Chapter 22 -The Fall of Khaybar - Bani Nadir

 Chapter 21

The Fall of Khaybar.

(628-629 A.C)

“Surely deep hatred has already appeared from out of their mouth

 and what their breasts conceal is greater still.”

(Quran 3:17)

 The previous chapters signify problems and tribulations from the Jews communities residing in Madinah. The continuous provocative nature, uncalled behaviors, and deep hatred towards Muslims go on without halting. Despite all the efforts to ensure harmony amongst the inhabitants of Madinah, the Jews from various tribes continue to disrupt and care-less towards “the charter of Madinah.” On numerous occasions, being repulsed and checked in their efforts to harm Islam.

Banu Qurayza went into exile for choice and settled in at Khaybar. The words Khaybar are also known as “Fort,” and the town was so-called because it was studded with fortresses. The most important of which, Al Qamus, was supposed to be both inaccessible and impregnable. Although, the Banu Qurayza had settled down in this remote place the Jews did not desist from their machinations to bring harm and atrocities to Islam.  The two clans, Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayza on their arrival at Khaybar found strong allies in the Jews of Khaybar, and altogether set to work to devise means for the destruction of Islam. 

The Jews in Khaybar had relations with the neighboring Bedouins and other tribes, and they succeeded in forming a coalition for the purpose of expunging Islam and the Muslims. Their hatred incited them, after the “Truce of Hudaybiyah,” to accelerate their efforts against Islam. ‘Abdullah bin Ubay, the chief of Hypocrites, was in secret league with them, keeping them informed of the movement of the Muslims. Now the “Treaty of Hudaybiyah” led them to think that the Muslims were weak. They imagined that their acceptance of such humiliating terms could be due to nothing but weakness, which led them to imagine that they could at last gain their long-desired victory. They, therefore, got in touch with all tribes who had agreed to help them in their fight against the Muslims, asking them to prepare to march on Madinah.

In the meantime, Rasulullahﷺ came to know of their schemes, and after having had the intelligence confirmed at once sent an army of sixteen hundred people to advance on Khaybar. This was all he could raise in the short time at their disposal. Besides, he had to move swiftly lest the Jews should seize the chance of advancing on Madinah itself. At Raji’ between Khaybar and Madinah, Rasulullahﷺ halted, leaving a guard to watch the route with orders not to let the neighboring tribes go to help the Jews. The Ghatafan, whose help was checked, thanked their stars and kept quiet; for they had no desire to fight the Muslims and court defeat. Rasulullahﷺ then continued his march towards Khaybar, thinking that the news of the blockade might dissuade the Jews from offering resistance. But on reaching Khaybar he found them prepared and ready for battle. 

They had strengthened all the fortresses, including the impregnable Al- Qamus. The Muslims had no difficulty in capturing the smaller fortresses, each, in turn, falling easily. But when they reached Al- Qamus, they found themselves faced with much harder to deal with. For twenty days they tried to carry it by assault, and each day they had returned unsuccessful. The Muslims had, because of the loss of many men, become dispirited. Only Rasulullahﷺ was hopeful; for he knew that the Muslims would be in the end succeed. When they all went to complain to him about their successive failure, he consoled them and told them that next day he would give the standard and the command to the person who was dear to Allah Rabbul Jalalluh, and to whom Allahﷻ was dearer, and that person would succeed in taking Al-Qamus. 

That night was a night of eager expectation and prayers for the Muslims; for each one of them prayed hard that the honor should be his. The next morning they hurried to Rasulullahﷺ, each hoping that he would be the chosen one. After all, were assembled Rasulullahﷺ beckoned Sayidina Ali RA and with his own hands put the armor on him, handed him the sword and staff, and sent him forth as the Commander of the Muslims troops for the day. The Muslims had suspected that this honor would go to Sayidina Ali RA because of his abilities, yet each had hoped secretly that he would be chosen. They all went forth cheerfully to fight and win that day under the command of Sayidina Ali ra; for if they had been jealous of the honor bestowed on him they would easily have hindered his success that day, or for the matter of that for many days to come.

The fact that Sayidina Ali ra succeeded that day in winning the fortress shows that nobody bore him ill-will, rather than all accepted him cheerfully as their commander. They had indeed, no time for such trivialities. If they accepted the leadership of the liberated slave Sayidina Zayd ra, there was certainly no reason for them to object to the leadership of Sayidina Ali ra, who besides being a valiant soldier, was of the same noble family of Rasulullahﷺ.

The Jews had hoped to hold their own and win the battle, and when they surrendered they came to Rasulullahﷺ begging forgiveness. Not only was this readily granted but he also returned their possessions and returned to them their lands on condition that one-half of the product should go to the Muslims. He knew that the Jews would not keep their word. Nevertheless, he willingly agreed to their requests and did not use his prerogative of demanding from them all their possessions, which would have rendered them destitute. 

Let those whoever that the spread of Islam was at the point of the sword ponder in this incident. As a victor he could have commanded the Jews to change their religion or die; but what do we see instead? Wholeheartedly and wholesome forgiveness. Rasulullahﷺ left to them their right to continue in their religion, promising that the Muslims should not interfere with their beliefs. Rasulullahﷺ only demanded from them half of the products of their lands as a tax for their protection and by way of reparation, which was neither they nor even now against any international law.

Compare this mercy and kindness of Rasulullahﷺ with the behavior of the Jews who, instead of being grateful to Rasulullahﷺ, immediately after the settlement they set about conspiring to take the life of Rasulullahﷺ.  They instigated one, Zaynab, to invite Rasulullahﷺ to dinner and give him poison, But, the Divine Providence, hardly had he lifted his hand to taste the food which was poisoned when he desisted. But a companion who had taken it died of its effect. Not content with this they continued to prove a source of perpetual trouble. 

Rasulullahﷺ was most merciful to them. He would have been justified in putting them all to death for this treachery alone, but he forgave them, Only Zaynab (Jews lady) was executed, and that was because of the death of a companion. Further, he sought to be friends with them by liberating one Saffiya, who came as a prisoner of war, and marrying her. But, all to no purpose. No conciliating act of Rasulullahﷺ, no kindness on his part could keep them from mischief.