Khyber Expedition:
- Background
● Strong concentration of Jews at Khyber, about 60-80 miles towards North of
Madina
● Most of the Jews were in self exile and settled at Khyber, and after Trench their
wickedness increased greatly
● Abdullah bin Ubai, the leader of the hypocrites, was in a secret liaison with them
and informed the Jews of the Muslim movements
● Jews began to plot in cooperation with their allies to invade Madina
● They looted some caravans, murdered a number of Muslims and plundered their
houses and properties even near the surrounding villages of Madina
● Abu Dhaar Al-Ghaffari’s son was killed, and daughter in law and camels were
captured but got rescued
● Jews knew of treaty of Hudaibiyah which made them believe Muslims were weak
- Events
● The Prophet (SAW) came to know through intelligence about the proposed plot to
attack Madinah by the Jews
● Therefore he launched into prompt and immediate action
● Hz Muhammad (PBUH) this time considered it more proper to go to Khyber in
order to stop the invasion of Madina
● He set out with 1600 Muslims in Muharram 7 AH, and reached Khyber in 3 days
● Jews were caught in surprise when they saw Hz Muhammad with his men
marching to Khyber
● They immediately rushed to their forts. There were several fortified quarters and
six big forts, namely Naim, Sulaim, Qamus, Qisarah, Shaq and Marbat
● There were around 20,000 Jews in the forts
● The Jewish people put their property and families in the fortresses and the
warrior took shelter is forts called Naim and Qamus on the advice of their chief
Salam bin Mishkam
● Qamus was the strongest fort whose ruler was the Arab famous warrior Marhab
who was thought to be stronger than one thousand horsemen
● The Prophet (SAW) did not want a long siege. When he realised the Jews were
prepared to fight, he ordered an attack
● Muslims captured small fortresses without much difficulty but when they reached
the famous and strong fort of Qamus it was very difficult
● The fight prolonged to twenty days
● Each day they returned without success
● The Holy Prophet (SAW) sent even Umar and Abu Bakr and they were also
unsuccessful
● The Holy Prophet was still full of hope and courage. One evening Holy Prophet
(SAW) declared “Tomorrow, I will give this standard to an individual
who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love
him”
● Everybody was anxious to be that person and in the morning they all rallied
around him
● Prophet beckoned Ali and with his own hands put the armour on him, handed
him the sword and then staff and sent him as the commander of the troops for
that day
● Seeing Muslims under Ali’s command, Marhab, famous Jewish warrior, came out
of the fort and invited Ali to combat and Ali killed him in the first attack
● Then a fierce battle began, during which Ali’s shield was broken and he took hold
of a pillar of the fort's gate and used it as a shield
● Jews were forced to give in and the fort was captured by Muslims
● After losing Qamus, their strongest fort, the Jews realised the end must come
● They requested the Prophet to grant them peace on the condition that they would
pay him half the produce of their lands
● Their lives, property, women and children were left untouched, and Holy Prophet
accepted their request even though he know they would not keep by it
