Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest). Khaibar is ruined. And when we get down in the valley of a people evil is the morning of the warned ones. He repeated it thrice. In the meanwhile the people went out for their work, and said: By Allah, Muhammad (has come). Abd al-'Aziz or some of our companions said: Muhammad and the army (have come). He said: We took it (the territory of Khaibar) by force, and there were gathered the prisoners of war. There came Dihya and he said: Messenger of Allah, bestow upon me a girl from among the prisoners. He said: Go and get any girl. He made a choice for Safiyya daughter of Huyayy (b. Akhtab). There came a person to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and said: Apostle of Allah, you have bestowed Safiyya bint Huyayy, the chief of Quraiza and al-Nadir, upon Dihya and she is worthy of you only. He said: Call him along with her. So he came along with her. When Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) saw her he said: Take any other woman from among the prisoners. He (the narrator) said: He (the Holy Prophet) then granted her emancipation and married her. Thabit said to him: Abu Hamza, how much dower did he (the Holy Prophet) give to her? He said: He granted her freedom and then married her. On the way Umm Sulaim embellished her and then sent her to him (the Holy Prophet) at night. Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) appeared as a bridegroom in the morning. He (the Holy Prophet) said: He who has anything (to eat) should bring that. Then the cloth was spread. A person came with cheese, another came with dates, and still another came with refined butter, and they prepared hais and that was the wedding feast of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
The Book of Marriage - Sahih Muslim 1365c
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. This narration from Sahih Muslim details the marriage of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Safiyyah bint Huyayy, may Allah be pleased with her, following the conquest of Khaybar. The Prophet's ﷺ actions demonstrate the proper Islamic etiquettes of marriage, including emancipation of captives, proper dower, and simple wedding celebrations.
Commentary on the Conquest and Marriage
The Prophet's ﷺ declaration "Khaibar is ruined" signifies the divine victory granted to the Muslims. His repetition of the warning indicates the seriousness of opposing Allah's messenger. The conquest was achieved through legitimate jihad, and the prisoners of war were distributed according to Islamic law.
When Dihya requested Safiyyah, the Prophet ﷺ initially granted his request, but upon learning of her noble lineage and seeing her, he exercised his right as leader to reassign her. This demonstrates the wisdom in marital choices and consideration of social standing.
Islamic Rulings Derived
The Prophet's ﷺ marriage to Safiyyah after her emancipation shows that freeing a slave woman constitutes a valid mahr (dower). This establishes an important precedent in Islamic jurisprudence.
The simple wedding feast of dates, cheese, and butter teaches Muslims the virtue of moderation in celebrations. The community participation in providing food illustrates the collective responsibility in supporting marital bonds.
Umm Sulaym's preparation of the bride demonstrates the importance of beautification for one's spouse within marriage. The Prophet's ﷺ appearance as a joyful bridegroom shows that expressing happiness in marriage is commendable in Islam.