You Know Why They Named That Rocket the "Khaibar"

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...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...

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.

Another source: here, here and here.