When Khaibar was conquered, a roasted poisoned sheep was presented to the Prophet (ﷺ) as a gift (by the Jews). The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered, "Let all the Jews who have been here, be assembled before me." The Jews were collected and the Prophet (ﷺ) said (to them), "I am going to ask you a question. Will you tell the truth?" They said, "Yes." The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, "Who is your father?" They replied, "So-and-so." He said, "You have told a lie; your father is so-and-so." They said, "You are right." He said, "Will you now tell me the truth, if I ask you about something?" They replied, "Yes, O Abu Al-Qasim; and if we should tell a lie, you can realize our lie as you have done regarding our father." On that he asked, "Who are the people of the (Hell) Fire?" They said, "We shall remain in the (Hell) Fire for a short period, and after that you will replace us." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "You may be cursed and humiliated in it! By Allah, we shall never replace you in it." Then he asked, "Will you now tell me the truth if I ask you a question?" They said, "Yes, O Abu Al-Qasim." He asked, "Have you poisoned this sheep?" They said, "Yes." He asked, "What made you do so?" They said, "We wanted to know if you were a liar in which case we would get rid of you, and if you are a prophet then the poison would not harm you."
Jizyah and Mawaada'ah - Sahih al-Bukhari 3169
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari recounts the incident at Khaibar where the Jews attempted to poison the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The scholars explain this event demonstrates the treachery of those who violated their covenant and the divine protection afforded to the Prophet.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Qurtubi states this incident reveals the profound enmity the Jews harbored despite their outward submission after the conquest. Their attempt to poison the Prophet shows their persistent disbelief and violation of trust agreements.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari explains the Prophet's questioning about their father demonstrates his knowledge of the unseen (ilm al-ghayb) granted by Allah, establishing his prophethood before confronting them about the poison.
Scholars note the Jews' admission about Hellfire reflects their distorted belief that they would only suffer temporarily before Muslims replace them - a claim the Prophet categorically rejected, affirming eternal punishment for disbelievers.
The poisoning attempt, as explained by classical commentators, served as a test from Allah to manifest the Prophet's truthfulness and divine protection, as the poison affected him temporarily but could not cause his death.
Legal and Theological Implications
This hadith establishes that violating peace agreements warrants severe consequences. The scholars derive from this that treachery against Muslims, especially attempts on the Prophet's life, nullifies any protection agreements.
The incident also demonstrates the permissibility of interrogating suspects when there is evidence of crime, and how the Prophet's miracles confirmed his prophethood to friend and foe alike.