were to help one another, to avenge even on a believer the slaughter of a
believer, to pay their own expenses in war, to hold Madina sacred and
inviolable, to receive privileges for those under their protection, and in all
matters of dispute to submit to the decision of the Prophet. The Jews were
allowed to retain their own religion, but were not permitted to go to war
without the express sanction of Muhammad. He thus, at this early stage, became
the dictator in all matters, religious, civil and military, and made use of the
Jews as auxiliaries in war. At this period, however, he did all he could to
conciliate them. Margoliouth gives several instances from Muslim authorities
which show this.1 When the chief of the Bani Najjar died, the Jews
came to Muhammad and asked him to appoint a successor. He said, 'You are my
maternal uncles, I belong to you, I will be your chief.' 2
It was at this time when Muhammad was feeling his way in Madina that the
famous verse, 'Let there be no compulsion in religion,' 3 was
revealed. Whether it refers to the attitude then to be adopted