Conquest of Khyber

In spite of truce Agreement between Muslims and the people of Makka, Jews of Khyber did not let any change take place in their antagonistic attitude towards Muslims. And, they did not allow the trade Caravans of Muslims to pass through territories of Khyber so that the Muslims could not have any access to the countries in the North for having any economic relations with them.

In order to curb the malicious activities of Jews Holy Prophet decided to advance towards Khyber, which had eight strong fortresses to guard against any invasion. Holy Prophet himself was commanding the Muslim Army. Upon reaching Khyber, due to bad weather, Holy Prophet fell sick and Abu Bakkar (RA) took charge of the Muslim Army and attacked the Jews settlement. Jews resisted the attack and Muslims could not succeed. The bad weather also affected Abu Bakkar and he too fell ill. Holy Prophet told Omar to take charge of the Army instead but to no avail. Omar also fell ill.

Holy Prophet handed over the command to Ali Even he too was suffering from eyes infection and had swollen eyes. He accepted the responsibility and attacked the Nitat Fort. After the Nitat Fort was conquered, he planned to attack Na'im Fort. In ten days Ali captured four of the ten strong torts of Jews. Rest surrendered to Muslims with a petition of mercy.

Conquest of Khyber resulted in having lots of arms and food provisions for the Muslims as war-booty. Holy Prophet ordered to deal kindly with Jews and allowed them to leave Khyber if they wished. They were also allowed to take their household goods with them except their cattle and grains. Jews who wanted to stay back and were not ready to lease were permitted to stay and continue with their trades and businesses.

All the sacred books and other important documents of Jews were returned to them. Muslims started enjoying good relations with the Jews.

Zainab Bint Hurs announced that she would serve the Holy Prophet with a roasted lamb cooked by her, he arranged to slaughter a lamb and during roasting its legs poisoned them and sent that mutton to Holy Prophet warm. One of the companions of the Holy Prophet Bashir Bin Bara was sitting there when the roasted mutton was served to Holy Prophet, Bashir cut, chewed and swallowed a piece of that poisoned mutton. Holy Prophet spat out the first morsel after chewing it saying, "Don't eat, this meat is poisoned." The piece which Bashir had swallowed. had its effect and Bashir died then and there.

Zainab Bint Hurs was arrested and asked. "Did you sent that poisoned meat for the Holy Prophet?"

She confessed and said. "I had poisoned the meat thinking that if Mohammad is really the prophet of God he would not eat it and if he is not, then he would die of eating the poisonous meat."