The True History of Jews of Khyber

There was one sided propaganda going on, for quite some time,
alleging excesses to Muslims, during their dealings with Jews of
Arabia.I have therefore referred to a Romanian author, Mr, Constan
Virgil chorgio, for studying facts related to the war. The book is an
independent and unbiased attempt to understand circumstances leading
to war between two Divine Religions of descendants of Prophet Abraham.

Khyber was located in the north of Madinah.The message holy
prophet of Islam was preaching was very similar, if not the same as
Jewish beliefs. The book that was revealed on him was a continuation
of Torah. It had 9 out of 10 commandments incorporated and a firm no
nonsense belief in One and Only Omnipotent God. Like Jews, Muhammad
SAW was a descendant of Prophet Abraham though through his elder son,
Ishmael. So as a matter of fact the new religion holding its ground in
Madinah was at least not a stranger. But Jewish Rabbis instead of
supporting Prophet Muhammad, chose to support pagan Arabs, in line
with their history of rejecting Jesus Christ, despite earth shattering
miracles shown by him, the rabbis had rejected him altogether.

Embolden by 8 strong insurmountable Cliffs in Khyber and
abundant weaponry, the leaders of Khyber decided to block Muslim
convoys to Syria, depriving the new state of its vital trade route.
They had signed a treaty with pagans of Makkah,who were at war with
Muslims. But when Makkans agreed a 10 year cease fire with the holy
prophet, the Jews did not follow suit, and decided to challenge him by
blocking Muslim trade caravans. On the contrary holy prophet Muhammad
was thinking in terms of signing a similar agreement with Jews, so
that the new religion could grow in peace and tranquility.

But the Jews were not prepared to listen. Especially those Jews
who were allowed to migrate from Madinah to
Khyber, because of their role of fifth columnists in Madinah were
deadly against any deal with prophet Muhammad.
Khyber was located 200 kilometer north of Madinah. It had plenty of
water and many reservoirs of water and a fertile
land. The population of the Jews was strong enough to field an army of
20,000 against its adversaries. The army was well equipped and they
had no shortage of horses and camels. The Jews were so intolerant of
Arabs, that not a single Arab lived in whole of Khyber.

The Jews were very wealthy and were involved in 3 major
professions. They were Jewelers, tanners and agriculturists Their
fortresses were well defended and considered invincible. When Jews
blocked Muslim trade caravans and of the Muslims, holy prophet
Muhammad decided to talk to them. He took only 1500 men with him
against a force of 20,000. It was obvious that he wanted to sign a
pact rather than indulge in a war with them. But when the negotiations
failed, and holy prophet fell sick because of the wet weather of
Khyber, he sent his cousin Ali to deal with the Jews.Hazrat Ali had
also his eyes aching, but holy prophet gave his mouth water to Ali RA
to treat them and prayed for his success.

The Muslims did not have adequate equipment and weaponry to
demolish concrete forts. On the contrary the Jews were equipped with
catapults which they were effectively using against the Muslims. Holy
prophet advised Hazrat Ali to make moving vehicles to save themselves
from big stones that were being thrown on them. Thus the Muslim gained
the advantage of mobility against a sitting target.

When Ali RA reached near the walls of Nazat citedal, He was
challenged by famous wrestler Marhab.He was
fully protected with iron helmet and iron shirt, wheras Ali was
fighting in plane clothes. When he came down Ali
beat him in no time and he was killed. The war went on for two days
with the besieged Jewish Army and Muslims finally entered the fort
using heavy wooden pillars to break the stout doors.

While the Muslim army besieged one fort for few days, blocking
their water and food supply. The leader of Jews
came to Ali and told him that his young son has not taken anything
since two day as his mother had no milk left
due to hunger. Hazrat Ali was so impressed that he immediately sent
food for one week and asked them to nominate a person of their choice
for arbitration. Not relying on any Arab, they nominated a new Muslim
who was a Jew before. The Jew was new to Islam and had not got the
benefit of company of holy prophet for long. So he decided the
withdrawal treaty based on Torah Law. That he fighting youth would be
killed and women enslaved.

But when holy prophet recovered from his sickness he very kindly
allowed the Jews either to live in Khyber or
leave it. They had the permission to take everything they possessed,
except for food items. The ones who preferred to stay were allowed to
lead their lives as before. He also banned temporary marriages with
subdued Jewish women. The Muslims were restrained from entering Jewish
gardens and crops.

After few days a Muslim soldier was killed while walking
beneath a wall of the citedal. Inquiries were held but
the Jews refused to accept responsibility. Holy prophet Muhammad
decided not to pursue the matter further and paid the blood money on
behalf of Jews from his own pocket.

Two more tribes of Jews who lived near Fadak and Timah signed
peace treaty with Muslims and lived in peace thereafter. So it was
Jewish miscalculation and not arrogance of Muslims that caused the war
that resulted in Jewish defeat at the hands of Muslims.

Javed Iqbal Kaleem