The Qur'an narrates to us the news of the Jews of Banu Nadheer. Upon escaping the grisly slaughter of over 70 of the most knowledgeable Sahabah, Amr ibn Umayyah Ad-Damree (ra) found two people on his return to Madinah from the tribe of Banu 'Aamir and killed them. Banu 'Aamir had a treaty with Rasulullah (saw) and for that reason, Rasulullah paid to Banu 'Aamir the blood money.

He went to visit the Jews of Banu Nadheer, seeking their help in paying the blood money - as required by their treaty with him. They agreed, yet between them they immediately plotted the assassination of Rasulullah (saw) saying, "You shall not find this man in such a situation again!"

As Rasulullah (saw) sat reclining his back on one of the walls, 'Amr ibn Jihaash, a Jew of Banu Nadheer, climbed the wall with a bolder to crush the head of Allah's Messenger (saw). Jibreel (as) informed Rasulullah (saw) of their plans and he, without saying anything to his companions sitting there, left to Madinah and returned with an army of believers. A war ensued.

The Mu'mineen surrounded Banu Nadheer's castles for 6 days. Terror pierced their hearts from within their mighty castles and they agreed to surrender. Rasulullah (saw) expelled them, allowing them to take only that which they could carry on their camel's backs.

Ibn Umar (ra) used to call it Surat Banin-Nadheer. It is Suratul-Hashr. Allah Ta'ala begins:

"Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth exalts Allah, and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise."

Allah Ta'ala is announcing that everything in this universe whether on the land, in the air, or in the sea, everything glorifies and prays and pronounces His oneness. As Allah Ta'ala tells us in another verse:

"The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory: there is not a thing but exalts His praise; but yet ye understand not how they declare His exalt! verily He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving!" - Surah Al-Israa', 17:44

As al-Mufassir At-Taahir ibn 'aAshoor said, "The verse eludes to the fact that these people (Banu Nadheer) were afflicted with what happened to them because of their arrogance towards the Tasbeeh of Allah Ta'ala and the belief in His Messenger (saw) which they knew to be truthful."

And He is Al-Azeez, the One exalted in power. Al-Hakeem, wise in everything that He decrees and everything He legislates - subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

"It is HE who expelled the ones who disbelieved from among the Ahl-al-Kitaab from their homes at the first Hashr (gathering)."

Allah reminds us of his blessing upon the Believers in this victory over the Jews of Banu Nadheer, so that they may praise Him, subhanahu wa Ta'ala, and understand that victory comes from Allah and through Allah alone.

"Assuredly Allah did help you in many battle-fields and on the day of Hunain: behold! your great numbers pleased you, but they availed you naught: the land, (in spite of) its vastness, did constrain you, and ye turned back in retreat." - Surah At-Tawbah, 9:25

Then Allah tells us of what each party was thinking. Subhan'Allah, how we today still think the same.

"You did not think they would leave. And they thought that their fortresses would protect them from Allah."

The Jews of Banu Nadheer had prepared the most secure fortresses. The had walls within walls within walls, six layers.

I remember when I was young, a man gave us a Khutbah and started by saying, "Let's face it, we lost the Quds." It did not sit well in my mind. We think they will never leave, and they think that their armor will protect them from everything, including Allah.

Nay, for Allah promises victory to the believers: "Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession (to authority) upon earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them (therein) their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security - (For) they worship, not associating anything with Me." - Surah An-Nur, 24:55

Some of us think that we can resolve with treaties. How so, when Allah Ta'ala describes the Jews:

"Is it not (the case) that every time they make a Covenant, some party among them throw it aside; Rather, most of them are faithless." - Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:100

"Allah came upon them from where they had not expected."

We see the pain that our brothers and sisters go through, but we should never think that Allah does not know of their suffering.

"And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays them for a Day when eyes will stare (in horror)." - Surah Ibrahim 14:42

The Qur'an is full of nations who transgressed beyond bounds. The wrath was delayed, delayed - perhaps they may repent, perhaps they may realize the ill of their ways - until the burning rocks rained down from the sky, no way to escape. This is the end of the Dhaalimoon.

"And He cast terror into their hearts."

The Arabic word for 'cast' is Qadf, Wa Qadhafa. It implies the throwing of something with the hand in a very sharp and powerful throw - like whipping a rock. Meaning, that the terror that befell their hearts, was un-thought of before, it came upon them as swiftly as being struck by a Palestinian rock.

This was a characteristic of Rasulullah (saw), that his enemies would feel in their hearts a terror of him even though they may be at a distance of one month's journey.

In any battle, it is the most powerful weapon. All armies and combatants strive to master it and do all that is in their might to prevent it from befalling them.

"So they destroyed their houses by their own hands and the hands of the believers."

When the Jews of Banu Nadheer surrendered to the expulsion and were given the OK to take whatever their camels could carry, they went about destroying everything else so that the believers would not benefit from it. And in this, Allah Ta'ala destroyed them in the most humiliating way … by their own hands.

We often think: how, how can a victory come? Let us all take an example here, for when we come back to our Deen with rightly guided leaders, led by a wise plan and proper preparation - the enemy's destruction may lie in the palm of their own hand.

"So take warning, O people of vision."

Fa'tabiru is a term encouraging a person to study the events, what happened, what was the cause, and what were the results. For in these stories are lessons and road maps for men of understanding.

Allah addresses the attention of these people of vision. Here are the witnesses that saw the destruction of Banu Nadheer; Here are the dwellings now left unattended; Here are the signs - again and again - that Allah is and shall always be fully capable of expelling the enemies, of raising the Mu'mineen in ranks, and in granting victory to truth over falsehood.

Let us all take this lesson to our heart.