Check below answers in case you are looking for other related questions:

The death of prophet(saws).

Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalaam Alaikum WRWB


Kindly advise how did our Beloved Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) die?


Jazak Allah 

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

The death of prophet(saws)

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Ref: Symptoms of Farewell of the Noble Prophet (saws)

When the Call to Islam grew complete and the new faith dominated the whole situation. The Messenger of Allâh (saws) started to develop certain symptoms that bespoke of leave-taking. They could be perceived through his statements and deeds:

  • In Ramadan in the tenth year of Al-Hijra he (saws) secluded himself in ‘itiqaf’ for twenty days in contrast to ten days as was his practice in previous years.
  • During this last Ramadan of the Prophet (saws), Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.) reviewed the Qur’ân twice with him.
  • His words in the Farewell Pilgrimage (i.e. Al-Wida‘):

"I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once again after this current year."

  • The revelation of Surah 110 An-Nasr amid At-Tashreeq Days. When this blessed Surah was Revealed unto him, some amongst the companions realized that the parting of their beloved leader and Prophet (saws) was near, and that the Revelation of this Surah was an announcement of his approaching death.
  • On the early days of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, the Prophet (saws) went out to the mount of Uhud and observed a farewell prayer to the martyrs. It looked like saying goodbye to both the dead and the living alike. He (saws) then ascended the pulpit and addressed the people saying:

"I am to precede you and I have been made witness upon you. By Allâh, you will meet me at the ‘Fountain’ (Al-Kauthar) very soon. I have been given the keys of worldly treasures. By Allâh, I do not fear for you that you will turn polytheists after me. But I do fear that acquisition of worldly riches should entice you to strike one another’s neck."

 

Ref: The Start of the Disease

On Monday the twenty-ninth of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, the Prophet (saws) participated in funeral rites in the graveyard of Al-Baqee in Madinah. On the way back he (saws) had a headache, his temperature rose so high that the heat effect could be felt over his headband.

He (saws) led the Muslims in prayer for eleven days though he (saws) was sick. The total number of his sick days were either thirteen or fourteen.

 

Ref: The Last Week

When the Prophet’s (saws) illness grew severe he (saws) asked his wives: "Where shall I stay tomorrow?" "Where shall I stay?" They understood what he (saws) wanted. So they allowed him (saws) to stay in the house of whichever amongst his wives he (saws) wished. He (saws) moved to Hadrat Aishah’s (r.a.) room leaning — while he was walking — on Al-Fadl bin Al-‘Abbas (r.a.) and ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (r.a.). Head banded as he was, he dragged his feet till he came into her abode. It was there that he (saws) spent the last week of his life.

 

During that period, Hadrat Aishah (r.a.) used to recite Al-Mu‘awwidhat (Surahs 113 and 114 of the Qur’ân) and other supplications which he (saws) had taught her and the believers.

 

Ref: Five days before death

On Wednesday, five days before he died the Prophet’s (saws) temperature rose so high signaling the severity of his disease. He (saws) fainted and suffered from pain. When the Prophet (saws) felt well enough to enter the Masjid, he (saws) entered, sat on the pulpit and made a speech to the people who were gathering together around him. He (saws) said:

…. "The curse of Allâh falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their Prophets’ tombs places of worship."

……· "Do not make my grave a place of worship.”

Then he (saws) offered himself and invited the people to repay any injuries he (saws) 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 may have ever blasphemed his honor, here I am offering my honor so that he may avenge himself."

Then he (saws) descended, and performed the noon prayer. Again he (saws) returned to the pulpit and sat on it and resumed his sermon.

….."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 favor that they have shown, and should overlook their faults."

….."Allâh, the Exalted and Glorified, has given a slave of His the opportunity to make a choice between whatever he desires of Allâh’s provisions in this world, and what He keeps for him in the world, but he has opted for the latter."

Abu Sa‘îd Al-Khudri (r.a.) said: "Upon hearing that, Abu Bakr (r.a.) cried and said: ‘May my father and my mother be your sacrifice.’ We wondered why Abu Bakr (r.a.) said such a thing. Some people said: ‘Look at that old man! The Messenger of Allâh (saws) 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: ‘May my father and my mother be your sacrifice.’ It was later on that we realized what he (Hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.)) had aimed at. The Messenger of Allâh (saws) was the implied slave informed to choose. We also acknowledged that Abu Bakr (r.a.) was the most learned among us."

 

Ref: Four days before the Prophet’s (saws) death

On Thursday, four days before the death of the Messenger of Allâh (saws), he (saws) 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 seeing the condition of the Prophet (saws), Hadrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (r.a.) said: "The Prophet of Allâh (saws) is suffering from acute pain and you have the Qur’ân with you; the Book of Allâh is sufficient unto you." Others however wanted the writing to be made. When the Prophet (saws) heard them debating over it, he (saws) ordered them to go away and leave him alone.

That day he recommended three things:

  • Jews, Christians and polytheists should be expelled out of Arabia.
  • He recommended that delegations should be honoured and entertained, in a way similar to the one he used to do.
  • 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 (saws)used to lead all the prayers till that Thursday — four days before he (saws) died.

 

In the evening he grew so sick that he could not overcome the strain of disease or go out to enter the Masjid. Aishah said: The Prophet (saws) asked: "Have the people performed the prayer?" She replied "No. They haven’t. They are waiting for you." The Prophet (saws) said to her: "Put some water in the washing pot." Aisha (r.a.) did what he ordered. So he (saws) washed and wanted to stand up, but he (saws) fainted. When he (saws) 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 time, from the time he washed to the time he fainted after his attempts to stand up. Therefore he sent for Hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.) to lead the prayers. Abu Bakr then led the prayer during those remaining days, seventeen prayers in all.

 

Ref: A Day or Two prior to the Prophet’s (saws) death

On Saturday or on Sunday, the Prophet (saws) 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 (r.a.), who was then about to lead the prayer withdrew when he saw the Prophet (saws) coming; but the Prophet (saws) 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 (saws) led the prayer, and Abu Bakr (r.a.) followed him and raised his voice at every ‘takbeer’ (Allâhu Akbar).

 

Ref: A Day before the Prophet’s (saws) death:

On Sunday, a day before he (saws) died, the Prophet (saws) 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 Hadrat Aishah (r.a.) 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.

 

Ref: The Last Day of the Prophet (saws):

In a narration by Anas bin Malik, he said: "While the Muslims were performing the dawn prayer on Monday — led by Abu Bakr, they were surprised to see the Messenger of Allâh (saws) raising the curtain from Hadrat Aishah’s (r.a.) room. He (saws) looked at the beleivers while they were praying aligned properly, and smiled cheerfully. Seeing him, Abu Bakr (r.a.) withdrew to join the lines and give way to him to lead the prayer. For he thought that the Prophet (saws) 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 (saws) made them a gesture to continue their prayer, went into the room and drew down the curtain."

The Messenger of Allâh (saws) did not live for the next prayer time.

When it was daytime, the Prophet (saws) called his daughter, Hadrat Fatimah (r.a.) and told her something in a secret voice that made her cry. Then he whispered to her something else which made her laugh. Aishah (r.a.) enquired from her after the Prophet’s (saws) death, as to this weeping and laughing to which Fatimah (r.a.) 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 smiled."

Fatimah (r.a.) witnessed the great pain that afflicted her father. So she said: "What great pain my father is in!". To these words, the Prophet (saws) remarked:

"He will not suffer any more after this day!"

Then the Noble Prophet (saws) breathed his last breath and his soul was honorably removed by the Angel of Death.

 

When the pangs of death started, Aishah (r.a.) leant him against her. She used to say: ‘One of Allâh’s Bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allâh (saws) died in my house, while I am still alive. He breathed his last breath between my chest and my neck while he (saws) was leaning against me. Allâh has mixed his saliva with mine at his death. Abdur Rahman ibn Abu Bakr came in with a Siwak (i.e. the root of a desert plant used for brushing teeth) in his hand, while I was leaning the Messenger of Allâh (saws) against me. I noticed that he (saws) 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 (saws) 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 (saws) nodded in agreement. So I softened it with my saliva and he passed it (on his teeth).

As soon as he (saws) had finished his Siwak brushing, he (saws) raised his hand or his finger up, looked upwards to the ceiling and moved his lips. Aishah (r.a.) reports that she heard the Prophet (saws) say: "With those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, with the Prophets, and the Truthful ones, and the martyrs, and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the Companionship on high." Then at intervals he uttered these words: "The most exalted Companionship on high. To Allâh we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode." This event took place at high morning time on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi‘ Al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah. The Prophet (saws) was sixty-three years and four days old when he (saws) died.

 

Ref: The Companions’ concern over the Prophet’s (saws) death:

Hadrat Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) is reported to have said: "I have never witnessed a day better or brighter than that day on which the Messenger of Allâh (saws) came to us; and I have never witnessed a more awful or darker day than that one on which the Messenger of Allâh (saws) died.”

 

Hadrat Umar (r.a.) 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 (saws) has died. The Messenger of Allâh (saws) did not die. By Allâh, the Messenger of Allâh (saws) will come back and he will cut off the hands and legs of those who claim his death." Hadrat Umar (r.a.) would later say regarding his statements: "By Allah! Nothing occurred to my mind except that."

Hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.) entered the Masjid, talked to nobody but went on till he entered Aishah’s (r.a.) abode which was adjacent to the Masjid, and went directly to where the body of the Messenger of Allâh (saws) was. The Prophet (saws) was covered with a mantle. He uncovered the Prophet’s (saws) face and tended down, kissed him and cried. Then Abu Bakr (r.a.) said: "May my father and my mother be your sacrifice. Verily, Allâh will not cause you to die twice. You have just experienced the death that Allâh had Decreed."

Then hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.) went out and found Hadrat Umar (r.a.) denying the death of the Prophet (saws). Hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.) then said: "And now, he who worships Muhammad (saws), let it be known that Muhammad (saws) is dead. But he who worships Allâh, He is Ever Living and He never dies. Allâh 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 Allâh, and Allâh will give reward to those who are grateful.’" [3:144]

Ibn ‘Abbas reports: "By Allâh, it sounded as if people had never heard such a Qur’ânic verse till Abu Bakr recited it as a reminder. So people started reciting it till there was no man who did not recite it."

Ibn Al-Musaiyab said that ‘Umar had said: "By Allâh, as soon as I heard Abu Bakr recite the Verse of the Quran, 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 (saws) had indeed really died."

 

Ref: Burial and Farewell Preparations for the honourable body of the Prophet (saws):

On Tuesday, his body was washed with his clothes on. He was washed by Al-Abbas, Ali ibn Abi Taalib, 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-Fadl and Qathm turned his body round, whereas Osamah and Shaqran poured out water. ‘Ali washed him and Aws leant him against his chest.

A sort of disagreement arose with regard to a burial place. Hadrat Abu Bakr (r.a.) said: "I heard the Messenger of Allâh (saws) say: ‘A Prophet is buried where he dies.’ So Abu Talhah lifted the bed on which he died, dug underneath and cut the ground to make the grave. Then the believers offered the funeral prayer for their beloved leader and Prophet (saws) and buried in the place where he (saws) died; ie. Hadrat Aisha’s (r.a.) apartment.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan

 

 


Related Answers:

Recommended answers for you: