The Banu Qurayza are a Jewish tribe who live in northern Arabia, at the oasis of Yathrib (presently known as Medina), until the 7th century.
In February/March of 627, their conflict with Muhammad leads to a 25-day siege of Banu Qurayza ending in the tribe's surrender.
There is much debate about the number executed with some estimating that between 400-900 males (many pubescent and adolescent boys) were beheaded, while the Sunni hadith simply state that all male members were killed, without specifying a figure, and one woman.
Jewish tribes reportedly arrived in Hijaz in the wake of the Jewish-Roman wars and introduced agriculture, putting them in a culturally, economically and politically dominant position.
However, in the 5th century, the Banu Aws and the Banu Khazraj, two Arab tribes that had arrived from Yemen, gain dominance.
When these two tribes become embroiled in conflict with each other, the Jewish tribes, now clients or allies of the Arabs, fight on different sides, the Qurayza siding with the Aws.
In 622, the Islamic prophet Muhammad arrives at Yathrib from Mecca and reportedly establishes a compact between the conflicting parties.
While the city finds itself at war with Muhammad's native Meccan tribe of the Quraysh, tensions between the growing numbers of Muslims and the Jewish communities mount.In 627, when the Quraysh and their allies besiege the city in the Battle of the Trench, the Qurayza enter nto negotiations with the besiegers.
Subsequently, the tribe is charged with treason and besieged by the Muslims commanded by Muhammad.
The Banu Qurayza are overtaken and most of the men, apart from those who surrender (many of whom convert to Islam in order to save their lives), are beheaded, while all the women and children are taken captive and enslaved.
Several authors have challenged the veracity of this incident, arguing that it was exaggerated or invented.
