Chief of the Prophets — Page 192
Chapter Eight 192 The motivation behind the marriage with Ummi Ḥabībah ra was none other than to bring to an end the long chain of wars with the tribes of Arabia. As mentioned before, the father of Ummi Ḥabībah ra was Abū Sufyān, the most powerful chieftain of the Quraish after Abū Jahl. Because of his great desire to end the hostilities as soon as possible, Muḥammad sa did not wait for the return of Ummi Ḥabībah ra from Abyssinia and sent the message to Negus in Abyssinia to conduct the Nikāḥ. It is notable that Ummi Ḥabībah ra was already beyond her youth at that time. Muḥammad‘s Care for His Wife’s Feelings Muḥammad sa took special care of the feelings of his wives. Once when he saw Mu‘awiyah, the brother of Ummi Ḥabībah ra sitting next to her, he called it a beautiful manifestation of the love of siblings, and sat close to them and asked, “Ummi Ḥabībah ra , is Mu‘āwiyah dear to you?” “Yes, O Prophet!” said Ummi Ḥabībah ra. ” Muḥammad sa said that if he was dear to her, then he was dear to him also. Ghazwah of Khaibar, Muḥarram, 7 A. H. After the Ḥudaibiyyah Treaty, Muḥammad sa felt some relief from the hostilities of the Quraish of Makkah. However, after reaching Madīnah in Muḥarram, 7 A. H. he learned that the Jewish tribes of Banī Naīr and Banū Quraiẓah, who had moved to Khaibar after their exile from Madīnah, had already completed their preparation to attack the Muslims. He further learned that the Ghaṭafān tribe was also partnering with them in this scheme. After verifying the news, Muḥammad sa set out towards Khaibar with 1,600 Companions. They camped at Ar-Rajī‘, a place located between Khaibar and Ghaṭafān. 1 This strategic move of Muḥammad sa caused the Banū Ghaṭafān to worry about the safety of their own houses and, as a result, they gave up plans to support the Jews. 2 Now the fight was only with the Jews. Muḥammad sa was hoping that they would make peace on 1 Mu‘jamul-Buldān. 2 Aṭ-Ṭabarī.