Khyber is destroyed:
On the way, the Messenger of Allah called for food but only some dried up barley was brought. He asked for it to be moistened, then he and all those who accompanied him ate it. When he was approaching Khyber, the Messenger of Allah prayed for the benefits that would come from conquering the colony and sought refuge from its evil and the evil of its people. Khyber comprised of several group of fortresses, many built on top of hills. The Jews Of Khyber had a strong force of about ten thousand fighting men. They were able to reach Khyber with the help of a guide in about two or three days. They reached at the an open space in front of the walls of the town of Khyber. It was very dark so they waited until the morning rays could be seen. . They met the early workers of Khyber carrying their spades and baskets but when they saw the Messenger of Allah and the army, they cried, 'Muhammad with his army!' and fled. The Messenger of Allah said, “Allahu Akbar” and then he added, ”Kharibat Khyber” (Khyber is destroyed). When we arrive in a community, it is a bad morning for those who have been warned.'
The people of Khyber held a council of war. They were proud of their mountain citadels and their men were among the most expert marksmen of Arabia. They outwardly appeared as one whole; but their hearts were divided. Their greatest weakness was lack of unity.
A Victorious General:
The prophet attacked one fortress after another. The easier fortress fell one by one. The most powerful resistance which the army had to face was at a stronghold named Qamus. This belonged to Marhab.; a Jewish Chieftain. Every attack made here was repulsed. The Prophet said,” 'Let the standard be taken by a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and he will conquer this fort.'
All the great Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) vied for this honor, as each of them hoped to be the standard-bearer. The Messenger of Allah called Ali ibn Abi Talib, whose eyes were inflamed, to him and he applied spittle to his eyes while praying for his success. Ali's eyes were soon cured and he received the standard. He said, 'I will fight them until they are like us.'
The Messenger of Allah replied, 'Go ahead and invite them to Islam. Tell them the obligations they owe to Allah. By Allah, if one man is guided to the faith by you it is better for you than having red camels.'
When Ali came near the fort, Marhab, the famous Jewish war-lord, appeared out on his horse armed from head to foot. Ali fell upon him and dealt a blow that cut him through the skull down to the jaws. A great victory was gained through his death.
Conditions For Remaining In Khyber; The Results Of The Expedition:
The Jews of Khyber remained hiding in their fortresses. Fighting continued for days. At last they asked the Prophet Muhammad for terms of peace. He allowed them to stay in Khyber on condition that they gave to the Muslims in Medina half of all the crops and fruit they produced on their farms. Each year the Prophet Muhammad used to send Abdullah ibn Rawahah to Khyber where he divided the produce in half and let the Jews choose the half they wanted. 'On this the heavens and earth stand' was the Jews' comment on his sense of justice.
Poisoned Meat:
During the Khyber expedition, an attempt was made to poison the Messenger of Allah. A Jewess, Zaynab bint al-Harith, the wife of Sallam ibn Mishkam, presented him with roasted mutton, after coming to know that the Prophet liked the shoulder the best, she put a quantity of poison in it and took it to him. When he tasted it, he realized immediately that it was poisoned and spat it out.
He summoned the Jews who gathered round and asked them, 'Will you be truthful about something I will ask of you? 'They said, 'Yes.
'Did you put poison in this mutton?'
'Yes.
'What made you do it?'
'If you were false,' they said, 'we would get rid of you. But if you are really a Prophet, the poison would not harm you. Zaynab was then brought to the Messenger of Allah. She confessed, 'I wanted to kill you. He answered, 'Allah would not give you power over me. His Companions asked, 'Shall we kill her?' 'No,' he said, and she was set free.
However, when Bishr ibn al-Bara' ibn Ma'rur, who had also eaten some of the mutton, died a painful death, Zaynab was killed.
