The Battle of Khaybar

With regards to the Battle of Khaybar, it is written that the Holy Prophet (sa) departed for Khaybar in the month of Muharram, 7 AH. Khaybar was an oasis situated 184 km north of Madinah. It has a series of hillocks composed of basalt rocks. The Jews had constructed many fortresses here and the ruins of some still exist today. The Muslims conquered these fortresses in the Battle of Khaybar. This area was very fertile and the largest central place for the Jews. The Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Siba‘‘bin Urfutah Ghifari as Amir of Madinah in his absence.

(Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tarikh al-Tabari, Vol. 3, Dhikr al-Ahdath al-Ka’inah… [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Fikr, 2002], 144.) (Dr Shauqi Abu Khalil, Atlas Sirat Nabawisa, p. 330, Dar al-Salam) (Sayyid Fadl al-Rahman, Farhang-e-Sirat [Karachi, Pakistan: Zawwar Academy Publications, 2003], p. 117.)

The siege of the fortresses in Khaybar lasted more than 10 days.

(Al-Mawahib al-Laduniyyah, Vol. 1, p. 517, Ghazwat Khaibar, Al-Maktabah al-Islami, 2004)

Hazrat Buraidah (ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet (sa) would suffer from migraines and, as a result, would not come outside for a day or two. Thus, when the Holy Prophet (sa) reached Khaybar, he was suffering from a migraine, and so he did not come out before the people. “Dard Shaqiqah” is a migraine. The Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) towards the fortress of Kutaibah. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) took the flag of the Holy Prophet (sa) and launched a fierce attack against the enemy. A ferocious battle ensued. After the battle, he returned but they had not gained complete victory despite their utmost effort. Then the Holy Prophet (sa) sent Hazrat ‘Umar (ra); he also took the Holy Prophet’s (sa) flag and fought vigorously and even more fierce than before, but even he returned without having secured victory.

(Mustafa ‘Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-‘Ibad, Vol. 5 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 1993], p. 124)

In most books of [Islamic] history and biographies, it is mentioned that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) were made commanders of the army one after the other, however, they could not conquer the fortress. However, there is a book titled “Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar”, which was published in February 2010 in Lahore; the people assigned for research have written to me about it; in the book, the author claims that the fortress was conquered by Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), but he did not give a reference for it. Nonetheless, the author says that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was appointed as commander-in-chief of the army to conquer one fort, and he succeeded, and then Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) was assigned to conquer a fort and he also succeeded. A third fort was assigned to Muhammad bin Maslamah (ra), but he could not succeed in conquering it. The Holy Prophet (sa) then said: “Tomorrow I will appoint the commander-in-chief and hand the flag to the one who is dear to Allah and His Messenger (sa), and he will conquer the fortress.” The Holy Prophet (sa) gave the flag to Hazrat Ali (ra) and he conquered the Qamus fort.

(Al-Hajj Hakim Ghulam Nabi MA, Sayyiduna Siddiq-e-Akbar [Lahore, Pakistan: Abdiyat], p. 49)

There is a narration of Al-Waqidi [the historian] regarding the Battle of Khaybar, as people read history written by him, therefore I will mention it, but it is not necessary that everything is absolutely correct. Nonetheless, he writes,

“During the Battle of Khaybar, a companion, Hazrat Habbab bin Mundhir (ra) said to the Holy Prophet (sa), ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! The Jews hold their date palm trees dearer to them than their own children, you should cut down those trees.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) ordered for the trees to be cut down and the Muslims rushed to cut down the trees.” This incident up to here does not seem to be completely accurate, however, the next part seems to be correct. He writes, “Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Undoubtedly, Allah the Exalted, has promised victory to you at Khaybar, and He will fulfil His promise to you. Do not cut the trees.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) ordered for them to stop cutting the trees and a crier made this announcement.”

(Al-Waqidi, Kitab al-Tarikh wa al-Maghazi, Vol. 2, Bab Ghazwat Khaibar [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2004], p. 120)

When Allah the Almighty granted the Holy Prophet (sa) victory in Khaybar, he distributed a special valley called Kutaibah between his relatives, the women of his family and also amongst the Muslim men and women. On this occasion, aside from his other relatives, the Holy Prophet (sa) gave 100 Wasaq of grain and dates to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).

(Ibn Hisham, Al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, Dhikr Maqasim Khaibar wa Amwaliha [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, 2001], p. 707)

One wasaq is equal to 60 Sa‘a and one Sa‘a is approximately 2.5 kg. (Lughat al-Hadith, Vol. 4, p. 487, Vol. 2, p. 648)

And so, approximately 375 maund [unit of measurement in the subcontinent, where 1 maund is equal to almost 40kg] was given to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).