Khaibar is a locality about 90 miles from Madinah. It
consisted of 8 or 10 forts where the Jews lived and was the centre of
conspiracies against Islam. In the year 7 A.H. after receiving the conspiracy
of Jews along with their enemies of Islam, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) held
a consultative meeting of the companions and decided to take on the enemies
outside Madinah. According to Allama
Tabrisi, the number of Muslims was 1,400 and the number of Jews was 14,000.
The Muslims laid a siege of the forts of Khaibar. The
Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) became ill and could not participate in the battle.
Similarly, the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) was also suffering
from eye illness. In the “Tarikh-e-Abul
Fada (volume 1 page 187), it is stated: “Due to the illness of Prophet Mohammad
(sawaw)Hazrat Abu Bakr took the banner and went to fight but returned
unsuccessful and then Hazrat Umar took the banner and fought even harder but he
as well returned unsuccessfully, Prophet Mohammad (sawaw) was informed of this
situation.”
From the above narration it is clear that the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) never awarded the banner to the companions!
After 5 days of general fighting, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Tomorrow I will award the
Standard of the Islamic forces to a man who loves Allah (s.w.t.) and His
Prophet and Allah (s.w.t.) and His Prophet love him. He is the one who attacks
forcefully and does not run away from the battlefield and he will not return until
Allah grants victory on his hand.”
Every companion was waiting and wishing to be awarded this honor.
Next morning, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) called for
Imam Ali (a.s.), he was told that Imam Ali (a.s.) was suffering from eye
illness but he (s.a.w.a.s.) insisted upon seeing the Imam (a.s.) and when
arrived, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)
applied his saliva on the eyes of Imam
Ali (a.s.) which cured him instantly. Then he (s.a.w.a.s.) prayed to Allah
(s.w.t.) and awarded the standard of Islam to him. Imam Ali (a.s.) led the
Islamic forces to the strongest fort of Khaibar named Qamoos. When they reached
near the fort, the Jews started the battle. Their strong man Haris attacked and
martyred 2 Muslims, after which Imam Ali (a.s.) took on Haris and killed him instantly.
He was followed by the strongest man in
Jews-Marhab. Marhab was killed by Imam Ali (a.s.). His “Zulfiqar” cut him into
exactly 2 pieces. Then the general
battle started and the Muslims fought courageously under Imam Ali (a.s.).
On realizing that they were losing the battle, the Jews started to run towards
their fort and closed the huge iron bridge from inside. It was reported that the gate was so mammoth that 40 strong men used to
open and close it. Imam Ali (a.s.) gave a big jolt to the gate and extricated
it from the foundation. He (a.s.) used it as a bridge on the trench to let the
Muslims cross over. The Jews inside the fort cried for mercy and Imam Ali
(a.s.) ordered to stop the battle and declared peace for those who surrendered.
It is reported that Marhab’s mother had a dream in which
she was attacked by a lion. She used to warn Marhab not to fight with any one
whose name resembles ‘lion’. Abu Rafay, the personal attendant of the Noble
Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) narrates: “When
we reached near the gate of the fort, an old Jewish guard asked: “Who are you?”
Imam Ali (a.s.) replied: “I am the one who
was named “Haider” by his mother, I am the lion of the valley, and I am the
great lion, the lion that attacks his prey by chasing it.” The man turned
to the people inside the fort and said: “You
are destroyed!”
Imam Ali (a.s.)’s
whole life, including all the battles in which he was victorious, was in
compliance of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.)’s commandments, which in turn was
wholly and completely for Islam and the Pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.). Hence, in
any battle he did not take any armor or any valuables of the ones he killed.
After the conquest of Khaibar, Imam Ali (a.s.) came down the hill of Khaibar, completely
empty handed. That makes the Imam Ali (a.s.), the great!
Washington Irving
describes Imam Ali (a.s.) in his book “Life of Mohammad”: “He was distinguished
for an amiable disposition, sagacious intellect, and religious zeal, and from
his undaunted courage, was surnamed “The Lion of God”
R.V.C.Bodley wrote
in “The Messenger-Life of Mohammad, 1946”: “Marhab
had never been defeated. His huge size frightened the opponents. Marhab
attacked first, Ali Gave way. A feint and parry sent the spear flying. Before
Marhab could get one of his swords, Ali’s scimitar (curved sword) had cloven
his head through his helmet so that it fell on either side of his shoulders…”
Sources used:
Restatement of history of Islam and Muslims by Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy
Al-Mawwadat.com, Ziaraat.com, WIKIPEDIA
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