13. The Battle of Khaybar

The Battle of Khaybar was fought in 628 CE between the early Muslims led by Muhammad and Jews living in Khaybar, an oasis located 150 kilometres (93 mi) from Medina in the northwestern Arabian Peninsula (present-day Saudi Arabia). The Jews of Khaybar plotted to unite with other Jewish tribes from Banu Wadi Qurra, Tayma and Fadak as well as with the Ghatafan (an Arab tribe) to mount an attack on Medina, also breaking their agreement with the Muslims so the Muslim troops marched on Khaybar. Imam Ali suffered from an eye illness and was not in battle-ready condition. According to Islamic historians, Muhammed cured Ali’s illness by rubbing his saliva on Ali’s eyes. According to this tradition, Ali killed a Jewish chieftain Marhab ibn Abî Zaynab with a sword-stroke, which split in two the helmet, the head and the body of the victim. In this battle Imam Ali (as) is said, according to a various hadith, to have torn off the door of the fort with one hand and used it as a shield. The battle ended with the surrender of the Khaybar Jews, who were then allowed to continue living in the region on the condition that they would give a portion of their produce to the Muslims as Jizya. Famously the prophet mentioned “I will give the flag to a man who loves Allah and his messenger and is loved by Allah and his messenger, known as Karar” Also in this battle Imam Ali mentioned “I am the one who’s mother called Hayder”