Both al-Bukhārī and Muslim relate from Sahl ibn Saʿd (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said on the Day of Khaybar: “Tomorrow I shall certainly give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and whom Allah and His Messenger love; Allah will grant victory at his hands.” That night the people kept turning the matter over among themselves, wondering which of them would receive it. When morning came they presented themselves to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, each one hoping he would be given the banner. He said, “Where is ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib?” They replied, “He is suffering from his eyes.” So they sent for him, and he was brought. The Prophet spat into his eyes and prayed for him, and they were healed as though he had never felt any pain. He then handed him the banner and said, “Advance calmly until you come to their courtyard, then call them to Islam and inform them of the rights that Allah has over them. By Allah, if Allah guides a single man through you, that is better for you than red camels.” (1)

Yadūkūn: that is, they were deeply engrossed in discussion.

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Sahl ibn Saʿd: Sahl ibn Saʿd ibn Mālik ibn Khālid al-Anṣārī al-Khazrajī al-Sāʿidī, a well-known Companion who died in 88 AH, having lived past one hundred years.

Lahumā: i.e., al-Bukhārī and Muslim in their two Ṣaḥīḥ collections.

Day of Khaybar: the day of the siege of Khaybar, 7 AH.

Banner (rāyah): the army standard to which the soldiers rally in attack and withdrawal.

“Allah will grant victory at his hands”: a promise that conquest would be achieved through him.