Mukhayriq (ra)
The rabbi who died fighting for the Muslims at Uhud; "the best of the Jews."
Hijri 3 AH CE 625 CE
A rabbi and scholar of the Jews of Medina who honored the Constitution of Madinah and died fighting for the Muslims at Uhud.
Identity & lineage
A learned rabbi (scholar of the Jews of Madinah) and a man of wealth, owning gardens and property in the city. He recognized Muhammad ﷺ and regarded the treaty binding the Jewish tribes to the Muslims as a genuine obligation.
Role in the Seerah
He embodied the terms of the Constitution of Madinah: mutual defense of the city. When Quraysh marched on Uhud, he treated the defense of Medina as his covenant duty.
Key episodes
- Uhud (a Saturday): Mukhayriq urged his people to aid the Muslims per their treaty. They refused, citing the Sabbath. He rebuked them — “May you have no Sabbath!” — and declared, “If I die, my property goes to Muhammad.” He took up arms, fought for the Muslims, and was killed defending them.
Character & lessons
The Prophet ﷺ praised him: “Mukhayriq is the best of the Jews,” echoing his esteem for Mut’im ibn Adi. His bequeathed gardens and wealth became a major source of the Prophet’s ﷺ charity (sadaqah). His example shows that the Prophet’s ﷺ conflicts were with treaty-breakers, not with Jews as such.
Death
Killed in battle at Uhud in 3 AH / 625 CE, fighting for the Muslims — dying a Muslim.
Cross-references
- Muhammad ﷺ — praised him and inherited his gardens
- Battle of Uhud — where he fell
- Constitution of Madinah — the treaty he honored
- Mut’im ibn Adi — parallel praise
- Medina · Uhud · Quraysh
Sources
- S007 — Yasir Qadhi, Seerah lecture series EP 041–050 (esp. EP 048–049).
- Classical: Ibn Ishaq/Ibn Hisham (Sirat Rasul Allah) records Mukhayriq’s story at Uhud and the Prophet’s ﷺ words; also noted in Ibn Sa’d (Tabaqat).