The Greatest of Calamities

Read the previous part: “Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him”

Any Muslim with a heart can testify to the great sorrow and sadness one feels upon reading about the death of the Prophet (SAW). Amazingly enough, even in relation to his death he is able to put things in perspective for us. Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW) said, “if anyone is afflicted by a calamity, then let him remember that calamity by my death, for indeed it is the greatest of calamities.” (al Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (SAW) knew his time was coming several months before his actual death. He gave the following precursors in hopes that the impact would not be as great or as severe:

1. In Ramadhan, in the tenth year of the Hijrah, he secluded himself for twenty days, in contrast to his usual ten.
2. The archangel Gabriel reviewed the Qur’an with him twice.
3. At hajj, he clearly stated, “I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once again after this current year.”
4. The revelation of Surah An Nasr. (Prophet completed his mission)
5. In the early days of Safar, in the eleventh year of al Hijrah, the Prophet went out to Uhud and observed a farewell prayer to the martyrs. It looked as if he was saying goodbye to the dead and the living alike. He then ascended the pulpit and addressed the people saying, “I am to precede you and I have been made witness upon you. By Allah, you will meet me at the ‘Fountain’ very soon. I have been given the keys of worldly treasures. By Allah, 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.” (al Bidayah wa al Nihayah)

7a. The Sickness Begins

Scholars differ as to when the illness actually began. Some have said that 22nd of Safar, others the 29th and others the beginning of Rabi al Awwal. Some scolars speculate that the lingering effects of the poisoning at al khaybar triggered the sickness.

7b. Farewell Advice and Legacy

1. He (SAW) orders Abu Baqr to lead the prayers.
2. Five days prior to his death, he warns the people against building masajid at graves.
3. He orders every door that connects to the masjid to be sealed, expect Abu Baqr`s.
4. He informs Fatimah that his death is imminent and that she will be the family member who follows him most closely.
5. He warns the people: Don`t turn his grave into a place of worship.
6. Expel the polytheists from the Arabian Peninsula, except for delegates.
7. Hold on to the book of Allah and the Sunnah.
8. Fulfill the rights of his family.
9. He orders the sending forward od Usama`s army.
10. `The prayer and that which the right hand possesses`

7c. The Final Moment

On Monday, the 12th of Rabi al Awwal, Aisha (RA) narrates, “Laying in my lap gazing at the skies, his last words were, `O Allah (unite me) in the highest of companionship.` (Bukhari)

Anas (RA) said, “On the day that the Messenger of Allah entered al Madinah, all things inside of it became illuminated, But on the day that he died, all things in it became darkened. And, no sooner did we leave the Prophet and bury him, that we reproached our hearts, finding faults with them.” (al Bidayah wa al Nihayah)

Even the best of creation after the Prophet, the companions felt their iman decrease after the death of Prophet (SAW).

The End!