Life of Muhammad — Page 142
sa 142 Three interesting incidents took place in this siege of Khaibar. One of them constitutes a Sign of God and two afford insight into the high moral character of the Prophet sa. A widow of Kin a na, a chief of Khaibar, was married to the Prophet sa. The Prophet sa saw that her face bore some marks, the impression of a hand. "What is this on your face, S afiyya ra ?" asked the Prophet sa. "It was like this," replied S afiyya ra. "I saw the moon fall in my lap in a dream. I related the dream to my husband. No sooner had I related the dream than my husband gave a heavy slap on my face and said, 'You desire to marry the King of Arabia'" ( Hish a m ). The moon was the national emblem of Arabia. The moon in the lap denoted some intimate connection with the King of Arabia. A split moon or a dropping moon meant dissensions in the Arab State or its destruction. The dream of S afiyya ra is a sign of the truth of the Holy Prophet sa. It is also a sign of the fact that God reveals the future to His servants through dreams. Believers have more of this grace than unbelievers. S afiyya ra was a Jewess when she saw this dream. It so happened that her husband was killed in the siege of Khaibar. This siege was a punishment for the Jewish breach of faith. S afiyya ra was made a prisoner and, in the distribution of prisoners, was given to a Companion. It was then found that she was the widow of a chief. It was, therefore, felt that it would be more in accord with her rank if she were to live with the Prophet sa. The Prophet sa , however, chose to give her the status of a wife and she agreed. In this way was her dream fulfilled. There were two other incidents. One relates to a shepherd who looked after the sheep of a Jewish chief. This shepherd became a Muslim. After his conversion he said to the Prophet sa , "I cannot go back to my people now, O Prophet of God sa. What shall I do with the sheep and goats of my old master?" "Set the faces of the animals towards Khaibar and give them a push. God will lead them back to their