free to look farther afield for fresh conquests. There was a time when
Muhammad had desired the friendship of the Jews, but each victory won, and each
lot of booty captured made him less dependent on them for recognition and for
funds. ' The change from a basis of reason to a basis of force had taken place
gradually, but now was finally achieved.' 1
Sura Al-Ahzab (xxxiii), in verses nine to twentyseven, deals with the defeat
of the besiegers of Madina in what is known at the 'battle of the ditch.' The
two concluding verses of the passage make God responsible for the massacre of
the Jews:
He caused the people of the Book (the Jews) who had aided the confederates
(i.e., Meccans) to come down out of their fortresses and cast dismay into their
hearts; some ye slew, others ye took prisoners. 2
And He gave you their land and their dwellings and their wealth for an
heritage. Sura Al-Ahzab (xxxiii) 27-8.
Raihana, the beautiful Jewess, whom Muhammad reserved to himself, refused to
marry him, saying, 'Nay, O Prophet, but let me remain as thy slave: this will be
easier for me and for thee.' She also refused to abandon her faith. It is
reasonable to