.

.

E) The battle of Khaiber: (Muharram, 7th Al-Hijrah)

1. The defeated Jews of different tribes as well as those exiled from Madina gathered in Khaiber, and constantly incited the enemies of the Muslims against them. It may be noted that the Battles of Uhud and Ahzab were fought by Quraish and other tribes against the Muslims on the instigation and clear support of the Jews. Consequently, after conducting the peace treaty with Quraish, the Holy Prophet decided to take an offensive action against the Jews. Khaiber being their strong hold was his important target after the historic Peace Treaty of Hudaibya.

2. The Holy Prophet had organized an effective patrolling system, which kept him informed constantly about the activities and movements of his enemy, particularly the Jews.

3. Through the peace treaty, the Quraish were bound not to fight the Muslims for ten years. The Holy Prophet, therefore, marched towards Khaiber (the strong hold of the Jews), which consisted of a chain of at least a dozen of strong well built military castles.

4. On his way to Khaiber, the Holy Prophet adopted a route, which straightly cut off the tribe of Ghatfa’n from the Jews of Khaiber with whom they had a defense pact. The people of Ghatfan did try to find a way towards Khaiber, but were rendered helpless.

5. The Muslims captured the military castles of the Jews one by one in a great speed.

6. The Holy Prophet, thus, quite speedily met the Jews in their homeland, and did not allow them to organize an all out and a determined fight against him. The Jews quickly lost their castles one after the other.

7. It may be noted that the attack of the Holy Prophet on Khaiber was so sudden that they quite surprisingly saw him one early morning marching towards them, when they were going out to their farms. The Jews on seeing him, cried with fear:’ ‘ Muhammad (peace be upon him) has come in…’ They ran towards their castles, but were surrounded by the Muslims from all over. Their castles were conquered one by one, as mentioned above, and their military might was destroyed.

[Encyclopedia on Seerah, Ibn Hashsham, Ibn Khaldun, Bukhari]

Note: (See 48:18,19,20;33:27)

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