Poisoning of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.)
The economic defeat of the Jews was an important factor that made them plan the assassination of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.).
It is written in the book ‘Payambar (s.a.w.s.) wa Yahood e Hejaz’ that:
‘The case of the poisoning of Prophet (p.b.u.h.) by the Jews is so evident in the historical sources that it does not leave any point of doubt or skepticism. Zainab, the daughter of Harith and the wife of Sallam bin Mushkam, who lost some of her relatives in the battle of Khaibar[1], poisoned a portion of sheep’s meat, which the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) liked eating, and brought to him. He began to eat it with his companions but just when he was about to swallow the first bite, he said, “This food seems to be poisonous”. Bushr bin Baraa, who had swallowed the first bite, was martyred because of it. At the time of his demise, Prophet (p.b.u.h.) said to Bushr’s mother, “This illness was caused due to the food we ate with your son in Khaibar” [2].
When his holiness asked the reason behind this act, Zainab said: As you had killed my relatives, I thought that if you were a Prophet, you will become aware of the poison and if not, I will be relieved by your death.
There is a difference of opinion between the historians regarding this case about whether the Prophet had asked for the death of this woman or freed her. Suhaili says, “the collective conclusion that can be derived from both these narrations is that at first, the Holy Prophet did not take revenge from this lady and released her; but after the demise of Barra, he took the revenge of his death from the lady[3].’’[4]
In history, there are accounts of several other incidences where others have tried to poison the Holy Prophet and it resulted in his martyrdom.
[1] Al Maghazi: 2/679
[2] Regarding the incident of Prophet’s poisoning, there is a difference between the reporters’ views. Ibn e Is’haq says, “The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) did not swallow that bite”, but Waqidi says, “His holiness ate from that food”. Similarly, this statement that Bushr died at the same time or after one year, is not clear; but the actual incident and the death of the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) because of it, is accepted by the historians. To gain more knowledge, refer to: Seera e Ibn e Hisham: 2/337, Al Maghazi: 2/677, At-Tabaqatil Kubra: 154 and 2/82, Tareekh e Yaqoobi: 1/375, At-Tambeeh wal Ishraaf: 224, Jawame’ as-Seerah: 169, ar-Raud al-Anf: 6/571
[3] Ar Raud ul Anaf: 6/571
[4] Payambar (s.a.w.s.) wa Yahood e Hejaz : 59
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