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The Mission to Khaibar and Ali's Victory

In this chapter, we learn about the mission to the fortresses of Khaibar and the Prophet's ﷺ announcement of its conquest at the hands of Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him. This event revealed signs of prophethood and indications of truthfulness.

Narration

It is narrated by Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Hafiz who reported from Abu Abdullah ibn Ya'qoub, who reported from Muhammad ibn Nuaim, who reported from Qutaibah ibn Saeed, who reported from Ya'qoub ibn Abdul Rahman al-Iskandarani, from Abu Hazim, who reported that Sahl ibn Saad said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said on the day of Khaibar, 'Tomorrow, I will give this flag to a man through whom Allah will grant victory. He loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him.' So, the people spent the night wondering who will receive the flag."

On the following morning, they gathered before the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, each hoping to be chosen. The Prophet asked for Ali ibn Abi Talib and it was conveyed that he was suffering from eye discomfort. When Ali was brought to him, the Prophet ﷺ spat in his eyes and supplicated for him, and immediately he was cured. The Prophet then entrusted Ali with the flag. Ali asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, shall I fight them until they become like us?' The Prophet replied, 'Advance with caution until you enter their vicinity, then invite them to Islam and inform them of their obligations towards Allah. By Allah, if Allah were to guide a single person through you, it would be better for you than possessing red camels.'

Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regarding Ali ibn Abi Talib

The hadith narrated by both Bukhari and Muslim in their Sahih collections, from Qutaybah ibn Sa'id. Abu Tahir al-Faqih informed us, saying Abu Muhammad Hajib ibn Ahmad at-Tusi informed us, saying Abdur-Rahim ibn Munib informed us, saying Jarir ibn Abdul-Hamid informed us, saying Suhail ibn Abi Saleh reported from his father, who reported from Abu Huraira, that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Tomorrow, I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and whom Allah will grant victory." Umar said, "I never desired leadership until that day." He called Ali, sent him and said, "Go and fight until Allah grants you victory. Do not turn back." Ali asked, "Shall I fight them as long as they fight me?" The Prophet said, "Fight them until they bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. If they do that, they have protected their blood and wealth from you except by right, and their account is with Allah." This hadith is also reported by Muslim from another chain of narration, from Suhail ibn Abi Saleh.

Another narration regarding Ali ibn Abi Talib

It was narrated through a chain of narrators that include Hasan ibn Sufyan and Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz, that Abu Bakr ibn Ismaili reported from Hasan ibn Sufyan, who reported from Qutaybah, who reported from Hatim ibn Ismail, who reported from Yazid ibn Abi Ubaid, who reported from Salamah ibn al-Akwa, saying that Ali fell behind the Prophet on the day of Khaybar while he was suffering from an eye ailment. Ali expressed his concern about lagging behind the Prophet, so he left and caught up with the Prophet. When the night of the day Allah granted him victory arrived, the Prophet said, "Tomorrow I will surely give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, or who Allah will grant victory." When they were with Ali, and he was not hoped for, they said, "This is Ali." So the Prophet gave him the banner, and Allah granted him victory.

Hadith on the Virtue of 'Aamir ibn al-'As

This hadith was narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim through Qutaybah ibn Sa'id. Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz narrated from Abu al-Hasan Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Jawhari and Abu Amr Muhammad ibn Ahmad, who narrated from Muhammad ibn Ishaq, who narrated from Abu Musa Muhammad ibn al-Muthanna, who narrated from Abdul Malik ibn Amr, who narrated from 'Ikrimah ibn 'Ammar al-Yamami, who narrated from Iyas ibn Salamah, from his father. Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz mentioned that Abu al-Fadl ibn Ibrahim informed him, who narrated from Ahmad ibn Salamah, who narrated from Muhammad ibn Yahya, who narrated from Abdus Samad ibn Abd al-Warith, who narrated from 'Ikrimah ibn 'Ammar, who narrated from Iyas ibn Salamah ibn al-Akwa', who narrated from his father.

During the return from the Battle of Banu Fazarah, 'Aamir ibn al-'As expressed gratitude and humility towards Allah Almighty, expressing his reliance solely on Him, seeking His forgiveness, and beseeching His guidance and mercy. This sincere declaration of faith and humility brought tranquility to him and his companions. Upon hearing this, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked about the one who had made the statement, and upon learning it was 'Aamir, he prayed for his forgiveness. This incident exemplifies the Prophet's habit of honoring those who made sincere supplications, as testified by 'Umar ibn al-Khattab.

Upon reaching Khaibar, 'Aamir ibn al-'As displayed courage and readiness for battle, wielding his sword confidently and intently, as described by the narrators.

Poem Translation

Key Points:

• Amir is mentioned as being skilled and proficient in handling weapons.
• Amir was involved in a combat situation, where he faced a fighter named Marhab.
• There is admiration for Amir's bravery shown by the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Amir's act of self-sacrifice is commended by the Prophet Muhammad, who rewards him twice.

Translation:

Khaybar knows full well that I am Amir, the complainer of the warrior, proven in battle. When the wars flare, Amir emerges, saying: Khaybar knows that I am Amir, the complainer of the valiant warrior.

They clashed twice, and Marhab's sword struck Amir's shield. Amir then struck his head and severed it, and within it was his own soul.

Salama narrated: "So I went forth, and among the companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, were those saying, 'Amir's actions have been impressive; he killed himself.' So I approached the Messenger of Allah, while weeping. He asked, 'What is the matter?' I said, 'They say that Amir's deeds were exceptional.' He replied, 'Who says that?' I said, 'Some of your companions.' He said, 'He who said that has lied; rather, Amir has gained twice the reward.'

The Messenger of Allah then dispatched a message to Ali, calling him while he was half asleep. He said, 'Today, I shall entrust the banner to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love, and who loves Allah and His Messenger.'

So I brought him, leading him, and the Messenger of Allah spat in his eyes, and they were cured. He then entrusted him with the banner. Marhab then stepped forward, saying: Khaybar knows that I am Marhab, the complainer of the valiant warrior, proven in battle. When the wars flare.

Ali Confronts Marhab in the Battle of Khaybar

Ali stepped forward, reciting, "I am the one that my mother named Haydar...malodorous like the thickets...faithfully giving them the measure of the sander...so Marhab struck, closing his head, killing him. Muslim reported this in Sahih from Ishaq ibn Ibrahim from Abu Aamir."

Prophet Muhammad's Strategy in the Battle of Khaybar

Abu Bakr was sent by the Prophet to fight at some forts in Khaybar and fought without success. Then, Omar was sent the following day. The Prophet said, "I will give the banner tomorrow to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and whom Allah and His Messenger love. Victory will be granted under his leadership without fleeing."

Explanation of Key Terms

Haydar: The name of a lion, given to Ali due to his courage and strength.

Thickets: Refers to dense forests, like the lion's den, symbolizing Marhab's prowess.

Measure of the sander: Kill the enemies massively and swiftly.

The Hadith: Found in Sahih Muslim, in the Book of Jihad, narrating the events of the Battle of Dhul Qarad.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Salama said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) called upon Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) while he was suffering from inflammation that day. He spat in Ali's eye and said: "Take this flag and advance with it until Allah grants you victory." Ali went out, while people behind him were following his footsteps until he planted his flag in a rock underneath the fortress. A Jew from the top of the fortress looked at him and asked: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am Ali ibn Abi Talib." The Jew responded: "You have caused trouble even though what was revealed to Moses." Ali did not come back until victory was granted to him by Allah.

Narration Attribution: Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported: Abu Al-Abbas reported to us: Ahmad ibn Abd Al-Jabbar reported: Yunus reported from Al-Husayn ibn Waqid Al-Marwazi, from Abdullah ibn Buraida, who reported from his father. He said that on the day of Khaybar, Abu Bakr took the flag but was not granted victory. The next day Umar took it but was also not granted victory, and Mahmud ibn Maslamah was killed. The people returned, and the Messenger of Allah said, "I will give the flag tomorrow to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love, and who loves Allah and His Messenger. He will not come back until victory is granted to him." They were certain that victory would be theirs the next day. The Messenger of Allah prayed the morning prayer, then called for the flag. He stood up, and every one of us was desiring to be the one until Ali ibn Abi Talib was chosen. He was complaining of an eye ailment, so the Messenger wiped his eye, handed him the flag, and victory was granted when Ali went forward. Abdullah ibn Buraida reported...

Note: The Jew's statement "You have caused trouble even though what was revealed to Moses" refers to a type of oath.

Hadith of the Story of Khaibar

It was narrated by Ibn 'Amr al-Razaz that Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Jabbar told us, who narrated from Yunus ibn Bukayr, from Al-Musayyib ibn Muslim al-Azdi, who said that he was told by 'Abdullah ibn Buraydah, from his father, who said: The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was once taken ill by a headache. He remained in seclusion for a day or two without going out. When he arrived at Khaibar, his headache recurred, and he did not go out to meet the people. Abu Bakr took the flag of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and fought fiercely, then returned the flag to 'Umar, who fought even more fiercely than before. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was informed of this and said: "I shall give it tomorrow to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love, and he loves Allah and His Messenger. He will take it with strength." 'Ali was not there yet, and the Quraysh were hesitant, hoping each one of them would be chosen. In the morning, 'Ali arrived on a camel, having hastened until he was very close yet he was reeling, with his eye injured by a cold blow. The Prophet asked: "What happened?" 'Ali replied: "I caught a cold after you." The Prophet then placed his saliva in 'Ali's eye, and his pain eased. He gave him the flag, 'Ali took it, wearing a red cloak and leaving its edges hanging, and went to the city of Khaibar.

Welcome, owner of the fortress. His armor and weapons were evident, a Yemeni shield hanging over his back. He arrived to find a large man with a forehead wound, who greeted him by saying: "Khaibar knows I am ready, my weapons tried and tested. When the lions grow fierce in heat, their prey is hard to find, and the defeated retreats. 'Ali said: "I am the one my mother named Haydar, like the fierce lion lurking in thick forests. I pay them back in kind, my blows landing like thunderstorms, one stroke shattering the rock, the shield, and his head. He fell due to the pain in his head (al-sadaa')."

The Opening of the Fortress

In the aftermath of the Battle of Khaibar, Ali ibn Abi Talib led an expedition to open a fortified gate. When the Muslims were unable to turn the gate, 70 men gathered their efforts but still struggled. The gate was finally opened when Ali alone, after holding it for some time, managed to turn it.

The Story of the Fortified Gate

According to historical accounts, Ali ibn Abi Talib carried a gate during the Battle of Khaibar until the Muslims overcame it. Despite the subsequent warfare, the gate was held by less than 40 men. Another version of the story involved 70 men working together to return the gate to its place.

Ali's Attire in Extreme Weather

Ali (may God be pleased with him) used to wear a thick cloak in both extreme heat and cold without being affected by the weather. His companions once mentioned witnessing Ali dressed in thick clothing during scorching heat and in light garments during severe cold. When asked about this, Ali did not recall such incidents.

Ali's Courage and Leadership

During the battle of Khaybar, Ali was asked about his experience by his father, who then inquired directly from Ali. Ali confirmed being present at Khaybar and described the events when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) entrusted Abu Bakr and then Umar with leading the army, both of whom returned defeated. Prophet Muhammad then proclaimed that he would hand over the banner to a man loved by God and His Messenger, who would lead without retreating. Consequently, the Prophet handed Ali the banner, prayed for his well-being in extreme temperatures, and Ali did not feel extreme heat or cold thereafter.

Additional Narration

In another account, Ali mentioned never retreating and never feeling fear since the day Prophet Muhammad entrusted him with the banner at the battle of Khaybar.