Zaynab bint Al-Harith

General

Zaynab bint Al-Harith (Arabic: زينب بنت الحارث‎‎;) was a Jewish woman who lived in Khaybar, Arabia. She was married to Salam Ibn Mishkam[1][2]. Zaynab is known for her attempted murder of the Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) after the Conquest of Khaybar in 7 AH (628 CE).

Poisoned Sheep

Zaynab planned to kill the Prophet (ﷺ) shortly after the Conquest of Khaybar. She prepared a roasted sheep with poison and presented it as a gift to Him (ﷺ). The assassination attempt failed and Zaynab was questioned about the matter. She replied, “She said: If you were a prophet, it would not harm you; but if you were a king, I should rid the people of you.”[3][4][5]

Death

Zaynab was initially shown mercy for her failed attempt on the Prophet’s (ﷺ) life, however she was eventually executed later in 7 AH (628 CE) for the murder of Bishar ibn Al-Bara who had eaten from the same sheep she poisoned and presented to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).[6]

References

  1. Jump up↑ The History of Islam Volume One by Akbar Shah Najeebadi, Revised by Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri, p. 208
  2. Jump up↑ The Noble Life of The Prophet by Dr. Ali Muhammad As-Sallaabee, Volume 3, p.1605
  3. Jump up↑ Sunan Abi Dawud 4512, Book 41, Hadith 19: Types of Blood-Wit (Kitab Al-Diyat) – كتاب الديات – Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani)
  4. Jump up↑ Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri (2002), Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, The Sealed Nectar: Biography of the Noble Prophet, Revised Edition, Darussalam Publications, p. 441, ISBN 9960-899-55-1
  5. Jump up↑ Basis of story is found in Sahih Al-Bukhari 1/449, 2/610, 860
  6. Jump up↑ Zadul-Ma’ad 2/139,140; Fathul-Bari 7/497; Ibn Hisham 2/337, 338