has brought calamity upon us. The Arabs have closed in on us, shooting at us from a single bow; the roads have been cut off so that our families are perishing and we are worn out.”
Kaʿb replied, “I am Ibn al-Ashraf! By God, Ibn Salamah, I told you the affair would turn out just as I said.”
Salkān said, “I want you to sell us food. We will pledge security with you and give you firm guarantees, and we ask that you treat us generously in the matter.”
Kaʿb answered, “Will you pawn your own sons to me?”
Salkān retorted, “So you wish to disgrace us! I have companions who think as I do; I intended to bring them to you so that you would sell to them, show them kindness, and we would mortgage enough of our coats of mail to cover the debt.”
Salkān then returned to his comrades, told them what had happened, and instructed them to take their weapons, set out, and meet him. They gathered, and Ibn Isḥāq relates the rest of the story.
Ibn Isḥāq says: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then made it lawful to kill the Jews, saying, “If you come upon any Jew, kill him.” It was at this time that Ḥuwayyisa ibn Masʿūd accepted Islam; his brother Muḥayyisa had already done so. Muḥayyisa had killed Ibn Sunayna, a Jewish merchant, and Ḥuwayyisa—who had not yet embraced Islam—began striking him, saying, “Enemy of Allah, you killed him! By God, much of the fat in your belly came from his wealth.” Muḥayyisa replied, “By Allah, the One who commanded me to kill him is such that, had He commanded me to cut off your neck, I would have done so.” Ḥuwayyisa said, “By Allah, a religion that brings you to this is truly astonishing,” and he accepted Islam.
During the month of Ramadan al-Sayyid Abū Muḥammad al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī (may Allah be pleased with him) was born.
The Prophet ﷺ married Ḥafṣah bint ʿUmar.
In the same year he ﷺ also married Zaynab bint Khuzaymah of the Banū ʿĀmir ibn Ṣaʿṣaʿah—known as “Mother of the Poor.” She lived with him for two or three months before she passed away, though it is said she remained with him for eight months; Allah knows best.