LIFE OF MOHAMMED.
45
The Jews were visited with his deepest vengeance: the Jewish tribe of Kainoka was driven from Medina, to implore a refuge on the confines of Syria. The Nadhirites, who surrendered at discretion, perhaps with the expectation of mercy, experienced the vanity of their hopes in the humanity of the Prophet[1]. Seven hundred Jews were dragged in chains to the market-place at Medina: they descended alive into the grave prepared for their execution and burial, and the apostle beheld, with an inflexible eye, the slaughter of his helpless enemies[2].
After having reduced Chaibar, the chief was tortured in the presence of Mohammed, to force a confession of his hidden treasure,
- ↑ Mohammed at one time destroyed nearly seven hundred Koradhites, his prisoners, under aggravating circumstances of cruelty. The command was not issued in the heat of action, when his passions were inflamed by apposition, but on his return to Medina, after a considerable time had elapsed for his anger to cool.—See Koran, chap. 33, note.
- ↑ Gibbon. Koran, chap. 33.
