Seerah | Lecture 32 | Victory in Khaybar and the Qada Umrah

The account details the military campaign of Khaybar, the subsequent diplomatic and economic arrangements with the Jewish inhabitants, and the Prophet Muhammad’s performance of the Qada Umrah in Makkah. It highlights the leadership of Sayyiduna Ali during the siege of the Qamus fortress, the distribution of spoils, and the Prophet’s marriage to Sayyida Safiyya and Sayyida Maymuna. The text also records specific legal rulings established during this period, including prohibitions on certain animals and the regulation of trade in precious metals. Finally, it describes the Prophet’s return to Madinah and the initial preparations for the expedition to Muta.

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Key topics & takeaways

The Battle of Khaybar

• The siege of Qamus — the fortress remained unconquered for 20 days despite the efforts of various commanders ▸33:35
• The promise of victory — the Prophet declared he would grant the flag to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and whom Allah and His Messenger love ▸33:35
• The selection of Sayyiduna Ali — despite suffering from an eye infection, he was brought to the Prophet, who cured him with his blessed saliva ▸33:35
• The duel with Marhab — the Jewish commander Marhab was defeated and killed by Sayyiduna Ali ▸33:35
• The door of Khaybar — after his shield was split, Sayyiduna Ali ripped a massive door from its attachments to use as a shield; it was later noted that 40 men could not lift it ▸33:35
• Casualties — 93 non-believers were killed, while 15 Muslims attained martyrdom ▸33:35
• Economic settlement — the Jews were permitted to remain on the land on the condition that they surrendered half of their produce and income to the Muslims ▸33:35
• The bag of Huyayy ibn Akhtab — the Prophet miraculously located a hidden bag of gold belonging to the enemy leader Huyayy ibn Akhtab ▸33:35
• The poisoning attempt — a Jewish woman named Zaynab poisoned the Prophet’s food, leading to the death of Sayyiduna Bashir ibn Bara; she was executed for the murder ▸33:35

Legal rulings and social matters

• Dietary prohibitions — the Prophet forbade the consumption of birds with talons, wild animals that tear their prey, and donkeys or mules ▸33:35
• Trade regulations — the exchange of gold for gold or silver for silver must be of equal weight and value to avoid usury (riba) ▸33:35
• Guardianship of Sayyida Umama — the Prophet awarded guardianship of the daughter of Sayyiduna Hamza to Sayyiduna Ja'far, stating that the maternal aunt is like a mother ▸33:35
• Status of Sayyida Safiyya — she was freed by the Prophet, accepted Islam, and married him, gaining the status of Ummul Mu'minin ▸33:35
• Status of Sayyida Maymuna — the Prophet married her at Sarif, where she was later buried decades later ▸33:35
• Return of Sayyiduna Ja'far — upon his arrival from Habsha, the Prophet expressed greater joy at seeing him than at the victory of Khaybar ▸33:35

Qada Umrah

• The pilgrimage — the Prophet and the Sahaba traveled to Makkah to perform the missed Umrah as stipulated by the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah ▸33:35
• Idtiba and Ramal — the Prophet instructed the Sahaba to expose their right shoulder (idtiba) and walk with a show of strength (ramal) during the first three rounds of Tawaf to demonstrate Muslim might to the Quraysh ▸33:35
• Entry into Makkah — the Sahaba entered reciting the talbiyyah and were permitted by the Prophet to recite verses asserting their strength to the Quraysh ▸33:35

Expansion and Muta

• Wadiul Qira and Fadak — the Prophet secured these areas; Fadak was acquired without fighting and thus remained under the Prophet’s personal administration ▸33:35
• Preparation for Muta — at the start of the eighth year of Hijra, the Prophet prepared an army of 3,000 to defend against threats from Sham ▸33:35