The Context
After Hudaybiyya (6 AH), the Treaty’s 10-year peace applied to the Quraysh — not to Khaybar. The Banu al-Nadir at Khaybar remained an active security threat and had been a primary organizer of the Ahzab confederation.
The Prophet organized a campaign specifically for those who had participated in the Hudaybiyya expedition (fulfilling the Quranic promise of reward for them — 48:18).
The Campaign
Khaybar consisted of several fortress-complexes. The Muslim army conquered them one by one:
The fortress of Naim — taken early in the campaign The fortress of Qamus — the most significant stronghold; its people were led by Marhab ibn al-Harith, the most feared warrior of Khaybar
The Prophet became ill for a time during the campaign. When he recovered and called for the battle-standard, he said the famous words about Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ali had been suffering from severe eye pain (ramad), but the Prophet touched his eyes and they were instantly healed. Ali then led the assault on Qamus and defeated Marhab in single combat.
The Terms of Surrender
After Khaybar’s fall, the Prophet established a precedent that would define later Islamic conquest policy:
The inhabitants were allowed to remain on their land as tenant farmers. They would cultivate the date palms of Khaybar and give the Muslims half the yield annually. This was not permanent — the agreement was conditional on the Muslims’ permission, and ‘Umar eventually expelled the Khaybar Jews during his caliphate in fulfillment of the Prophet’s later instruction.
Safiyya bint Huyayy
Among those at Khaybar was Safiyya bint Huyayy, daughter of the chief of Banu al-Nadir. After the conquest she converted to Islam and the Prophet married her, elevating her status from captive to Mother of the Believers (Umm al-Mu’minin).
See also: Prophet Muhammad, Seerah Medina, Seerah Ahzab, Seerah Conquest Mecca, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Sahaba