The Battle of Khaybar was fought in the year 629 between Muhammad and his followers against the Jews living in the oasis of Khaybar, located 150 kilometers (95 miles) from Medina in the north-western part of the Arabian peninsula, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. Contemporary scholars such as Norman Stillman and Laura Veccia Vaglieri believe that one reason for Muhammad's decision to attack Khaybar in order to raise his prestige among his followers, as well as to capture booty to sustain subsequent conquests.^[1][2] Furthermore, William Montgomery Watt notes the presence of the Banu Nadir in Khaybar, who were inciting hostilities along with neighboring Arab tribes against Muhammad.^[1] Image File history File links Khaybar. ... Ruins of a Jewish Fortress at Khaybar Khaybar (خيبر) is the name of an oasis some 95 miles to the north of Medina (ancient Yathrib), Saudi Arabia. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... For other persons named Muhammad, see Muhammad (name). ... Muhammad, viewed by Muslims as the last prophet of Islam, was, amongst other things, a military leader during the last ten years of his life. ... Combatants Muslims of Medina Quraish of Mecca Commanders Muhammad Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib Ali Amr ibn Hishām (aka Abū Jahl) Abu Sufyan Strength 305-350 <900-1000 Casualties 14 killed 50-70 killed 43-70 captured The Battle of Badr (Arabic: ‎), fought March 17, 624 CE (17 Ramadan... The Banu Qaynuqa (also spelled Banu Kainuka, Banu Kaynuka, Banu Qainuqa, Arabic: ) were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of Medina, now in Saudi Arabia. ... Combatants Muslims Quraysh-led Coalition Commanders Muhammad Abu Sufyan Strength 700 3,000 Casualties 70 dead 22 The Battle of Uhud was fought on 23 March, 625, between a force from the small Muslim community of Medina, in what is now north-western Arabia, and a force from Mecca, the... Banu Nadir (Arabic: ‎) were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of Medina, now in Saudi Arabia. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The massacre of the Banu Qurayza. ... This article or section needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... Combatants Muslim Arabs Eastern Roman Empire Christian Arabs Commanders Zayd ibn Harithah † Jafar ibn Abu Talib † Abdullah ibn Rawahah † Khalid ibn al-Walid Heraclius Theodorus Shurahbil ibn Amr al-Ghassani Strength 3,000 (Ibn Qayyim)[4][5] 3,000 (Ibn Hajar)[6][5] 100,000 according to Muslim sources... Combatants Muslims Quraish Commanders Muhammad Abu Sufyan ibn Harb Strength 10,000 unknown Casualties 0 0 Mecca was conquered by the Muslims on the 10th day of Ramadan in the year 630 January AD ( 8 AH) [1] . In 628 the Meccan tribe of Quraish and the Muslim community in Medina... The Battle of Hunayn is the name of a battle where the prophet Muhammad participiated in the year 630 CE. Categories: Military stubs | Islam-related stubs ... The Battle of Autas or Auras was an early battle involving Muslim forces, fought in the year 630. ... The Siege of Taif took place in 630 CE, as the Muslims besieged the city of Taif after their victory in the Battle of Hunayn. ... According to the ,Ar-raheeq Al-makhtum( the sealed nectar) the prize winning Biography of the noble prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), the battle of Tabouk in the 9th year of the Muslim calendar (which started when Mohammad peace be upon him , migrated from Makkah to Madinah). ... For other persons named Muhammad, see Muhammad (name). ... Ruins of a Jewish Fortress at Khaybar Khaybar (خيبر) is the name of an oasis some 95 miles to the north of Medina (ancient Yathrib), Saudi Arabia. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Western Province (Saudi Arabia). ... N. Stillman Norman Arthur Stillman is the Schusterman-Josey Professor and Chair of Judaic History at the University of Oklahoma. ... Laura Veccia Vaglieri (1893 - 1989) was an Italian orientalist. ... Look up booty in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... William Montgomery Watt is a English Islamic scholar. ...

The defeated Jews were reduced to serfdom. They surrendered on condition of paying tribute to Muhammad and giving up all their land to Muslims. According to Stillman, this agreement did not cover the Banu Nadir tribe, which had sought refuge in Khaybar after their expulsion from Medina, and the Muslims beheaded all the men of Banu Nadir, taking the surviving women and children as slaves, and sparing only the lives of the Khaybarian Jews.^[3] Jews continued to live in the oasis for several more years until they were finally expelled by caliph Umar. The imposition of tribute upon the conquered Jews served as a precedent for provisions in the Islamic law requiring the exaction of tribute known as jizya from non-Muslims under Muslim rule, and confiscation of land belonging to non-Muslims into the collective property of the Muslim community.^[1][4][5] Banu Nadir (Arabic: ‎) were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of Medina, now in Saudi Arabia. ... For main article see: Caliphate Khalif is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the leader of the Islamic Ummah, or global Islamic nation. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Sharia (Arabic: transliteration: ) is the body of Islamic law. ... In states ruled by Islamic law, jizya or jizyah (Arabic: جزْية; Ottoman Turkish cizye) is a per capita tax imposed on able bodied non-Muslim men of military age. ... This article is about dhimmi in the context of Islamic law. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Background

Khaybar in the 7th century

In the 7th century, Khaybar was inhabited by the Jews, who pioneered the cultivation of the oasis and made their living growing date palm trees, as well as through commerce and craftsmanship, accumulating considerable wealth. Some objects found by the Muslims in a redoubt at Khaybar — a siege-engine, 20 bales of Yemenite cloth, and 500 cloaks — point out to an intense trade carried out by the Jews. While in the past some scholars attempted to explain the presence of a siege-engine, suggesting that it was used for settling quarrels among the families of the community, nowadays the common opinion among academics is that it was stored in a depôt for future sale, in the same way that swords, lances, shields, and other weaponry had been sold by the Jews to Arabs. Equally, the cloth and the cloaks must have been intended for sale, as it is not conceivable that such a quantity of luxury goods was kept for the exclusive use of the Jews.^[1] Bale can refer to any of the following: Places Bâle, the French name for the city of Basel The town Bale in Croatia the Bale Province, Burkina Faso in Burkina Faso the former Bale Province, Ethiopia in Ethiopia People Christian Bale, an actor Dr. Edward Turner Bale This is... Motto Allah, al-Watan, at-Thawra, al-Wehda God, the Nation, the Revolution, Unity Anthem United Republic Capital (and largest city) Sanaa Official languages Arabic Government Republic  -  President Ali Abdullah Saleh  -  Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Mujur Establishment  -  Unification May 22, 1990  Area  -  Total 527,968 km² (49th) 203,849...

The oasis was divided into three regions: al-Natat, al-Shikk, and al-Katiba, probably separated by natural diversions, such as the desert, lava drifts, and swamps. Each of these regions contained several fortresses or redoubts containing homes, storehouses and stables. Each fortress was occupied by a separate family and surrounded by cultivated fields and palm-groves. In order to improve their defensive capabilities, the fortresses were raised up on hills or basalt rocks.^[1] Look up lava, Aa, pahoehoe in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Basalt Basalt (IPA: ) is a common gray to black extrusive volcanic rock. ...

Muhammad and the Jews of Medina

Main article: Muhammad and the Jews

In 625, after the defeat in the Battle of Uhud at the hands of the Meccan army, Muhammad besieged and expelled the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir from Medina. Many of the Banu Nadir found refuge in Khaybar. In 627, Huyayy ibn Akhtab, the chief of Banu Nadir, went with his son to join Quraysh and Ghatafan Bedouins besieging the Muslims at Medina during the Battle of the Trench. After the battle proved unsuccessful, Muhammad and his followers besieged the Banu Qurayza, the only major Jewish tribe remaining in Medina at that time. Both Akhtab and his son defended Banu Qurayza. There was actually no fight. Upon surrender, the adult men of Banu Qurayza, as well as Akhtab and his son, were killed and the women and children of the tribe were enslaved.^[1][6] There are many written accounts of Muhammad having had contact with many Jews from tribes living in and arround Medina. ... Combatants Muslims Quraysh-led Coalition Commanders Muhammad Abu Sufyan Strength 700 3,000 Casualties 70 dead 22 The Battle of Uhud was fought on 23 March, 625, between a force from the small Muslim community of Medina, in what is now north-western Arabia, and a force from Mecca, the... This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... For other persons named Muhammad, see Muhammad (name). ... Banu Nadir (Arabic: ‎) were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in the 7th century of Medina, now in Saudi Arabia. ... Huyayy ibn Akhtab was a chief of the Banu al-Nadir, a Jewish tribe of pre-Islamic Arabia. ... Quraish (sura) is also the name of a Surah in the Quran. ... A Bedouin man on a hillside at Mount Sinai Bedouin, derived from the Arabic ( ), a generic name for a desert-dweller, is a term generally applied to Arab nomadic pastoralist groups, who are found throughout most of the desert belt extending from the Atlantic coast of the Sahara via the... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The massacre of the Banu Qurayza. ...

Political situation

Modern historians agree that one reason for Muhammad's decision to attack Khaybar was the need to raise his prestige among his followers, which had been eroded by the Treaty of Hudaybiyya.^[1][7][8][9] In addition, the Hudaybiyya agreement gave Muhammad the assurance of not being attacked by the Meccans during the expedition.^[1] Watt sees the presence of the Banu Nadir in Khaybar as the primary motive for the attack. According to Watt, the Banu Nadir had paid Arab tribes to go to war against Muhammad, leaving him little choice but to attack Khaybar.^[10][1] Vaglieri concurs that the Jews were likely responsible for the coalition that besieged the Muslims in the Battle of the Trench, but suggests that Muhammad's attacks against the Jews, first in Medina and then in Khaybar, had economic roots similar to those which have brought about persecutions and pogroms in other countries in the course of history. The conquest of Khaybar, Vaglieri argues, would enable him to satisfy with ample booty his companions who hoped to capture Mecca and were discontented at the treaty with the Quraysh.^[1] Stillman adds that Muhammad needed the victory to show the Bedouins, who were not strongly tied to the rest of the Muslim community, that the alliance with him would pay off.^[7] Treaty of Hudaybiyya (628) In the name of Allah. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Pogrom (from Russian: ; from громить IPA: - to wreak havoc, to demolish violently) is a form of riot directed against a particular group, whether ethnic, religious or other, and characterized by destruction of their homes, businesses and religious centers. ...

In his preparations for the attack, Muhammad took steps to eliminate some of the leaders of the Jews of Khaybar. His companions stole into Khaybar at night and assassinated Abu al-Rafi ibn Abi al-Huqayq, one of the Khaybar chieftains. Seeing the willingness of the Jews to negotiate with him, Muhammad sent envoys to Khaybar inviting Usayr ibn Zarim, the war chief of Banu Nadir, to come to Medina for talks. Unarmed, Umayr and thirty his companions set off to Medina with Muhammad's emissaries. On the way, the Muslims attacked the Jewish delegation, killing all but one of them, who managed to escape.^[11] Abu al-Rafi ibn Abu al-Huqayq was a chieftain of the Jewish tribes of the Khaibar oasis. ... Usayr ibn Zarim was the war chief of the Banu Nadir, who succeeded Abu al-Rafi ibn Abu al-Huqayq who was assassinated. ...

As war with Muhammad seemed imminent, the Jews of Khaybar entered into an alliance with the Jews of Fadak oasis, as well as with Bedouins of Ghatafan tribe. However, the lack of central authority at Khaybar prevented any further defensive preparations, and quarrels between different families left the Jews disorganized.^[1] Fadak (Arabic: فدك) was a tract of land in Khaybar, an oasis in northern Arabia; it is now part of Saudi Arabia. ...

Course of battle

Muhammad and his followers marched on Khaybar in May 629, 7 AH. According to different sources, the strength of his army varied from 1,400 to 1,800 men and between 100 and 200 horses. Thanks to the speed and secrecy of the march, the Muslims caught the Jews by surprise; the Jews realized they were under attack only when they went out to work in the fields. As a result, the Jews failed to mount a centrally organized defense, leaving each family to defend its own fortified redoubt. In addition, Muhammad bribed the Bedouin allies of the Jews and prevented any further assistance from coming to Khaybar.^[7][1] 7 AH is a year in the Islamic calendar that corresponds to 628 – 629 CE. Safar: Battle of Khaybar [] Hadith of prohibition of Mutah at Khaybar Dhu al-Qidah: The first pilgrimage [1] ^ http://64. ...

Knowing the fate of Banu Qurayza, the Jews of Khaybar put up fierce resistance, and Muslims were forced to take fortresses one by one.^[7] The Jews, after a rather bloody skirmish in front of one of the fortresses, avoided combat in the open country, and Muhammad had to resort to besieging and storming the fortresses, hoping that the capitulation of the defenders should become inevitable through lack of water and food. However, the besieged Jews managed to organize, under the cover of darkness, a transfer of people and treasures from one fortress to another as needed to make their resistance more effective.^[1]

The traditional Muslim biographies of Muhammad report that in one of the fortresses, first Abu Bakr, then Umar, took up the standard in the hope of breaking down their resistance, by putting themselves at the head of the attacks, but both failed. According to this tradition, Muhammad then called to his standard-bearer Ali, who killed a Jewish chieftain with a sword-stroke, which split in two the helmet, the head and the body of the victim. Having lost his shield, Ali is said to have lifted both of the doors of the fortress from its hinges, climbed into the moat and held them up to make a bridge whereby the attackers gained access to the redoubt. The door was so heavy that forty men were required to put it back in place. This story is one basis for the Muslim view, especially in Shi'a Islam, of Ali as the prototype of heroes.^[12][1] Abu Bakr As Siddiq (Arabic &#1575;&#1576;&#1608; &#1576;&#1603;&#1585; &#1575;&#1604;&#1589;&#1583;&#1610;&#1602;, alternative spellings, Abubakar, Abi Bakr, Abu Bakar) (c. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Shī‘a Islam, also Shi‘ite Islam, or Shi‘ism (Arabic ) is the second largest denomination of the Islamic faith. ...

Neither the Jews nor the Muslims were prepared for an extended siege, and both suffered from a lack of provisions. The Jews, initially over confident in their strength, failed to prepare their water supplies even for a short seige.^[13]On one occasion, Muslim soldier killed and cooked a score of donkeys, which escaped from a farm. The incident led Muhammad to forbid to Muslims the meat of horses, mules, and donkeys, unless consumption was forced by necessity. Muhammad ordered the felling of 400 palms around one fortress to force its defenders to capitulate. Finally, the Jews surrendered when after a month and a half of the siege, all but two fortresses were captured by the Muslims.^[1]

One single narration regarding temporary marriage (Arabic: Nikah Mut'ah) that most, but not all Sunnis regard as authentic claim that Nikah Mut'ah was forbiden by Muhammad at this moment. Shi'a view that narration as fabricated.^{[citation needed]} One single (Arabic: Ahaad) famous recorded oral tradition among Muslims (Arabic: Hadith) is about the legality of temporary marriage (Arabic: Nikah Mutah) and the Battle of Khaybar. ... It has been suggested that Mutta marriage be merged into this article or section. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic &#1587;&#1606;&#1617;&#1577;) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Sahih is a Islamic term that means authentic. ... Shia Islam ( Arabic &#1588;&#1610;&#1593;&#1609; follower; English has traditionally used Shiite or Shiite) is the second largest Islamic denomination; some 20-25% of all Muslims are said to follow a Shia tradition. ...

Aftermath

The Jews were able to negotiate an agreement under which they were to remain in the oasis, cultivating their land. Muhammad also ordered the restitution to the Jews of their holy scriptures.^[1] However, from now on they were required to hand over one-half of the produce to the Muslims. The pact didn't define the situation of the Jews, nor specify whether the Jews were to remain owners of the land.^[1] Modern historians suggest that the lack of precision was an ex-post justification for the subsequent expulsion of Jews from Khaybar. The agreement with the Jews of Khaybar served as an important precedent for Islamic Law in determining the status of dhimmis, i.e. non-Muslims who fell under Muslim rule.^[1][14][15] This article is about dhimmi in the context of Islamic law. ...

Among the Jewish women there was one who was chosen by Muhammad as wife. It was Safiyya bint Huyayy, daughter of the killed Banu Nadir chief Huyayy ibn Akhtab and widow of Kinana ibn al-Rabi, the treasurer of Banu Nadir. According to Ibn Ishaq, when Muhammad asked him to locate the tribe's treasure, al-Rabi denied knowing where it was. A Jew told Muhammad that he had seen Al-Rabi near a certain ruin every morning. When the ruin was excavated, it was found to contain some of the treasure. Muhammad ordered Al-Zubayr to torture al-Rabi until he revealed the location of the rest, then handed him to Muhammad ibn Maslamah, whose brother had died in the battle, to be beheaded.^[16][17] Safiyya bint Huyayy (Arabic: صفية بنت حيي, c. ... Kinana ibn al-Rabi was a Jewish leader of seventh-century Arabia and an opponent of Muhammad; son of the poet al-Rabi ibn Abu al-Huqayq, who flourished at Medina in the seventh century, prior to the appearance of Mohammed at that town. ... Abu ‘Abd Allah Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (Arabic: ‎) was a Sahaba, or companion, of the prophet Muhammad. ... Muhammad Ibn Maslamah (589 - 666), also known as Muhammad bin Maslama Ansari, was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad. ...

Muslim biographers of Muhammad tell a story that a Jewish woman of Banu Nadir tribe attempted to poison Muhammad to avenge her slain relatives. She poisoned a piece of lamb that she cooked for Muhammad and his companion, putting especially much poison into the shoulder — Muhammad's favorite part of lamb. The attempt on Muhammad's life failed because he reportedly spit out the meat, feeling that it was poisoned, while his companion ate the meat and died. Muhammad's companions reported that, on his deathbed, Muhammad said that his illness was the result of that poisoning.^[18]

The victory in Khaybar greatly raised the status of Muhammad among his followers and, local Bedouin tribes, who, seeing his power, swore allegiance to Muhammad and converted to Islam. The captured booty and weapons strengthened his army, and he captured Mecca just 18 months after Khaybar.^[1][7] Islam (Arabic:  ) is a monotheistic religion based upon the teachings of Muhammad, a 7th century Arab religious and political figure. ...

See also

• Muhammad as a warrior
• Jihad
• Rules of war in Islam

Muhammad (c. ... Jihad, sometimes spelled Jahad, Jehad, Jihaad, Jiaad, or Cihad, (Arabic: IPA: ) as an Islamic term, is sometimes referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam, although it occupies no official status as such in Sunni Islam. ... The rules of war in Islam are the basic religious laws of war governing the military conduct of the mujahideen (literally those who struggle [for the Islamic faith]). These rules are part of a broader Islamic military doctrine encompassed by what some Muslims call Lesser Jihad. ...

Notes

The Encyclopaedia of Islam (EI) is the standard encyclopaedia of the academic discipline of Islamic studies. ... Ibn Hisham, Abu Muhammad Abd al-Malik (d. ... Ibn Hisham, Abu Muhammad Abd al-Malik (d. ...

References

• Encyclopaedia of Islam. Ed. P. Bearman et al., Leiden: Brill, 1960-2005.
• Guillaume, Alfred. The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ibn Ishaq's Sirat Rasul Allah. Oxford University Press, 1955. ISBN 0-1963-6033-1
• Jafri, S.H.M. The Origins and Early Development of Shi'a Islam. Longman;1979 ISBN 0-582-78080-2
• Lewis, Bernard. The Jews of Islam. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1984. ISBN 0-691-00807-8
• Lewis, Bernard. The Arabs in History. Oxford University Press, 1993 ed. (reissued 2002). ISBN 0-19-280310-7
• Stillman, Norman. The Jews of Arab Lands: A History and Source Book. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1979. ISBN 0-8276-0198-0
• Montgomery Watt, W. (1956). Muhammad at Medina. Oxford University Press.
• Montgomery Watt, W.. Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman. Oxford University Press, 1964
• Hekmat, Anwar, Women and the Koran The Status of Women in Islam, (Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1997), ISBN 1-57392-162-9