the sword to the ground. Nor did a sword descend from heaven for Alī or anyone else. He did not stretch out his hand for the army to cross over it; the wall of Khaybar did not shake when the gate was torn off, nor did any of its battlements fall. Khaybar was not a city, but rather a collection of scattered fortresses whose inhabitants had farmland.

What is reported, however, is that he did not tear off the fortress gate until the Muslims had crossed it. Nor did he ever launch anything from a catapult. Many lies have been added to most of these accounts of campaigns involving Alī and others, like the fabrications told in the tales of Antara and other heroes.

Alī, may Allah be pleased with him, took part in only three wars after the death of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: the Battle of the Camel, Siffīn, and the war against the people of Nahrawān. Allah knows best.