| Marhab ibn Abi Zaynab the fatherless Arabic: مرحب ابن أبي زينب | |
| Death Date: | 628 |
| Placeofburial: | Khaybar |
| Allegiance: | Jews of Khaybar Oasis |
| Rank: | Commander |
| Unit: | Qamus fort Battalion |
Marhab bin Al-Harith (Arabic: مرحب بن الحارث) was popularly known as the Knight of Khaybar, a Jewish knight who is noted for his military role in Battle of Khaybar.
Beside his knighthood and excellence in war,[1] he was a poet,[2] tall and huge, brave, and wealthy.[3]
According to some historians he and his sister were from Israelite origin,[4] while some other historians believed he is from Ḥimyarite origin.[5]
He had a sword engraved with the phrase "This is the sword of Marhab; he who tastes it dies",[6] and he resided in a palace.[7]
The Battle of Khaybar was fought in the year 628 between Muslims and the Jews living in the oasis of Khaybar. Marhab was the commander of the Jewish army in that battle and expressed an outstanding strength and skills. The Muslim historian Shaykh Mufid stated: "No one amongst the Muslims could confront him but Ali ibn Abi Talib killed him in the battlefield".[8]
Marhab's mother was a fortune-teller, she predicted that no man can kill Marhab but one man named after a lion (Haider).[3] [9] A night before his last battle he saw in his dream that a lion attacked him.[10]
Historians have given different descriptions about the incident of killing Marhab. According Sahih Muslim, Ali went to meet Marhab in a single combat. Marhab advanced brandishing his sword and chanting: "Khaibar knows certainly that I am Marhab, a fully armed and well-tried valorous warrior (hero) when war comes spreading its flames". Ali chanted in reply: I am the one whose mother named him Haidar, (synonymous of lion) like a lion of the forest with a terror-striking countenance". The narrator said: Ali struck at the head of Marhab and killed him, so the victory (capture of Khaibar) was due to him.[11] Al-Maqrizi recorded: "The Ansari reported that he saw Marhab's mother holding his dead body and weeping".[12] According the Book History of Islam Vol-1 When Mola Ali a.s(First Imam of Muslim Ummah) hit Marhab bin Al Harith on the Head, the strike was as strong as it cut the body of Marhab in two equal pieces. All the soldiers left the bettle ground henceforth and the battle was won by the Muslims.