Usayr ibn Zarim

Usayr ibn Zarim was the war chief of the Banu Nadir, who succeeded Abu al-Rafi ibn Abu al-Huqayq upon his death. It has been recorded by one source [Zurqani, Ala al-Mawahib, Vol. II, p.196, Egypt] that Usayr also approached the Ghatafan and rumors spread that he intended to attack the "capital of Muhammad".

The latter sent Abdullah bin Rawaha with a number of his companions, among whom were Abdullah bin Unays, an ally of Banu Salima, a clan hostile to the Jews. When they came to him they spoke to him and treated him saying that if he would come to Muhammad he would give him an appointment and honour him. They kept on at him until he went with them with a number of Jews. Abdullah bin Unays mounted him on his beast until when he was in al-Qarqara, about six miles from Khaybar, Usayr changed his mind about going with them. Abdullah perceived his intention as he was preparing to draw his sword so he rushed at him and struck him with his sword cutting off his leg. Usayr hit him with a stick of shauhat wood which he had in his hand and wounded his head. All Muhammad's emissaries fell upon the thirty Jewish companions and killed them except one man who escaped on his feet. Stillman 17] [Ibn Ishaq, A. Guillaume, p. 665-666] Abdullah bin Unays is the assassin who volunteered and got permission to kill Banu Nadir's Sallam ibn Abu al-Huqayq at a previous night mission in Khaybar.

References

*Stillman, Norman. "The Jews of Arab Lands: A History and Source Book". Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1979. ISBN 0-8276-0198-0