A Critical Analysis of Lesley Hazleton's Objections Regarding the Expedition of Banu Qurayza

Abstract

This paper critically examines the objections raised by contemporary Western writer Lesley Hazleton regarding the traditional Islamic narratives about the events of the Expedition of Banu Qurayza (5 AH/627 CE). The primary objective of this research is to academically evaluate these objections in light of authentic sources, particularly the Quran, authentic Hadith, and classical Islamic biographies. The study focuses on three key aspects: (1) the nature of Banu Qurayza's treaty violation, (2) the historical context of the judicial decision, and (3) analysis of the moral and legal dimensions of this event within Islamic principles. Through comparative analysis of Hazleton's claims, this paper demonstrates that she not only completely ignored Islamic primary sources but also presented them in a biased manner, committing the error of applying modern standards to historical events while disregarding their proper context. The research concludes that the Banu Qurayza incident has not been examined through its original sources, and has been presented divorced from factual reality. The study reveals how modern critics selectively present historical events while omitting crucial contextual factors that are essential for balanced historical understanding.

Keywords: Banu Qurayza, Lesley Hazleton, Prophetic Biography, Islamic History, Western Criticism