Messages that are recited among the believers—through them Ahmad, the Chosen, was selected.
So Ahmad has become among us held in honor, eminent in standing and station.
O you who threaten him in heedless folly—when he has dealt neither unfairness nor severity—
are you not afraid of even the slightest punishment? The one who feels secure from Allah is never like the one who stands in awe of Him.
Lest you be struck down beneath his swords, as Kaʿb son of Abū al-Ashraf was struck down
on the day Allah beheld his arrogance and he turned away like a crooked-necked camel.
Gabriel was then sent to carry out his killing, by a gentle revelation to His servant.
The Messenger stealthily sent to him an emissary, bearing a gleaming, keen-edged white blade;
through the night eyes kept vigil for him, ready to weep whenever the news of Kaʿb’s death arrived.
They said to Ahmad, “Give us a little respite, for our lament has not yet been satisfied.”
He left them, then said, “Depart—driven off in spite of your arrogant noses!”
He expelled the Naḍīr to a distant exile, though they had once dwelt in a land of adornment,
forced to ride double to Adhruʿāt on every lean, sore-backed mount.
We have likewise left out the reply composed by Simāk the Jew, intentionally.
Next, the Exalted clarified the ruling on fayʾ, declaring that He allotted the property of Banū al-Naḍīr to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and placed it under his ownership. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, disposed of it as Allah, Mighty and Exalted, showed him. As is authentically recorded in the two Ṣaḥīḥs from the Commander of the Believers ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, he said:
“The property of Banū al-Naḍīr is part of what Allah granted to His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, for which the Muslims did not spur horse or camel. It was exclusively for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. He would set aside his family’s provisions for one year, and whatever remained he would spend on horses and weaponry as equipment in the path of Allah, Mighty and Majestic.”
The Exalted then reiterated the ruling on fayʾ, stating that it belongs to the Emigrants, the Helpers, and those who follow them in excellence, according to their way:
“and for close relatives, orphans, the needy, and the traveler, so that it may not circulate only among the rich among you. Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you, refrain from it. Fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.” (al-Hashr 59:7)
Imām Aḥmad related: ʿĀrim and ʿAffān both told us, saying: Muʿtamar narrated to us; I heard my father say: Anas ibn Mālik narrated to us from the Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, that a man used to set aside for him some of his date-palms—so Allah willed—until Qurayẓa and al-Naḍīr were conquered for him. Thereafter the man began to take back what he had given. Anas continued: My family instructed me to go to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and ask him for what the man had previously granted them, or for part of it, yet the Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, had already granted it to Umm Ayman—or so Allah willed. I went and asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he gave the palms to me. Umm Ayman then came, placed her cloth around my neck, and kept saying, “No, by Allah, besides whom there is no deity, he will not give them to you, for he has given them to me,” or words to that effect. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “You shall have such-and-such.” She replied, “No, by Allah!” He said, “You shall have such-and-such.” She answered, “No, by Allah!” He repeated, “You shall have such-and-such,” until he finally gave her—as I think it was