Question:
A story circulates saying: Ali’s shield broke during the battle. So, he pulled off the gate of the fortress, weighing 900 kilograms, and used it as a shield. After the battle, eight men could not lift it. Another version says 70 men could not lift it.
Did Ali Lift a 900-kg Gate in the Battle of Khaybar?
Answer:
Problems With This Story
First, the chain of narration contains weak narrators such as Muhammad ibn Ishaq. Second, the narration contains unnamed narrators. This already makes it unreliable. But there is also a logical problem. A shield must be small enough to maneuver during combat.
If someone holds a fortress gate as a shield:
- The opponent cannot attack him
- But he also cannot attack the opponent
- A shield must allow movement.
- A fortress gate would completely block the person holding it.
Therefore using such a gate as a shield during combat is unrealistic.
Additional Historical Issue
One narration attributes the story to Jabir (RA).But Jabir did not participate in the Battle of Khaybar.So he could not have witnessed it.
This further weakens the story.
Conclusion
The authentic fact is: Ali (RA) led the Muslims to victory at Khaybar.
But the story about lifting a massive fortress gate as a shield is not authentic and likely exaggerated later.
