Was Prophet Muhammad Killed? Facts About His Death

The question of whether Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was killed has intrigued both Muslims and non-Muslims throughout history. This inquiry touches upon the final chapter of the life of the most influential figure in Islamic history—a man whose legacy continues to guide over 1.8 billion people worldwide. 

In this comprehensive exploration, we will understand the circumstances surrounding the Prophet’s ﷺ death, addressing questions such as “who killed Prophet Muhammad” and “was Prophet Muhammad poisoned.”

Was Prophet Muhammad Killed?

No, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not killed. He passed away naturally in Madinah in the year 632 CE after a brief illness. His death occurred in the home of his wife Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), and the Muslim community witnessed his final days and burial, confirming that it was a natural passing, not an assassination.

Islamic sources clearly distinguish his death from martyrdom through killing. While he faced many hardships and enemies during his mission, his life ended by the will of Allah, completing his message and leaving behind the Qur’an and Sunnah as guidance for humanity.

The Prophet’s ﷺ Natural Death

According to authentic Islamic sources, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ died a natural death due to illness. He passed away on Monday, the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, 11 AH (June 8, 632 CE), in Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ was 63 years old at the time of his death.

The illness that led to his passing began approximately two weeks before his death. As narrated in the biographical sources, “On Wednesday, 28th Safar 11 AH, the Prophet ﷺ experienced a severe headache and thereafter developed a strong fever, which lasted for thirteen days.”

His wife Aisha (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said during his final illness:

كُنْتُ أَسْمَعُ أَنَّهُ لَنْ يَمُوتَ نَبِيٌّ حَتَّى يُخَيَّرَ بَيْنَ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ – قَالَتْ – فَسَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي مَرَضِهِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ وَأَخَذَتْهُ بُحَّةٌ يَقُولُ ‏{‏ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ وَحَسُنَ أُولَئِكَ رَفِيقًا‏}‏ قَالَتْ فَظَنَنْتُهُ خُيِّرَ حِينَئِذٍ‏.‏

I heard that never a prophet dies until he is given an option to opt the life of (this) world or that of the Hereafter. She further said: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) say in his last illness in which he’ died. I heard him saying in gruffness of the voice: Along with those persons upon whom Allah bestowed favours from amongst the Apostles, the testifiers of truth, the martyrs, the pious and goodly company are they (iv. 69). (It was on bearing these words) that I thought that he had been given choice (and he opted to live with these pious persons in the Paradise).

(Sahih Muslim 2444c)

The Prophet ﷺ passed away while resting in the room of his wife Aisha (RA), having completed his mission of conveying the message of Islam to humanity. He was buried in the same room where he passed away, which is now part of the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi) in Madinah.

The Khaybar Incident: Was Prophet Muhammad Poisoned?

One of the most discussed incidents regarding the Prophet’s ﷺ health involves the poisoned meat served to him by a Jewish woman named Zaynab bint al-Harith after the conquest of Khaybar in 7 AH (628 CE). This event is documented in authentic hadith collections.

After the Muslims conquered the Jewish fortress of Khaybar, Zaynab prepared a roasted sheep and poisoned it, placing the most poison in the shoulder portion—knowing it was the Prophet’s ﷺ favorite part. When the Prophet ﷺ took a bite, Allah revealed the deception to him before he could swallow more, and he immediately stopped eating.

The companion Bishr ibn al-Bara’, who had eaten from the meat, later died from the poisoning. The Prophet ﷺ survived but experienced recurring symptoms from this incident throughout the remainder of his life.

Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ would say during his final illness:

“‏ يَا عَائِشَةُ مَا أَزَالُ أَجِدُ أَلَمَ الطَّعَامِ الَّذِي أَكَلْتُ بِخَيْبَرَ، فَهَذَا أَوَانُ وَجَدْتُ انْقِطَاعَ أَبْهَرِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ السَّمِّ ‏”‏‏.‏

“O Aisha, I still feel the effects of the food I ate at Khaybar. This is the time when I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison.” 

(Sahih al-Bukhari 4428)

This narration has led some to question whether the poisoning at Khaybar contributed to the Prophet’s ﷺ eventual death approximately four years later.

Scholarly Perspectives on the Cause of Death

Islamic scholars have discussed whether the Prophet ﷺ should be considered a martyr (shaheed) due to the lingering effects of the poison. Some scholars note that since the Prophet ﷺ died from the effects of poison administered by an enemy, he achieved the rank of martyrdom.

However, it is essential to understand the distinction here: the Prophet ﷺ was not assassinated or killed in the conventional sense. He died from a natural illness, albeit one potentially exacerbated by the effects of the Khaybar poisoning years earlier. The poison did not kill him immediately, and he continued to lead his community, conduct military campaigns, and perform Hajj for four more years after the incident.

Divine Protection Throughout His Mission

The Quran affirms that Allah protected Prophet Muhammad ﷺ throughout his prophetic mission until his message was complete:

“يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُۥ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْصِمُكَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ”

“O Messenger! Convey everything revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not, then you have not delivered His message. Allah will ˹certainly˺ protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the people who disbelieve.” 

(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:67)

This divine protection ensured that the Prophet ﷺ completed his mission. On the Day of Arafah during his Farewell Pilgrimage, just months before his death, Allah revealed:

“ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًۭا ۚ”

“Today I have perfected your faith for you, completed My favour upon you, and chosen Islam as your way” 

(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:3)

The Final Moments of the Prophet ﷺ

During his last days, the Prophet ﷺ continued to demonstrate his concern for his Ummah (community). He led prayers in the mosque until he became too weak, at which point he designated Abu Bakr (RA) to lead the prayers—a clear indication of his wishes for succession.

On the morning of his passing, the Prophet ﷺ looked out at his companions praying in the mosque and smiled with satisfaction. He then returned to rest in Aisha’s room. His last words included the supplication:

‏”‏ اللَّهُمَّ الرَّفِيقَ الأَعْلَى ‏”

“O Allah! (with) the highest companion”

He also said:

“لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا الله إِنَّ للموتِ سَكَراتٍ”

“There is no god but God. Death has pangs.”

Why This Question Matters for Understanding Islam

The question regarding the nature of Prophet Muhammad’s death carries profound implications for understanding Islamic history and theology. Unlike some religious figures in history, the Prophet’s ﷺ death was not sudden or violent. He had time to prepare his community, deliver final guidance through his Farewell Sermon, and die peacefully among his loved ones.

In his Farewell Sermon, the Prophet ﷺ declared:

“‏ تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّةَ نَبِيِّهِ ‏”‏ 

“I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold to them, you will not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet.”

This systematic transition of leadership and the completion of religious guidance before his death demonstrate that his mission was fulfilled exactly as Allah intended.

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Conclusion

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ died a natural death, though potentially hastened by the effects of poison consumed years earlier at Khaybar. He was not killed in battle, assassinated, or murdered. 

Rather, he completed his divinely ordained mission, perfected the religion of Islam, and departed this world after ensuring his community was guided and prepared.

For Muslims, the Prophet’s ﷺ death serves as a reminder of human mortality and the importance of following his Sunnah (example). The Quran reminds us:

“وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ”

“Muḥammad is no more than a messenger; other messengers have gone before him.” 

(Surah Aal-Imran 3:144)

His legacy lives on through the Quran, the Sunnah, and the millions who continue to follow his blessed path to this day. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.