Feb 04
Victory for Muslims in the Battle of Khyber
Sunday 24 Rajab, 1445
Feb 04
Sunday 24 Rajab, 1445
Victory at Khaybar was one of the most significant events in the early history of Islam. It was the continuation of the Muslim military dominance that began with the historic victory in the Battle of Badr, under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. While most of the major battles fought by the newly established Islamic State in Medina were against their archenemy, the Quraysh of Mecca, the Battle of Khaybar was fought against the Jewish tribes, which were a fortified settlement located in the north of Medina. It was one of those battles, where the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ himself led the Muslim Army and actively participated in war; hence categorized as “Ghazwa” (غَزْوَة).
The Battle of Khaybar was won by the Muslims, despite being far fewer in numbers than the enemy. Some 1500 Muslims comprehensively defeated an alliance of around 14,000 Jews and Ghatafans. The Battle of Khaybar is remembered for the historic display of extraordinary courage and bravery by the Muslim soldiers, especially by Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. Fought in the 7th year after Hjirat-e-Medina, it was one of the decisive wars that established the military strength of the Islamic State of Medina. Simultaneously, this victory gave Muslims the much-needed economic stability, as they got access to the most fertile lands of the Oasis of Khaybar. Additionally, they also got hold of the most vibrant and beneficial trade routes.
The Battle of Khaybar, fought between Muslims and Jews, was not a spontaneous or reactionary event. In fact, the conflict between the newly established Muslim State in Medina, led by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and different Jewish tribes of Medina was triggered soon after the declaration of the constitution of Medina. The Jews started to violate the terms of the constitution and engaged in plotting conspiracies against the Prophet and the Muslims. They also betrayed the Prophet during the Battles of Uhud and the Trench. Instead of standing along with the Muslim forces, they made alliances with the Quraysh of Mecca during these wars. Hence, the Prophet expelled some Jewish tribes from Medina.
These expelled tribes then settled in a prosperous Oasis, known as Khaybar, situated some 93 miles to the north of Medina, which soon became a stronghold of Jews. In fact, soon after the Battle of Trench, Khaybar assumed the status of a base for Jewish leadership. They were wealthy and influential, which attracted neighboring Arab tribes to gather under their leadership to oppose the newly established Islamic State of Medina. It resulted in the formation of a sort of confederation against the Muslims.
After the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, signed in the 6th year after Hijrah, the Meccan front was apparently secured by the Prophet, whereas the leaders and their tribes, gathered in Khaybar, remained a consistent threat to the Muslim State. So, it was highly important for the Prophet to ensure the security of Medina against the potential threats from Jews and their allies. On the other hand, the political and economic stability of the Muslim State of Medina was also a point of concern for the Prophet, for which a permanent solution to the problems created by the Jews was necessary. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ decided to march towards Khaybar to settle this issue once and for all.
The Battle of Khaybar was a defining moment in Islamic military history, showcasing remarkable leadership, unity, and strategic brilliance under the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. It stands as a testament to the courage and faith of the Muslim forces.
The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ was the commander of the Muslim Army in the Battle of Khayar (غَزْوَة خَيْبَر). He actively participated in this Battle and led the Muslims to a historical victory.
The Flag Bearer of the Battle of Khaybar was Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. Apart from being the flag bearer, he fought this Battle with extreme courage, devotion, and bravery. He was the key warrior of this Battle. Many fortresses protected Khaybar. Some sources reported 8, whereas others maintain that the number of fortresses was 13. Al-Qamus fortress was one of them. It was the strongest and heavily guarded fortress. Muslims had already captured some other fortresses. Now it was the turn of Al-Qamus, which would decide the fate of this battle.
After failure of the first two attempts to capture this fortress, the Prophet announced that tomorrow he is going to hand over the flag to a man who loves Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and His Messenger, and whom Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and His Messenger love. He further predicted that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ will bestow victory upon him. Next morning, the flag was entrusted to Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. This event is reported in Hadith 4210 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.
As narrated in the above-referred Hadith, Hazrat Ali was sick on that day. Despite that, he successfully accomplished the task by not only killing the Chief of Jews, namely Marhab, but also capturing the fortress of Al-Qamus. The historic event of breaking the iron gate of the fortress by Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ also took place on that morning. Accordingly, he is often referred to as “the Conqueror of Khaybar". The event of breaking and lifting the heavy gate of Khaybar is also remembered as one of the significant examples of his bravery.
The Battle of Khaybar, which was fought in 7AH (628 CE) and was led by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, himself, ended in a remarkable victory for the Muslim forces. The key events of this Battle can be summarized as follows:
The victory of Khaybar proved to be a milestone in the early history of Islam, in many ways. It not only proved the strength of the Muslims as a powerful military force, both by unity and discipline, but also earned them respect among most of their opponents owing to their strict adherence to the Islamic principles of justice and fair treatment.
The heroic role Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his key contribution in the victory at Khaybar earned him the title "Asadullah or Lion of Allah". He is also remembered as the "Conqueror of Khaybar", a title given for his brave action in breaking the fortress's iron gate. The successful military campaign, which ended in a historic victory for Muslims, not only ensured their security but also enabled them to seize the most fertile lands of the Oasis of Khaybar, securing a major food supply. Overall, the success in the Battle of Khaybar proved to be a turning point that led to the ultimate political and military dominance of Islam in Arab.
The Battle of Khaybar took place in 628 CE (7 AH).
Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ was the key warrior in the Battle of Khaybar.
After the Treaty of Hudabiyyah, apparently, the Muslims of Medina were secured against the opposition from the Meccan side, but they were still under permanent threat from the Jews, who were settled in Khaybar, after being expelled from Medina. Moreover, the Oasis of Khaybar was one of the most fertile Arab lands. Additionally, it was located on a very busy trade route. Hence, victory at Khaybar was important for Muslims in three key fields. First of all, it ensured their security. Secondly, Muslims gained control over the fertile lands of Khaybar, ensuring a consistent food supply for them. Thirdly, they got hold of the main trade route of that era, which also added strength to their economic and political might.
Despite being unwell during the Battle of Khaybar, he played a key role in the final victory. He killed one of the chiefs of the Jewish tribes, namely Marhab, with a single stroke of the sword, splitting his helmet and head into two. He also broke the gate of Khaybar. It was a heavy iron gate, which many soldiers would otherwise lift, but he single-handedly lifted it. This heroic act eventually resulted in the surrender by the Jews and a remarkable victory for Muslims.
When the Jews surrendered to the Muslims in the Battle of Khaybar, the Prophet treated them graciously by entering into an agreement with them. According to this agreement, they were permitted to live in their lands under the Muslim Rule. In return, they were asked to share half of their agricultural produce with the Islamic State of Medina. This formed the basis of the Islamic concept of "Jizya", which binds the non-Muslims to pay a certain amount to the Islamic State for providing them security. It also points to the concept of peaceful coexistence by different faiths within an Islamic State.