then Sad came and sat beside Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) then remarked, “O Sa`d! You have judged amongst them with (or similar to) the judgment of the King Allah.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3043 · Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Sunni hadith

Sahih al-Bukhari 4028Narrated Ibn `Umar: Bani An-Nadir and Bani Quraiza fought (against the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) again) . He then killed their men and distributed their women, children and property among the Muslims, but some of them came to the Prophet (ﷺ) 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.Sahih al-Bukhari 4028 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ (Muhammad Muhsin Khan) puts the tribes in order:

Narrated Ibn Umar: Bani An-Nadir and Bani Quraiza fought (against the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) again) . He then killed their men and distributed their women, children and property among the Muslims, but some of them came to the Prophet (ﷺ) 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.

Sahih al-Bukhari 4028 · Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Sunni hadith

Ibn Ishaq, page 461 (A. Guillaume) says:

The apostle besieged them for twenty-five nights until they were sore pressed and God cast terror into their hearts.

Ibn Ishaq, page 461 · Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Sira and history · not scripture

Ibn Ishaq, page 464 (A. Guillaume) says:

There were 600 or 700 in all, though some put the figure as high as 800 or 900.

Ibn Ishaq, page 464 · Muhammad Muhsin Khan

Sira and history · not scripture

The sira is a historical source both communities use. It is not itself scripture. What are hadith and sira?

If you’re talking with a Shia Muslim

Qur’an 33:26And He brought down those who supported them among the People of the Scripture from their fortresses and cast terror into their hearts [so that] a party [i.e., their men] you killed, and you took captive a party [i.e., the women and children].Qur’an 33:26 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ and Qur’an 33:27And He caused you to inherit their land and their homes and their properties and a land which you have not trodden. And ever is Allāh, over all things, competent.Qur’an 33:27 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ are the shared book: a party killed, a party captive, and the land inherited. Sa‘d’s sentence and Muhammad’s approval are in Sahih al-Bukhari, which Sunni Muslims treat as the most reliable hadith. Which Muslims accept which hadith? The siege length and the numbers are in Ibn Ishaq, a life both traditions read, not a Shia or Sunni canon of law.

The Christian claim

These sentences are in the Muslim sources. Christians do not receive this siege as the pattern of Jesus. They confess the Messiah who was crucified and raised. Did Jesus die on the cross? What do Christians believe about Muhammad?

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same event as the exile of Banu al-Nadir?

No. Sahih al-Bukhari 4028Narrated Ibn `Umar: Bani An-Nadir and Bani Quraiza fought (against the Prophet (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) again) . He then killed their men and distributed their women, children and property among the Muslims, but some of them came to the Prophet (ﷺ) 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.Sahih al-Bukhari 4028 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ says Banu al-Nadir were exiled and Banu Qurayza were later killed. Qur’an 59:2It is He who expelled the ones who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture from their homes at the first gathering. You did not think they would leave, and they thought that their fortresses would protect them from Allāh; but [the decree of] Allāh came upon them from where they had not expected, and He cast terror into their hearts [so] they destroyed their houses by their [own] hands and the hands of the believers. So take warning, O people of vision.Qur’an 59:2 · Saheeh InternationalOpen on quran.com ↗ is the passage about an expulsion of People of the Scripture from their homes.

Who carried out the judgment?

Sahih al-Bukhari 3043Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: When the tribe of Bani Quraiza was ready to accept Sa`d's judgment, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for Sa`d who was near to him. Sa`d came, riding a donkey and when he came near, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said (to the Ansar), "Stand up for your leader." Then Sa`d came and sat beside Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who said to him. "These people are ready to accept your judgment." Sa`d said, "I give the judgment that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as prisoners." The Prophet (ﷺ) then remarked, "O Sa`d! You have judged amongst them with (or similar to) the judgment of the King Allah."Sahih al-Bukhari 3043 · Muhammad Muhsin KhanOpen on sunnah.com ↗ says Sa‘d gave it and Muhammad said Sa‘d had judged with the judgment of God.

Where does Badr fit?

Badr was earlier, in 624. What happened at the Battle of Badr?