Battle of Khaybar The Battle of Khaybar was fought in the year 629 between Muslims and the Jews living in the oasis of Khaybar , located from Medina in the north - western part of the Arabian peninsula , in modern - day Saudi Arabia . According to Muslim sources , the Muslims attacked Jews who had barricaded themselves in a fort . On the reasons for the attack , Scottish historian William Montgomery Watt notes the presence in Khaybar of the Banu Nadir , who were inciting hostilities among with neighboring Arab tribes against the Islamic community in Medina . Italian orientalist Laura Veccia Vaglieri , while giving full credence to Watt ' s view , claims other motives might have included the prestige the engagement would confer upon Muhammad among his followers , as well the booty which could be used to supplement future campaigns . The Jews of Khaybar finally surrendered and were allowed to live in the oasis on the condition that they would give one - half of their produce to the Muslims . Jews continued to live in the oasis for several more years until they were expelled by caliph Umar . The imposition of tribute upon the conquered Jews served as a precedent for provisions in the Islamic law requiring the exaction of tribute known as " jizya " from non - Muslims under Muslim rule , and confiscation of land belonging to non - Muslims into the collective property of the Muslim community . In return , non - Muslim citizens were permitted to practice their faith , to enjoy a measure of communal autonomy , to be entitled to Muslim state ' s protection from outside aggression , and to be exempted from military service and the Zakat , which is obligatory upon Muslim citizens . Background . Khaybar in the 7th century . In the 7th century , Khaybar was inhabited by Jews . The inhabitants had stored in a redoubt at Khaybar a siege - engine , swords , lances , shields and other weaponry . In the past some scholars attempted to explain the presence of the weapons , suggesting that they were used for settling quarrels among the families of the community . Vaglieri suggests that it is more logical to assume that the weapons were stored in a depôt for future sale . Similarly the Jews kept 20 bales of cloth and 500 cloaks for sale , and other luxury goods . These commercial activities as a cause of hostility , Vaglieri argues , are similar to the economic causes behind persecutions in many other countries throughout history . The oasis was divided into three regions : al - Natat , al - Shikk , and al - Katiba , probably separated by natural divisions , such as the desert , lava drifts , and swamps . Each of these regions contained several fortresses or redoubts including homes , storehouses and stables . Each fortress was occupied by a separate family and surrounded by cultivated fields and palm - groves . In order to improve their defensive capabilities , the fortresses were raised up on hills or basalt rocks . Banu Nadir . After they were sent into exile in 625 , the Banu Nadir had settled in Khaybar . In 627 , the Nadir chief Huyayy ibn Akhtab together with his son joined the Meccans and Bedouins besieging Medina during the Battle of the Trench . In addition , the Nadir paid Arabian tribes to go to war against the Muslims . Bribing Banu Ghatafan with half of their harvest , Banu Nadir secured 2 , 000 men and 300 horsemen from the tribe to attack Muhammad , and similarly persuaded the Bani Asad . They attempted to get the Banu Sulaym attack the Muslims , but the tribe gave them only 700 men , since some of its leaders were sympathetic towards Islam . The Bani Amir refused to join them all together , as they had a pact with Muhammad . Once the battle started , Huyayy ibn Akhtab persuaded the Banu Qurayza to go against their covenant with Muhammad and turn against him during the battle . After the defeat of the confederates in the battle , and Qurayza ' s subsequent surrender , Huyayy ( who was at that time in the Qurayza strongholds of Medina ) was killed alongside the men of the Qurayza . After Huyayy ' s death , Abu al - Rafi ibn Abi al - Huqayq took charge of the Banu Nadir at Khaybar . Al - Huqayq soon approached neighboring tribes to raise an army against Muhammad . After learning this , the Muslims , aided by an Arab with a Jewish dialect , assassinated him . Al - Huqayq was succeeded by Usayr ibn Zarim . It has been recorded by one source that Usayr also approached the Ghatafan and rumors spread that he intended to attack the " capital of Muhammad " . The latter sent Abdullah bin Rawaha with a number of his companions , among whom were Abdullah bin Unays , an ally of Banu Salima , a clan hostile to the Jews . When they came to Usayr , they told him that if he would come to Muhammad , Muhammad would give him an appointment and honour him . They kept on at him until he went with them with a number of Jews . Abdullah bin Unays mounted him on his beast until he was in al - Qarqara , about six miles from Khaybar . Usayr suddenly changed his mind about going with them . Abdullah perceived Usayr ' s bad intention as the latter was preparing to draw his sword . So Abdullah rushed at him and struck him with his sword cutting off his leg . Usayr hit Abdullah with a stick of shauhat wood which he had in his hand and wounded his head . All Muhammad ' s emissaries fell upon the thirty Jewish companions and killed them except one man who escaped on his feet . Abdullah bin Unays is the assassin who volunteered and got permission to kill Banu Nadir ' s Sallam ibn Abu al - Huqayq at a previous night mission in Khaybar . Many scholars have considered the above machinations of the Nadir as a reason for the battle . According to Montgomery Watt , their intriguing and use of their wealth to incite tribes against Muhammad left him no choice but to attack . Vaglieri concurs that one reason for attack was that the Jews of Khaybar were responsible for the Confederates that attacked Muslims during the Battle of the Trench . Shibli Numani also sees Khaybar ' s actions during the Battle of the Trench , and draws particular attention to Banu Nadir ' s leader Huyayy ibn Akhtab , who had gone to the Banu Qurayza during the battle to instigate them to attack Muhammad . David Margoliouth however held a different view , arguing that " the people of Khaibar , all that distance from Medinah , had certainly done him and his followers no wrong : for their leaving unavenged the murder of one of their number by his emissary was no act of aggression . Ali , when told to lead the forces against them , had to enquire for what he was fighting : and was told that he must compel them to adopt the formulæ of Islam , Khaibar was attacked because there was booty to be acquired there , and the plea for attacking it was that its inhabitants were " not Moslems " " . Treaty of Hudaybiyya . In 628 , when the Muslims attempted to perform the Umrah ( lesser pilgrimage ) , After much negotiations , the Muslims entered a peace treaty with the Quraysh , ending the Muslim - Quraysh wars . Some of his followers , however , were discontent at the terms Muhammad had agreed to . Scholars agree that Muhammad ' s need to raise his prestige amongst his followers , which had been eroded by the Treaty , was one reason for the battle . Vaglieri also argues that the conquest of Khaybar would satisfy those Muslims who had hoped to conquer Mecca , as well as bring in army and money . Stillman adds that Muhammad needed the victory to show the Bedouins , who were not strongly tied to the rest of the Muslim community , that the alliance with him would pay off . In addition , the treaty also gave Muhammad the assurance of not being attacked in the rear by the Meccans during the expedition . Political situation . As war with Muhammad seemed imminent , the Jews of Khaybar entered into an alliance with the Jews of Fadak oasis . They also successfully persuaded the Bedouin Ghatafan tribe to join their side in the war in exchange for half their produce . However , in comparison to the power of the North , Muhammad ' s army did not seem to pose enough of a threat for the Khaybar to sufficiently prepare themselves for the upcoming battle . Along with the knowledge that Muhammad ' s army was small , and in need of resources , the lack of central authority at Khaybar prevented any unified defensive preparations , and quarrels between different families left the Jews disorganized . The Banu Fazara , related to the Ghatafan , also offered their assistance to Khaybar , after their unsuccessful negotiations with the Muslims . Failure of Banu Ghatafan . During the battle , the Muslims were able to prevent Khaybar ' s Ghatafan allies ( consisting of 4 , 000 men ) from providing them with reinforcements . One reason given is that the Muslims were able to buy off the Bedouin allies of the Jews . Watt , however , also suggests that rumors of a Muslim attack on Ghatafan strongholds might also have played a role . According to Tabari , Muhammad ' s first stop in his conquest for Khaybar was in the valley of al - Raji , which was directly between the Ghatafan people and the Khaybar . In hearing the news of the Muslim army ' s position , the Ghatafan organized and rode out to honor their alliance with the Khaybar . After a day of travel , the Ghatafan thought they heard their enemy behind them and turned around in order to protect their families and possessions , thus opening the path for Muhammad ' s army . Another story says that a mysterious voice warned the Ghatafan of danger and convinced them to return to their homes . Course of the Battle . The Muslims set out for Khaybar in May 628 , Muharram 7 AH . According to different sources , the strength of Muslims army varied from 1 , 400 to 1 , 800 men and between 100 and 200 horses . Some Muslim women ( including Umm Salama ) also joined the army , in order to take care of the wounded . Compared to the Khaybarian fighting strength of 10 , 000 , the Muslim contingent was small , but this gave Muslims advantages . It allowed Muslims to swiftly and quietly march to Khaybar ( in only three days ) , catching the city by surprise . It also made Khaybar overconfident in themselves . As a result , the Jews failed to mount a centrally organized defense , leaving each family to defend its own fortified redoubt . This underestimation of the Muslims allowed Muhammad to conquer each fortress one by one with relative ease , claiming food , weapons , and land as he went . One Muslim reported : " We met the workers of Khaybar coming out in the morning with their spades and baskets . When they saw the apostle and the army they cried , ' Muhammad with his force , ' and turned tail and fled . The apostle said , ' Allah Akbar ! Khaybar is destroyed . When we arrive in a people ' s square it is a bad morning for those who have been warned . ' " The Jews , after a rather bloody skirmish in front of one of the fortresses , avoided combat in the open country . Most of the fighting consisted of shooting arrows at a great distance . On at least one occasion the Muslims were able to storm the fortresses . The besieged Jews managed to organize , under the cover of darkness , the transfer of people and treasures from one fortress to another as needed to make their resistance more effective . Neither the Jews nor the Muslims were prepared for an extended siege , and both suffered from a lack of provisions . The Jews , initially overconfident in their strength , failed to prepare even enough water supplies for a short siege . Early in the campaign , the Muslims ' hunger caused them to slaughter and cook several asses which they had taken during their conquest . Muhammad , who had determined that the eating of horse , mule , and ass meat was forbidden , made the exception that one can eat forbidden foods so long as scarcity leaves no other option . Fall of al - Qamus fort . After the forts at an - Natat and those at ash - Shiqq were captured , there remained the last and the heavily guarded fortress called al - Qamus , the siege of which lasted between thirteen and nineteen days . Several attempts by Muslims to capture this citadel in some single combats failed . The first attempt was made by Abu Bakr who took the banner and fought , but was unable to succeed . Umar , then charged ahead and fought more vigorously than Abu Bakr , but still failed . That night Muhammad proclaimed , " By God , tomorrow I shall give it [ the banner ] to a man who loves God and His Messenger , whom God and His Messenger love . Allah will bestow victory upon him . " That morning , the Quraysh were wondering who should have the honor to carry the banner , but Muhammad called out for Ali ibn Abi Țalib . All this time , Ali , son - in - law and cousin of Muhammad , was ill and could not participate in the failed attempts . Ali came to Muhammad , who cured him of his ophthalmia , an inhibitive inflammation of the eyes , by applying his saliva in them . Ali , with new vigor , set out to meet the enemy , bearing the banner of Muhammad . When Ali reached the Citadel of Qamus , he was met at the gate by Marhab , a Jewish chieftain who was well experienced in battle . Marhab called out : " Khaybar knows well that I am Marhab , whose weapon is sharp , a warrior tested . Sometimes I thrust with spear ; sometimes I strike with sword , when lions advance in burning rage " . The two soldiers struck at each other , and after the second blow , Ali cleaved through Marhab ' s helmet , splitting his skull and landing his sword in his opponent ' s teeth . After his victory in single combat , the battle commenced , allowing Ali to move closer to taking the citadel . During the battle , Ali lost his shield . In need of a substitute , he picked up a door from the wall and used it to defend himself . When the time came to breach the fortress , he threw the door down as a bridge to allow his army to pass into the citadel and conquer the final threshold . The door was said to be so heavy that it took eight men to replace it on its hinges . " The Apostle revived their ( his followers ) faith by the example of Ali , on whom he bestowed the surname of the Lion of God " ( Asadullah ) . The Jews speedily met with Muhammad to discuss the terms of surrender . The people of al - Waṭī and al - Sulālim surrendered to the Muslims on the condition that they be " treated leniently " and the Muslims refrain from shedding their blood . Muhammad agreed to these conditions and did not take any of the property of these two forts . Aftermath . Muhammad met with Ibn Abi al - Huqaiq , al - Katibah and al - Watih to discuss the terms of surrender . As part of the agreement , the Jews of Khaybar were to evacuate the area , and surrender their wealth . The Muslims , would cease warfare , and not hurt any of the Jews . After the agreement some Jews approached Muhammad , with a request to continue to cultivate their fine orchards , and remain in the oasis . In return , they would give one - half of their produce to the Muslims . According to Ibn Hisham ' s version of the pact with Khaybar , it was concluded on the condition that the Muslims " may expel you [ Jews of Khaybar ] if and when we wish to expel you . " Norman Stillman believes that this is probably a later interpolation intended to justify the expulsion of Jews in 642 . The agreement with the Jews of Khaybar served as an important precedent for Islamic Law in determining the status of dhimmi s , ( non - Muslims under Muslim rule ) . After hearing about this battle , the people of Fadak , allied with Khaybar during the battle , sent Muḥayyisa b . Masūd to Muhammad . Fadak offered to be " treated leniently " in return for surrender . A treaty similar to that of Khaybar was drawn with Fadak as well . Among the captives was Safiyya bint Huyayy , daughter of the killed Banu Nadir chief Huyayy ibn Akhtab and widow of Kenana ibn al - Rabi , the treasurer of Banu Nadir . The companions informed Muhammad of Safiyya ' s good family status , and requested him to accept her as his wife so as to preserve her prestige and status . Muhammad acceded to the request , and freed and married her . Thus , Safiyya became one of the Mother of the Believers . According to popular account , Kenana ibn al - Rabi , when asked about the treasure he brought with him at the time of leaving Medina , denied having any such treasure . He was told that in case the treasure could be found hidden , he would face death - penalty for his false promise . Kenana acceded to this . A Jew told Muhammad that he had seen Al - Rabi near a certain ruin every morning . When the ruin was excavated , it was found to contain some of the treasure . Kenana died as a result . Shibli Nomani rejects this account , and argues that Kenana was killed because he earlier murdered Mahmoud ibn Maslamah , brother of Muhammad ibn Maslamah . According to Muslim biographers , a Jewish woman Zeynab bint Al - Harith attempted to poison Muhammad to avenge her slain relatives . She poisoned a piece of lamb that she cooked for Muhammad and his companion , putting especially much poison into the shoulder ; Muhammad ' s favorite part of lamb . The attempt on Muhammad ' s life failed because he reportedly spat out the meat , feeling that it was poisoned , while his companion ate the meat and died . The victory in Khaybar greatly raised the status of Muhammad among his followers and local Bedouin tribes , who , seeing his power , swore allegiance to Muhammad and converted to Islam . The captured booty and weapons strengthened his army , and he captured Mecca just 18 months after Khaybar . The battle in classic Islamic literature . According to mainstream Sunni opinion , the battle is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari , in which Muhammad is reported to have said " Tomorrow I will give the flag to a man with whose leadership Allah will grant ( the Muslim ) victory . " Afterwards , he gave the flag to Ali . According to a Shia tradition , Muhammad called for Ali , who killed a Jewish chieftain with a sword - stroke , which split in two the helmet , the head and the body of the victim . Having lost his shield , Ali is said to have lifted both of the doors of the fortress from its hinges , climbed into the moat and held them up to make a bridge whereby the attackers gained access to the redoubt . The door was so heavy that forty men were required to put it back in place . This story is the basis for the Shia view of Ali as the prototype of heroes . On one occasion , Muslim soldiers , without Muhammad ' s opinion and permission , killed and cooked a score of donkeys , which had escaped from a farm . The incident led Muhammad to forbid to Muslims the meat of horses , mules , and donkeys , unless consumption was forced by necessity . The Jews surrendered when , after a month and a half of the siege , all but two fortresses were captured by the Muslims . Islamic primary sources . Muslim Scholars suggest that capturing Khaibar had been a Divine promise implied in the Quran verse below : The event is mentioned in many Sunni Hadith collections . The Muslim scholar Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri mentions that the hadith below regarding Amir ' s accidental suicide is related to Khaibar : It has been reported on the authority of Salama b . Akwa ' who said : On the day of the Battle of Khaibar my brother fought a fierce fight by the side of the Messenger of Allah . His sword rebounded and killed him . The Companions of the Messenger of Allah talked about his death and doubted ( whether it was martyrdom ) . ( They said ) : ( He is ) a man killed by his own weapon , and expressed doubt about his affair . Salama said : When the Messenger of Allah returned from Khaibar , I said : Messenger of Allah , permit me that I may recite to you some rajaz verses . The Messenger of Allah permitted him . ' Umar b . Khattab said : I know what you will recite . I recited : By God , if God had guided us not , We would hive neither been guided aright nor practised charity , Nor offered prayers . The Messenger of Allah said : What you have said is true , ' I ( continued ) : And descend on us peace and tranquillity And keep us steadfast if we encounter ( with our enemies ) And the polytheists have rebelled against us . When I finished my rajaz , the Messenger of Allah said : Who composed these verses ? I said : They were composed by my brother . The Messenger of Allah said : May God show mercy to him ! I said : By God , some people are reluctant to invoke God ' s mercy on him ( because ) they say he is a man who died by his own sword . ( Hearing this ) the Messenger of Allah said : He died as God ' s devotee and warrior . Ibn Shihab has said : I asked one of the sons of Salama ( b . Akwa ' ) about ( the death of ' Amir ) . He related to me a similar tradition except that he said : When I said some people were reluctant invoke God ' s blessings on him , the Messenger of Allah said : They lied . ( ' Amir ) died as God ' s devotee and warrior ( in the cause of Allah ) . For him there is a double reward , and he pointed out this by putting his two fingers together . Allah ' s Apostle offered the Fajr prayer when it was still dark , then he rode and said , ' Allah Akbar ! Khaibar is ruined . When we approach near to a nation , the most unfortunate is the morning of those who have been warned . " The people came out into the streets saying , " Muhammad and his army . " Allah ' s Apostle vanquished them by force and their warriors were killed ; the children and women were taken as captives . Safiya was taken by Dihya Al - Kalbi and later she belonged to Allah ' s Apostle go who married her and her Mahr was her manumission .