Muhammad being poisoned.
Finding reliable sources.
When researching Islamic history, it seems that nothing is written in stone. There is a reliable source, which disagrees with another reliable source, on any given subject regarding Islam.
However there are five respected Historical resources that most, if not all, Islamic Scholar's consider reliable and historically accurate. All five have information concerning the death of Muhammad, and for the most part in agreement with one another.
They are:
- "Sahih Bukhari". This Hadith is considered to be the most important Islamic book, after the Quran.
- Ibn Ishaq's biography, the "Sirat Rasul Allah", (THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET), translated by A. Guillaume as "The Life of Muhammad", is the most authentic Sirat (biographical) literature recognized in Islam.
- Ibn Sa'd three volume biography, the "Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir" (Book of the Major Classes), Volume 2. of the three, contains the most information relative to Muhammad's death.
- Tabari's "History". Tabari is one of the most highly respected authors in Islamic writings. His "History" is 39 volumes.
- "Sahih Muslim". This collection of Hadith is considered to be equal to, or slightly below Bukhari's collection of Hadith.
The Jewish settlement of Khaibar.
Sometime after Muhammad left Mecca, and migrated to the city of Medina, he and his followers attempted to return to Mecca by using force. Muhammad was defeated on the battlefield and a large number of his Muslim army was killed.
Muhammad was forced to agree to what is known as "The Treaty of Hudaybiyya." Being forced to agree to this treaty he was humiliated. Not only did the Muslims lose the plunder that they would have received by defeating those in the city of Mecca, they (Muslims) were forced to honor a treaty that was not considered benefiting toward Muslims and their cause. Muhammad was losing followers and respect as a prophet.
Two months after his failed attack on the city of Mecca, Muhammad decided to attack and plunder a small Jewish settlement called Khaibar. This settlement was located in a rich and fertile valley known for producing dates.Muhammad led his Muslim army and attacked the Jews as they were on their way to harvest.
After Muhammad defeated the settlement, the Jewish leaders and men were beheaded and the women and children were taken as slaves, to be sold, or kept as concubines. One Jewish leader named Kinana was tortured to reveal any hidden treasure. When he was about to die as a result of the torture, Muhammad ordered him beheaded.
Muhammad took the most beautiful woman for himself, her name was Safiyah, and forced her to marry him.
The remaining Jews made an agreement with Muhammad that if they were allowed to continue to harvest their dates, they would give Muhammad �, and they would keep half for themselves. Muhammad agreed, but years later, after the death of Muhammad, Umar expelled the last of the Jews from Khaibar.
The poisoning of Muhammad.
After the conquest of Khaibar and the Muslims were feeling secure, a Jewish woman whose name is Zainab Bint al-Harith, asked to prepare a dinner for Muhammad. She asked what part of the lamb (or goat) was Muhammad's favorite. After being told that it was the front leg, she took a lamb (or goat), slaughtered it, took a posion that kills instantly, and put it on the entire lamb, and even more on the leg and shoulder that Muhammad was to eat.
After Muhammad had led the people in the evening prayer, he turned to go, but she was sitting at the feet of Muhammad, and said that she had a gift for him. Muhammad ordered some of his followers to take the cooked lamb from her and when he sat began to eat. Muhammad took a bite from the poisoned lamb, at this point the account differs among scholars, some say Muhammad spit out the bite of lamb, and others say he swallowed the bite of lamb.
The fact remains that Muhammad was poisoned at this event. After Muhammad had taken a bite he held up the leg of lamb and said Muhammad said, "Raise your hands; this leg and this shoulder tell me they are poisoned." Muhammad friend, Bishr did swallow his bite and died some time later. The leg and shoulder was then given to a dog which also died.
The Following is a direct quote:
....When the apostle of Allah conquered Khaibar and he had peace of mind, Zaynab Bint al-Harith the brother of Marhab, who was the spouse of Sallam Ibn Mishkam, inquired, "Which part of the goat is liked by Muhammad?" They said, "The foreleg." Then she slaughtered one from her goats and roasted it (the meat). Then she wanted a poison which could not fail. .... The apostle of Allah took the foreleg, a piece of which he put into his mouth. Bishr took another bone and put it into his mouth. When the apostle of Allah ate one morsel of it Bishr ate his and other people also ate from it. Then the apostle of Allah said, "Hold back your hands! because this foreleg; ...informed me that it is poisoned. Thereupon Bishr said, "By Him who has made you great! I discovered it from the morsel I took. Nothing prevented me from emitting it out, but the idea that I did not like to make your food unrelishing. When you had eaten what was in your mouth I did not like to save my life after yours, and I also thought you would not have eaten it if there was something wrong.
Bishr did not rise from his seat but his color changed to that of "taylsan" (a green cloth)..........The apostle of Allah sent for Zaynab and said to her, "What induced you to do what you have done?" She replied, "You have done to my people what you have done. You have killed my father, my uncle and my husband, so I said to myself, "If you are a prophet, the foreleg will inform you; and others have said, "If you are a king we will get rid of you.""......
The apostle of Allah lived after this three years till in consequence of his pain he passed away. During his illness he used to say, "I did not cease to find the effect of the (poisoned) morsel, I took at Khaibar and I suffered several times (from its effect) but now I feel the hour has come of the cutting of my jugular vein. From Ibn Sa'd pages 251, 252
As an end note it is reported that Muhammad asked Allah to heal him from the effects of the poison. When Muhammad realized this was not going to happen, he said that paradise was far better than earth.