Recently I came across two particular criticisms of Islam that I found a bit disturbing to learn and harder to defend or explain, so I wanted to ask you about them instead of jumping to conclusions. They were about the Bani Quraiza tribe and the killing of Asma bint Marwan. Asma was allegedly killed just for merely writing poems against the Prophet and Islam. What’s your take on this and is it true/authentic? The killing of Asma is mentioned in Ibn Ishaq’s sira, and from what I know Ibn ishaq’s sira or biography is the most authentic one and oldest surviving one as it’s around 100 after the prophet’s death. I would really appreciate if you can shed some light on this particular criticism or allegation; and explain what exactly happened with the bani Quraiza tribe.
Answer
Banu Quraizah was one of the three tribes that had entered into a commitment with the prophet, alaihissalaam, that they will cooperate with each other in defending Madinah from the attack of the enemies. However, in the Battle of Khandaq, Banu Quraizah conspired against Muslims and committed treachery. Ultimately when their community was besieged for twenty-five days, and Muslims overpowered them, they themselves opted to be dealt with by an ex-Jew Muslim, Sa’d bin Mu’adh. Sa’d decided about their fate on the basis of the Jewish law, which entailed that their women and children be sold as slaves and their men be killed. Thus God inflicted punishment on them through their own hands. The prophet, alaihissalaam, had no role to play in their annihilation. You can read more about the events that lead to Banu Quraizah’s downfall in the following site:
http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/companion/17_ali_bin_talib.htm
Asma bint Marwan used to ridicule the prophet, alaihisslaam, in her poetry. Although the prophet always forgave all people who attempted to cause harm to him through their words or deeds, don’t forget that he was not an ordinary person but Rasulullah (the messenger of God). The Quran has clarified that when a messenger of God delivers the message of Allah to his nation, the immediate addressees of his message become mubah uddam (draining whose blood is permissible) after they have denied him beyond a God-specified deadline. The Quran is unmistakably clear about this law, which the Almighty declares as Sunnatallahi (the way Allah deals). See 17:77, for instance. Asma bint Marwan was therefore killed not by the prophet but by Allah. As a general principle, the prophet, alaihissalaam, always forgave people who caused harm to him. However, when he was asked by the Almighty to get certain people killed through His own law, which He has clearly mentioned in Quran, then he implemented what his God desired of him.