The Battle of Khaibar

The Jews and the Quraish had suffered a mighty defeat in the battle of Khandaq, yet the Jews were determined to continue their bitter feud against Rasulullah ^(SAW). They held mighty fortresses with plenty of fertile land and resources about a hundred miles north east of Medina. They had also amassed several thousand men.

Rasulullah ^(SAW) was determined to crush the insurgency once and for all. The smaller fortresses were easily defeated, but the mighty fortress of Khaibar remained. Built atop a steep rock it was virtually impenetrable. Rasulullah ^(SAW) handed the flag of the army to Abu Bakr, and directed him to conquer the fort. He returned unsuccessful. The next day, Rasulullah ^(SAW) sent Omar, but he too failed.

Rasulullah ^(SAW) stated, "Tomorrow I shall entrust this flag to a man who loves Allah and his Rasul and is loved by them in turn. He is a man who attacks relentlessly, and never flees from battle. He shall conquer Khyber single-handed!"

Every Muslim present coveted the honor of being that man. Rasulullah ^(SAW) called for none other than his beloved vasi, wazir and brother, Maulana Ali ^(AS). He was told that Ali ^(AS) was not present, as he was suffering from sore eyes. Rasulullah ^(SAW) sent for him, put his lab mubarak on Ali's eyes, and prayed for his recovery. He was cured immediately, and from that day on, Maulana Ali ^(AS) says, he never had trouble with his eyes again.

Rasulullah ^(SAW) handed over the flag and his sword, the Zulfiqar, to Maulana Ali ^(AS). Armed with Rasulullah's ^(SAW) blessings, Amir ul mumineen ^(AS) set forth towards the fortress of Khaibar. From amongst the enemy Marhab challenged Maulana Ali ^(AS) to combat, boasting:



All of Khaibar knows that I am Marhab, the mightiest warrior in the world.

Amir ul mumineen ^(AS) replied:



I am the one that has my mother has named Haider, I shall kill like the lion! Marhab had dreamt that he was being ripped apart by a lion: he knew now that his end was near.

The battle began. Marhab was indeed a vicious foe. During the fight, Maulana Ali ^(AS)'s shield was broken. He hauled the door of the mighty fortress from its hinges, and used it as his shield. Ali ^(AS) felled Marhab with a powerful blow, and advanced alone into the fortress. He vanquished the enemy, and returned victorious to Rasulullah ^(SAW). It is said that forty men were unable to lift the door that Ali ^(AS) had used as a shield.

Rasulullah ^(SAW) was delighted with the victory. To Maulana Jafar ut Tayyar ^(AS), the brother of Maulana Ali ^(AS)) who had just returned from Habasha (Abyssinia), Rasulullah ^(SAW) exclaimed, "What shall please me more, the return of Jafar or the victory of Khaibar!"