In Muharram of 7 A.H., the Prophet announced the march to Khaybar. Those who had failed to join the expedition to Hudaybia asked to go along, but the Prophet announced that only those who had already proved their resolve for Jihad were to go. The laggards were to be left out of the expedition and the spoils. And so it was that the fourteen hundred Companions who had taken the pledge under the tree near Hudaybia marched out. Leaving Madinah in the care of Saba bin Arfatah Ghafari, the Prophet set out along a well-known caravan route. Halfway down, he diverted his troops to another route that led to Khaybar so as to block the Jews’ escape to Syria.

The last night of the march saw the Prophet and his troops camp close to Khaybar while the Jews remained oblivious of their presence. The Prophet led Fajr prayer in darkness, and then he mounted his animal to resume the journey to Khaybar. The Jews meanwhile, carrying spades and baskets, began setting out for their fields. When they saw the Muslims, they rushed back shouting, “By God, Muhammad has appeared with his troops.” The Prophet remarked to his men, “Allahu Akbar! Khaybar has met its doom. When we appear on the plains of a people, the morning turns gloomy for them.”

The population of Khaybar, which lay 171 km north of Madinah, was spread along three main settlements, Nataah, Katibah and Shaq. Nataah had three citadels, Hisn Na’am, Hisn Sa’b bin Mu’adh and Hisn Qal’a Al-Zubayr.

The two citadels in Shaq were Hisn Abi and Hisn Nizar, while Kattibah had three castles, namely Hisn Qamus, Hisn Wateeh and Hisn Salalam. There were a number of other citadels and castles in Khaybar, but they were smaller and not as wellfortified as those mentioned above.

The Prophet pitched his tents east of the citadels of Nataah, out of shooting range. He then charged at Hisn Na’am. This stronghold of the Jews was well-protected, high and virtually impregnable. It was their first line of defence and the home of their legendary champion, Marhab, who was reputed to have the strength of a thousand men. A few days went by with both sides trading arrows. Then the Prophet gave his men news of victory. He announced, “Tomorrow I will give the standard to a man who loves Allah and His Prophet, and who is in turn loved by Allah and His Prophet.”