The Conquest of Khaybar

Khaybar was a large town. It had large Jewish mansions, fields, and gardens. These Jews used to trouble the Muslims greatly and continued to make conspiracies against Islam.

Khaybar is located approximately 150 kilometers from Madinah.

After returning from Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet ﷺ remained in Madinah for one month or slightly less, until the end of Dhul-Hijjah, 6 AH. After that, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ set out toward Khaybar.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed only those Companions who had accompanied him to Hudaybiyyah to go with him.

Those who had not gone on the journey to Hudaybiyyah also expressed their intention to accompany him, but the Prophet ﷺ said:

«“If you are going to come with me, then come only with the intention of participating in Jihad. You will receive nothing from the spoils of war.”»

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ reached the area in front of Khaybar, it was morning.

‘Abdullah ibn Qays رضي الله عنه says:

«“I was following behind the mount of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. At that time, I recited: ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billahil-‘Aliyyil-‘Azim’.”»

Upon hearing these words from me, the Prophet ﷺ said:

«“O ‘Abdullah! Shall I not tell you of a phrase that is among the treasures of Paradise?”»

I replied:

«“O Messenger of Allah! Certainly, please tell me.”»

The Prophet ﷺ said:

«“It is this very phrase that you have recited. It is one of the treasures of Paradise, and this phrase is greatly beloved by Allah Almighty.”»

The Jews of Khaybar See the Muslim Army

When the people of Khaybar saw the Prophet ﷺ and his army, they came out into the fields and open areas, shouting and crying out:

«“Muhammad has arrived with a mighty army!”»

There were approximately ten thousand Jews there.

They could not even imagine that the Muslims would come out to confront them.

Even while the Muslims were preparing for battle, they continued to say in amazement:

«“How astonishing! Amazing!”»

The Siege of the Fortress of Nata

The Prophet ﷺ first turned his attention toward one of the Jewish fortresses, the fortress of Nata, and laid siege to it.

At this place, he also had a mosque built.

For all the days that the Prophet ﷺ remained in Khaybar, he offered his prayers in this mosque.

During this battle, the Prophet ﷺ wore two coats of armor and was riding a horse.

The name of the horse of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was Dhirb.

The Prophet ﷺ also had a spear and shield in his hands.

He gave the banner to one of his Companions.

The Companion advanced carrying the banner and fought fiercely, but returned unsuccessful.

The Prophet ﷺ gave the banner to another Companion. He also returned unsuccessful.

Mahmud ibn Maslamah رضي الله عنه, the brother of Muhammad ibn Maslamah رضي الله عنه, reached the area directly beneath the fortress wall.

However, a Jewish man named Marhab threw a stone from above and struck him, and he was martyred.

It is said that he had fought extremely hard near the fortress wall. When he became completely exhausted, he began resting in the shade of the fortress wall.

At that very moment, Marhab dropped the stone from above.

Seven Days of Fighting

The people of the fortress of Nata continued fighting for seven days.

Every day, the Prophet ﷺ went out to fight accompanied by Muhammad ibn Maslamah رضي الله عنه.

At the camp, he would appoint ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه as supervisor.

In the evening, the Prophet ﷺ would return to the same place.

The wounded Muslims were also brought there.

At night, one detachment of the army would remain on guard while the rest of the army slept.

The Prophet ﷺ would also go out on patrol with the detachment that was guarding the army.

After several days had passed and the fortress had still not been conquered, the Prophet ﷺ said to Muhammad ibn Maslamah رضي الله عنه:

«“Today I will give the banner to a person who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger also love him. He is not one who turns his back and flees. Allah Almighty will grant victory through his hands, and in this way Allah Almighty will give you power over the one who killed your brother.”»

When the Companions رضي الله عنهم heard this announcement, every one of them wished that the Prophet ﷺ would give the banner to him.

But then the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called for ‘Ali رضي الله عنه.

The Miracle of ‘Ali’s Eyes

At that time, ‘Ali رضي الله عنه was suffering from an ailment in his eyes.

The people therefore informed the Prophet ﷺ:

«“His eyes are causing him pain.”»

Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ said:

«“Bring him to me.”»

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ رضي الله عنه went and brought him.

The Prophet ﷺ placed ‘Ali’s head in his lap and then applied his blessed saliva to his eyes.

As soon as his blessed saliva touched his eyes, they were cured immediately.

It seemed as though he had never suffered from any problem in his eyes at all.

‘Ali رضي الله عنه says:

«“After that, throughout my entire life, I never again suffered from any problem with my eyes.”»

Then the Prophet ﷺ gave the banner to ‘Ali رضي الله عنه and said:

«“Go, and do not look back.”»

‘Ali رضي الله عنه set out toward the fortress, waving the banner.

When he reached the area beneath the fortress, he planted the banner there.

A Jew sitting on top of the fortress saw him and asked:

«“Who are you?”»

He replied:

«“I am ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib.”»

The Jew said:

«“You people have become very proud, whereas the truth is only what was revealed to Musa عليه السلام.”»

‘Ali رضي الله عنه and Harith

The Jews then came out of the fortress and advanced toward him.

The foremost among them was Harith.

He was the brother of Marhab.

This man was very famous for his bravery.

As soon as he came near, he attacked ‘Ali رضي الله عنه.

‘Ali رضي الله عنه blocked his attack and launched a counterattack.

In this way, the two continued fighting with their swords.

Finally, ‘Ali رضي الله عنه defeated him, and he fell.

As soon as he fell, Marhab came forward.

He was even braver and more experienced in fighting than his brother.

As soon as he approached, he launched a powerful attack and struck ‘Ali رضي الله عنه with his sword.

‘Ali رضي الله عنه blocked Marhab’s sword with his shield.

The attack was so powerful that the shield was knocked from his hand and fell some distance away.

At that time, Marhab was wearing two coats of armor, had two swords attached to him, and was also wearing two turbans.

Above them, he was wearing a helmet.

For the purpose of seeing, there were two openings in the helmet where the eyes were.

He also had a spear in his hand with three blades on it.

Now ‘Ali رضي الله عنه struck him, and his sword continued through him.

In this way, ‘Ali رضي الله عنه killed him.

Yasar’s Challenge

After Marhab, his brother Yasar came forward.

He called out:

«“Who will come forward to face me?”»

Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwam رضي الله عنه came forward from the Muslim side and defeated him.

The Story of Aswad the Shepherd رضي الله عنه

The Battle of Khaybar was taking place when a man came to the Prophet ﷺ.

His name was Aswad al-Ra‘i.

He was a Jew and was the slave of another man.

He had come to this area while tending his master’s goats.

He said:

«“O Messenger of Allah! Tell me about Islam.”»

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ briefly explained the virtues of Islam and invited him to accept Islam.

He immediately recited the Kalimah and accepted Islam.

After this, Aswad al-Ra‘i رضي الله عنه took a sword and advanced toward the fortress alongside the Muslims.

He fought alongside them and was martyred.

When his body was brought before the Prophet ﷺ, he said:

«“Allah Almighty has granted this slave a high rank.”»

How fortunate Aswad رضي الله عنه was!

He had neither offered prayers nor fasted, nor had he performed Hajj, yet he succeeded in attaining Paradise.

The Muslims Face Food Shortage

Eventually, this fortress was conquered.

During the siege of this fortress, the Muslims began experiencing a shortage of food.

They started becoming extremely weak from hunger.

The people mentioned this difficulty to the Prophet ﷺ.

Upon this, the Prophet ﷺ supplicated:

«“O Allah! Grant us victory over most of these fortresses, so that they contain an abundance of provisions and clarified butter.”»