Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 39664 — The Battle of Khaybar

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) travelled to Khaybar. When he (peace and blessings be upon him) reached Khaybar, he (peace and blessings be upon him) dispatched Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and some people with him towards the city or fortress of the people of Khaybar. They (went and) fought them, but in a short while this group of Muslims, Sayyiduna Umar and his companions, was driven back. So Sayyiduna Umar returned (to him (peace and blessings be upon him)), with him taunting his companions with cowardice and his companions taunting him. This displeased him (peace and blessings be upon him) and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Now I shall certainly send to the Jews a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him. He will go on fighting them until Allah Almighty grants victory at his hand. That man will not be one who flees." (On hearing this) many people began hoping for it and stretching out their necks, and they began waiting to see what he (peace and blessings be upon him) had said applied to themselves. He (peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent for a while, then said: "Where is Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)?" The people said: "He is suffering from an eye ailment." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Call him to me." When I came to him (peace and blessings be upon him), he (peace and blessings be upon him) opened my eyes and put his blessed saliva into them. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave me the banner. I set off running with this banner, for fear that some thought might occur to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about me or about someone else. Then I reached the enemy and fought them. Marhab the Jew came out to duel, reciting rajaz verses, and I too came out to duel in response, reciting rajaz verses. Then we clashed, and Allah Almighty had him killed by my hand. His companions were driven back and shut themselves up in the fortress, and they closed the gate. We reached the gate, and I kept striking the gate until Allah Almighty opened it.