27:49
They said: “Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his
people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): ’We were not
present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.’”
This type of conspiracy closely resembles the plot that the Makkan tribal leaders devised against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to historical accounts, they ultimately implemented a similar plan during the time of the Prophet’s migration (Hijrah). The chiefs of the various clans agreed that representatives from each tribe would participate collectively in an attack against him. By organizing the act in this manner, they intended to prevent the Banū Hāshim from holding any single clan responsible for the assassination, thereby making it difficult for them to seek retaliation against all the tribes simultaneously.
References:
Maududi, Abul Ala (2010). Tafhim ul Quran.