28 December 2014 - The Death of Musa
The Slander, the Death and the Greatness of Musa* (Moses).
The Jews breach the Sanctity of the Sabbath
And ask them (O Muhammad SAW) about the town that was by the sea; when they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath. Thus We made a trial of them, for they used to rebel against Allah’s Command (disobey Allah). And when a community among them said: "Why do you preach to a people whom Allah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe torment?" (The preachers) said: "In order to be free from guilt before your Lord (Allah), and perhaps they may fear Allah." So when they forgot the remindings that had been given to them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but We seized those who did wrong with a severe torment because they used to rebel against Allah's command (disobey Allah). So when they exceeded the limits of what they were prohibited, We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised and rejected." (TMQ 7:163-166)
And (O Children of Israel, remember) when We took your covenant and We raised above you the Mount (saying): "Hold fast to that which We have given you, and remember that which is therein so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious). Then after that you turned away. Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you, indeed you would have been among the losers. And indeed you knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday). We said to them: "Be you monkeys, despised and rejected." So We made this punishment an example to their own and to succeeding generations and a lesson to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (TMQ 2:63-66)
This relates to Allah sending His torment on the village that disobeyed Him and broke their pledge and their covenant to observe the sanctity of the Sabbath. They began using deceitful means to avoid honouring the Sabbath by placing nets, ropes and artificial pools of water for the purpose of fishing before the Sabbath. When the fish came in abundance on Saturday as usual, they were caught in the ropes and nets for the rest of Saturday. During the night, the Jews collected the fish after the Sabbath ended. When they did that, Allah changed them from humans into monkeys, the animals having the form closest to humans. Their evil deeds and deceit appeared lawful on the surface, but they were in reality wicked. This is why their punishment was compatible with their crime. These people were turned into howling monkeys with tails, after being men and women. However, the monkeys and pigs (swine) that exist now are not the descendants of those that were transformed! Those who violated the sanctity of the Sabbath were turned into monkeys, then they perished without offspring. Hence, today it is not appropriate for one to call people of the Jewish tradition “pigs and apes” or “sons of pigs and apes” since, besides being extremely rude, it is not correct.
Moses' Suffering
Moses* suffered terribly from his people and endured much for the sake of Allah. Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated: "Once the Prophet Muhammad* distributed something (among his companions). A man said: "This distribution has not been done (with justice) seeking Allah's Countenance.' I went to the Prophet* and told him of that. He became so angry that I saw the signs of anger on his face. Then he said: 'May Allah bestow His Mercy on Moses, for he was harmed more (in a worse manner) than this; yet he endured patiently.'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
The children of Israel mistreated Moses* a lot. His agony was not limited to mutiny, stupidity, chattering, ignorance, and idolatry; it exceeded this and went as far as inflicting personal harm on him. Almighty Allah commanded: "O you who believe! Be not like those who annoyed Moses, but Allah cleared him of that which they alleged, and he was honorable in Allah's sight! (TMQ 33:69). This is explained below:
Allah Clears Moses of False Rumors
Abu Hurairah narrated that Allah's Messenger Muhammad* said: "Prophet Moses was a shy person and used to cover his body completely because of his extensive shyness. One of the children of Israel hurt him by saying: 'He covers his body in this way only because of some defect in his skin, either leprosy or scrotal hernia, or he has some other defect.'
Allah wished to clear Moses of what they said about him, so one day while Moses was in seclusion, he took his clothes and put them on a stone and started taking a bath. When he had finished the bath, he moved towards his clothes so as to take them, but the stone took his clothes and fled. Moses picked up his stick and ran after the stone saying: 'O stone! Give me my garment!' till he reached a group of children of Israel who saw him naked then, and found him in the best shape of what Allah had created, and Allah cleared him of what they had accused him of. The stone stopped there, and Moses took and put on his garment and started hitting the stone with his stick. By Allah, the stone still has some traces of the hitting, three, four, or five marks. In another narration it is stated that the stone began to cry!
The Death of Harun* (Aaron)
Aaron* died shortly before Moses*. His people were still wandering in the wilderness when he died.
The Death of Musa* (Moses)
Abu Hurairah narrated: "The Angel of Death was sent to Moses*. When he came to Moses, Moses slapped him on the eye. The Angel returned to his Lord and said: 'You have sent me to a slave who does not want to die.' Allah said: 'Return to him and tell him to put his hand on the back of an ox and for every hair that will come under it, he will be granted one year of life.' Moses said: 'O Lord! What will happen after that?' Allah replied: 'then death.' Moses said: 'Let it come now!' Moses then requested Allah to let him die close to the Holy Land so that he would be at a distance of a stone's throw from it." Abu Hurairah added: "Allah's Messenger* said: 'If I were there, I would show you his grave below the red sandhill on the side of the road.'" (Sahih Al Bukhari)
An-Nawawi said: "It is also possible that Allah did not send the angel of death when he wanted to terminate his life. It might have been only a test. Prophet Musa might have slapped the man because he was a stranger who got into his house without his consent, ignoring that he was in fact the angel of death. It is lawful in Sharia to take out the eye of the person who looks inside your house without your consent. It is known that the angels came in the form of men to Prophets Ibrahim* and Lut* and they did not recognize them. Prophet Ibrahim* presented them something to eat before they told him who they were. Prophet Musa* also might not have recognized the Angel. But when he come the second time with his eye in its place Prophet Musa* recognized him and submitted himself to Allah's Will.
It is also suggested that Prophet Musa* was wanting to fulfil his mission to take his people to the Promised Land and so felt unfulfilled and honestly believed he would be given the honour to take them there. But then he realised that is was not Allah’s plan so he accepted Death on his second visit.
Moses*, Prophet of Allah and the one to whom Allah spoke to directly, met his death with a contented soul and a faithful heart that looked forward to righteousness and made haste to meet with Him Who bore tidings of peace.
We also talked about the virtues and greatness of Prophet Musa* and how we should, as Muslims, respect and honour all Prophets. Although our Prophet is the greatest we should not enter into competitions with other people about who is the best Prophet in case they say bad about our Prophets, or they become tribal and don’t listen to reason.
Isra and Mi'raj
During his Night Journey, Prophet Muhammed* is known to have led Musa* along with Jesus*, Abraham* and all other prophets in prayer. Musa* is mentioned to be among the prophets which Prophet Muhammed* met during his ascension to heaven (Mi'raj) alongside Jibreel. Musa* and Prophet Muhammed* are reported to have exchanged greeting with each other and he is reported to have cried due to the fact that the followers of Prophet Muhammed* were going to enter Heaven in greater numbers than his followers. When Allah enjoined fifty prayers to the community to Prophet Muhammed* and his followers, Prophet Muhammed* once again encountered Musa, who asked what had been commanded by Allah. When Musa* was told about the fifty prayers, he advised Prophet Muhammed* to ask a reduction in prayers for his followers. When Prophet Muhammed* returned to Allah and asked for a reduction, he was granted his request. Once again he met Musa, who again inquired about the command of Allah. Despite the reduction, Musa* again urged Prophet Muhammed* to ask for a reduction. Prophet Muhammed* again returned and asked for a reduction. This continued until only five prayers were remaining. When Musa* again told Prophet Muhammed* to ask for a reduction, Prophet Muhammed* replied that he was shy of asking again. Therefore, the five prayers were finally enjoined upon the Muslim community.
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Thursday, 8 January 2015
21 December 2014 - Guest Speaker Journey to Heaven
21 December 2014 - Guest Speaker Journey to Hellfire
Main Topic: Journey to Hellfire
Guest Speaker: Dr Naila Syed
Summary:
Forever Part 1
The life we that we know will soon cease to exist.
The life we that we know will soon cease to exist.
Our family, friends & all we worked for will be left behind.
We talked about the order of events after death:
1. Al Ba'th - resurrection
2. Al Hasr - walking barefoot to a land & waiting 50,000 yrs for the Day of Judgement. We talked about how people will go to the different prophets for intercession & their responses.
3. Al Ard - the book of records being given in the left or right hand
4. Al hisab - accountability
5. Al Mizan - weighing of the deeds
6. As Siraat - crossing the slippery, its description & how people cross it. Two things stop people crossing it - breaking the ties of kinship or breaking someone's amaanat (trust).
1. Al Ba'th - resurrection
2. Al Hasr - walking barefoot to a land & waiting 50,000 yrs for the Day of Judgement. We talked about how people will go to the different prophets for intercession & their responses.
3. Al Ard - the book of records being given in the left or right hand
4. Al hisab - accountability
5. Al Mizan - weighing of the deeds
6. As Siraat - crossing the slippery, its description & how people cross it. Two things stop people crossing it - breaking the ties of kinship or breaking someone's amaanat (trust).
Our 4 journeys:
1. Worldly life - approx 70-80yrs
2. Life of the grave - from death to the Day of Judgement
3. Day of Resurrection - 50,000 yrs
4. Heaven or Hell - forever
1. Worldly life - approx 70-80yrs
2. Life of the grave - from death to the Day of Judgement
3. Day of Resurrection - 50,000 yrs
4. Heaven or Hell - forever
2,3 & 4 all dependent on how we live 1!
The inhabitants of hellfire
- The keepers of hellfire - 19
- Depth of hellfire
- Darakaat- levels of hellfire
- Gates of hellfire - 7
- Fuel of hellfire - man, jinn & stones.
- Heat of hellfire
- Food & drink of hellfire
- Clothing of hellfire
- Beds of hellfire
- Shades of hellfire
- People of hellfire
- Punishments
- The sorrow & regret of the inhabitants.
We then brainstormed about deeds that lead to hellfire. I actually have 41
on my list though due to time constraints we couldn't discuss them all.
But anyone who wants the list is welcome to it.
Ten ways of saving ourselves from hellfire.
1. Tawhid
2. Sincerity
3. Love of Allah & His Rasool*
4. Fasting
5. Seeking refuge from hellfire
6. Dhikr
7. Wudhu
8. Kalimah
9. Fear of Allah
10. REPENTANCE
1. Tawhid
2. Sincerity
3. Love of Allah & His Rasool*
4. Fasting
5. Seeking refuge from hellfire
6. Dhikr
7. Wudhu
8. Kalimah
9. Fear of Allah
10. REPENTANCE
We ended with a Hadith full of hope of Allah's mercy for protection against hellfire & to gain Jannah.
Ameen
Monday, 4 March 2013
3 March 2013
3 March, 2013
Salah Importance
Guest Speaker: Dr Naila Syed
Feedback from her 2 weekend courses on Salah and how to have Khushu in Salah
Salah Importance
Guest Speaker: Dr Naila Syed
Feedback from her 2 weekend courses on Salah and how to have Khushu in Salah
Salaah
Salaah!
Said by
the Prophet (saw) on his death bed!
Importance Of Salaah
·
QURAN – “….establish prayer for my remembrance” (Sura
TaHa v 15)
·
HADITH – The Prophet (saw)’s final advice to his
Ummah was “Salaat, Salaat!”
·
Al-Isra wal Mi’raj – Gift from Allah swt to the
Muslims (Reward of performing 5 prayers equivalent to 50)
·
DIRECT LINK – 5 times a day we are in direct
communication with Allah swt
·
RECOGNITION – on the Day of Judgement the Prophet
(saw) will be able to recognise his followers by the signs of their wadu.
(Bukhari)
·
Most beloved act to Allah swt – “The thing that is
most beloved to Allah swt is to pray at the earliest possible time”. (Bukhari)
·
Closest to Allah swt – “The closest a servant is to
his Rabb is while in sajood” (Muslim)
·
Wipes out sins – “The prayer wipes out one’s bad
deeds just as if one were having a bath in a river in front of one’s house five
times a day” (Bukhari)
·
Unity – “A family that prays together stays
together”
·
Obligated even in battle
·
Angels praying all the time – Not even 4 finger
breadth space in heavens without an angel praying (Tirmidhi)
·
First thing to be judged on the Day of Judgement
·
Controversy
Problem With Today’s Ummah
So How Can We Teach Others About The Importance Of
Prayer?
Possible
solutions
1.
Lead
by example
2.
Make
du’a
3.
Consider
environment
4.
Never
despair of Allah’s mercy
5.
Give
info!
People
On Whom Prayer Is Obligated
1.
Muslim
2.
Adult
3.
Sane
Perform
Salaah on Time!
·
QUR’AN
– “Verily the prayer is enjoined upon the believers at the appointed times”
(Sura Nisa v103)
·
HADITH
– “The thing most beloved to Allah swt is to pray at the earliest possible
time”. (Bukhari)
·
Time
vs cleanliness
·
If
catch even 1 sajood in prayer time then have caught the prayer.
Exception
Combining
prayers due to Travel, hajj or imminent and extreme difficulty
-
Dhuhr
with Asr
-
Magrib
with Isha
Qada
Only permissible:
·
Forget
·
Oversleep
PRIORITY - Doing Qada has more priority than doing other
voluntary prayers such as sunnah or nafil
FILL THE HOLES - Important to always do sunnah and nafil
prayers to compensate for any deficiencies in Fard prayers
Adhaan And Iqamah
One of
the greatest signs of Islam – done all over the Muslim world 5 times per day
Seen by
Abdullah ibn Zaid in a dream
(Abu Dawood)
Adhaan
done 15-20mins before prayer to CALL TO PRAY
Iqamah
done straight before prayer to
-
straighten lines
- fill
the gaps
-
Prepare To Go Before the Greatest Being Allah Swt
Benefits
-
Shaitan runs away on hearing it
- If
read following dua immediately after adhaan, Prophet (saw) will do intercession
for you on the Day of Judgement inshaAllah: “Oh Allah, the Lord of the perfect
call and the Prayer that will be established, give Mohammad the highest place
in jannnat and the highest station and give him the praiseworthy position that
You have promised him” (Bukhari)
Travelling
Recommended
to do adhaan and iqaamah even when travelling alone (This is not an obligation
on women)
If
Travel > 83km and < 4-15 Days Can Shorten Prayers
Six
Preconditions Of Prayer
1.
SPIRITUAL PURITY – have wadu
2.
PHYSICAL PURITY – wear clean clothes and place of prayer
3.
COVER AWRAH
4.
PRAY AT CORRECT TIME – avoid makroo times or
sunrise, zenith, sunset
5.
FACE THE QIBLAH
6.
INTENTION – does not need to be voiced
Walking To The Masjid
·
Reward
for every step take to the masjid – Bukhari and Muslim (esp if have difficulty
but not if you create the difficulty yourself!)
·
Etiquette
of walking to masjid
·
Arrive
early – front row, teaches punctuality
·
Enter
masjid with Right foot and do du’a of entering mosque
·
Do
Tayatul Masjid but do not do sunnah for sake of Fard
·
Benefit
of starting prayer with Imam and ending with him until he turns away.
12
Pillars Of Prayer
1.
Standing
up
2.
Takbir
utul ihram
3.
Reciting
surah Fatiha
4.
Ruku
– bowing
5.
Standing
6.
Prostration
on the 7 parts of the body
7.
Sitting
up between prostrations
8.
Possessing
tranquillity and calmness during the prayer
9.
The
final Tashahud
10.
The
final sitting
11.
The
first Taslim
12.
Praying
in the order recorded by the Prophet (saw)
When to offer prostration of forgetfulness?
OMISSION – Before Taslim
ADDITION – After Taslim
DOUBT – Before Taslim
Khushu
Defined
as intense concentration in prayer with fear and awe of Allah swt with no
distractions in worldly matters (Story of Sahaba and Lion)
Prophet
(saw) said the first thing to be lifted from the Ummah will be khushu (Tabarani)
If do
not have khushu – salaat will still be valid but may not get much reward
Reward
of 2 rakaat with full khushu – to have all sins forgiven (Bukhari)
Reality Check!
TEST – 5 x per day we are tested to see if our
hearts turn more to Allah swt or worldly matters.
DEATH – When die, body remains but soul taken by
angels
Your
family, who loves you the most, rush to place you in the ground.
You
leave all your worldly goods behind
The
only thing you can take with you is your good deeds
On the
Day of Judgement the first thing to be judged will be our salaat (Tirmidhi)
Means Of Developing Khushu – Top Ten Tips!
1.
Prepare
– wudu, clothes (Remember going in front of Allah swt)
2.
Time
– do at earliest times
3.
Clear
mind of worldly matters
4.
Remember
in direct communication with Allah swt 5x per day
5.
Remember
death and can only take good deeds with you on day of judgement
6.
Think
of the giants of Islam – Khushu they had in their prayers
7.
Make
du’a before start to have khushu in salaat
8.
Recite
different surahs from Qur’an – hadith on the 3 quls
9.
Remove
all distractions
10.
Remember
2 rakaat with complete khushu will wash away all your sins inshaAllah.
Remember
Only Approx ½ Hr In Salaat A Day Will Grant You Admission Into Paradise InshaAllah!!!
Remember!
Remember Never To Miss Any Namaaz
Remember To Pray Before You Are Prayed Over
Remember If Miss One Prayer
·
It
will never come back
·
Imagine
on Day of Judgement your balance of Good and Bad deeds are completely balanced
and just need one more salaat to avoid Hell fire and enter jannat forever!
Story:
He
remembered his grandmother’s warning about praying on time: “My son, you
shouldn’t leave prayer to this late time.” His grandmother’s age was 70 but
whenever she heard the Adhan, she got up like an arrow and performed
Salah/Namaz/prayer. He, however could never win over his ego to get up and
pray. Whatever he did, his Salah was always the last to be offered and he
prayed it quickly to get it in on time. Thinking of this, he got up and
realized that there were only 15 minutes left before Salat-ul Isha. He quickly
made Wudhu and performed Salat-ul Maghrib. While making Tasbih, he again
remembered his grandmother and was embarrassed by how he had prayed. His
grandmother prayed with such tranquility and peace. He began making Dua and
went down to make Sajdah and stayed like that for a while.
He had
been at school all day and was tired, so tired. He awoke abruptly to the sound
of noise and shouting. He was sweating profusely. He looked around. It was very
crowded. Every direction he looked in was filled with people. Some stood frozen
looking around, some were running left and right and some were on their knees
with their heads in their hands just waiting. Pure fear and apprehension filled
him as he realized where he was.
His
heart was about to burst. It was the Day of Judgment. When he was alive, he had
heard many things about the questioning on the Day of Judgment, but that seemed
so long ago. Could this be something his mind made up? No, the wait and the
fear were so great that he could not have imagined this. The interrogation was
still going on. He began moving frantically from people to people to ask if his
name had been called. No one could answer him. All of a sudden his name was
called and the crowd split into two and made a passageway for him. Two people
grabbed his arms and led him forward. He walked with unknowing eyes through the
crowd. The angels brought him to the center and left him there. His head was
bent down and his whole life was passing in front of his eyes like a movie. He
opened his eyes but saw only another world. The people were all helping others.
He saw his father running from one lecture to the other, spending his wealth in
the way of Islam. His mother invited guests to their house and one table was
being set while the other was being cleared.
He
pleaded his case; “I too was always on this path. I helped others. I spread the
word of Allah. I performed my Salah. I fasted in the month of Ramadan. Whatever
Allah ordered us to do, I did. Whatever he ordered us not to do, I did not.” He
began to cry and think about how much he loved Allah. He knew that whatever he
had done in life would be less than what Allah deserved and his only protector
was Allah. He was sweating like never before and was shaking all over. His eyes
were fixed on the scale, waiting for the final decision. At last, the decision
was made. The two angels with sheets of paper in their hands, turned to the
crowd. His legs felt like they were going to collapse. He closed his eyes as they
began to read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam/Hell. His
name was read first. He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn’t be,
“How could I go to Jahannam? I served others all my life, I spread the word of
Allah to others.” His eyes had become blurry and he was shaking with sweat. The
two angels took him by the arms. As his feet dragged, they went through the
crowd and advanced toward the blazing flames of Jahannam. He was yelling and
wondered if there was any person who was going to help him. He was yelling of
all the good deeds he had done, how he had helped his father, his fasts,
prayers, the Qur’an that he read, he was asking if none of them would help him.
The Jahannam angels continued to drag him. They had gotten closer to the
Hellfire. He looked back and these were his last pleas. Had not Rasulullah
[saw] said, “How clean would a person be who bathes in a river five times a
day, so too does the Salah performed five times cleanse someone of their sins?”
He began yelling, “My prayers? My prayers? My prayers?”
The two
angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of Jahannam. The
flames of the fire were burning his face. He looked back one last time, but his
eyes were dry of hope and he had nothing left in him. One of the angels pushed
him in. He found himself in the air and falling towards the flames. He had just
fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.
He lifted his head and saw an old man with a long white beard. He wiped some
dust off himself and asked him, “Who are you?” The old man replied, “I am your
prayers.”
“Why
are you so late! I was almost in the Fire! You rescued me at the last minute
before I fell in.” The old man smiled and shook his head. “You always performed
me at the last minute, and did you forget?” At that instant, he blinked and
lifted his head from Sajdah. He was in a sweat. He listened to the voices
coming from outside. He heard the adhan for Salat-ul Isha. He got up quickly
and went to perform Wudhu.
QUIZ: Boys/Men Vs Girls/Women
Get designing those Harborne Islamic Study Circle logos:
See last week's logos on the blog (no new ones submitted)
Monday, 17 December 2012
16 December 2012
Study Circle holiday for 2 weeks, to return (InshaAllah) on Sunday 6 January 2013
The Prophet*’s Final Days, Death and Burial
Survey on what to do after the Seerah:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R7LJWBJ
Please complete the Online Survey:
We are about to finish the Seerah of the Prophet*, InshaAllah. What we would like to know is what topic people wanted to study after this on a regular basis in Future Circles. Please vote for which things you would like to discuss during the Circle. Or give your own suggestions. This shouldn't take more than 2 minutes (InshaAllah)
Q: What topic would you like to study after the Seerah is finished?
- Lives of the first 4 Khulafah (Caliph - Islamic Leaders) = Abu Bakr, Umer, Uthman and Ali
- Lives of the Prophets (Adam to Isa/Jesus)
- Other (please specify)
Summary
The Prophet*’s Final Days, Death and Burial:
The Prophet* gives final advice to Ummah, including:
- not making his tomb a place of worship
- being good to the Ansar (Helpers)
- no Jews or Christians should remain in Arabia
- Delegations and ambassadors be respected
- Sending out Ussama's army
- Treating the wives and slaves well
The Prophet* ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayers
The wives of the Prophet* kept his counsel
Before death the Prophet* gave away all his wealth
The final day he briefly appears better and smiles at the Muslims who are praying
Abbas predicts his death but Ali refuses to ask for leadership
The Prophet* predicts Fatimah will die, and kisses Al-Hasan and Al-Husain
The Jewish poison from Khaibar now takes effect
The Prophet* uses miswak just before dying
In Ayesha's lap the Prophet breathes his last saying "The most exalted Companionship on high"
Umer finds is hard to believe the death
Abu Bakr reminds all that the Prophet was mortal
The Muslims agree to appoint Abu Bakr as Khalifah
Ali and the family prepare the Prophet*s body for burial and wash over his clothes
The Prophet* is buried where he died on 12 Rabi' Awwal (6 June, 632)
Thank you, Oh Allah, for helping us share in getting to know the greatest man who ever lived. Ameen
Seerah of Muhammed*
*: May the peace blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an
The Prophet*’s Final Days: The Prophet* Gives the Ummah final advice
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: "The curse of Allah falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their Prophets’ tombs places of worship." Then he said: "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: "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* asked Fadl to pay him.”
He went on saying: "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: "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."
Four days before his death – More Advice
On Thursday, four days before his* death 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 Umer bin Al- Khattab said: "The Prophet* of Allah* is suffering from acute pain and you have the Qur’an with you; the Book of Allah is sufficient unto you." Others however wanted the writing to be made. When Muhammad* heard them debating over it, he ordered them to go away and leave him alone. That 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 Ussama’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* used to lead all the prayers till that Thursday — four days before he died. On that day he led the sunset prayer and recited: "By the winds (or angels or the Messengers of Allah) sent forth one after another." [TMQ 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. Ayesha said: The Prophet* asked: "Have the people performed the prayer?" "No. They haven’t. They are waiting for you." "Put some water in the washing pot," he said. 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 times from the time he washed to the time he fainted after his attempts to stand up. So he said to his wives: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." But Ayesha feared that it would greatly pain her father to take the place of the Prophet and that people would resent Abu Bakr taking over the Prophet*’s role. "O Messenger of God," she said, "Abu Bakr is a very sensitive man, not strong of voice and much given to weeping when he reciteth the Koran." "Tell him to lead the prayer," said the Prophet, as if she had not spoken. She tried again, this time suggesting that Umer should take his place. "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer," he reiterated. Ayesha had thrown a glance of appeal at Hafsah, who now began to speak, but the Prophet* silenced her with the words: " You (women) are like the women who tried to entice Joseph (Yusuf) into immorality. Convey my request to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer. Let the blamer find fault and let the ambitious aspire. God and the believers will not have it otherwise." He repeated the last sentence three times, and for the rest of his illness Abu Bakr led the prayer. 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*.
A Day or Two prior to Death
On Saturday or on Sunday, the Prophet* 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* 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* led the prayer, and Abu Bakr followed him and raised his voice at every Allahu Akbar’ (i.e. Allah is the Greatest) the Prophet* said, so that the people may hear clearly.
He suffered much pain in his illness, and one day when it was at its worst his wife Safiyyah said to him: "O Prophet* of God, would that I had what thou hast!" whereupon some of the other wives exchanged glances and whispered one to another that this was hypocrisy. The Prophet* saw them and said: "Go rinse your mouths." They asked him why, and he said: "For your maligning of your companion. By God, she speaketh the truth in all sincerity." Umm Ayman was in constant attendance, and she kept her son informed. He had already resolved to advance no further and to remain in his camp at Jurf until God should decide. But one morning the news was such that he came to Medina and went in tears to the Prophet, who was too ill that day to speak, though he was fully conscious. Ussama bent over him and kissed him, and the Prophet* raised his hand, palm upwards, to ask and to receive blessings from Heaven. Then he made a gesture as if to empty the contents of his hand upon Ussama, who returned sadly to his camp.
A Day before his Death
On Sunday, a day before he died, the Prophet* 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 Ayesha 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 (a cubic measure) of barley.
The Last Day Alive
The next day was Monday the twelfth of Rabi' Awwal in the eleventh year of Islam, that is, the eighth day of June in the year AD 632. Early that morning the Prophet's fever abated, and although he was exceedingly weak the call to prayer decided him to go to the Mosque. The prayer had already begun when he entered, and the people were almost drawn away from it for joy at the sight of him, but he motioned them to continue. For a moment he stood to watch them and his face shone with gladness as he marked the piety of their demeanour. Then, still radiant, he made his way forward, helped by Fadl and by Thawban, one of his freedmen. "I never saw the Prophet's face more beautiful than it was at that hour," said Anas.
The Muslims were surprised to see the Messenger of Allah* raising the curtain of Ayesha’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly and smiled cheerfully. Anas said: "The Muslims, who were praying, were so delighted that they were almost too enraptured at their prayers. The Messenger of Allah* made them a gesture to continue their prayer, went into the room and drew down the curtain." The Messenger of Allah* did not live for the next prayer time. Hence, rumours were spreading that the Prophet* was getting better. Great was the rejoicing at this apparent recovery, and not long after the prayer Ussama arrived again from his camp, expecting to find the Prophet* worse and overjoyed to find him better. "Set forth, with the blessings of God," said the Prophet. So Ussama bade him farewell, and rode back to Jurf, where he told his men to make ready for the northward march. Meantime Abu Bakr had taken leave to go as far as Upper Medina. Already before his marriage to Asma', he had long been betrothed to Habibah, the daughter of Kharijah, the Khazrajite with whom he had lodged ten years ago on his arrival in the oasis, and they had recently been married. Habibah still lived with her family at Sunh, where he now went to visit her.
Ali and 'Abbas followed them there, but did not stay long, and when they came out some men who were passing asked Ali how the Prophet* was. "Praise be to God," said Ali, "he is well." But when the questioners had gone on their way 'Abbas took Ali's hand and said: "I swear I recognise death in the face of God's Messenger, even as I have ever been able to recognise it in the faces of our clansmen. So let us go and speak with him. If his authority is to be vested in us, then we shall know it; and if in other than us, then will we ask him to commend us unto the people, that they may treat us well." But 'Ali said: "By God, I will not, for if the authority be withheld from us by him, none after him will ever give it us."
When it was daytime, the Prophet* 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. Ayesha 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* remarked: "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 Allah. 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 Ayesha: "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, Ayesha leant him against her. She used to say: One of Allah’s bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allah* died in my house, while I am still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allah 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 Allah* 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 Allah. 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 Ayesha 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 Allah, 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 Allah we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode." Again she heard him murmur: "The most exalted Companionship on high,” and these were the last words she heard him speak. Gradually his head grew heavier upon her breast, until the other wives began to lament, and Ayesha laid his head on a pillow and joined them in crying. 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 Medina. Dark grief spread on all areas and horizons of Medina. Anas said: "I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allah* came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which the Messenger of Allah* 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."
Umer’s Attitude
Umer, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people addressing them: "Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allah* died. The Messenger of Allah* 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 Allah, the Messenger of Allah* 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 Ayesha’s abode, and went directly to where the Messenger of Allah* was. The Prophet* 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. Allah, verily, will not cause you to die twice. You have just experienced the death that Allah had ordained." Then he went out and found Umer talking to people. He said: "Umer, be seated." Umer refused to do so. People parted Umer and came towards Abu Bakr, who started a speech saying: "And now, he who worships Muhammad*. Muhammad is dead now. But he who worships Allah, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allah says: ‘Muhammad 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 Allah, and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.’" [TMQ 3:144]
Ibn ‘Abbas said: "By Allah, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’anic 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 Umer had said: "By Allah, 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* had really died."
Selecting the next leader of the Muslim Ummah (Khalifah)
Although it is compulsory to bury the dead body of a Muslim as early as possible – ideally before sunset we notice that the Muslim community (including all the Sahabae) deferred the burial of the Prophet until after they had chosen a successor. Hence, we accept this as Ijma-as-Sahaba that it is choosing a righteous leader of the Muslims is one of the most important actions for the Ummah.
Ali had now withdrawn to his house, and with him were Zubayr and Talhah, The rest of the Emigrants gathered round Abu Bakr and they were joined by Usayd and many of his clan. But most of the Helpers, of Aws as well as Khazraj, had assembled in the hall of the Bani Sa'idah of whom Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah was chief, and word was brought to Abu Bakr and Umer that they were debating there the question as to where the authority should lie, now that the Prophet* was dead. They had gladly accepted his authority; but failing him, many of them were inclined to think that the sons of Qaylah should be ruled by none except a man of Yathrib, and it appeared that they were about to pledge their allegiance to Sa'd. Umer urged Abu Bakr to go with him to the hall, and Abu 'Ubaydah went with them. Sa'd was ill and he was lying in the middle of the hall, wrapped in a cloak. On behalf of him another of the Helpers was about to address the assembly when the three men of Quraysh entered, so he included them in his speech, which began, after praise for God, with the words: "We are the Helpers of God and the fighting force of Islam; and ye O Emigrants, are of us, for a group of your people have settled amongst us." The speaker continued in the same vein, glorifying the Helpers, and while giving the Emigrants a share of that glory, deliberately failing to recognise the unique position that they held in themselves as the first Islamic community. When he had finished Umer was about to speak, but Abu Bakr silenced him and spoke himself, tactfully but firmly, reiterating the praise of the Helpers, but pointing out that the community of Islam was now spread throughout Arabia, and that the Arabs as a whole would not accept the authority of anyone other than a man of Quraysh, for Quraysh held a unique and central position amongst them. In conclusion he took Umer and Abu 'Ubaydah each by a hand and said: "I offer you one of these two men. Pledge your allegiance to whichever of these ye will." Then another of the Helpers rose and suggested that there should be two authorities, and this led to a heated argument, until finally Umer intervened, saying: "O Helpers, know ye not that the Messenger of God ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayer?" "We know it," they answered, and he said: "Then which of you will willingly take precedence over him?" "God forbid that we should take precedence over him!" they said, whereupon Umer seized the hand of Abu Bakr and pledged allegiance to him, followed by Abu 'Ubaydah and others of the Emigrants who had now joined them. Then all the Helpers who were present likewise pledged their allegiance to Abu Bakr, with the exception of Sa'd.
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.
Whatever they had decided in the hall, it would have been unacceptable for anyone to have led the prayers in the Mosque in Medina except Abu Bakr, so long as he was there; and the next day at dawn, before leading the prayer, he sat in the pulpit, and Umer rose and addressed the assembly, bidding them pledge their allegiance to Abu Bakr, whom he described as "the best of you, the Companion of God's Messenger, the second of two when they were both in the cave," A recent Revelation had recalled the privilege of Abu Bakr to have been the Prophet's sole Companion at this crucial moment;' and with one voice the whole congregation swore fealty to him all except 'Ali, who did so later.
Then Abu Bakr gave praise and thanks to God and addressed them, saying: "I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth is loyalty and disregard for truth is treachery. The weak amongst you shall be strong with me until I have secured his rights, if God will; and the strong amongst you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if God will. Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger. But if I disobey God and his Messenger, ye owe me no obedience. Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you!'"
Burial and Farewell Preparations to his Honourable Body
After the prayer the Prophet's household and his family decided that they must prepare him for burial, but they were in disagreement as to how it should be done. Then God cast a sleep upon them all, and in his sleep each man heard a voice say: "Wash the Prophet* with his garment upon him." So they went to Ayesha's apartment, which for the moment she had vacated, and Aws ibn Khawli’a Khazrajite, begged leave to represent the Helpers, saying: "I adjure thee by God, O 'Ali, and by our share in His Messenger," and 'Ali allowed him to enter. 'Abbas and his sons Fadl and Qitham helped 'Ali to turn the body, while Ussama poured water over it, helped by Shuqran, one of the Prophet's freedmen, and 'Ali passed his hand over every part of the long woollen garment. "Dearer than my father and my mother," he said, "how excellent art thou, in life and in death!" Even after one day, the Prophet's body seemed to be sunken merely in sleep, except that there was no breathing and no pulse, no warmth and no suppleness.
The Companions now disagreed as to where he should be buried. It seemed to many that his grave should be near the graves of his three daughters and Ibrahim and the Companions whom he himself had buried and prayed over, in the Baqi al-Gharqad, while others thought he should be buried in the Mosque; but Abu Bakr remembered having heard him say "No Prophet* dieth but is buried where he died," so the grave was dug in the floor of Ayesha's room near the couch where he was lying. So Abu Talhah lifted the bed on which he died, dug underneath and cut the ground to make the tomb.
They shrouded him in three white Sahooli cotton cloth which had neither a headcloth nor a casing and inserted him in.
People entered the room ten by ten. They prayed for the Prophet*. 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). Ayesha said: "We did not know that the Prophet* was being buried till we heard the sound of tools digging the ground at the depth of Wednesday night."
Great was the sorrow in the City of Light, as Medina now is called. The Companions rebuked each other for weeping, but wept themselves. "Not for him do I weep," said Umm Ayman, when questioned about her tears. "Know I not that he hath gone to that which is better for him than this world? But I weep for the tidings of Heaven which have been cut off from us." It was indeed as if a great door had been closed. Yet they remembered that he had said: "What have I to do with this world? I and this world are as a rider and a tree beneath which he takes shelter. Then he goes on his way, and leaves it behind him." He had said this that they, each one of them, might say it of themselves; and if the door had now closed, it would be open or the faithful at death. They still had in their ears the sound of his saying: "I go before you, and I am your witness. Your tryst with me is at the Pool."
Reminder
Quiz January 13th InshaAllah
No other main topic
Children's feedback:
Muslim (Palestinian) and Israeli Conflict
Amirah Foundation Charity Event
News
Another American school shooting
Homework:
REVISE for quiz - Sunday 13 January, I/A
Study Circle holiday for 2 weeks, to return (InshaAllah) on Sunday 6 January 2013
The Prophet*’s Final Days, Death and Burial
Survey on what to do after the Seerah:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/R7LJWBJ
Please complete the Online Survey:
We are about to finish the Seerah of the Prophet*, InshaAllah. What we would like to know is what topic people wanted to study after this on a regular basis in Future Circles. Please vote for which things you would like to discuss during the Circle. Or give your own suggestions. This shouldn't take more than 2 minutes (InshaAllah)
Q: What topic would you like to study after the Seerah is finished?
- Lives of the first 4 Khulafah (Caliph - Islamic Leaders) = Abu Bakr, Umer, Uthman and Ali
- Lives of the Prophets (Adam to Isa/Jesus)
- Other (please specify)
Summary
The Prophet*’s Final Days, Death and Burial:
The Prophet* gives final advice to Ummah, including:
- not making his tomb a place of worship
- being good to the Ansar (Helpers)
- no Jews or Christians should remain in Arabia
- Delegations and ambassadors be respected
- Sending out Ussama's army
- Treating the wives and slaves well
The Prophet* ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayers
The wives of the Prophet* kept his counsel
Before death the Prophet* gave away all his wealth
The final day he briefly appears better and smiles at the Muslims who are praying
Abbas predicts his death but Ali refuses to ask for leadership
The Prophet* predicts Fatimah will die, and kisses Al-Hasan and Al-Husain
The Jewish poison from Khaibar now takes effect
The Prophet* uses miswak just before dying
In Ayesha's lap the Prophet breathes his last saying "The most exalted Companionship on high"
Umer finds is hard to believe the death
Abu Bakr reminds all that the Prophet was mortal
The Muslims agree to appoint Abu Bakr as Khalifah
Ali and the family prepare the Prophet*s body for burial and wash over his clothes
The Prophet* is buried where he died on 12 Rabi' Awwal (6 June, 632)
Thank you, Oh Allah, for helping us share in getting to know the greatest man who ever lived. Ameen
Seerah of Muhammed*
*: May the peace blessings and Mercy of Allah be upon him
TMQ: Translation to the nearest meaning of the Qur’an
The Prophet*’s Final Days: The Prophet* Gives the Ummah final advice
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: "The curse of Allah falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their Prophets’ tombs places of worship." Then he said: "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: "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* asked Fadl to pay him.”
He went on saying: "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: "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."
Four days before his death – More Advice
On Thursday, four days before his* death 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 Umer bin Al- Khattab said: "The Prophet* of Allah* is suffering from acute pain and you have the Qur’an with you; the Book of Allah is sufficient unto you." Others however wanted the writing to be made. When Muhammad* heard them debating over it, he ordered them to go away and leave him alone. That 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 Ussama’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* used to lead all the prayers till that Thursday — four days before he died. On that day he led the sunset prayer and recited: "By the winds (or angels or the Messengers of Allah) sent forth one after another." [TMQ 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. Ayesha said: The Prophet* asked: "Have the people performed the prayer?" "No. They haven’t. They are waiting for you." "Put some water in the washing pot," he said. 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 times from the time he washed to the time he fainted after his attempts to stand up. So he said to his wives: "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the people in prayer." But Ayesha feared that it would greatly pain her father to take the place of the Prophet and that people would resent Abu Bakr taking over the Prophet*’s role. "O Messenger of God," she said, "Abu Bakr is a very sensitive man, not strong of voice and much given to weeping when he reciteth the Koran." "Tell him to lead the prayer," said the Prophet, as if she had not spoken. She tried again, this time suggesting that Umer should take his place. "Tell Abu Bakr to lead the prayer," he reiterated. Ayesha had thrown a glance of appeal at Hafsah, who now began to speak, but the Prophet* silenced her with the words: " You (women) are like the women who tried to entice Joseph (Yusuf) into immorality. Convey my request to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer. Let the blamer find fault and let the ambitious aspire. God and the believers will not have it otherwise." He repeated the last sentence three times, and for the rest of his illness Abu Bakr led the prayer. 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*.
A Day or Two prior to Death
On Saturday or on Sunday, the Prophet* 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* 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* led the prayer, and Abu Bakr followed him and raised his voice at every Allahu Akbar’ (i.e. Allah is the Greatest) the Prophet* said, so that the people may hear clearly.
He suffered much pain in his illness, and one day when it was at its worst his wife Safiyyah said to him: "O Prophet* of God, would that I had what thou hast!" whereupon some of the other wives exchanged glances and whispered one to another that this was hypocrisy. The Prophet* saw them and said: "Go rinse your mouths." They asked him why, and he said: "For your maligning of your companion. By God, she speaketh the truth in all sincerity." Umm Ayman was in constant attendance, and she kept her son informed. He had already resolved to advance no further and to remain in his camp at Jurf until God should decide. But one morning the news was such that he came to Medina and went in tears to the Prophet, who was too ill that day to speak, though he was fully conscious. Ussama bent over him and kissed him, and the Prophet* raised his hand, palm upwards, to ask and to receive blessings from Heaven. Then he made a gesture as if to empty the contents of his hand upon Ussama, who returned sadly to his camp.
A Day before his Death
On Sunday, a day before he died, the Prophet* 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 Ayesha 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 (a cubic measure) of barley.
The Last Day Alive
The next day was Monday the twelfth of Rabi' Awwal in the eleventh year of Islam, that is, the eighth day of June in the year AD 632. Early that morning the Prophet's fever abated, and although he was exceedingly weak the call to prayer decided him to go to the Mosque. The prayer had already begun when he entered, and the people were almost drawn away from it for joy at the sight of him, but he motioned them to continue. For a moment he stood to watch them and his face shone with gladness as he marked the piety of their demeanour. Then, still radiant, he made his way forward, helped by Fadl and by Thawban, one of his freedmen. "I never saw the Prophet's face more beautiful than it was at that hour," said Anas.
The Muslims were surprised to see the Messenger of Allah* raising the curtain of Ayesha’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly and smiled cheerfully. Anas said: "The Muslims, who were praying, were so delighted that they were almost too enraptured at their prayers. The Messenger of Allah* made them a gesture to continue their prayer, went into the room and drew down the curtain." The Messenger of Allah* did not live for the next prayer time. Hence, rumours were spreading that the Prophet* was getting better. Great was the rejoicing at this apparent recovery, and not long after the prayer Ussama arrived again from his camp, expecting to find the Prophet* worse and overjoyed to find him better. "Set forth, with the blessings of God," said the Prophet. So Ussama bade him farewell, and rode back to Jurf, where he told his men to make ready for the northward march. Meantime Abu Bakr had taken leave to go as far as Upper Medina. Already before his marriage to Asma', he had long been betrothed to Habibah, the daughter of Kharijah, the Khazrajite with whom he had lodged ten years ago on his arrival in the oasis, and they had recently been married. Habibah still lived with her family at Sunh, where he now went to visit her.
Ali and 'Abbas followed them there, but did not stay long, and when they came out some men who were passing asked Ali how the Prophet* was. "Praise be to God," said Ali, "he is well." But when the questioners had gone on their way 'Abbas took Ali's hand and said: "I swear I recognise death in the face of God's Messenger, even as I have ever been able to recognise it in the faces of our clansmen. So let us go and speak with him. If his authority is to be vested in us, then we shall know it; and if in other than us, then will we ask him to commend us unto the people, that they may treat us well." But 'Ali said: "By God, I will not, for if the authority be withheld from us by him, none after him will ever give it us."
When it was daytime, the Prophet* 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. Ayesha 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* remarked: "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 Allah. 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 Ayesha: "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, Ayesha leant him against her. She used to say: One of Allah’s bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allah* died in my house, while I am still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allah 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 Allah* 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 Allah. 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 Ayesha 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 Allah, 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 Allah we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode." Again she heard him murmur: "The most exalted Companionship on high,” and these were the last words she heard him speak. Gradually his head grew heavier upon her breast, until the other wives began to lament, and Ayesha laid his head on a pillow and joined them in crying. 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 Medina. Dark grief spread on all areas and horizons of Medina. Anas said: "I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allah* came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which the Messenger of Allah* 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."
Umer’s Attitude
Umer, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people addressing them: "Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allah* died. The Messenger of Allah* 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 Allah, the Messenger of Allah* 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 Ayesha’s abode, and went directly to where the Messenger of Allah* was. The Prophet* 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. Allah, verily, will not cause you to die twice. You have just experienced the death that Allah had ordained." Then he went out and found Umer talking to people. He said: "Umer, be seated." Umer refused to do so. People parted Umer and came towards Abu Bakr, who started a speech saying: "And now, he who worships Muhammad*. Muhammad is dead now. But he who worships Allah, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allah says: ‘Muhammad 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 Allah, and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.’" [TMQ 3:144]
Ibn ‘Abbas said: "By Allah, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’anic 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 Umer had said: "By Allah, 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* had really died."
Selecting the next leader of the Muslim Ummah (Khalifah)
Although it is compulsory to bury the dead body of a Muslim as early as possible – ideally before sunset we notice that the Muslim community (including all the Sahabae) deferred the burial of the Prophet until after they had chosen a successor. Hence, we accept this as Ijma-as-Sahaba that it is choosing a righteous leader of the Muslims is one of the most important actions for the Ummah.
Ali had now withdrawn to his house, and with him were Zubayr and Talhah, The rest of the Emigrants gathered round Abu Bakr and they were joined by Usayd and many of his clan. But most of the Helpers, of Aws as well as Khazraj, had assembled in the hall of the Bani Sa'idah of whom Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah was chief, and word was brought to Abu Bakr and Umer that they were debating there the question as to where the authority should lie, now that the Prophet* was dead. They had gladly accepted his authority; but failing him, many of them were inclined to think that the sons of Qaylah should be ruled by none except a man of Yathrib, and it appeared that they were about to pledge their allegiance to Sa'd. Umer urged Abu Bakr to go with him to the hall, and Abu 'Ubaydah went with them. Sa'd was ill and he was lying in the middle of the hall, wrapped in a cloak. On behalf of him another of the Helpers was about to address the assembly when the three men of Quraysh entered, so he included them in his speech, which began, after praise for God, with the words: "We are the Helpers of God and the fighting force of Islam; and ye O Emigrants, are of us, for a group of your people have settled amongst us." The speaker continued in the same vein, glorifying the Helpers, and while giving the Emigrants a share of that glory, deliberately failing to recognise the unique position that they held in themselves as the first Islamic community. When he had finished Umer was about to speak, but Abu Bakr silenced him and spoke himself, tactfully but firmly, reiterating the praise of the Helpers, but pointing out that the community of Islam was now spread throughout Arabia, and that the Arabs as a whole would not accept the authority of anyone other than a man of Quraysh, for Quraysh held a unique and central position amongst them. In conclusion he took Umer and Abu 'Ubaydah each by a hand and said: "I offer you one of these two men. Pledge your allegiance to whichever of these ye will." Then another of the Helpers rose and suggested that there should be two authorities, and this led to a heated argument, until finally Umer intervened, saying: "O Helpers, know ye not that the Messenger of God ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayer?" "We know it," they answered, and he said: "Then which of you will willingly take precedence over him?" "God forbid that we should take precedence over him!" they said, whereupon Umer seized the hand of Abu Bakr and pledged allegiance to him, followed by Abu 'Ubaydah and others of the Emigrants who had now joined them. Then all the Helpers who were present likewise pledged their allegiance to Abu Bakr, with the exception of Sa'd.
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.
Whatever they had decided in the hall, it would have been unacceptable for anyone to have led the prayers in the Mosque in Medina except Abu Bakr, so long as he was there; and the next day at dawn, before leading the prayer, he sat in the pulpit, and Umer rose and addressed the assembly, bidding them pledge their allegiance to Abu Bakr, whom he described as "the best of you, the Companion of God's Messenger, the second of two when they were both in the cave," A recent Revelation had recalled the privilege of Abu Bakr to have been the Prophet's sole Companion at this crucial moment;' and with one voice the whole congregation swore fealty to him all except 'Ali, who did so later.
Then Abu Bakr gave praise and thanks to God and addressed them, saying: "I have been given the authority over you, and I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; and if I do wrong, set me right. Sincere regard for truth is loyalty and disregard for truth is treachery. The weak amongst you shall be strong with me until I have secured his rights, if God will; and the strong amongst you shall be weak with me until I have wrested from him the rights of others, if God will. Obey me so long as I obey God and His Messenger. But if I disobey God and his Messenger, ye owe me no obedience. Arise for your prayer, God have mercy upon you!'"
Burial and Farewell Preparations to his Honourable Body
After the prayer the Prophet's household and his family decided that they must prepare him for burial, but they were in disagreement as to how it should be done. Then God cast a sleep upon them all, and in his sleep each man heard a voice say: "Wash the Prophet* with his garment upon him." So they went to Ayesha's apartment, which for the moment she had vacated, and Aws ibn Khawli’a Khazrajite, begged leave to represent the Helpers, saying: "I adjure thee by God, O 'Ali, and by our share in His Messenger," and 'Ali allowed him to enter. 'Abbas and his sons Fadl and Qitham helped 'Ali to turn the body, while Ussama poured water over it, helped by Shuqran, one of the Prophet's freedmen, and 'Ali passed his hand over every part of the long woollen garment. "Dearer than my father and my mother," he said, "how excellent art thou, in life and in death!" Even after one day, the Prophet's body seemed to be sunken merely in sleep, except that there was no breathing and no pulse, no warmth and no suppleness.
The Companions now disagreed as to where he should be buried. It seemed to many that his grave should be near the graves of his three daughters and Ibrahim and the Companions whom he himself had buried and prayed over, in the Baqi al-Gharqad, while others thought he should be buried in the Mosque; but Abu Bakr remembered having heard him say "No Prophet* dieth but is buried where he died," so the grave was dug in the floor of Ayesha's room near the couch where he was lying. So Abu Talhah lifted the bed on which he died, dug underneath and cut the ground to make the tomb.
They shrouded him in three white Sahooli cotton cloth which had neither a headcloth nor a casing and inserted him in.
People entered the room ten by ten. They prayed for the Prophet*. 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). Ayesha said: "We did not know that the Prophet* was being buried till we heard the sound of tools digging the ground at the depth of Wednesday night."
Great was the sorrow in the City of Light, as Medina now is called. The Companions rebuked each other for weeping, but wept themselves. "Not for him do I weep," said Umm Ayman, when questioned about her tears. "Know I not that he hath gone to that which is better for him than this world? But I weep for the tidings of Heaven which have been cut off from us." It was indeed as if a great door had been closed. Yet they remembered that he had said: "What have I to do with this world? I and this world are as a rider and a tree beneath which he takes shelter. Then he goes on his way, and leaves it behind him." He had said this that they, each one of them, might say it of themselves; and if the door had now closed, it would be open or the faithful at death. They still had in their ears the sound of his saying: "I go before you, and I am your witness. Your tryst with me is at the Pool."
Reminder
Quiz January 13th InshaAllah
No other main topic
Children's feedback:
Muslim (Palestinian) and Israeli Conflict
Amirah Foundation Charity Event
News
Another American school shooting
Homework:
REVISE for quiz - Sunday 13 January, I/A
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