The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wassalam) Eternal Rest
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
All the praise and thanks is due to Allāh, the Lord of al-‘ālamīn. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, Sallallāhu `alayhi wa sallam is His Messenger.
Description: It was during his sermon to the pilgrims
at the Valley of ‘Uranah, Mount Arafah,
Makkah that Allāh sent a revelation to the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) indicated that his
religion been perfected, completed His favors to Muhammad, and declared Islam
as his Religion. As the Eminent Companions felt that their days with the
Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) were numbered. The
Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) passed away on Monday, 12th Rabia
‘ul-Awwal 11th Hijrah; three months, after that revelation.
The Completion of Islam
When the religion of Islam had been completed, Allāh
sent the revelation to notify the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) during the Sermon of
his farewell Hajj on Friday Dzul-Hijjah 9, 10 A.H.or March 3, 632 A.C. at the
valley of ‘Uranah, Mount Arafah, Makkah. It took place three month before his
death. Allāh States to the Prophet (Sallāhu
’alayhi wassalam):
“This day I have perfected your religion, completed my
favors upon you, and declared Islam as your Religion”[Surah
Al-Maidah: 3]
The Prophet of Allāh (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) had delivered the
message truthfully. He had spared no pains. He had not let any hardship shake
him. He had built up the people who could be trusted to uphold the spiritual
heritage of the Prophets who could shoulder the heavy responsibility of
carrying the banner of Faith and Truth and to guard the message of Allāh
against every interpolation and mutation. Allāh
had even affirmed that they were capable of the obligation. Allāh
said about them in the Qur’ān : “Ye are the best community that hath
been raised-up for mankind, ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and
ye believe in Allāh.” [Surah Aali-'Imran 110]
The Qur’an contains Allāh’s
pure and holy truth, the source of inspiration and conviction to these people,
which enjoyed the assurance of Allāh from being eclipsed or from undergoing
any corruption in its text. Allāh says: Verily
We reveal the Reminder, and verily We are its Guardian.” [Surah
Al-Hijr 9]
Allāh’s help and triumph came to invigorate
the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) who (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) the people entering the
religion of Allāh in large numbers. Delegations from Arab
tribes followed one after another in rapid succession to pledge their
allegiance to him. The lightning speed or the geometric growth, with which
Islam gained converts, promised its victory over all religions of the world.
Allāh makes a reference to the rapid success
of Islam:
“When Allāh’s succor and the triumph cometh And
You seest mankind entering the religion of Allāh
in troops. Then hymn the praises of Your Lord, and seek forgiveness of Him. Lo!
He is ever ready to show mercy.” [Surah An-Nasr 1-3]
Private Devotions and Recitation of Qur’an
The Prophet(Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) used to retreat into his mosque for
private devotions during the last ten days of Ramadhān,
but during the last Ramadhān [before the Farewell Hajj] of his life
he had secluded himself for twenty days. [Al-Bukhari, Kitab ul-A'itika]
The Qur’an used to be reviewed by the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) with Jibril [Gabriel] once
annually during Ramadhān, but this was done twice in the year
which he died. The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) at such a time told his companions
that he had some strong feelings that the time of his departure from the world
was drawing near. [Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Manaqib]
No man has ever had the glowing desire to meet the
Lord as possessed by the Prophet (Sallāhu ’alayhi wassalam), and Allāh
gave him permission to quit the transitory world.
The companions held him dear like the apple of one’s
eye. His death was thus a shock more terrible than what they could be expected
to endure. But Allāh had in His infinite wisdom prepared them
beforehand for that unprecedented sorrow. The rumor about the Prophet's death
had been circulated around in the battle of Uhud, but later on it came out that
Allāh had still not deprived them of the
blessed companionship of His Prophet (Sallāhu ’alayhi wassalam). Yet none of them had
regarded the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) as immortal for they knew that he
would have to leave this world sooner or later. It was on that occasion that
the revelation was sent down by Allāh to forewarn Muslims. As the Qur'an says:
“Muhammed is but a messenger, messengers [he likes of
whom] have passed away before him. Will it be that when he dieth or is slain,
ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back doth not hurt Allāh,
and Allāh will reward the thankful.” [Surah
Ali-'Imran 144]
The earliest Muslims were the Sahabah that had been
personally guided, trained and set right by the Prophet (Sallāhu
’alayhi wassalam). Their hearts were harmonized with Allāh
and they were in harness at the great task of spreading the message of Islam to
the farthest corners of the world. And they never had any doubt that the
Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) would one day be summoned by the
Lord in order to be recompensed for the greatest service rendered by him in
humanity.
The verse: “When Allāh’s
succor and the triumph cometh,” had convinced the companions that it
was but the first announcement of the Prophet's approaching departure from
their midst. They were fully conscious of the fact that reference to the help
and victory coming from Allāh signified completion of the Prophet’s (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) mission. When the
revelation came, “This day have I perfected your
religion…” a number of eminent companions of the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) were led to believe
that the time for his final summons was drawing near. [Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p.
427]
The Desire for Proximity to Allāh
After his return from the farewell pilgrimage, a
number of things which done by the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) indicated that he was
approaching the journey’s end and he was now making preparations for meeting
the ‘Companion Most High'. Eight years after
the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) prayed over those who were slain
there like one who was bidding farewell to the living and the dead. He then
mounted the pulpit and said:
“I am one who goes before you and I shall be a witness
to you. Your appointed place is at the Haud-I-Kauthar where I find myself
standing. I have been given the keys of the treasure of the earth, and I do not
fear for you that you would become polytheists after I am gone, but I fear lest
you should long for worldly things and strike each other's necks.”
The Illness
The sickness of the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) began shortly before
the end of Safar. On 29th Safar 11th Hijrah, the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) went to the cemetery of
Madinah, known as Jannatul Baqi, where he prayed for the dead and returned to
his house. The next morning his ailment began.
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) relates that when the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) returned from the
Jannatul Baqi he was suffering from a headache and was muttering: “O
my head.” The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) said, “Nay,
O my head! ‘Aishah, O my head!” His pain increased.
Then, in the house of Maimunah
(radiyallāhu’anha), the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) called his wives and asked
their permission to be nursed in the house of ‘Aishah.
All of them agreed and the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) came out walking supported by Fadl
bin A-‘Abbas and ‘Ali bin Abi Talib.
He had a cloth bound on his head and his feet were dragging as he came to the
house of ‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha). [Al-Bukhari, Chap. Mard-un-Nabi]
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) narrated that that during the
illness from which the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) never recovered. He told her: “Aishah,
I still feel pain from the food I took at Khaibar, now I feel my aorta being
severed because of it."
He led the prayer for eleven days although he was
sick. He was sick for about 13 days.
Concerned For the Welfare of Muslims
Some of the Prophet’s companions came to see him
during his illness in the house of ‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha).
He welcomed them and invoked for them that they be guided on the right path and
blessings of Allāh. Thereafter he said:
“I enjoin you to fear Allāh
and assign you to His care after me. I am a warner unto you from Allāh.
Behold! Never give yourselves to arrogance and vainglory in the habitations of
Allāh’s servants for Allāh
has told you and me: ‘As for the Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those
who seek not oppression in the earth, nor yet corruption. The sequel is for
those who ward off [evil].” [Surah Al-Qasas, 28:83]
Then he recited another verse: “Is not the home of the
scorners in Hell?” [Surah Az-Zumur, 39:60]
Apathy to the World and Wealth
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) narrated that during his illness,
the Messenger of Allāh (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) asked her: “Aishah,
what has happened to those pieces of gold?” When she brought
five or seven or nine dirhams, he took them in his hands and said: “How
shall I face Allāh with these in my possession? Give
these away in charity.”
Concerned For the Solah
While the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) was caught in a
debilitating sickness, he inquired: “Has everybody offered the Solat?” Those
attending him replied: “No, O Prophet of Allāh,
they are waiting for you.”He asked someone to bring water in a pot.
After being served with his request, he took a bath and tried to get up, but
fell unconscious. On regaining consciousness after a short while, he again
asked: “Has everybody offered the Solat?” They
replied: “No, O Prophet of Allāh,
they are waiting for you.” All the people were then sitting
silently in the Prophet’s Mosque for the Solat ‘Ishā’.
Now Abu Bakar As-Siddiq was considerate enough and concerned with the
prevailing situation that he asked ‘Umar Al-Khattab to lead the solat. ‘Umar,
however, declined saying that he (Abu Bakar As-Siddiq) was more qualified than
he was.
When the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) felt a bit better he
came out taking the help of Al-‘Abbas and ‘Alifor
the Solah Dzuhur. As soon as Abu Bakar came to know of the Prophet's arrival,
he tried to step back, but the Prophet(Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) directed him not to
leave his place and asked the two who were supporting him to let him take the
seat by the side of Abu Bakar. Thus, the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) performed the prayer
sitting while Abu Bakar kept standing in the prayer.
Umm Al-Fadl bint Al-Harith (radiyallāhu’anha)
says that she had heard Allāh’s Messenger reciting Surah Al-Mursalat
at the Solat Maghrib. Thereafter he did not lead any prayer until Allāh
summoned him to His presence. [Al-Bukhari, Kitab us-Salat]
An Address
Of the few occasions when the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) made for the pulpit
during his illness, he once said while a cloth was tied around his head: “Behold,
Allāh gave to His bondmen the choice between
this world and that which is with Him, so he chose that which is with Allāh.”
Abu Bakar (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) knew the significance of the
Prophet’s word, for he knew that it was the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) himself who had been
given that choice. He broke into tears and exclaimed: “Nay,
may our own lives and our children be your rescue’
The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) then replied: “Abu
Bakar, have patience and don’t be hasty. Indeed, of all the people, the most
generous toward me in regard to his life and property was Abu Bakar. And, were
I to choose anyone to be my dearest friend, indeed I would choose Abu Bakar.
But the love and concern for Islam takes precedence above all others.” The
Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) also said in this occasion: “There
shall be left open no door of the mosque save Abu Bakar’s”. [Al-Bukhari,
Kitab Us-Salat]
Directives for Kindliness to the Ansar
Al-‘Abbas (radiyallāhu’anhu)
and company happened to pass by a group of Ansar. They saw them weeping and
asked, “What makes you weep?” They
answered, “We have been recalling our meetings with the Prophet
of Allāh (Sallāhu
’alayhi wassalam).” When the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) was informed of the
incident, he came out; the end of his mantle wound round his head, and mounted
the pulpit. He did not mount the pulpit again after that day when he praised
Allāh and extolled Him. Rasūlullāh (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) said: “I
commend the Ansar to you, for, behold, they are my intimates and bosom friends.
They have fulfilled their duty, and now whatever claims they have on others
remain to be requited. Therefore, you shall welcome whatever is done by the good
among them, and forgive those that do wrong.” [Al-Bukhari,
Fada'il Ashab]
The Last Day
Abu Bakar continued to lead the prayer. In a narration
by Anas bin Malik (radiyallāhu’anhu), he said: "While the Muslims
were performing the dawn prayer on Monday led by Abu Bakar, they were surprised
to see the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) raising the curtain of ‘Aishah’s
room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly and smiled
cheerfully. Seeing him, Abu Bakar withdrew to join the lines and give way to
him to lead the prayer. For he thought that the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) wanted to come out and
pray." Anas (radiyallāhu’anha) said: "The Muslims, who were
praying, were so delighted that they were almost too enthralled at their prayers.
The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) made them a gesture to continue
their prayer, went into the room and drew down the curtain."
The Prophet Did Not Live For The Next Prayer.
In the morning, the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) called her daughter
Fatimah (radiyallāhu’anha) and whispered her something that
made her cry. Then he again whispered to her something else which made her
laugh. ‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) enquired from her after the
Prophet’s death, as to the weeping and laughing to which Fatimah (radiyallāhu’anha)
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 (radiyallāhu’anha) witnessed the great pain that
afflicted her father. So she said: "What great pain my father is in!” To
these words, the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) remarked:
"He will not suffer any more when today is
over."
The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) asked that Al-Hasan
and Al-Husain be brought to him. He kissed them and
asked that they be looked after. He asked to see his wives. They were brought
to him. He preached them and told them to remember Allāh.
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."
Prohibition of Prayers at Tomb
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) and Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallāhu’anhu) related
that when the time for the Prophet's death drew near, he had a black striped
sheet over him. Often, he pulled it over his face and then having felt
restless, removed it. It was in this condition that he said: “Allāh's
curse is upon the Jews and Christians for having taken their Prophets’ graves
as places of worship.” He was warning the Muslims against
such a practice.
The Last Guidance
When he was about to breathe his last, the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) said repeatedly
said: “Lo! Be careful of prayer and of those whom you
possess or have under your charge.” He continued to repeat
these words until they became inaudible but it appeared that he was trying to
express them. [Baihaqi and Ahmad, Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p.473]. ‘Ali bin Abi
Talib (radiyallāhu’anhu) Said: I
heard the Prophet of Allāh (Sallāhu ‘alayhi
wa ssalam) commanding the Muslims to be careful of solat and poor-due and to be
generous to their slaves and subordinates.
Prophet’s last Moment.
When the wrench of death started, ‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha)
leant him against her. She said: One of Allāh’s
bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allāh
died in my house, while I am still alive. He died between my chest and neck
while he was leaning against me. Allāh has mixed his saliva with mine at his
death. For ‘Abdul Rahman , the son of Abu Bakar came in with a Siwak
[the root of a desert plant used for brushing teeth] in his hand, while I was
leaning the Messenger of Allāh 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:
"There is no god but Allāh.
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 (radiyallāhu’anhu) listened to him. She heard the
Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) say:
"With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace
with the Prophets and the Truthful ones, the martyrs and the good doers. O! Allāh,
forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me with the most exalted
Companions."
‘Aishah (radiyallāhu’anha) also narrated When the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) was about to leave she
recited last two Surahs of the Qur’an over the Prophet (Sallāhu
’alayhi wassalam), his head was on her thigh, fainted and then regaining
consciousness, looked up towards the ceiling, he repeated three times:
‘With the most Exalted Companion!’ until his soul departed His
forefinger dropped on one side into the water.
That was the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) last words. It was in
late morning on Monday 12th day of Rabia ul-Awwal in the 11th Hijrah. He was
then sixty-three years of age.
How the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi
wa ssalam) Left.
When the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) left this world, he had
all of Arabia well in his hand. The sovereign and rulers were worried by his
rising power while his companions were ever willing to undergo any sacrifice,
to lay down their own lives and to surrender up their wealth, property and
children for his sake. Yet he left this world without a single dinar or dirham
or a slave or a bondmaid in his possession. All that he owned at the time
was one white mule, some weapons and a piece of land,
which had already been given away in charity. [Al-Bukhari, Mard
un-Nabi]
The Prophet’s coat of mail had been pawned to a Jew
for thirty Sa’s of barley [Al-Bukhari, Mard un-Nabi] when he died and nothing
was left with him to retrieve it. [Baihaqi, p. 52]
The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) secured the freedom of forty slaves
during his illness. Only six or seven dinars were left with ‘Aishah, but he
asked her to give away even those in charity. [Al-Siratul Halabiyah, Vol. III,
p. 381]
'Aishah(radiyallāhu’anha) relates that on the day the
Prophet of Allāh (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) died, there was nothing
in her house which could be taken by a living being except for a little barley
left in a cupboard. It lasted for a few days until she weighed it, and that
very day it was all used.
The Prophet(Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) death was the darkest hour for the
Muslims, a day gloomy and lament for humanity just as his birth had signaled
hope and cheerfulness for the whole world. Anas Ibn Malik and Abu Sa’id
al-Khudri (radiyallāhu’anhum) said that:
“When the Messenger of Allāh
(Sallāhu ‘alayhi
wa ssalam) came to Madinah, everything looked better and brighter but no day
was worse or darker than the day he died”.
Some of the people and Umm
Aiman (radiyallāhu’anhu) weeping when the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) was bed-ridden. When
they asked what had made her weep, she replied:
“Of course, I know that the Prophet of Allāh
(Sallāhu ‘alayhi
wa ssalam) will quietly leave this world but I am weeping because the
revelation from heaven has come to an end.” [Ibn Kathir, Vol.
IV, pp. 544-46]
Bafflement of the Companions
The news of the Prophet’s death fell like a
thunderbolt on his companions. All were stunned because of the ardent love and
esteem they had for him. Such was their reliance on his loving care as the
children are assured of the protection of their parents. Their distress was not
at all surprising, for Allāh speaks of the Prophet's concern for his
followers: “There hath come unto you a Messenger,
[one] of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full
of concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.” [Surah
At-Taubah 128]
The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) was so gracious and considerate
that his every companion believed himself to be the closest to him and never
had any misgivings about his love and confidence. It was the reliance born of
absolute trust mingled with devotion that had made it difficult for some of
them to think of the day when the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) would depart from this
world leaving them alone. One of these was ‘Umar Al-Khattab, who had been one
of the closest to the Prophet (Sallāhu ’alayhi wassalam), and when he was told
that the Messenger of Allāh (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) was already dead, he
protested violently. He went so far as to address the people in the Prophet’s
mosque and told them that Allāh’s Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) would not quit this
world until Allāh had destroyed the hypocrites. [Ibn
Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. 544-46]
The Proclamation of Abu Bakar
A man of determination and courage was needed at this
difficult hour. And, this man was Abu Bakar As-Siddiq (radiyallāhu’anhu),
the most senior of the Prophet’s companions, who had been selected by Allāh
to take over the legacy of the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) with a firm hand. When
the news reached him, he hurried back from his house Al-Sunna.
For a moment he stopped at the door of the mosque where ‘Umar was resolutely
speaking to the people. Without paying heed to anybody, he proceeded to
Aishah’s room where the dead body of the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) lay covered with a
mantle. Abu Bakar uncovered the Prophet's face and kissed it. Then, he
proceeded to say:
“My father and mother are your rescue. You have
tasted the death Allāh had decreed for you; a second death
will never overtake you.”
Replacing the mantle on the Prophet's face, he then
went out to the Mosque. ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (radiyallāhu’anhu)
was still making a harangue to the people, so he said gently: “Umar,
keep quiet.” But ‘Umar was too excited to listen
to Abu Bakar. Abu Bakar realized that ‘Umar was not in a mood to
terminate his speech. So he stepped forward and called out to the people,
whereupon they came round to him leaving ‘Umar. Abu Bakar As-Siddiq
(radiyallāhu’anhu) praised Allāh
and then said:
“O Men, if any one of you worshipped Muhammed, let him
know that Muhammed is dead. But if anyone worships Allāh,
then Allāh is alive and He will never die.”
Then he recited the Qur’ānic verse: “Muhammed
is but a messenger, messengers [the like of whom] have passed away before him.
Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels?”
He who turneth back doth no hurt to Allāh, and Allāh
will reward the thankful.” [Surah Ali-'Imran 144]
'Umar Al-Khattab (radiyallāhu’anhu)
acknowledged his error upon hearing this speech of Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, and the
crowd was satisfied. ‘Umar said: “When I heard Abu Bakar reciting that verse, I
was taken aback and fell down as if I did not have a leg to stand on. I felt as
if I had then come to know of the Prophet’s death.”
Allegiance to Abu Bakar
All Muslims then swore faithfulness to Abu Bakar
As-Siddiq (radiyallāhu’anhu), in the Hall of Banu Sa’ida, as
the successor of Allāh’s Messenger. The reason for making haste
was due to old rivalries flaring up suddenly through machinations of the devil
and selfishness of the faint-hearted hypocrites. Those who were sincere and
well-meaning wanted to ensure that the Muslims remained united and strong under
a leader, who could look after their affairs and give a burial to the Messenger
of Allāh (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa ssalam) as his successor and
head of the Muslim community.
The Burial
Normalcy returned thereafter. The initial shock and
grief gave way to tranquility and confidence and the Muslims again turned to
the great task for which they had been trained and prepared by the Prophet of
Allāh. The Prophet's family members washed and
covered him, and stationed in his house.
Al-‘Abbas Ibn Abdul Mutalib (radiyallāhu’anhu),
the Prophet's uncle, presided at the preparation for the burial, and the body
was duly washed and perfumed. There was some difference of opinion between the
Quraish and the Ansars as to the place of burial; however, Abu Bakar As-Siddiq
(radiyallāhu’anhu) settled the dispute by affirming
that he had heard the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) said:
“I heard Allāh Messenger (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) said: ‘A
prophet is buried where he dies’. The Prophet's bedding was
accordingly removed from the place and Abu Talha Ansari
(radiyallāhu’anhu) then dug a grave for him at the
same spot within the house of ‘Aishah and under the bed on which the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) died.
On Tuesday, his body was washed by Al-‘Abbas
bin Abdul Muttalib, ‘Ali bin Abu Talib, Al-Fadl and Qathum, sons of Al-‘Abbas,
Shaqran, prophet’s freed slave, Usamah bin Zaid and Aws bin Khauli(radiyallāhu’anhum).
The body was washed three times with water and berry leaves. They shrouded him
with three pieces white Yemeni cotton sheets.
Then the people came to pay their last respects to the
Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) and to say the funeral prayer in batches
of ten one after another. Women came in after the men followed by the children,
all of whom prayed over him. Nobody acted as Imam in the prayers over the
Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) . [Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p. 663]
The body of the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) was
laid to rest on late Tuesday evening, 13 Rabiul Awwal 11th Hijrah before
Wednesday. [Tabaqat Ibn Sa'ad; Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p. 517]
It was a sad day for Madinah. When Bilal bin Rabah
(radiyallāhu’anhu) gave the call for Morning Prayer
he could not help recalling the Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) in
his mind and broke down in tears and sobs. His crying tore the hearts of all
others who had been part of the living. But, it was quite different now, as
everything seemed to be wearisome, gloomy.
Umm Salamah (radiyallāhu’anha)
says, “What a tormenting affliction it was! When we recall
the distress we were in, every other trouble appears to be lighter and easier
to endure.’ (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. IV, p. 517)
The Prophet (Sallāhu ‘alayhi wa salam) had once said to the believers: “O
ye people! If any one of you comes to grief, he ought to console himself in his
bereavement by recalling to his mind the anguish that will rend his heart on my
death. For no sorrow would be greater to my followers than the agony caused to
them by my death.” [Ibn Kathir Vol. IV, p. 549]
Thus ended the glorious life of that Prophet Muhammad.
May the Peace and Blessings of Allāh Be upon him.
“Allāhumma salli ‘ala
Muhammad wa ‘ala āli Muhammad kamā
sallaita ‘ala āli Ibrāhīm;
Wa bārik ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala āli
Muhammad kama bārakta ‘ala āli
Ibrāhīm,
fil-‘ālamīn;
Innaka Hamīdun Majīd”
(O Allāh! Send Prayers upon Muhammad and the
members of his household as You Sent Prayers upon the members of Ibrahim's
household; And Send Blessings to Muhammad and the members of his household as
You granted Blessings upon the members of the household of Ibrahim,
among all the nations’ Verily You are Most Praiseworthy, Full of
Glory)”.[Muslim]
And Allāh Almighty Knows best.
See: Muhammad 27
See: Muhammad 1
