Shas ibn Qays
شَاسُ بْنُ قَيْسٍShās ibn Qays
Biography
Shās ibn Qays was a member of Banū Qurayẓah sent by his tribe as an emissary to negotiate with the Prophet ﷺ during the siege that followed the Battle of the Trench (5 AH). He asked first for the same terms granted to the expelled Banū Naḍīr, safe passage with their families and as much property as their camels could carry, and when this was refused, offered to leave with only their families, forfeiting all property. The Prophet ﷺ refused both offers, insisting on nothing less than an unconditional surrender.
Significance
His two failed attempts to negotiate softer terms, first matching Banu Nadir's expulsion, then offering to forfeit all property, highlight the Prophet's (SAW) refusal to offer any conditional surrender, and his consistent refusal to deceive an enemy even one he knew faced a harsh verdict