Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf

Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf was a leader of the Banu Nadir Jewish tribe in Medina and one of the most actively hostile opponents of the Prophet ﷺ among the Jewish communities of Medina. He was of mixed Arab and Jewish ancestry — his father was from the Arab tribe of Tayy, his mother from Banu Nadir. He was wealthy, poetically gifted, and influential. After the Battle of Badr (2 AH), when the Muslims achieved their decisive first victory, Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf traveled to Mecca to mourn the Qurayshi dead with elegies (marthiya poems) that glorified the enemies of Islam and incited the Quraysh to renewed war against the Muslims. He composed provocative erotic poetry about the Muslim women — a serious breach of tribal honor norms in Arabia that amounted to a declaration of hostility. When the Prophet ﷺ asked: 'Who will take care of Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, for he has harmed Allah and His messenger?', the companion Muhammad ibn Maslamah volunteered, along with a small group. They obtained permission to use stratagem, approached Ka'b under the pretense of friendship, and killed him at night near his fortification in 3 AH / 625 CE. His death was a turning point — the other Jewish tribes of Medina recognized that active incitement against the Muslims had serious consequences. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said: 'Who killed Ka'b?' When told it was Ibn Maslamah and his companions, he praised them. Ka'b's story illustrates the Prophet's approach: patience with criticism and theological disagreement, but firm response to active incitement of war and violation of the treaty of Medina.