ALI THE MIRACLE OF MOHAMMAD(S)
BY
YAQUB HASAN RIZVI
THE BATTLE OF KHAIBER
The Jews of
Madina after their banishment were now settled in Khaiber, a stronghold of the
Jews of Arabia. But they had neither forgiven nor forgotten the Prophet (S.A.W)
for their ouster. Their anger and hatred of him was more because of their
disappointment they got from him. When the Prophet (S.A.W) came to Madina they
saw him and his followers offering their prayers facing Palestine. They thought
that his preachings
were another form of Judaism and the Prophet (S.A.W) was actually one of them
and that they can make best use of him. But when they realized that his
teachings had broken their monopolies in business and that his preachings were
against capitalism their basic creed and the Prophet (S.A.W) asking the Muslims
neither to pay interest or take interest which means their losing the control
on the economy of Madina, they began fearing him, and when they saw that he has
even changed the direction of their prayers from Palestine to Mecca they
started hating him and wanted to kill him. And for this cause they had the
support of even many rich Muslims of Madina who had lost their distinctions
because of the teaching of equality and brotherhood by the Prophet (S.A.W). At
the time of embracing Islam they had never thought that this religion will make
them sit and pray with humble slaves and poor people. But were now helpless as
the Muslims were now a bigger force which could not be easily dispensed with.
So they began to conspire with the Jews to annihilate the Muslims completely.
Khaiber is a
place some eighty miles from Madina and an old Jewish settlement. Here the Jews
from Palestine and other places had settled after their banishments. And
gradually this
thickly populated settlement had developed into a big market. The place was
also considered safe because it was surrounded by six strongly built forts. The
strongest and the biggest being Kamoos. (Khaiber in Hebrew means fort). They
thought that being in Khaiber they were very secured and they could do any harm
to the Muslims from there for which they cannot be punished. They occasionally
raided the outskirts of Madina, looting and plundering the fruit trees and
carrying away their cattles.
One day when
they killed the son of Abu Zar-e-Ghaffari who was looking after the cattle of
the Prophet (S.A.W), the Prophet (S.A.W) sent Abdulla Bin Rawaha to warn them
for doing such crimes.
But they
refused to listen to Abdullah and Abdullah returned disappointed. The Prophet
(S.A.W) also got the news that the Jewish tribes of Bani Ghaftan, Bani Asad and
Bani Kanana had again regrouped under the command of Marhab, the famous Jew
warrior of Khaibar. The Prophet (S.A.W) who was very much involved in dealing
with the hypocrites of Madina did not want to fight on two fronts. But when he
saw that the Jews of Khaibar would not allow him to live in peace and would
attack any moment, he decided to counter attack them at Khaiber itself before
they could attempt to over run Madina. Taking some fourteen hundred people the
Prophet (S.A.W) marched towards Khaiber.
The Prophet
(S.A.W) on reaching Khaiber got an attack of migraine, he had to confine
himself to his tent, and due to severity of the pain could not do anything. Ali
(A.S.) too was suffering from conjunctivitis and was lying in his tent. Umar
ibn Khattab without consulting the Prophet (S.A.W) took the flag of Islam
himself and went to attack the enemies but could not face the onslaught of the
enemies and soon returned without any fight. Next day the Prophet (S.A.W) gave
the flag to Abu Bakr but he too ran away without giving any fight disappointing
the Prophet (S.A.W). Third day Umar again took courage and asked for the flag
but soon came back from the battle field. When the Prophet (S.A.W) questioned
him, he blamed the soldiers for not standing by him and called them cowards.
And when the Prophet (S.A.W) questioned the soldiers about their flight from
the battlefield they blamed Umar and called him impotent.
The Prophet
(S.A.W) was pained to see the state of affairs of the Muslims and their defeat
for three consecutive days. Now the victory of the Muslims had become a
necessity because the Prophet (S.A.W) feared that the hypocrites of Madina may
also raise their heads on hearing the news of these defeats. Addressing the
Muslims that evening the Prophet (S.A.W) said, "Tomorrow I shall give the
banner to a person, who is brave, who
will attack and not run away from the battlefield. He is the lover of Allah
and His Prophet (S.A.W) and Allah
and His Prophet (S.A.W) also love him.
This person will not return from the battlefield without achieving
victory." [Bukhari, Vol. 3, Page 33] This prediction of the Prophet
(S.A.W) became the cause of sleepless nights for many. Victory was now certain
and guaranteed, who ever carries the flag will not die, and return victorious.
So why not have it. Next morning, when the Prophet (S.A.W) rose to speak to the
Muslims, many of them who had desired to be "that lucky person" sat
erect so that the Prophet (S.A.W) may not overlook him. Umar speaking of his
own feelings on that night said, "That was the day when I desired to be
that man the Prophet (S.A.W) had predicted, and it was on that day that I
dreamt of becoming the Amir (ruler)." [Izalatul Khefah, Vol. 2, Page 49]
When Ali (A.S.) was told about the Prophet (S.A.W)’s prediction he said,
"O Allah if you do not want to oblige anyone, no one can, and when you
want to oblige anyone, who can stop You."
Next morning
the Prophet (S.A.W) summoned Ali (A.S.) from his sick bed, and after curing his
conjunctivitis by applying his saliva, gave him the flag of Islam and ordered
him to proceed to the battlefront. Ali (A.S.) asked, "Have I to fight till
they embrace Islam?" The Prophet (S.A.W) replied, "No teach them
Islam and show them their duties towards Allah. If they don’t agree ask them to
have peace. By Allah if you succeed in converting even one Jew to Islam, it
will be more than finding a red camel, which I am sure you will sacrifice it in
the name of Allah."
Ali (A.S.)
wearing a red gown, went near the fort of the Jews and posted his flag on a
stone. A Jew priest watching Ali (A.S.) from the fort asked, "O Flag
bearer who are you and what is your name." When Ali (A.S.) gave his name
he declared to his people, "Beware I swear on Torat that you will be
conquered." [Mir Dariyun Naboowa, Vol. 2, Page 30] Haris Judah brother
of Marhab rushed out of the fort and killed some Muslims. Ali (A.S.) challenged
him and finished him then and there. Seeing his brother dead Marhab himself
came out of the fort with his crack force and began to speak of his valour,
strength and courage. "I am the one whose mother has named him
Marhab." In reply Ali (A.S.) said, "I am the person whose mother has
given him the name of Asad (Lion) and I am as dangerous as the Lion of the
forest." Marhab taking the initiative attacked Ali (A.S.), but Ali (A.S.)
avoided the blow and tendered such a fierceful blow on his head that it cut his
helmet, turban and rested on his teeth. Marhab fell dead and his companions
fled back to the fort. Ali (A.S.) followed them and took the fort by storm,
broke the gate single handed and carried his army inside the fort, and within
hours the flag of Islam was flying on the biggest fort of Arabia.
Seeing Ali
(A.S.) returning victorious the Prophet (S.A.W) rushed out of his tent, to
receive him. He embraced him and kissed his forehead, and said, "Ali I
have received the news of your great achievement, O Ali which is worthy of my
thanks and this is the obligation O Ali no Muslims can forget. Allah has
appreciated your services and I am very much pleased with you." Hearing
these words of compliment from the Prophet (S.A.W) of Islam Ali (A.S.) began to
cry. The Prophet (S.A.W) asked him if these tears were of joy or sorrow? Ali
(A.S.) replied that these were the tears of joy. "Why should I not be
happy when you are pleased with me." The Prophet (S.A.W) remarked,
"Not only that I am pleased with you, even Allah is pleased with you. O
Ali (A.S.) I am afraid I cannot speak much about you because I am afraid the
Muslims on hearing my views may give you the status the Christians have given
to Jesus. But know this that you are to me as Haroon was to Moosa. You will
fight for my cause and you will be the nearest to me on the Day of Judgement.
You will be next to me on the fountain of Kausar. Enmity against you is enmity
against me. A war against you is a war against me. You flesh is my flesh, your
blood is my blood. Who obeys you obeys me. Truth is on your tongue, in your
heart and in your mind." [Tareekhe Khamees V.4 pg. 53].
Speaking about
Ali (A.S.)’s virtues Umar moaned and said out of three distinctions and favours
which Ali (A.S.) received if he had received even one of it would have been
like finding a red camel. And naming he said:-
(1) The order
of the Prophet (S.A.W) to his companions to close the doors of their houses
which opened in the mosque except Ali (A.S.)’s doors,
(2) Marrying
his daughter Fatema (S.A.) to Ali (A.S.) and
(3) getting the
flag at Khaiber.
When the people
of Fadak saw the fall of Khaiber which they had considered to be their source
of strength and protection they settled with the Prophet (S.A.W) and signed a
peace treaty with him, giving the Prophet (S.A.W) half of his cost. The Prophet
(S.A.W) agreeing to their suggestion allowed them to cultivate it on his
behalf. For these gardens and land the Prophet (S.A.W) had an income of seventy
thousand Dinars.
When the
revelation from Allah came, "And give to the near of the kins his (or her)
dues and to the needy and wayfarer and spend your earnings wastefully."
(17-26 Holy Quran). The Prophet (S.A.W) gave Fadak to Fatema (S.A.) and her
children in place of all the wealth her mother Khadija had spent for the cause
of
Islam. Fatema (S.A.) after receiving those fields from her father brought
changes in the management of those farms.
please recite surah fateha for all marhomeen
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