The Unforgettable Legacy of Khaybar Oasis: A Journey Through 10,000 Years of History

Introduction: The Crown of Khaybar Oasis

Khaybar Oasis is not merely a location on a map; it is a profound historical narrative etched into the landscape of Saudi Arabia. For millennia, this region has been a beacon of life, culture, and strategic importance. Its significance was poetically captured by the renowned Arab traveler, Atiq Al-Bilad, who named it the “Crown of Hejaz.” He observed that the valleys flowing into the oasis formed a shape resembling a majestic crown, a testament to its natural grandeur and central role in the region. This article delves deep into the unforgettable legacy of Khaybar Oasis, exploring its geography, ancient history, pivotal Islamic events, and the ingenious systems that sustained life here for thousands of years.

Khaybar Oasis: A Geographic and Administrative Overview

Today, Khaybar is a governorate of the Madinah region, having been administratively joined to it in 1391 AH after previously being under the Hail region. Located approximately 170 km from Madinah on the international road linking the holy city to the northern borders, it sits on a historically vital trade route.

• Area: ~23,000 square kilometers, representing 13% of the Madinah region’s total area.
• Population: ~65,000 people.
• Administrative Centers: The population is distributed across eight main administrative centers: Al-Sawsalah, Al-‘Ushash, Al-Thamad, Al-‘Asharah, Al-‘Uyaynah, Jud’ah, Al-Hafirah, and Al-‘Ara’is.

Historically, the Khaybar Oasis itself refers to the geographical area nestled between the mountains of ‘Attwah (also known as Jabal Al-Sahba’) to the south and Jabal Diham to the north. This basin is crisscrossed by three main valleys, upon which a collection of villages, forts, palm farms, and springs were established, forming the historic Khaybar Oasis.

The Geological Marvel of the Khaybar Harrah

The uniqueness of Khaybar Oasis is deeply rooted in its geology. It lies on the western edges of the Harrat Khaybar, a vast expanse of volcanic lava fields. According to geological sources, this volcanic field began erupting around ten million years ago, with activity continuing intermittently, with some surface volcanoes dating back millions of years and others to just thousands of years ago.

This volcanic activity created a unique landscape. One of the most remarkable sites is the “White Head” (Al-Ras Al-Abyad), a mountain composed of a rare type of light-colored volcanic rock known to geologists as comendite. The stark contrast between this white rock and the adjacent black magma of Jabal Al-Qidr creates a color dichotomy that is rarely found elsewhere in the world. This harrah is the primary reason for the abundance of water in Khaybar Oasis, as the porous volcanic rocks absorbed rainfall from the highlands, which then emerged in the low-lying oasis as perennial springs.

A Cradle of Civilization: Ancient Human Settlement

The abundant water supply made Khaybar Oasis a magnet for human settlement for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence, including ancient burial grounds, funerary pathways, and stone structures, suggests human presence dating back 4,000 to 8,000 years, with ongoing research potentially pushing these dates even further.

Due to its prosperity, Khaybar Oasis became a key station on the major caravan routes that transported goods from the southern parts of the Arabian Peninsula (from Qana and Aden) through Taif, Makkah, and Madinah, then to Khaybar, onward to Al-Ula and Tayma, and finally to the outside world towards the Levant or Iraq. This commercial importance was cemented by the existence of “Suq Nitah Khaybar,” one of the famous pre-Islamic Arab markets, which continued into the Islamic era.

The Battle of Khaybar: A Turning Point in Islamic History

The most pivotal event in the history of Khaybar Oasis was the Battle of Khaybar in 7 AH (628 CE). Following the Treaty of Al-Hudaybiyah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) marched with his companions to Khaybar, a place promised to them by God in the Quran (Surah Al-Fath).

The Prophet’s strategy was brilliant. He initially camped in a southern area called Al-Sahba’, leading the Jewish inhabitants of the southern forts to believe the attack would come from there. However, under the cover of night, he moved the entire army to the north near Jabal Diham. The Muslims then began conquering the forts one by one:

1. Fort Na’im
2. Fort Al-Sa’b bin Mu’adh
3. Fort Qal’ah (or Fort Al-Zubayr)
4. Fort Abi
5. Fort Al-Nizar
6. Fort Al-Qamus

The siege of the formidable Fort Al-Qamus lasted 14 nights. It was here that the Prophet gave the standard to Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God be pleased with him), who, despite suffering from eye pain, led the final assault that resulted in a decisive victory. After the fall of Al-Qamus, the remaining Jews in the forts of Al-Wateeh and Al-Salalim surrendered, agreeing to a peace treaty with the Prophet.

Qal’at al-Qamus: The Pivotal Fortress and the Seat of Power

Following the battle, the Prophet appointed Sawwad Ibn Ghaziyyah Al-Balawi as the first governor of Khaybar. The village of Bishr, located at the site of Fort Al-Qamus, became the administrative capital of Khaybar Oasis and remained so for centuries.

During the reign of King Abdulaziz, after Khaybar joined the modern Saudi state in 1341 AH, the fort was restored in 1344/1345 AH to serve as the official emirate building. The fort was a complex structure:

• Eastern Section: The residence for the emir and his family.
• Central Section: Contained the mosque, the emir’s council, and administrative offices.
• Final Section: Housed the prison, offices for date zakat collection, and a watchtower.

The fort remained the seat of power until 1391 AH when the emirate moved to a modern building. Adjacent to the fort is the “Bir Al-Qamus” (the Well of Al-Qamus), which historical sources indicate was sometimes used as a prison, a fact lamented by a poet named Abdulrahman Al-Jumaihi during the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan.

The Ingenious Water Management System of Khaybar Oasis

The lifeblood of Khaybar Oasis has always been its water. Historical sources claimed the oasis had a spring for every day of the year, meaning over 300 perennial springs. A 2005 study by the Khaybar Municipality recorded 106 active springs at that time, though this number has sadly decreased since.

A prime example is “Ayn Al-Jummah.” It is narrated that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by this spring, he was told that its water divided naturally into two channels. He remarked, “This is the division of the angels.” This spot, known as “Al-Dabl,” became the central point for a highly sophisticated and equitable water distribution system.

The system was built on “Al-Wijbat” (water shares). Each spring’s water was divided into shares distributed among the farms over a rotating cycle—some weekly (every 8 days), some every 15 days, and others every 22 days.

• Dividing the Day: A day’s share (24 hours) was further subdivided into smaller units. The daytime was measured by a person’s shadow. They would stand and measure the length of their shadow from their feet to the shadow’s end.
  • The first quarter of the day ended when the shadow measured nine feet.
  • The next period ended at seven feet, and so on.
• Dividing the Night: The night was divided using the positions of specific stars, a knowledge passed down through generations.

This customary law was so deeply ingrained and respected that disputes were rare. Water shares were considered private property, separate from the land itself, and could be bought, sold, or gifted independently. This community-managed system ensured the survival and prosperity of Khaybar Oasis for generations. For more on traditional Arabian water management, you can explore resources like Saudi Aramco World’s article on Aflaj.

Conclusion: A Living Historical Palimpsest

Khaybar Oasis offers a unique visual timeline of history. From the pre-Islamic volcanic fields and ancient forts to the Islamic-era settlements, the villages from the era of King Abdulaziz, and the modern city, one can walk through layers of time. It is a palimpsest where each era has left its distinct mark, making Khaybar Oasis an unforgettable and invaluable repository of Saudi Arabia’s natural and human heritage. Its story is a powerful testament to resilience, ingenuity, and the enduring relationship between water, land, and civilization.

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