The 24 Failed Assassination Attempts Against Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Introduction

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the greatest man in the history of humanity — the Seal of the Prophets, sent as a mercy to the worlds. He conveyed the message of Islam with honesty, courage, and perseverance, despite facing constant threats to his life.
From his early days in Makkah until the last years in Madinah, his enemies — including Quraysh, Jewish tribes, hypocrites, hostile Arab tribes, and even the Romans — plotted to kill him through ambushes, poison, battles, and deceit.
Yet, Allah ﷻ fulfilled His promise:

"And Allah will protect you from the people" (Qur’an 5:67)

These 24 attempts demonstrate his unwavering mission and Allah’s divine protection over him.

1. The Quraysh Conspiracy in Dar al-Nadwah (Night of Hijrah)

Background: When Islam began spreading rapidly, Quraysh feared the Prophet ﷺ would migrate to Madinah and gain power.

Plot: They chose a strong young man from each tribe to strike him simultaneously, so his blood would be divided among the clans.

Execution: They surrounded his house at night. But Allah commanded him to migrate. ʿAli ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه slept in his bed while the Prophet ﷺ slipped away reciting Qur’an (36:9).

Result: The plan failed; he safely reached Madinah.

Source: Ibn Hisham (1/482), al-Tabari (2/99).

2. Abu Jahl’s Attempt at the Kaʿbah

Background: The Prophet ﷺ was praying by the Kaʿbah.

Plot: Abu Jahl swore: “If I see him in sujood, I will crush his neck.”

Execution: He approached with a large rock, but Allah struck him with fear and blinded his sight.

Result: He returned terrified, unable to harm him.

Source: Bukhari (495), Ibn Hisham (1/300).

3. Attempt to Drop a Stone on Him While Praying

Background: Quraysh leaders sought to kill him secretly.

Execution: One man approached with a rock to drop on his head in sujood, but Allah blinded him.

Source: Ibn Hisham (1/300).

4. Attempt to Strangle Him with His Cloak

Background: During public daʿwah in Makkah.

Plot: ʿUqbah ibn Abi Muʿayṭ threw his cloak around the Prophet’s neck to strangle him.

Intervention: Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه rescued him, saying, “Would you kill a man for saying, ‘My Lord is Allah’?”

Source: Bukhari (3678).

5. Starvation Siege in Shiʿb Abi Talib

Background: Quraysh imposed a 3-year social and economic boycott.

Goal: Kill the Prophet ﷺ and Muslims through hunger and thirst.

Result: They endured extreme hardship until Allah sent relief.

Source: Ibn Kathir (3/127).

6. Attack in Ṭāʾif

Background: The Prophet ﷺ sought support in Ṭāʾif after rejection in Makkah.

Execution: Its leaders incited the youth to throw stones at him until his feet bled.

Response: He prayed for their guidance.

Source: Bukhari (3231).

7. Ghawrath ibn al-Hārith in Dhāt al-Riqāʿ

Background: During a campaign, the Prophet ﷺ rested under a tree.

Plot: Ghawrath took his sword saying, “Who will protect you from me?”

Result: The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Allah,” causing him to drop the sword.

Source: Bukhari (2910).

8. Jewish Treachery at Banū al-Naḍīr

Background: The Prophet ﷺ visited them to settle an issue.

Plot: They planned to drop a large rock on his head.

Result: Allah informed him through revelation, and he left safely.

Source: Ibn Hisham (3/203).

9. Poisoning at Khaybar

Background: After the victory at Khaybar.

Execution: Zaynab bint al-Ḥārith served him poisoned lamb.

Result: He spat it out after being warned by revelation; however, the poison left lasting effects until his death.

Source: Bukhari (2617).

10. Battle of Badr – Direct Kill Attempt

Background: Year 2 AH – first major battle.

Plot: Quraysh warriors aimed to reach and kill him during the fight.

Result: Protected by his companions, Muslims won decisively.

Source: Ibn Kathir (4/47), Bukhari (3953).

11. Battle of Uhud – Breaking His Tooth and Wounding His Face

Background: Year 3 AH – Quraysh’s revenge for Badr.

Execution: He was struck, his helmet forced into his cheek, and his tooth broken.

Result: Saved by companions like Abu Ṭalḥah, Abu Dujānah, and Anas ibn al-Naḍr; 70 Muslims martyred.

Source: Bukhari (4073), Muslim (1790).

12. Battle of the Trench (al-Aḥzāb)

Background: Year 5 AH – Quraysh allied with Jews and Ghatafān to wipe out Islam.

Execution: They laid siege for a month.

Result: Failed to breach the trench; Allah sent wind and angels to disperse them.

Source: Bukhari (4100), al-Tabari (2/573).

13. Treachery of Banū Qurayẓah

Background: During the Trench siege.

Plot: They planned to open a back gate for the enemy to assassinate the Prophet ﷺ.

Result: Exposed and punished according to their own law.

Source: Ibn Hisham (3/247).

14. Tribal Plots to Send Assassins to Madinah

Background: Several hostile tribes tried to send assassins disguised as visitors.

Result: The Prophet ﷺ’s intelligence network foiled their plans.

Source: Ibn Saʿd (2/63).

15. Bedouin with the Sword

Background: While travelling, a Bedouin grabbed his sword.

Result: Allah caused him to drop it; the Prophet ﷺ spared him.

Source: Bukhari (2910).

16. Battle of Ḥunayn – Ambush in the Valley

Background: Year 8 AH – Hawāzin set up an ambush.

Execution: A surprise attack caused Muslims to retreat initially.

Result: The Prophet ﷺ stood firm, rallying the Muslims to victory.

Source: Bukhari (4320).

17. Hypocrite Plot to Hand Him to the Enemy

Background: Certain hypocrites conspired with enemy tribes.

Result: Exposed by revelation.

Source: al-Tabari (3/106).

18. Tribal Invasion Plans That Failed

Background: Multiple tribes prepared invasions.

Result: Abandoned due to fear of Muslim strength.

Source: Ibn Hisham (4/55).

19. Roman Threat Before Tabūk

Background: Reports of Roman army mobilization.

Result: Romans withdrew when the Prophet ﷺ marched with his army.

Source: al-Tabari (3/153).

20. Assassination Plot at al-ʿAqabah (Return from Tabūk)

Background: Hypocrites tried to make his camel stumble at night.

Result: Foiled by Ḥudhayfah ibn al-Yamān.

Source: Bukhari (4031).

21. Jewish Betrayal After Khaybar Treaty

Background: Secret plan to assassinate him.

Result: Uncovered before execution.

Source: Ibn Kathir (4/235).

22. Another Bedouin Assassination Attempt

Execution: Tried to stab him during a meeting, failed.

Source: Ibn Saʿd (2/83).

23. Peace-time Assassination Conspiracy

Background: Some tribes planned during Hudaybiyah.

Result: Discovered early and stopped.

Source: Ibn Hisham (4/112).

24. Multiple Attempts to Poison His Food/Water

Background: Several failed poison plots.

Result: Allah protected him each time.

Source: Ibn Saʿd (2/136).

Collection by Moaaz Abu saad

www.islamic-invitation.com