Visit ArabiaHistory
An-Natat is the northern quarter of Khaybar. Ibn Saʿd counts three forts there: Naʿim, as-Saʿb ibn Muʿadh and Qalʿat az-Zubayr. The name survives in the present valley of an-Natah.
The camp. According to al-Waqidi, al-Hubab ibn al-Mundhir advised against camping near the damp palm groves, within arrow range of an-Natat. The army settled in a wadi called ar-Rajiʿ, between Khaybar and the tribe of Ghatafan, an ally of Khaybar (Ibn Ishaq). Ghatafan left without fighting. The men began cutting palm trees of an-Natat, then stopped on the advice of Abu Bakr. Ar-Rajiʿ has not been located today.
Naʿim. Ibn Ishaq writes: « فكان أول حصونهم افتتح حصن ناعم، وعنده قتل محمود بن مسلمة، ألقيت عليه منه رحى ». So Naʿim was taken before the others, and Mahmud ibn Maslama was killed there by a millstone thrown from the top of the wall. Al-Waqidi adds that he had sat in the shade of the wall in the great heat. He also states that Naʿim was a group of forts, and places several duels there.
As-Saʿb ibn Muʿadh. Ibn Ishaq reports that the people of Aslam were suffering from hunger. The Prophet ﷺ prayed for them, and the fort of as-Saʿb was taken. Ibn Ishaq says that no fort of Khaybar held more food. Al-Waqidi describes barley, dates, butter, honey and oil there. The name of the fort is still used locally, with no precise location published.
Domestic donkeys. The Companions were hungry and cooked donkey meat. Anas reports that the crier of the Prophet ﷺ called out:
« إِنَّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ يَنْهَيَانِكُمْ عَنْ لُحُومِ الْحُمُرِ، فَإِنَّهَا رِجْسٌ »
“Allah and His Messenger forbid you the meat of donkeys, for it is impure.” (Bukhari 4198)
The pots were turned over while they were still boiling (Bukhari 4199).
ʿAmir ibn al-Akwaʿ. During the fight, ʿAmir's sword, which was short, came back on him and wounded him fatally. Some people said that his deeds were lost. The Prophet ﷺ replied:
« كَذَبَ مَنْ قَالَهُ، إِنَّ لَهُ لَأَجْرَيْنِ، إِنَّهُ لَجَاهِدٌ مُجَاهِدٌ »
“Whoever said that is wrong. He has two rewards. He was a man who strove hard, a mujahid.” (Bukhari 4196)
His grave is not known.
The shepherd. Ibn Ishaq tells, with the words “according to what reached me”, the story of a black shepherd who kept the sheep of a man of Khaybar. He embraced Islam and asked what to do with the flock entrusted to him. He was told to send it back to its owner. He then fought and died. The lesson drawn from it is faithfulness to what one is entrusted with.
Qalʿat az-Zubayr. According to al-Waqidi, the defenders of an-Natat withdrew into this fort set on high ground. After three days, a man revealed the underground water channels they used to drink. They were cut, the defenders came out to fight, and the fort was taken. Al-Waqidi makes it the last fort of an-Natat. Saudipedia mentions « قلعة الزبير قرب حصن ناعم ». Ancient water galleries do exist in the oasis.
The Bronze Age town. In November 2024, archaeologists (Khaybar Longue Durée project) announced a fortified town of 2.6 ha in the north of the oasis. It dates from about 2400 to 1500 BC and had about 500 inhabitants. They named it al-Natah, after the quarter. This is only a similarity of names: this town has no historical link with the 7th-century forts. The excavation is not open to the public.
What is certain and what is not
- Certain: the ban on the meat of domestic donkeys on the day of Khaybar (Bukhari 4198, 4199); the death of ʿAmir and the words “he has two rewards” (Bukhari 4196).
- Historians' account: the order of the forts, Mahmud's millstone, the prayer for Aslam, the capture of as-Saʿb, the channels of Qalʿat az-Zubayr, the camp at ar-Rajiʿ (Ibn Ishaq, al-Waqidi). The story of the shepherd is reported by Ibn Ishaq without a chain.
- Tradition: the present location of Naʿim, as-Saʿb and Qalʿat az-Zubayr. No publication gives their plan or exact position.
- Uncertain: the graves of ʿAmir and Mahmud. Al-Waqidi says they were buried at ar-Rajiʿ, which has not been located.
Sources
1. Bukhari 4196, 4198, 4199 (sunnah.com).
2. Ibn Hisham, as-Sira an-nabawiyya, vol. 2 p. 329-335, 343-344.
3. Al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi, vol. 2 p. 642-667.
4. Ibn Saʿd, at-Tabaqat al-kubra, vol. 2 p. 81.
5. Samhudi, Wafaʾ al-wafa, vol. 4 p. 94, 155, 161.
6. Saudipedia, « محافظة خيبر ».
7. Charloux G. et al., PLOS ONE, November 2024 (al-Natah); RCU press release, 2 November 2024.