THE JOURNEY TO ALLAH, THE SUBLIME SYMPTOMS OF FAREWELL:
When the Call to Islam grew complete and the new faith dominated the whole situation. The Messenger
of Allâh (Peace be upon him) started to develop certain symptoms that bespoke of leave-taking. They
could be perceived through his statements and deeds:
1.In Ramadan in the tenth year of Al-Hijra he secluded himself for twenty days in contrast to ten,
previously.
2.The archangel Gabriel reviewed the Qur’ân twice with him.
3.His words in the Farewell Pilgrimage (i.e. Al-Wida‘):
4. “I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once again after this current year.”
5.The revelation of An-Nasr Chapter amid At-Tashreeq Days. So when it was sent down on him, he
realized that it was the parting time and that Surah was an announcement of his approaching
death.
6.On the early days of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
went out to Uhud and observed a farewell prayer to the martyrs. It looked like saying goodbye to
both the dead and the living alike. He then ascended the pulpit and addressed the people saying:
7.
“
I am to precede you and I have been made witness upon you. By Allâh, you will meet me at the
‘
Fountain’ very soon. I have been given the keys of worldly treasures. By Allâh, I do not fear for
you that you will turn polytheists after me. But I do fear that acquisition of worldly riches should
entice you to strike one another’s neck.”
8.One day, at midnight he went to Al-Baqee‘ cemetry, and implored Allâh to forgive the martyrs of
Islam. He said: “Peace be upon you tomb-dwellers! May that morning that dawns upon you be
more relieving than that which dawn upon the living. Afflictions are approaching them like cloudy
lumps of a dark night — the last of which follows the first. The last one is bearing more evil than
the first.” He comforted them saying: “We will follow you.”
THE START OF THE DISEAS:
On Monday the twenty-ninth of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, he participated in funeral rites in
Al-Baqee‘. On the way back he had a headache, his temperature rose so high that the heat effect could
be felt over his headband.
He led the Muslims in prayer for eleven days though he was sick. The total number of his sick days
were either thirteen or fourteen.
THE LAST WEEK:
When his sickness grew severe he asked his wives: “Where shall I stay tomorrow?” “Where shall I
stay?” They understood what he wanted. So they allowed him to stay wherever he wished. He moved to
‘Aishah’s room leaning — while he was walking — on Al-Fadl bin Al-‘Abbas and ‘Ali bin Abi Talib. Head
banded as he was, he dragged his feet till he came into her abode. It was there that he spent the last
week of his life.
During that period, ‘Aishah used to recite Al-Mu‘awwidhat (Chapters 113 and 114 of the Qur’ân) and
other supplications which he had already taught her.
FIVE DAYS BEFORE DEATH:
On Wednesday, five days before he died the Prophet’s temperature rose so high signalling the
severeness of his disease. He fainted and suffered from pain. “Pour out on me seven Qirab (water skin
pots) of various water wells so that I may go out to meet people and talk to them.” So they seated him in a container (usually used for washing) and poured out water on him till he said: “That is enough.
That is enough.”
Then he felt well enough to enter the Mosque. He entered it band-headed, sat on the pulpit and made a
speech to the people who were gathering together around him. He said:
l “The curse of Allâh falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their Prophets’ tombs
places of worship.”
Then he said:
l “Do not make my tomb a worshipped idol.”
Then he offered himself and invited the people to repay any injuries he might have inflicted on them,
saying:
l “He whom I have ever lashed his back, I offer him my back so that he may avenge himself on
me. He whom I have ever blasphemed his honour, here I am offering my honour so that he may
avenge himself.”
Then he descended, and performed the noon prayer. Again he returned to the pulpit and sat on it. He
resumed his first speech about enmity and some other things.
A man then said: “You owe me three Dirhams.” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Fadl, pay him
the money.” He went on saying:
l “I admonish you to be good to Al-Ansar (the Helpers). They are my family and with them I found
shelter. They have acquitted themselves credibly of the responsibility that fell upon them and
now there remains what you have to do. You should fully acknowledge and appreciate the favour
that they have shown, and should overlook their faults.”
In another version:
l “The number of believers would increase, but the number of Helpers would decrease to the
extent that they would be among men as salt in the food. So he who from among you occupies a
position of responsibility and is powerful enough to do harm or good to the people, he should
fully acknowledge and appreciate the favour that these benefactors have shown and overlook
their faults.”
And said:
l “Allâh, the Great, has given a slave of His the opportunity to make a choice between whatever he
desires of Allâh’s provisions in this world, and what He keeps for him in the world, but he has
opted for the latter.”
Abu Sa‘îd Al-Khudri said: “Upon hearing that, Abu Bakr cried and said: ‘We sacrifice our fathers and
mothers for your sake.’ We wondered why Abu Bakr said such a thing. People said: ‘Look at that old
man! The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) says about a slave of Allâh who was granted the
right between the best fortunes of this world and the bounty of Allâh in the Hereafter, but he says: We
sacrifice our fathers and mothers for your sake!’ It was later on that we realized what he had aimed at.
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) was the slave informed to choose. We also acknowledged
that Abu Bakr was the most learned among us.” Then the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) said:
l “The fellow I feel most secure in his company is Abu Bakr. If I were to make friendship with any
other one than Allâh, I would have Abu Bakr a bosom friend of mine. For him I feel affection and
brotherhood of Islam. No gate shall be kept open in the Mosque except that of Abu Bakr’s.”
FOUR DAYS BEFORE HIS DEATH:
On Thursday, four days before the death of the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him), he said to
people — though he was suffering from a severe pain: “Come here. I will cause you to write something
so that you will never fall into error.” Upon this ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab said: “The Prophet of Allâh (Peace
be upon him) is suffering from acute pain and you have the Qur’ân with you; the Book of Allâh is
sufficient unto you.” Others however wanted the writing to be made. When Muhammad (Peace be upon
him) heard them debating over it, he ordered them to go away and leave him alone.
THE DAY HE RECOMMENDED THREE THINGS:
1.Jews, Christians and polytheists should be expelled out of Arabia.
2.He recommended that delegations should be honoured and entertained, in a way similar to the
one he used to do.
3.As for the third — the narrator said that he had forgotten it. It could have been adherence to the
Holy Book and the Sunnah. It was likely to be the accomplishment and the mobilization of
Osamah’s army, or it could have been performance of prayers and being attentive to slaves.
In spite of the strain of disease and suffering from pain, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to lead
all the prayers till that Thursday — four days before he died. On that day he led the sunset prayer and
recited:
l
¡ “By the winds (or angels or the Messengers of Allâh) sent forth one after another.” [77:1]
In the evening he grew so sick that he could not overcome the strain of disease or go out to enter the
Mosque. ‘Aishah said: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked: “Have the people performed the
prayer?” “No. They haven’t. They are waiting for you.” “Put some water in the washing pot.” Said he.
We did what he ordered. So he washed and wanted to stand up, but he fainted. When he came round
he asked again “Have the people prayed?” Then the same sequence of events took place again and
again for the second and the third tifrom the time he washed to the time he fainted after his attempts
to stand up. Therefore he sent to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer himself. Abu Bakr then led the prayer
during those days. They were seventeen prayers in the lifetime of Muhammad(Peace be upon him).
Three or four times ‘Aishah talked to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to exempt Abu Bakr from
leadership in prayer lest people should despair of him, but he refused and said:
l “You (women) are like the women who tried to entice Joseph (Yusuf) into immorality. Convey my
request to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.”
A DAY OR TWO PRIOR TO DEATH:
On Saturday or on Sunday, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) felt that he was well enough to perform
the prayer; so he went out leaning on two men in order to perform the noon prayer. Abu Bakr, who was
then about to lead the prayer withdrew when he saw him coming; but the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
made him a gesture to stay where he was and said: “Seat me next to him.” They seated him on the left
hand side of Abu Bakr. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) led the prayer, and Abu Bakr followed him and
raised his voice at every ‘Allâhu Akbar’ (i.e. Allâh is the Greatest) the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
said, so that the people may hear clearly.
A DAY BEFORE HIS DEATH:
On Sunday, a day before he died, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) set his slaves free, paid as a charity
the seven Dinars he owned and gave his weapons as a present to the Muslims. So when night fell
‘Aishah had to borrow some oil from her neighbour to light her oil-lantern.
Even his armour was mortgaged as a security with a Jew for thirty Sa‘ (a cubic measure) of barley.
THE LAST DAY ALIVE:
In a narration by Anas bin Malik, he said: “While the Muslims were performing the dawn prayer on
Monday — led by Abu Bakr, they were surprised to see the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him)
raising the curtain of ‘Aishah’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly and
smiled cheerfully. Seeing him, Abu Bakr withdrew to join the lines and give way to him to lead the
prayer. For he thought that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) wanted to go out and pray.” Anas said:
“
The Muslims, who were praying, were so delighted that they were almost too enraptured at their
prayers. The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) made them a gesture to continue their prayer,
went into the room and drew down the curtain.”
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) did not live for the next prayer time.
When it was daytime, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) called Fatimah and told her something in a
secret voice that made her cry. Then he whispered to her something else which made her laugh.
‘Aishah enquired from her after the Prophet’s death, as to this weeping and laughing to which Fatimah
replied: “The first time he disclosed to me that he would not recover from his illness and I wept. Then
he told me that I would be the first of his family to join him, so I laughed.”
He gave Fatimah glad tidings that she would become the lady of all women of the world.
Fatimah witnessed the great pain that afflicted her father. So she said: “What great pain my father is
in!”. To these words, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) remarked:
l “
He will not suffer any more when today is over.”
He asked that Al-Hasan and Al-Husain be brought to him. He kissed them and recommended that they
be looked after. He asked to see his wives. They were brought to him. He preached them and told them
to remember Allâh. Pain grew so much severe that the trace of poison he had at Khaibar came to light.
It was so sore that he said to ‘Aishah: “I still feel the painful effect of that food I tasted at Khaibar. I
feel as if death is approaching.” He ordered the people to perform the prayers and be attentive to
slaves. He repeated it several times.
THE PROPHET BREATHES HIS LAST:
When the pangs of death started, ‘Aishah leant him against her. She used to say: One of Allâh’s
bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died in my house, while I am still
alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allâh has mixed his saliva
with mine at his death. For ‘Abdur Rahman — the son of Abu Bakr — came in with a Siwak (i.e. the root
of a desert plant used for brushing teeth) in his hand, while I was leaning the Messenger of Allâh (Peace
be upon him) against me. I noticed that he was looking at the Siwak, so I asked him — for I knew that
he wanted it — “Would you like me to take it for you?” He nodded in agreement. I took it and gave it to
him. As it was too hard for him, I asked him “Shall I soften it for you?” He nodded in agreement. So I
softened it with my saliva and he passed it (on his teeth).
In another version it is said: “So he brushed (Istanna) his teeth as nice as he could.” There was a water container (Rakwa) available at his hand with some water in. He put his hand in it and wiped his face
with it and said:
l “There is no god but Allâh. Death is full of agonies.”
As soon as he had finished his Siwak brushing, he raised his hand or his finger up, looked upwards to
the ceiling and moved his lips. So ‘Aishah listened to him. She heard him say: “With those on whom
You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful ones (As-Siddeeqeen), the martyrs
and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship
on high.” Then at intervals he uttered these words: “The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allâh
we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode.” This event took place at high morning time
on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi‘ Al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah. He was sixty-three years
and four days old when he died.
THE COMPANIONS' CONCERN OVER THE PROPHET'S DEATH:
The great (loss) news was soon known by everybody in Madinah. Dark grief spread on all areas and
horizons of Madinah. Anas said:
l “I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allâh
(Peace be upon him) came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than
that one on which the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died on.”
When he died, Fatimah said: “O Father, whom his Lord responded to his supplication! O Father, whose
abode is Paradise. O Father, whom I announce his death to Gabriel.”
‘
UMAR ATTITUDE:
‘Umar, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people addressing
them: “Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died. The
Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) did not die, but went to his Lord in the same way as Moses bin
‘
Imran did. He stayed away for forty nights, but finally came back though they said he had been dead.
By Allâh, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) will come back and he will cut off the hands and
legs of those who claim his death.”
ABU BAKR'S ATTITUDE:
Abu Bakr left his house at As-Sunh and came forth to the Mosque on a mare-back. At the Mosque, he
dismounted and entered. He talked to nobody but went on till he entered ‘Aishah’s abode, and went
directly to where the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) was. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)
was covered with a Yemeni mantle. He uncovered his face and tended down, kissed him and cried.
Then he said: “I sacrifice my father and mother for your sake. Allâh, verily, will not cause you to die
twice. You have just experienced the death that Allâh had ordained.”
Then he went out and found ‘Umar talking to people. He said: “‘Umar, be seated.” ‘Umar refused to do
so. People parted ‘Umar and came towards Abu Bakr, who started a speech saying:
l “
And now, he who worships Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Muhammad is dead now. But he
who worships Allâh, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh says:
‘
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers
have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as
disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh, and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful.’” [3:1]
Ibn ‘Abbas said: “By Allâh, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’ânic verse till Abu Bakr
recited it as a reminder. So people started reciting it till there was no man who did not recite it.”
Ibn Al-Musaiyab said that ‘Umar had said: “By Allâh, as soon as I heard Abu Bakr say it, I fell down to
the ground. I felt as if my legs had been unable to carry me so I collapsed when I heard him say it.
Only then did I realize that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had really died.”
BURIAL AND FAREWELL PREPARATIONS TO HIS HONOURABLE BODY:
Dispute about who would succeed him (Peace be upon him) broke out even before having the
Messenger of Allâh’s body prepared for burial. Lots of arguments, discussions, dialogues took place
between the Helpers and Emigrants in the roofed passage (portico) of Bani Sa‘ida. Finally they
acknowledged Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) as a caliph. They spent the whole Monday
there till it was night. People were so busy with their arguments that it was late night — just about
dawn of Tuesday — yet his blessed body was still lying on his bed covered with an inked-garment. He
was locked in the room.
On Tuesday, his body was washed with his clothes on. He was washed by Al‘
Abbas,
Shaqran poured out water. ‘Ali washed him and Aws leant him against his chest.
They shrouded him in three white Sahooli cotton cloth which had neither a headcloth nor a casing and
inserted him in.
A sort of disagreement arose with regard to a burial place. Abu Bakr said: “I heard the Messenger of
Allâh (Peace be upon him) say: ‘A dead Prophet is buried where he dies.’ So Abu Talhah lifted the bed
on which he died, dug underneath and cut the ground to make the tomb.
People entered the room ten by ten. They prayed for the Prophet (Peace be upon him). The first to pray
for him were people of his clan. Then the Emigrants, then the Helpers. Women prayed for him after
men. The young were the last to pray.
This process took Tuesday long and Wednesday night (i.e. the night which precedes Wednesday
morning). ‘Aishah said: “We did not know that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was being buried till
we heard the sound of tools digging the ground at the depth of Wednesday night.”
Previous Chapter
When the Call to Islam grew complete and the new faith dominated the whole situation. The Messenger
of Allâh (Peace be upon him) started to develop certain symptoms that bespoke of leave-taking. They
could be perceived through his statements and deeds:
1.In Ramadan in the tenth year of Al-Hijra he secluded himself for twenty days in contrast to ten,
previously.
2.The archangel Gabriel reviewed the Qur’ân twice with him.
3.His words in the Farewell Pilgrimage (i.e. Al-Wida‘):
4. “I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once again after this current year.”
5.The revelation of An-Nasr Chapter amid At-Tashreeq Days. So when it was sent down on him, he
realized that it was the parting time and that Surah was an announcement of his approaching
death.
6.On the early days of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
went out to Uhud and observed a farewell prayer to the martyrs. It looked like saying goodbye to
both the dead and the living alike. He then ascended the pulpit and addressed the people saying:
7.
“
I am to precede you and I have been made witness upon you. By Allâh, you will meet me at the
‘
Fountain’ very soon. I have been given the keys of worldly treasures. By Allâh, I do not fear for
you that you will turn polytheists after me. But I do fear that acquisition of worldly riches should
entice you to strike one another’s neck.”
8.One day, at midnight he went to Al-Baqee‘ cemetry, and implored Allâh to forgive the martyrs of
Islam. He said: “Peace be upon you tomb-dwellers! May that morning that dawns upon you be
more relieving than that which dawn upon the living. Afflictions are approaching them like cloudy
lumps of a dark night — the last of which follows the first. The last one is bearing more evil than
the first.” He comforted them saying: “We will follow you.”
THE START OF THE DISEAS:
On Monday the twenty-ninth of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, he participated in funeral rites in
Al-Baqee‘. On the way back he had a headache, his temperature rose so high that the heat effect could
be felt over his headband.
He led the Muslims in prayer for eleven days though he was sick. The total number of his sick days
were either thirteen or fourteen.
THE LAST WEEK:
When his sickness grew severe he asked his wives: “Where shall I stay tomorrow?” “Where shall I
stay?” They understood what he wanted. So they allowed him to stay wherever he wished. He moved to
‘Aishah’s room leaning — while he was walking — on Al-Fadl bin Al-‘Abbas and ‘Ali bin Abi Talib. Head
banded as he was, he dragged his feet till he came into her abode. It was there that he spent the last
week of his life.
During that period, ‘Aishah used to recite Al-Mu‘awwidhat (Chapters 113 and 114 of the Qur’ân) and
other supplications which he had already taught her.
FIVE DAYS BEFORE DEATH:
On Wednesday, five days before he died the Prophet’s temperature rose so high signalling the
severeness of his disease. He fainted and suffered from pain. “Pour out on me seven Qirab (water skin
pots) of various water wells so that I may go out to meet people and talk to them.” So they seated him in a container (usually used for washing) and poured out water on him till he said: “That is enough.
That is enough.”
Then he felt well enough to enter the Mosque. He entered it band-headed, sat on the pulpit and made a
speech to the people who were gathering together around him. He said:
l “The curse of Allâh falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their Prophets’ tombs
places of worship.”
Then he said:
l “Do not make my tomb a worshipped idol.”
Then he offered himself and invited the people to repay any injuries he might have inflicted on them,
saying:
l “He whom I have ever lashed his back, I offer him my back so that he may avenge himself on
me. He whom I have ever blasphemed his honour, here I am offering my honour so that he may
avenge himself.”
Then he descended, and performed the noon prayer. Again he returned to the pulpit and sat on it. He
resumed his first speech about enmity and some other things.
A man then said: “You owe me three Dirhams.” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Fadl, pay him
the money.” He went on saying:
l “I admonish you to be good to Al-Ansar (the Helpers). They are my family and with them I found
shelter. They have acquitted themselves credibly of the responsibility that fell upon them and
now there remains what you have to do. You should fully acknowledge and appreciate the favour
that they have shown, and should overlook their faults.”
In another version:
l “The number of believers would increase, but the number of Helpers would decrease to the
extent that they would be among men as salt in the food. So he who from among you occupies a
position of responsibility and is powerful enough to do harm or good to the people, he should
fully acknowledge and appreciate the favour that these benefactors have shown and overlook
their faults.”
And said:
l “Allâh, the Great, has given a slave of His the opportunity to make a choice between whatever he
desires of Allâh’s provisions in this world, and what He keeps for him in the world, but he has
opted for the latter.”
Abu Sa‘îd Al-Khudri said: “Upon hearing that, Abu Bakr cried and said: ‘We sacrifice our fathers and
mothers for your sake.’ We wondered why Abu Bakr said such a thing. People said: ‘Look at that old
man! The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) says about a slave of Allâh who was granted the
right between the best fortunes of this world and the bounty of Allâh in the Hereafter, but he says: We
sacrifice our fathers and mothers for your sake!’ It was later on that we realized what he had aimed at.
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) was the slave informed to choose. We also acknowledged
that Abu Bakr was the most learned among us.” Then the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) said:
l “The fellow I feel most secure in his company is Abu Bakr. If I were to make friendship with any
other one than Allâh, I would have Abu Bakr a bosom friend of mine. For him I feel affection and
brotherhood of Islam. No gate shall be kept open in the Mosque except that of Abu Bakr’s.”
FOUR DAYS BEFORE HIS DEATH:
On Thursday, four days before the death of the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him), he said to
people — though he was suffering from a severe pain: “Come here. I will cause you to write something
so that you will never fall into error.” Upon this ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab said: “The Prophet of Allâh (Peace
be upon him) is suffering from acute pain and you have the Qur’ân with you; the Book of Allâh is
sufficient unto you.” Others however wanted the writing to be made. When Muhammad (Peace be upon
him) heard them debating over it, he ordered them to go away and leave him alone.
THE DAY HE RECOMMENDED THREE THINGS:
1.Jews, Christians and polytheists should be expelled out of Arabia.
2.He recommended that delegations should be honoured and entertained, in a way similar to the
one he used to do.
3.As for the third — the narrator said that he had forgotten it. It could have been adherence to the
Holy Book and the Sunnah. It was likely to be the accomplishment and the mobilization of
Osamah’s army, or it could have been performance of prayers and being attentive to slaves.
In spite of the strain of disease and suffering from pain, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to lead
all the prayers till that Thursday — four days before he died. On that day he led the sunset prayer and
recited:
l
¡ “By the winds (or angels or the Messengers of Allâh) sent forth one after another.” [77:1]
In the evening he grew so sick that he could not overcome the strain of disease or go out to enter the
Mosque. ‘Aishah said: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked: “Have the people performed the
prayer?” “No. They haven’t. They are waiting for you.” “Put some water in the washing pot.” Said he.
We did what he ordered. So he washed and wanted to stand up, but he fainted. When he came round
he asked again “Have the people prayed?” Then the same sequence of events took place again and
again for the second and the third tifrom the time he washed to the time he fainted after his attempts
to stand up. Therefore he sent to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer himself. Abu Bakr then led the prayer
during those days. They were seventeen prayers in the lifetime of Muhammad(Peace be upon him).
Three or four times ‘Aishah talked to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to exempt Abu Bakr from
leadership in prayer lest people should despair of him, but he refused and said:
l “You (women) are like the women who tried to entice Joseph (Yusuf) into immorality. Convey my
request to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.”
A DAY OR TWO PRIOR TO DEATH:
On Saturday or on Sunday, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) felt that he was well enough to perform
the prayer; so he went out leaning on two men in order to perform the noon prayer. Abu Bakr, who was
then about to lead the prayer withdrew when he saw him coming; but the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
made him a gesture to stay where he was and said: “Seat me next to him.” They seated him on the left
hand side of Abu Bakr. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) led the prayer, and Abu Bakr followed him and
raised his voice at every ‘Allâhu Akbar’ (i.e. Allâh is the Greatest) the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
said, so that the people may hear clearly.
A DAY BEFORE HIS DEATH:
On Sunday, a day before he died, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) set his slaves free, paid as a charity
the seven Dinars he owned and gave his weapons as a present to the Muslims. So when night fell
‘Aishah had to borrow some oil from her neighbour to light her oil-lantern.
Even his armour was mortgaged as a security with a Jew for thirty Sa‘ (a cubic measure) of barley.
THE LAST DAY ALIVE:
In a narration by Anas bin Malik, he said: “While the Muslims were performing the dawn prayer on
Monday — led by Abu Bakr, they were surprised to see the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him)
raising the curtain of ‘Aishah’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly and
smiled cheerfully. Seeing him, Abu Bakr withdrew to join the lines and give way to him to lead the
prayer. For he thought that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) wanted to go out and pray.” Anas said:
“
The Muslims, who were praying, were so delighted that they were almost too enraptured at their
prayers. The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) made them a gesture to continue their prayer,
went into the room and drew down the curtain.”
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) did not live for the next prayer time.
When it was daytime, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) called Fatimah and told her something in a
secret voice that made her cry. Then he whispered to her something else which made her laugh.
‘Aishah enquired from her after the Prophet’s death, as to this weeping and laughing to which Fatimah
replied: “The first time he disclosed to me that he would not recover from his illness and I wept. Then
he told me that I would be the first of his family to join him, so I laughed.”
He gave Fatimah glad tidings that she would become the lady of all women of the world.
Fatimah witnessed the great pain that afflicted her father. So she said: “What great pain my father is
in!”. To these words, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) remarked:
l “
He will not suffer any more when today is over.”
He asked that Al-Hasan and Al-Husain be brought to him. He kissed them and recommended that they
be looked after. He asked to see his wives. They were brought to him. He preached them and told them
to remember Allâh. Pain grew so much severe that the trace of poison he had at Khaibar came to light.
It was so sore that he said to ‘Aishah: “I still feel the painful effect of that food I tasted at Khaibar. I
feel as if death is approaching.” He ordered the people to perform the prayers and be attentive to
slaves. He repeated it several times.
THE PROPHET BREATHES HIS LAST:
When the pangs of death started, ‘Aishah leant him against her. She used to say: One of Allâh’s
bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died in my house, while I am still
alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allâh has mixed his saliva
with mine at his death. For ‘Abdur Rahman — the son of Abu Bakr — came in with a Siwak (i.e. the root
of a desert plant used for brushing teeth) in his hand, while I was leaning the Messenger of Allâh (Peace
be upon him) against me. I noticed that he was looking at the Siwak, so I asked him — for I knew that
he wanted it — “Would you like me to take it for you?” He nodded in agreement. I took it and gave it to
him. As it was too hard for him, I asked him “Shall I soften it for you?” He nodded in agreement. So I
softened it with my saliva and he passed it (on his teeth).
In another version it is said: “So he brushed (Istanna) his teeth as nice as he could.” There was a water container (Rakwa) available at his hand with some water in. He put his hand in it and wiped his face
with it and said:
l “There is no god but Allâh. Death is full of agonies.”
As soon as he had finished his Siwak brushing, he raised his hand or his finger up, looked upwards to
the ceiling and moved his lips. So ‘Aishah listened to him. She heard him say: “With those on whom
You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful ones (As-Siddeeqeen), the martyrs
and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship
on high.” Then at intervals he uttered these words: “The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allâh
we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode.” This event took place at high morning time
on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi‘ Al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah. He was sixty-three years
and four days old when he died.
THE COMPANIONS' CONCERN OVER THE PROPHET'S DEATH:
The great (loss) news was soon known by everybody in Madinah. Dark grief spread on all areas and
horizons of Madinah. Anas said:
l “I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allâh
(Peace be upon him) came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than
that one on which the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died on.”
When he died, Fatimah said: “O Father, whom his Lord responded to his supplication! O Father, whose
abode is Paradise. O Father, whom I announce his death to Gabriel.”
‘
UMAR ATTITUDE:
‘Umar, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people addressing
them: “Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died. The
Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) did not die, but went to his Lord in the same way as Moses bin
‘
Imran did. He stayed away for forty nights, but finally came back though they said he had been dead.
By Allâh, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) will come back and he will cut off the hands and
legs of those who claim his death.”
ABU BAKR'S ATTITUDE:
Abu Bakr left his house at As-Sunh and came forth to the Mosque on a mare-back. At the Mosque, he
dismounted and entered. He talked to nobody but went on till he entered ‘Aishah’s abode, and went
directly to where the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) was. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)
was covered with a Yemeni mantle. He uncovered his face and tended down, kissed him and cried.
Then he said: “I sacrifice my father and mother for your sake. Allâh, verily, will not cause you to die
twice. You have just experienced the death that Allâh had ordained.”
Then he went out and found ‘Umar talking to people. He said: “‘Umar, be seated.” ‘Umar refused to do
so. People parted ‘Umar and came towards Abu Bakr, who started a speech saying:
l “
And now, he who worships Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Muhammad is dead now. But he
who worships Allâh, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh says:
‘
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers
have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as
disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh, and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful.’” [3:1]
Ibn ‘Abbas said: “By Allâh, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’ânic verse till Abu Bakr
recited it as a reminder. So people started reciting it till there was no man who did not recite it.”
Ibn Al-Musaiyab said that ‘Umar had said: “By Allâh, as soon as I heard Abu Bakr say it, I fell down to
the ground. I felt as if my legs had been unable to carry me so I collapsed when I heard him say it.
Only then did I realize that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) had really died.”
BURIAL AND FAREWELL PREPARATIONS TO HIS HONOURABLE BODY:
Dispute about who would succeed him (Peace be upon him) broke out even before having the
Messenger of Allâh’s body prepared for burial. Lots of arguments, discussions, dialogues took place
between the Helpers and Emigrants in the roofed passage (portico) of Bani Sa‘ida. Finally they
acknowledged Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) as a caliph. They spent the whole Monday
there till it was night. People were so busy with their arguments that it was late night — just about
dawn of Tuesday — yet his blessed body was still lying on his bed covered with an inked-garment. He
was locked in the room.
On Tuesday, his body was washed with his clothes on. He was washed by Al‘
Abbas,
Shaqran poured out water. ‘Ali washed him and Aws leant him against his chest.
They shrouded him in three white Sahooli cotton cloth which had neither a headcloth nor a casing and
inserted him in.
A sort of disagreement arose with regard to a burial place. Abu Bakr said: “I heard the Messenger of
Allâh (Peace be upon him) say: ‘A dead Prophet is buried where he dies.’ So Abu Talhah lifted the bed
on which he died, dug underneath and cut the ground to make the tomb.
People entered the room ten by ten. They prayed for the Prophet (Peace be upon him). The first to pray
for him were people of his clan. Then the Emigrants, then the Helpers. Women prayed for him after
men. The young were the last to pray.
This process took Tuesday long and Wednesday night (i.e. the night which precedes Wednesday
morning). ‘Aishah said: “We did not know that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was being buried till
we heard the sound of tools digging the ground at the depth of Wednesday night.”
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