The Death of the Prophet (SAAS)
Shaykh Safi ur-Rahmaan Mubarakfoori
From Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtoom
The Start of the Disease
On Monday the twenty-ninth of Safar in the eleventh year of al-Hijra, he participated in
funeral rites in al-Baqee'. On the way back he had a headache, his temperature rose so high
that the heat effect could be felt over his headband. He led the Muslims in prayer for eleven
days though he was sick. The total number of his sick days were either thirteen of fourteen.
The Last Week
When his sickness grew severe he asked his wives: "Where shall I stay tomorrow?" "Where
shall I stay?" They understood what he wanted. So they allowed him to stay wherever he
wished. He moved to 'Aishah's room leaning - while he was walking - on al-Fadl bin al-
'Abbas and 'Alî bin Abî Tâlib. Head banded as he was, he dragged his feet till he came into
her abode. It was there that he spent the last week of his life.
During that period, 'Aishah used to recite al-Mu'awwidhat (Chapters 113 and 114 of the
Qur'ân) and other supplications which he has already taught her.
Five days before death
On Wednesday, five days before he died the Prophet's temperature rose so high signalling
the severness 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 Allâh falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their Prophets’ tombs
places of worship." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî, 1/62; Muatta' Imâm Malik, p.360] Then he said: "Do
not make my tomb a worshipped idol." [Muatta' Imâm Malik, p.65]
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 sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: "Fadl, pay him
the money." 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 frilly acknowledge and appreciate the favour that these
benefactors have shown and overlook their faults."
And said: "Allâh, the Great, has given a slave of His the opportunity to make a choice
between whatever he desires of Allâh’s provisions in this world, and what He keeps for
him in the world, but he has opted for the latter."
Abû Sa’id Al-Khudri said: "Upon hearing that, Abû Bakr cried and said: ‘We sacrifice our
fathers and mothers for your sake.’ We wondered why Abû Bakr said such a thing. People
said: ‘Look at that old man! The Messenger of Allâh says about a slave of Allâh who was
granted the right between the best fortunes of this world and the bounty of Allâh in the
Hereafter, but he says: We sacrifice our fathers and mothers for your sake!’ It was later on
that we realized what he had aimed at. The Messenger of Allâh was the slave informed to
choose. We also acknowledged that Abû Bakr was the most learned among us." [Mishkat Al-
Masabih, 2/546]
Then the Messenger of Allâh said:
"The fellow I feel most secure in his company is Abû Bakr. If I were to make
friendship with any other one than Allah, I would have Abû Bakr a bosom
friend of mine. For him I feel affection and brotherhood of Islam. No gate shall
be kept open in the Mosque except that of Abû Bakr’s." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî,
1/22,429,449, 2/638; Misbkat Al-Masabih, 2/548]
Four days before his death
On Thursday, four days before the death of the Messenger of Allâh he said to people —
though he was suffering from a severe pain:
"Come here. I will cause you to write something so that you will never fall into error." Upon
this ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab said: "The Prophet of Allâh is suffering from acute pain and you
have the Qur’an with you; the Book of Allâh 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. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî, 2/637]
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 Osamah’s army, or it could have been
performance of prayers and being attentive to slaves.
In spite of the strain of disease and suffering from pain, the Prophet 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." [77:1] [Misbkat Al-Masabih, 1/102]
In the evening he grew so sick that he could not overcome the strain of disease or go out to
enter the Mosque. ‘Aishah said: The Prophet asked: "Have the people performed the
prayer?" "No. They haven’t. They are waiting for you." "Put some water in the washing pot."
Said he. We did what he ordered. So he washed and wanted to stand up, but he fainted.
When he came round he asked again "Have the people prayed?" Then the 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. Therefore he sent to Abû Bakr
to lead the prayer himself. Abû Bakr then led the prayer during those days [Sahîh al-
Bukhârî, 1/99]. They were seventeen prayers in the lifetime of Muhammad sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam.
Three or four times ‘Aishah talked to the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam to exempt
Abû Bakr from leadership in prayer lest people should despair of him, but he refused and
said: "You (women) are like the women who tried to entice Joseph (Yusuf) into
immorality. Convey my request to Abû Bakr to lead the prayer."
A Day or Two prior to Death
On Saturday or on Sunday, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam 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. Abû 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 Abû Bakr. The Prophet led the prayer, and
Abû Bakr followed him and raised his voice at every 'Allâhu Akbar' (i.e. Allâh is the
Greatest) the Prophet said, so that the people may hear clearly. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî 1/98,99]
A Day before his Death
On Sunday, a day before he died, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam set his slaves
free, paid as a charity the seven Dinars he owned and gave his weapons as a present to the
Muslims. So when night fell ‘Aishah had to borrow some oil from her neighbour to light her
oil-lantern. Even his armour was mortgaged as a security with a Jew for thirty Sa’ (a cubic
measure) of barley.
The Last Day Alive
In a narration by Anas bin Malik, he said: "While the Muslims were performing the dawn
prayer on Monday — led by Abû Bakr, they were surprised to see the Messenger of Allâh
raising the curtain of ‘Aishah’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned
properly and smiled cheerfully. Seeing him, Abû Bakr withdrew to join the lines and give
way to him to lead the prayer. For he thought that the Prophet wanted to go out and pray."
Anas said: "The Muslims, who were praying, were so delighted that they were almost too
enraptured at their prayers. The Messenger of Allâh made them a gesture to continue their
prayer, went into the room and drew down the curtain." [ibid. 21640]
The Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam did not live for the next prayer time.
When it was daytime, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam called Fatimah and told her
something in a secret voice that made her cry. Then he whispered to her something else
which made her laugh. ‘Aishah enquired from her after the Prophet’s death, as to this
weeping and laughing to which Fatimah replied:
"The first time he disclosed to me that he would not recover from his illness and I wept.
Then he told me that I would be the first of his family to join him, so I laughed." [Sahîh al-
Bukhârî, 2/638]
He gave Fatimah glad tidings that she would become the lady of all women of the world
[Rahmat-ul-lil’alameen, 1/282]. 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." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî, 2/641]
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 ‘Aishah: "I
still feel the painful effect of that food I tasted at Khaibar. I feel as if death is
approaching." [ibid, 2/637] He ordered the people to perform the prayers and be attentive
to slaves. He repeated it several times. [ibid. 2/637]
The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam breathes his last
When the pangs of death started, ‘Aishah leant him against her. She used to say: One of
Allah’s bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allâh died in my house, while I am still
alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allâh has mixed
his saliva with mine at his death. For ‘Abdur Rahman - the son of Abû Bakr - came in with a
Siwak (i.e. the root of a desert plant used for brushing teeth) in his hand, while I was
leaning the Messenger of Allâh 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." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî, 2/640]
As soon as he had finished his Siwak, brushing, he raised his hand or finger up, looked
upwards to the ceiling and moved his lips. So ‘Aishah listened to him. She heard him say:
"With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful
ones (As-Siddeeqeen), the martyrs and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have
mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high." [ibid, 2/638-641] Then at
intervals he uttered these words: "The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allâh we
turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode." This event took place at high
morning time on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi’ al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah.
He was sixty-three years and four days old when he died.
The Companions’ concern over the Prophet’s Death
The great (loss) news was soon known by everybody in Madinah. Dark grief spread on all
areas and hoirizons of Madinah. Anas said: "I have never witnessed a day better or brighter
than that day on which the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam came to us; and
I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which the Messenger of
Allâh died on." [Mishkat-ul-Masabih, 2/547]
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." [Sahîh
al-Bukhârî, 2/641]
‘Umar’s Attitude
‘Umar, who was so stunned that he almost lost consciousness and stood before people
addressing them: "Some of the hypocrites claim that the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu
'alayhi wa sallam died. The Messenger of Allâh 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 Allâh will come back and he will cut
of the hands and legs of those who claim his death." [Ibn Hisham, 2/655]
Abû Bakr’s Attitude
Abû Bakr left his house at As-Sunh and came forth to the Mosque on a mare-back. At the
Mosque, he dismounted and entered. He talked to nobody but went on till he entered
‘Aishah’s abode, and went directly to where the Messenger of Allâh sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam 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
Allâh had ordained."
Then he went out and found ‘Umar talking to people. He said: "‘Umar, be seated." ‘Umar
refused to do so. People parted ‘Umar and came towards Abû Bakr, who started a speech
saying:
"And now, he who worships Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, Muhammad is dead
now. But he who worships Allah, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh says:
‘Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam is no more than a Messenger, and
indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed,
will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back
on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allâh, and Allâh will give reward
to those who are grateful.’ " [3:144]
Ibn ‘Abbas said: "By Allâh it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’aanic verse till
Abû Bakr recited it as a reminder. So people started reciting it till there was no man who did
not recite it."
Ibn Al-Musaiyab said that ‘Umar had said: "By Allâh as soon as I heard Abû 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 sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam had
really died." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî, 2/640,641]
Burial and Farewell Preparations to his Honourable Body
Dispute about who would succeed him broke out even before having the Messenger of
Allah’s body prepared for burial. Lots of arguments, discussions, dialogues took place
between the Helpers and Emigrants in the roofed passage (portico) of Barn Sa’ida. Finally
they acknowledged Abû Bakr (RA) as a caliph. They spent the whole Monday there till it was
night. People were so busy with their arguments that it was late night — just about dawn of
Tuesday — yet his blessed body was still lying on his bed covered with an inked-garment.
He was locked in the room.
On Tuesday, his body was washed with his clothes on. He was washed by Al-’Abbas, 'Alî, Al-
Fadl and Qathm — the two sons of Al-’Abbas, as well as Shaqran — the Messenger’s freed
slave, Osamah bin Zaid and Aws bin Khauli. Al-’Abbas, Al-Fadi and Qathm turned his body
round, whereas Osamah and Shaqran poured out water. 'Alî washed him and Aws leant him
against his chest.
They shrouded him in three white Sahooli cotton cloth which had neither a headcloth
[Sahîh al-Bukhârî, 1/169, Sahîh Muslim, 1/306] nor a casing and inserted him in.
A sort of disagreement arose with regard to a burial place. Abû Bakr said: "I heard the
Messenger of Allâh say: ‘A dead Prophet is buried where he dies.’" So Abû Talhah lifted the
bed on which he died, dug underneath and cut the ground to make the tomb.
People entered the room ten by ten. They prayed for the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam. The first to pray for him were people of his clan. Then the Emigrants, then the
Helpers. Women prayed for him after men. The young were the last to pray.
This process took Tuesday long and Wednesday night (i.e. the night which precedes
Wednesday morning). ‘Aishah said: "We did not know that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi
wa sallam was being buried till we heard the sound of tools digging the ground at the depth
of Wednesday night." [Mukhtasar Seerat Ar-Rasool, p.471; Ibn Hisham, 2/649-665;
Talqeeh Fuhoom Ahl M-Athar, p. 38, 39; Rahmat-ul-lil'alameen 1/277-286]
