Whereas the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal is commonly remembered by Muslims because the month by which our beloved Prophet was born, it additionally marks the ultimate days and eventual demise of our Messenger within the eleventh yr of Islam. There aren’t any particular suggestions for this month, however it’s a time to be taught and mirror on how he lived his last days.
After performing what we name the “Farewell Pilgrimage,” the Prophet ﷺ returned to Madinah for the final time. In line with a number of reviews, the Prophet ﷺ remained on this world for about 81 days after the farewell pilgrimage.
Indications
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The Quran is explicitly clear that the Prophet ﷺ had an appointed time period and would go away the world at the moment, in keeping with the knowledge and decree of Allah ﷻ. Allah ﷻ says within the Quran:
“You [O Prophet] will definitely die, and they’ll die too.” [Surah Az-Zumar: 39;30]
“Muḥammad is not more than a Messenger; different Messengers have gone earlier than him. If he have been to die or be killed, would you regress into disbelief?” [Surah ‘Ali Imran: 3;144]
“We now have not granted immortality to any human earlier than you [O Prophet], so in case you die, will they reside perpetually?” [Surah Al-Anbiya: 21;34]
The Prophet ﷺ sensed from sure verses of the Quran that have been revealed late in his life that the time of his demise was approaching. The Prophet ﷺ made references to his departure from this world, which have been understood by a few of his shut Companions .
When the Prophet ﷺ despatched Muʿādh as a governor to Yemen, he noticed him off to bid him farewell. The Prophet ﷺ walked alongside Muʿādh as he was using his animal. The Prophet ﷺ stated, “O Muʿādh, I definitely love you. Maybe you shall not see me after this yr, and maybe while you return to Madinah you will discover my mosque and my grave.” One other indication was the revelation of Surah al-Naṣr. A number of Companions corresponding to ʿUmar and ibn ʿAbbās understood it as an indication that the Prophet’s ﷺ time was quickly. In the course of the farewell pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ stated, “Study the rites of Ḥajj from me. I don’t know, maybe this can be my final Ḥajj.”
The Prophet ﷺ fell sick through the month of Ṣafar and in preparation for his departure from this world, the Prophet ﷺ did some distinctive issues. He visited the martyrs of Uḥūd and bid them farewell. After returning, he ascended the pulpit and stated, “I’m a predecessor earlier than you and I’m a witness over you. Your appointment with me is on the Ḥawḍ. I’m taking a look at it whereas I’m standing proper right here. I don’t worry for you the likelihood that you’ll affiliate companions with Allah ﷻ in worship; relatively, I worry for you in one other sense: that you’ll compete with each other for the world.”
The Prophet ﷺ additionally visited Baqīʿ at night time as if he was saying farewell to the inhabitants.
On Monday, the twenty ninth of Ṣafar he developed a extreme headache and a really excessive fever. He was sick for about 13-14 days and continued to steer the prayer for about 11 of these days; till he was too sick to take action. The Prophet ﷺ continued to alternate his visits between his wives and when his sickness grew to become extra extreme he began asking, “The place will I be tomorrow? The place will I be tomorrow?” His wives understood that he needed to relaxation and be nursed within the house of ʿĀ’ishah and so they gave him permission to take action. The Prophet spent the final week of his life in her house underneath her loving and tender care.
On Wednesday, his temperature rose very excessive and he requested to be bathed with water. After he felt some power, he tied a fabric round his head, sat on the pulpit, and delivered considered one of his last public lectures. The next is a few of what he stated:
“Could Allah’s Curse be upon the Jews and Christians as a result of they took the graves of their Prophets as locations of worship.”
“If I struck anybody’s again, that is my again so take your revenge.”
“If anybody has a debt that I’ve not paid, then right here is my wealth to take.”
The Prophet ﷺ praised the Anṣār.
He was additionally reported to have stated: “Allah ﷻ has a given a servant a alternative between this world and what’s with Him and He has chosen what’s with Him.”
Upon listening to this, Abū Bakr started to weep uncontrollably.
Among the Companions began to surprise why he was crying and located it to be unusual. The Prophet ﷺ stated, “Don’t cry, O Abū Bakr, for you’re the one I belief essentially the most in my companionship and with my household. Had been I capable of take a khalīl on this world, my khalīl can be Abū Bakr, however I can not take a khalīl as a result of Allah has chosen me as His khalīl. However, O Abū Bakr, between you and I is the brotherhood of Islam.”
The Prophet ﷺ then introduced, “All of the doorways of the Masjid are to be closed besides Abū Bakr’s door.” [Al-Bukhari – 466]
One of many last prayers that the Prophet ﷺ led was Maghrib on the Friday earlier than his demise, and he recited Sūrah al-Mursalāt. For ʿIshā, the Prophet ﷺ tried 3 or 4 instances to go to the masjid however he was unable to take action. He requested ʿĀ’isha , “Have the folks prayed?” She stated, “No and so they’re ready for you O Messenger of Allah…” When he realized that he wouldn’t have the ability to make it, he informed ʿĀ’isha , “Inform Abū Bakr to steer the folks in prayer.” She stated, “O Messenger of Allah, my father is a soft-hearted man; when he stands in prayer, he cries, and other people received’t prefer it.” The Prophet ﷺ insisted, “Inform Abū Bakr to steer the folks in prayer.” ʿĀ’isha then urged Ḥafsah to ask the Prophet ﷺ to permit ʿUmar to steer as a substitute, and the Prophet ﷺ repeated much more emphatically, “Go and discover Abū Bakr to steer! You might be appearing like the ladies round Yūsuf!” Abū Bakr (ra) then led the prayers till the Prophet ﷺ left this world. [Al Bukhari: 678]
The next day (Sat or Solar), the Prophet ﷺ gained sufficient vitality to stroll to the masjid whereas the Companions have been praying Ẓuhr. Abū Bakr stepped again to permit the Prophet ﷺ to steer, however the Prophet ﷺ motioned to Abū Bakr to remain in his place… After prayer, the Prophet ﷺ addressed his Companions publically for the final time. He praised the Anṣār and instructed that they be taken care of. He additionally stated, “None of it’s best to die besides with good ideas of Allah.” The very last thing he suggested his Companions with was, “Guard the prayer! Guard the prayer! And worry Allah with these underneath your authority.”
The day earlier than his demise (Solar), the Prophet ﷺ requested ʿĀ’ishah how a lot cash he had, and she or he collected seven dinars. He held them in his hand and stated, “What’s going to I say to Allah if I meet Allah with these cash?” He then instructed ʿĀ’ishah to provide them away in charity. The Prophet ﷺ left this world with none cash in his possession.
The following day (Mon), the Prophet ﷺ was in mattress as Abū Bakr led the Muslims in Fajr prayer. The Prophet ﷺ lifted the curtain and noticed his Companions praying behind Abū Bakr with a wonderful smile on his face. Anas stated, “We diverted our consideration and nearly invalidated our prayers out of happiness.” That is the final time they noticed the blessed face of the Prophet ﷺ as he didn’t reside till the following prayer time.
Later that day, Fāṭimah came over the Prophet ﷺ. He whispered one thing in her ear and she or he started to cry. He then whispered in her ear once more and she or he smiled. Later, ʿĀ’ishah requested her what the Prophet ﷺ stated. She stated, “The primary time he informed me that he wouldn’t get better from his sickness, and I wept. Then he informed me that I might be the primary of his household to affix him so I smiled.” [Al Bukhari: 4433] When his fever intensified, Fāṭimah stated, “How painful is the struggling of my father!” He ﷺ replied, “O Fāṭimah, your father won’t undergo after immediately.”
ʿĀ’ishah positioned the Prophet’s head on her lap and cradled him ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ appeared over to ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn abī Bakr’s miswāk. She requested, “Would you want me to take it for you?”
The Prophet ﷺ then raised his eyes upwards and commenced whispering. ʿĀ’ishah lowered her head to listen to what he was saying, and she or he heard, “With the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, and permit me to be with al-Rafīq al-Aʿlā (the Loftiest Firm). His last phrases have been, “al-Rafīq al-Aʿlā.”
Anas stated, “The day the Prophet ﷺ handed away every part grew to become darkish. I’ve by no means seen a darker day than the day on which the Prophet ﷺ handed away.”
Classes
Acceptance of Mortality: The Prophet ﷺ knew that his time on the earth was restricted. He sensed it from sure Quranic verses and ready each himself and his group for his departure. This can be a reminder for us to just accept the inevitability of demise and to organize for it spiritually.
Preparation for departure: The Prophet ﷺ took a number of steps in preparation for his passing, corresponding to visiting the martyrs of Uḥūd and Baqīʿ and bidding them farewell. He additionally emphasised to his Companions that he would quickly go away the world and reminded them to remain agency of their worship and devotion to Allah , and keep away from competitors for worldly good points.
Humility and justice: The Prophet ﷺ, throughout his sickness, provided anybody he might have wronged a possibility to hunt redress, displaying his humility and sense of justice. He needed to depart this world with out owing anybody something, and with out holding grudges.
Charity and Generosity: Earlier than his passing, the Prophet ﷺ requested ʿĀ’ishah about any cash they’d left and instantly instructed her to provide it away in charity, displaying his dedication to assembly Allah with out holding onto materials wealth.
The Significance of Prayer: One of many Prophet’s ﷺ last public directions was to emphasise the significance of prayer. He repeatedly suggested his Companions to “Guard the prayer!” which serves as a reminder for all Muslims to take care of their prayers, particularly in tough instances.
Compassion for Household: Even in his last moments, the Prophet ﷺ confirmed compassion for his daughter Fāṭimah when she expressed unhappiness over his struggling. He reassured her that after his demise, he would now not expertise ache, displaying the significance of comforting our family members throughout exhausting instances.
Management and Neighborhood: The Prophet ﷺ made preparations for the continuity of management, appointing Abū Bakr to steer the prayers. This highlights the importance of guaranteeing the well-being and unity of the group even after one’s departure.
Remaining phrases and readying to fulfill Allah : In his final moments, the Prophet ﷺ expressed a longing to be reunited with “al-Rafīq al-Aʿlā” (the Loftiest Firm), which means Allah , the Prophets, and the righteous. His final phrases have been a wonderful reminder of his connection to the Divine, which left an enduring impression on his Companions.
There are various many classes to take from the lifetime of our beloved Messenger , but additionally many to take from his last hours on earth.
Associated:
– From The Chaplain’s Desk: Expressing Love For The Prophet
– Podcast: The Prophet ﷺ and Secrets and techniques To A Good Demise | Dr. Muhammad Wajid Akhter