Conquest of Khaibar (Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s (ra) Narration)
Whilst mentioning the same incident, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) says:
“Hazrat Ali (ra) was granted an opportunity on the day of Khaibar, when the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Today I shall grant an opportunity to he who loves God and whom God Almighty loves and will give my sword to him who God Almighty has granted excellence.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) says that he was present in that gathering and he raised his head hoping that the Holy Prophet (sa) would see him and grant him the sword. However when the Holy Prophet (sa) looked towards him he remained silent.
“Hazrat Umar (ra) raised his head again, yet upon seeing him, the Holy Prophet (sa) still remained silent. Then Hazrat Ali (ra) came and he was experiencing pain in his eyes. The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Ali, come forward.’ When Hazrat Ali (ra) stepped forward, the Holy Prophet (sa) placed his saliva on Hazrat Ali’s (ra) eyes and said, ‘May Allah Almighty heal your eyes. Take this sword which Allah Almighty has entrusted to you.’”
(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 19, p. 614, delivered 2 September 1938)
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) has mentioned the same incident in another instance when he says:
“Around five months after the Holy Prophet (sa) had returned from Hudaibiyyah, it was decided that the Jewish people who resided in Khaibar should be expelled for they resided only a short distance away from Medina and could easily plot against them. Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) took 1,600 Companions with him and set out towards Khaibar in August 628 CE. Khaibar was a fortified city as there were forts on hills at all four corners of the city. To conquer such a well-protected city with such a small amount of people was no easy task. Various small watch-posts were overtaken after some small skirmishes; however, when all the Jewish people gathered at the central fortress of the city, all plans to conquer it began to falter.
“One day, God Almighty informed the Holy Prophet (sa) that this city was destined to be conquered at the hand of Hazrat Ali (ra). Thus, in the morning, the Holy Prophet (sa) announced that he would bestow the black coloured flag of Islam to he who was loved by God, His Messenger (sa) and by the Muslims, for God had decreed this fortress to be conquered at his hand. Then, the next morning, the Holy Prophet (sa) summoned Hazrat Ali (ra) and granted him the flag, who then led the Muslim army and attacked the fortress. Though the Jewish people were well protected, Allah the Almighty granted Hazrat Ali (ra) and other Companions such strength on this day, that before nightfall, the fortress had been conquered.”
(Dibachah Tafsir al-Quran, Anwar al-Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 325-326)
Then, at another instance, with reference to Hazrat Ali (ra) and the same incident, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states,
“When the matter of conquering the fortress of Khaibar arose, the Holy Prophet (sa) called Hazrat Ali (ra) and desired to bestow upon him the flag of the Muslim army; however, Hazrat Ali (ra) was experiencing pain in his eyes (here, it is mentioned that his eyes were hurting) and due to the extreme pain, his eyes had become swollen. The Holy Prophet (sa) saw the state Hazrat Ali (ra) was in and said to him, ‘Come here.’ When Hazrat Ali (ra) went towards him, the Holy Prophet (sa) placed his saliva on the eyes of Hazrat Ali (ra) and his eyes were immediately relieved of the pain.”
(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 8, pp. 398-399)