The Battle of the Confederates had ended in victory and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the Muslims had finished dealing with Banu Quraizah, one of the worst Jewish criminals who had participated with the confederates against the Muslims. For this purpose, Banu Quraizah were aided with many supplies and money by Sallam ibn Abu Al-Haqiq, who used to harm the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and so the Muslims had to put an end to Sallam’s evil and enmity. The Aws had killed Ka’b ibn Al-Ashraf just before the Battle of Uhud, due to his enmity against the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Consequently, Al-Khazraj asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to kill Sallam when Sallam was in Khayber. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) gave them permission to do this; however, he prohibited them from killing anyone else.
Five men, all from Banu Salamah from Al-Khazraj, left Medinah, under the leadership of Abdullah ibn Ateek (may Allah be pleased with him). They headed towards Khayber until they reached Sallam’s fort and stood at the door of the fort.
They asked to meet him, so his wife went out to them. She asked, “Who are you?” They replied, “We are a group of Arabs who are looking for food.”
Consequently, she allowed them to enter the fort. On seeing Sallam, they all took part in killing him when he was lying on his bed.
On the way out, when darkness had encompassed the place, Abdullah ibn Ateek fell down and broke his leg. The others had to carry him. The Jews had lit a fire and were looking everywhere for the Companions. Abdullah ibn Ateek and those with him wanted to make sure that Sallam had died. Consequently, one of them left to gather news about the Jew. The Companion mingled among the people until he heard Sallam’s wife telling them that Sallam had been killed.
The Companions then returned to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to tell him that the enemy of Allah had been killed.
[The Prophet’s Biography by Ibn Hesham].
The marriage of the...
