It is narrated from Sayyiduna Buraidah Aslami (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) camped near the fort of Khaybar, he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the flag into the hand of Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). Some Muslims also went with him. They fought with the people of Khaybar, but nothing resulted from it. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Tomorrow I will give this flag to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and Allah and His Messenger love him." When the next day came, he (peace and blessings be upon him) called for Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). His eyes were hurting, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) applied his blessed saliva to his eyes and handed him the flag. People also went with him, and they fought with the people of Khaybar. Marhab, the Jew, came forward reciting this rajaz:

Indeed, Khaybar knows that I am Marhab,
Armed with weapons, a valiant and experienced warrior,
Sometimes I thrust with the spear, sometimes I strike,
When wars flare up, I am attentive.

Khaybar knows well that I am Marhab,
I am armed, a warrior, and experienced,
Sometimes I strike with the spear, sometimes with the sword,
When battles ignite, I turn my attention to them.

Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and he exchanged a blow each. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) struck his sword on his skull so that the sword split his head and reached his jaws, and the entire army heard the intensity of that blow. Before everyone could reach Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), Allah Almighty had already granted him victory.