The Story of an Attempted Theft of the Prophet Muhammad's Body

The tomb of Prophet Muhammad has previously been the target of heinous acts. Two individuals conspired to steal the noble body of Prophet Muhammad. Their plan nearly succeeded until a Muslim ruler intervened.

As recounted by historian Ali Hafiz in his work, Fushul min Tarikh al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (Chapters from the History of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah), during the Abbasid Dynasty, the Islamic community faced considerable instability.

Various attacks from foreign nations, particularly those united under the banner of the Crusading army, weakened the defences of Muslim society.

At that time, Christian kings from Europe desperately wished to overthrow the influence of Muslim sultans in the Holy Land. Several of them consequently recruited two spies from North Africa. Both were Christian, but for this mission they posed as Muslims.

To cut a long story short, they succeeded in penetrating Medina. Initially, these two presented themselves to the local population as pilgrims. After performing the Hajj at al-Masjid al-Haram, they claimed they did not wish to return home immediately.

They subsequently requested permission to settle in Medina. Local residents had no objections. Indeed, they lived in a house located quite close to the Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque).

For years, they socialised normally with Muslims in Medina. They frequently attended scholarly circles. They were generous in charitable giving. Their appearance was no different from that of righteous people.

Entering the year 1164, meanwhile in Damascus (Syria) there was Sultan Nuruddin Mahmud Zengi. He was the ruler of the Levantine lands and surrounding regions, and his influence was recognised as great even as far as the two sacred cities (Mecca and Medina).