Is the hadith that mentions the torture of the Jews and the gouging out of their eyes in Al-Harra after the siege of Khaybar authentic? And if it is authentic, why did the Messenger do that? And how do we respond to the accusation against the Messenger of being merciless and to the saying that women are impure?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) besieged the Jews of Khaybar due to their malicious role in inciting the Confederates (Ahzab), instigating Banu Qurayzah, and their communication with the hypocrites. The Prophet (peace be upon him) killed Kinanah ibn al-Rabi' because he concealed a treasure and violated the terms of the treaty, not as torture for prisoners. The incident of gouging out eyes was for the 'Urayniyyin who murdered the shepherds and stole the camels, and that was a retribution for their aggression, as Allah Almighty says: (And the recompense of an evil deed is an evil deed like thereof). As for the claim of a woman's impurity, it is a lie, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to drink from the place where 'Aisha drank while she was menstruating. The Jews were prohibited from eating with a menstruating woman and having intercourse with her, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted everything for a menstruating woman except sexual intercourse. And accusing the Prophet (peace be upon him) of not being merciful is a fabrication, for Allah Almighty described him as (And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds), and his stances and biography demonstrate his mercy even towards his adversaries.