When Strength and Mercy Walked Together
After the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah brought peace with the Quraysh, the Prophet (SAW) turned his attention to the settlement of Khaybar. Khaybar was a strong fortified region about 150 km north of Madinah, known for its powerful stone forts.
The people of Khaybar had been conspiring against the Muslims and had helped organise the coalition that attacked Madinah during the Battle of the Trench. The Prophet (SAW) set out toward Khaybar with about 1,400 to 1,600 companions.
The forts of Khaybar were among the strongest in Arabia. Capturing them would not be easy.
The Prophet (SAW) did not rush into action. He prepared carefully, chose the right time, and set out with a clear purpose. Good preparation is part of trusting Allah.
The Muslims arrived at Khaybar just before dawn. The Prophet (SAW) waited. When the people of Khaybar came out in the morning with their tools to go to work, they were surprised to find the Muslim army standing there.
The Prophet (SAW) then said words that showed his certainty in Allah: Allahu Akbar! Khaybar is destroyed! When we arrive in the land of a people, those who have been warned will have a miserable morning.
This hadith is recorded in Sahih Bukhari. The Prophet (SAW) always announced his arrival and gave people the opportunity to respond before fighting began.
The Prophet (SAW) did not attack by surprise in the dark. He waited for morning. Honesty and fairness apply even in battle. Islam is just, even with its enemies.
One of the strongest forts, known as Qamus, would not fall easily. For several days the Muslim commanders tried and were driven back.
Then the Prophet (SAW) said: Tomorrow I will give the flag to a man whom Allah and His Messenger love, and who loves Allah and His Messenger. Allah will grant victory through him.
Every companion went to sleep hoping it would be them. In the morning, the Prophet (SAW) asked for Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ali was suffering from an eye infection. The Prophet (SAW) put his saliva on Ali's eyes and prayed over them. His eyes were healed immediately.
The Prophet (SAW) gave Ali the flag. Ali went out and through Allah's help, the fort of Qamus fell.
The Prophet (SAW) chose the one who loved Allah and His Messenger, not the one who was the strongest or most famous. In Islam, what Allah looks at is the state of our hearts, not our appearances.
After the forts of Khaybar were taken, the Prophet (SAW) made a fair agreement with the people who remained. They would continue to farm the land and keep half of the harvest for themselves. This arrangement continued until the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab.
The Prophet (SAW) forbade his companions from harming the farmers or taking their animals without right. He gave clear instructions that people should not be wronged.
A Jewish woman named Zaynab bint al-Harith prepared poisoned food and offered it to the Prophet (SAW). He took a bite, but immediately knew something was wrong and did not swallow it. Bishr ibn al-Bara, who ate more of it, died from the poison. The Prophet (SAW) summoned the woman and she admitted what she had done. He forgave her.
Victory did not make the Prophet (SAW) vengeful or greedy. He set up a fair system, protected the farmers, and even forgave the woman who tried to poison him. This is the character of the Prophet (SAW): strong in battle, merciful in victory.
Among those at Khaybar was a woman named Safiyyah bint Huyayy. She was the daughter of a chief and had recently lost her father and husband in the battle. She was among the prisoners.
The Prophet (SAW) gave her the choice to return to her people or to embrace Islam and marry him. She chose Islam and accepted his proposal. She later became one of the Mothers of the Believers.
The Prophet (SAW) freed her as her marriage gift (mahr), setting her free from captivity. When some companions later made a remark about her origins, the Prophet (SAW) told her how to respond: Say: My husband is Muhammad, my father is Harun, and my uncle is Musa. What do you have over me?
The Prophet (SAW) honored Safiyyah with respect, freedom, and a proposal of marriage. He taught his companions not to look down on anyone. In Islam, no person is lesser because of their background or origins.
The campaign of Khaybar showed the Prophet (SAW) at his most complete: a brilliant commander who arrived with strength, a just leader who set up fair agreements, and a man of extraordinary mercy who forgave those who had harmed him. Every step of Khaybar was taken with the name of Allah on his lips.
Sources: Sahih Bukhari | Sahih Muslim | Seerah Ibn Hisham
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