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Khaybar — the flag given to 'Ali

Date
7 AH · established
Location
Khaybar
People
'Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA)

Sahl ibn Sa'd (RA) narrates in Sahih al-Bukhari that the Prophet ﷺ said he would give the flag to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger and is loved by them — and gave it to 'Ali (RA), advising him that guiding one person is better than great wealth.

As it was narrated

The story, in the words of those who were there

Read slowly. These are the Companions' own words, from the verified hadith collections.

Hadith
Hadith collection

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَهْلُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ يَوْمَ خَيْبَرَ ‏"‏ لأُعْطِيَنَّ هَذِهِ الرَّايَةَ غَدًا رَجُلاً، يَفْتَحُ اللَّهُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ، يُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ، وَيُحِبُّهُ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ فَبَاتَ النَّاسُ يَدُوكُونَ لَيْلَتَهُمْ أَي…

Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d:On the day of Khaibar, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Tomorrow I will give this flag to a man through whose hands Allah will give us victory. He loves Allah and His Apostle, and he is loved by Allah and His Apostle." The people remained that night, wondering as to who would be given it. In the morning the people went to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and everyone of them was hopeful to receive it (i.e. the flag). The Prophet said, "Where is `Ali bin Abi Talib?" It was said, "He is suffering from eye trouble O Allah's Apostle." He said, "Send for him." `Ali was brought and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) spat in his eye and invoked good upon him. So `Ali was cured as if he never had any tro…

Sahih al-Bukhari · Hadith 4210 · Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi)
Translation: Sahih al-Bukhari — English. Hadith data: fawazahmed0/hadith-api (numbering and gradings as published there).

Grading information unavailable in source data · from a collection regarded as sahih

Open source

Lessons

  • Responsibility goes to those whose love for Allah shows in action.
  • Guiding one person is worth more than the finest wealth.

Lessons are editorial reflections drawn from the event and its sources.

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Bibliography

  • Sahih al-Bukhari 4210 (Sahl ibn Sa'd) · primary source
  • Ibn Hisham, al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah (further reading)
  • Ibn Kathir, al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah (further reading)
  • Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtum (further reading)

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