Further Threat from the People of Khaibar & the Killing of Usair bin Rizam – Shawwal 6 A.H. — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 3
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Further Threat from the People of Khaibar & the Killing of Usair bin Rizam – Shawwal 6 A.H..
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: III – Concept of the Acceptance of Prayer in Islam
Pages: Book pp. 101–105 (PDF pp. 119–123)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Summary of the Islamic Teaching on Prayer] | Next: [Conspiracy to Assassinate the Holy Prophet (sa) & Sariyyah] »
Historical Account
home of Muḥammad will be destroyed.”
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 152, Sariyyatu Ibni Rawāḥah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
Afterwards, this wretched man began to tour the Najd tribes of Ghaṭafān, etc., and through his instigating speeches, inflamed them to such an extent that they began to muster men once again to launch an assault.
When the Holy Prophetsa was informed of these circumstances, he immediately sent an Anṣārī companion named ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra along with three other companions to Khaibar, and instructed them to travel stealthily, ascertain intelligence as to the state of affairs and return quickly. Therefore, ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra and his companions secretly gathered intelligence as to all the circumstances and details and after having confirmed the reports were correct, they returned home. As a matter of fact, ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra and his companions worked so vigilantly that they circled the nearby fortresses of Khaibar, and closely reached the meeting places of Usair bin Rizām, and personally heard from Usair and his companions their various plans against the Holy Prophetsa. During those days, a non-Muslim named Khārijah bin Ḥusail coincidentally came to Madīnah from Khaibar and confirming ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra said, “I have left Usair in such a state that he is mustering his armies to strike Madīnah.”
[Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 295, Sariyyatu ‘Abdillāh-ibni Rawāḥata Ilā Usair-ibni Zārim, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) * Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 153, Sariyyatu Ibni Rawāḥah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 153, Sariyyatu Ibni Rawāḥah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
[Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 153, Sariyyatu Ibni Rawāḥah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
After this verification, the Holy Prophetsa sent thirty companions under the leadership of ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra to Khaibar. The exact guidance of the Holy Prophetsa given to this party whilst sending them off, cannot be ascertained. Nonetheless, from the discourse which took place
between ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra and Usair bin Rizām in Khaibar, it becomes apparent that the desire of the Holy Prophetsa was to call Usair to Madīnah and to agree a mutual settlement, by which this course of mischief could be stopped and a state of peace and safety could prevail in the land. In this desire, the Holy Prophetsa was so keen, that even if it meant accepting Usair as the leader of the region of Khaibar, he was willing to do so, on the condition that he would refrain from further mischief-making against Islām.
When the party of ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra reached Khaibar, first and foremost, they took an assurance of peace and security from Usair bin Rizām for the duration of their discourse. This illustrates that at the time, the threat had grown to such an extent that the Muslims believed that perhaps a state of treachery would develop from the party of Usair, during the very discussions. Usair declared that he would not act treacherously, but in order to keep his own dignity, he sought a similar assurance from ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra as well. However, the fact that ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra was first in this regard, clearly reveals who was the actual threat. In any case, after this agreement, ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra began his discussion with Usair. The crux of this discussion was that the Holy Prophetsa wishes to settle an agreement of peace and security with them, so that the mutual war could be halted, and the best way for this would be for him to come to Madīnah and personally speak to the Holy Prophetsa. If an agreement of this kind could be settled, he trusted that the Messenger of Allāh would deal with them with goodness, and would possibly even accept him as the official chieftain of Khaibar. Usair, who
[Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 295, Sariyyatu ‘Abdillāh-ibni Rawāḥata Ilā Usair-ibni Zārim, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) * As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 876, Ghazwatu ‘Abdillāh-ibni Rawāḥata Li-Qatlil-Yusair-ibni Rizām, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) * Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 153, Sariyyatu Ibni Rawāḥah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)]
desperately craved position or perhaps had ulterior motives, was pleased with this proposal or so he expressed. However, at the same time he gathered the Jewish ministers and sought their counsel in this matter; expressing that the following proposal has been presented by the Muslims and asking what should be done? The Jews who were blind in their ignorant animosity, generally objected to this proposal. Furthermore, in order to hold Usair back from this course they said, “We do not believe that Muḥammadsa will accept you as the leader of Khaibar.” Usair, who was more informed of the state of affairs, remained firm on his intention and said, “You have no idea. Muḥammadsa is fed up by this war, and in his heart he desires to bring this course of conflict to an end at any expense.
[As-Sīratul-Ḥalabiyyah, By Abul-Faraj Nūruddīn ‘Alī bin Ibrāhīm, Volume 3, pp. 257-258, Bābu Sarāyāhusa Wa Bu‘ūthihī/Sariyyatu ‘Abdillāh-ibni Rawāḥatara Ilā Usair, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon (2002)]
Therefore, Usair bin Rizām prepared to journey to Madīnah with the party of ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra, and just like ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra, he too brought thirty Jews to accompany him. When these two parties left Khaibar and reached a place called Qarqarah, which was at a distance of 6 miles from Khaibar, the intention of Usair changed. Or possibly, if he had harboured evil intentions, the time for their expression had now come. So, during conversation, he very cleverly reached for the sword of a very honourable individual of the Muslim party named ‘Abdullāh bin Anīs Anṣārīra. ‘Abdullāh immediately understood that the intentions of this wretched man were different. Therefore, he immediately urged his camel on by the heel and brought it ahead and then turned around to Usair and said, “O enemy of God! Do you wish to betray us?” ‘Abdullāh bin Anīsra repeated these words twice but Usair did not respond, nor did he exonerate himself. Instead, he prepared for war. This was perhaps a pre-determined indication among the Jews that
if such a state presents itself, everyone should rush in upon the Muslims. Therefore, at that location upon the very route, fighting broke out between the Jews and Muslims. Although both parties were equal in number and the Jews were already mentally prepared, whilst the Muslims were completely without intention, the grace of Allāh was such that although some Muslims were injured, there was no loss of life. Conversely, every single Jew felt the taste of his bitter treachery and was annihilated.
When this party returned to Madīnah and the Holy Prophetsa was briefed on the state of affairs, he thanked God for the safe and peaceful return of the Muslims and said:
َقَدْ نَجَّاكُمُ اللّٰهُ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِیْن
“Thank God for having saved you from this cruel nation.”
([Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 296, Sariyyatu ‘Abdillāh-ibni Rawāḥata Ilā Usair-ibni Zārim, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)])
In relation to this occurrence, various Christian historians have alleged that the party of ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥahra brought Usair, etc. out of Khaibar with the intention that whenever they found the opportunity en-route, they would kill them. However, this allegation is nothing more than an unpleasant exhibition of western obstinacy. As mentioned above, no evidence can be found in history that Muslims went there with this intention. As a matter of fact if one reflects, putting other evidence to one side, the words of ‘Abdullāh bin Anīs, ‘O enemy of God, do you intend to betray us?’ and then the words of the Holy Prophetsa, ‘Thank God for having saved you from a cruel nation,’ alone are enough to prove that the intention of the Muslims was completely pure and peaceful. Whatever occurred was merely a result of the treachery which the Jewish people wished to carry out against the Muslims, in accordance to their habit. By the Grace of God, it backfired against them.
Conspiracy to Assassinate the Holy Prophetsa & Sariyyah
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 3)
Section: III – Concept of the Acceptance of Prayer in Islam | Navigation: « Previous: [Summary of the Islamic Teaching on Prayer] | Next: [Conspiracy to Assassinate the Holy Prophet (sa) & Sariyyah] »