Why were the Banu Nadir tribe exiled from Medina?

The Banu Nadir were exiled for treachery and breaking their treaty with the Muslims. According to classical Islamic sources like the Seerah of Ibn Ishaq, the immediate cause was their conspiracy to assassinate the Prophet Muhammad by dropping a large stone on him from a rooftop.

Which Quran chapter is about the Banu Nadir?

Surah Al-Hashr (Chapter 59) is known as 'Surat Bani an-Nadir' because it was revealed specifically concerning their siege and expulsion from Medina. The opening verses, particularly 59:2-6, detail the event, the reasons for it, and the legal rulings that resulted from their surrender.

What is the meaning of 'fay' from the story of Banu Nadir?

In Islamic jurisprudence, 'fay' refers to spoils or property acquired from an enemy who surrenders without actual combat. The wealth of the Banu Nadir was classified as 'fay' because they were overcome by divine will and surrendered. Quran 59:6 establishes that such wealth belongs to Allah and His Messenger to be distributed among the needy, unlike 'ghanimah' (spoils from battle).

Banu an-Nadir: Exile for Treachery and Divine Law on Spoils

Banu An-Naḍîr

Explore Verses Related to Banu An-Naḍîr

🕌Al-Hashr59:2 🕌Al-Hashr59:3 🕌Al-Hashr59:4 🕌Al-Hashr59:5 🕌Al-Hashr59:6

At a Glance

The Banu an-Naḍīr (بَنُو ٱلنَّضِير) were one of the major Jewish tribes residing in Medina at the time of the Prophet Muhammad's migration. According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, particularly the works of Ibn Ishaq and the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, they initially entered into the Constitution of Medina, a pact of mutual defense with the Muslims. However, their historical trajectory is defined by their subsequent treachery and breach of this covenant. Thematic analysis of Surah Al-Hashr (verses 2-6), which was revealed concerning them, shows the culmination of their hostility was a plot to assassinate the Prophet. This act of treason led to a siege of their fortresses by the Muslims. As Quran 59:2 describes, Allah cast terror into their hearts, rendering their defenses useless and leading to their surrender and subsequent exile from Medina. This event is pivotal in Islamic history not only as a consequence of breaking treaties but also for establishing the divine legal ruling of 'fay'' (spoils acquired without combat), as detailed in verse 59:6.

📖 Quranic Context

The story serves as a divine lesson on the consequences of treachery, the nature of divine support for the believers, and the legal ruling on spoils of war acquired without fighting (fay').

Their opposition to Allah and His Messenger is cited as the direct cause for their worldly punishment of exile and their promised punishment in the Hereafter.

References: The events concerning them are the primary subject of Surah Al-Hashr, particularly verses 59:2-6.

💭 Theological Perspective

Their story is a case study in breaking covenants and the consequences of plotting against the prophets.

Quran 59:2 describes Allah casting 'terror' (الرعب) into their hearts, demonstrating a psychological element of divine intervention that rendered their fortifications useless.

Their fate serves as a warning ('ibrah) for all who possess insight (uli al-absar) about the outcome of opposing divine authority.

The event teaches believers about reliance on Allah over material strength and the importance of upholding treaties.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Seerah (prophetic biography) details the specific acts of treachery by Banu an-Nadir, including their plot to assassinate the Prophet Muhammad, which served as the direct cause for the siege.

The Prophet's ultimatum for them to leave Medina within ten days.
The role of the hypocrites (munafiqun) under 'Abdullah ibn Ubayy, who promised them aid but ultimately abandoned them.
The Prophet's order to cut or burn some of their palm trees, an act permitted by divine leave (bi'idhni'Llah) as a military tactic.

There is a consensus among Islamic historians and exegetes that the events of Surah Al-Hashr refer to the expulsion of the Banu an-Nadir tribe from Medina.

💎 Deeper Insights

The Banu Nadir's punishment involved a bitter irony: they were so convinced of their fortresses' strength that part of their downfall was being forced to dismantle their own homes. Quran 59:2 states they 'destroy their houses with their own hands and the hands of the believers,' a powerful symbol of self-inflicted ruin born from their treachery.

— Al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir

The ruling on cutting the palm trees (59:5) was a groundbreaking moment in Islamic ethics of war. While seemingly destructive, the Quran frames it as being 'by Allah's leave' and for the purpose of 'confounding the iniquitous.' This established the principle that actions in conflict must be divinely sanctioned and serve a strategic and moral purpose, not wanton destruction.

— Al-Qurtubi, Ibn Kathir