of his head, then strike him.” He then ran his hand through the locks at the side of Ka‘b’s head and smelled his hand, saying, “Never have I smelled the perfume of a bride as I have tonight.” He replied, “It is the perfume of the mother of so-and-so”—meaning his wife.

They walked for a while, then he did the same again, until Ka‘b was reassured. They walked on for a while longer, and he did the same once more. Then he seized both sides of Ka‘b’s head firmly and said, “Strike the enemy of Allah!” Their swords struck him from every direction, but achieved nothing.

Muhammad ibn Maslama said: “Then I remembered a dagger in my sword. I took it out, while the enemy of Allah let out such a cry that there was not a fortress around us upon which a fire was not lit. I thrust it into his chest and bore down upon it until it reached his groin, and the enemy of Allah fell.”

Al-Harith ibn Aws had been wounded in the head by one of our swords. We departed, but our companion al-Harith lagged behind, as he was bleeding heavily. We waited for him for a while, then he came to us, following our tracks. We carried him and brought him to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, at the end of the night, while he was standing in prayer. We greeted him, and he came out to us. We informed him of Ka‘b’s killing and brought Ka‘b’s head to him. He spat upon our companion’s wound.

We returned to our families, and by morning the Jews had become fearful because of what we had done to the enemy of Allah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Kill any Jewish man over whom you gain mastery.” Muḥayyiṣa ibn Mas‘ud then attacked Sunayna, a Jewish merchant with whom they associated and traded, and killed him. At that time, Ḥuwayyiṣa ibn Mas‘ud had not yet accepted Islam, and he was older than Muḥayyiṣa. When Muḥayyiṣa killed him, Ḥuwayyiṣa began striking him and saying, “Enemy of Allah! You killed him? By Allah, much of the fat in your belly has come from his wealth!”

Muḥayyiṣa said, “By Allah, had the one who commanded me to kill him commanded me to kill you, I would have struck off your head.” He said, “If Muhammad commanded you to kill me, would you kill me?” He replied, “Yes.” He said, “By Allah, a religion that has brought you to this is truly astounding!” Ḥuwayyiṣa then accepted Islam. (1)

Allah Most High revealed concerning Ka‘b: “You will surely be tested.” That is, you will certainly be put to the test. The lām is for emphasis and carries the sense of an oath, while the nūn reinforces the oath. “In your wealth,” through calamities, afflictions, and loss; “and in yourselves,” through illnesses. It was also said: through misfortunes affecting relatives and clans.

‘Aṭā’ said: They were the Emigrants: the polytheists took their wealth and dwellings and tortured them. Al-Ḥasan said: It refers to the obligations imposed upon them concerning their wealth and themselves, such as prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, striving in Allah’s cause, and zakah. “And you will surely hear much abuse from those who were given the Scripture before you”—that is, the Jews and Christians—“and from those who associate partners with Allah”—that is, the Arab polytheists. “But if you persevere” in the face of their abuse “and fear Allah, then that is truly a matter requiring resolve.” That is, it is among the matters that are right and best. ‘Aṭā’ said: It is part of the reality of faith.