Muhammad ibn Maslamah

Muḥammad ibn Maslamah al-Anṣārī was a Companion from the Aws tribe. He had known Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf from the pre-Islamic days in Yathrib. When the Prophet ﷺ asked who would rid the community of Kaʿb ibn al-Ashraf, Muḥammad ibn Maslamah volunteered immediately, citing his pre-existing relationship with Kaʿb as the cover needed to get close to him.

The Prophet ﷺ permitted him to use whatever pretext (khuddāʿ) was necessary to gain Kaʿb's trust. Muḥammad ibn Maslamah then organized a small team, including Abū Nāʾilah (Kaʿb's foster brother), al-Ḥārith ibn Aws, and others, and briefed them on the plan. He would tell Kaʿb they needed a financial advance, creating a reason to meet him at night. On the night of 14 Rabīʿ al-Awwal (full moon, no clouds), they went to Kaʿb's fortress. While the others distracted Kaʿb, Muḥammad ibn Maslamah led the operation that resulted in Kaʿb's elimination. He was one of the prominent Companions of the Ansār and participated in numerous battles and expeditions.