No replies to this topic

[Ali Mahdi]

The Death and Burial of the Holy Prophet

During the last moments of his life, the Holy Prophet opened his eyes and asked for his brother to be called. Aeshah called her father Abu Bakr, but when the Holy Prophet saw him he placed his head back on his pillow and repeated that his brother should be called for. Hafsah, another wife of the Holy Prophet called her father ‘Umar, but the same thing happened. Aeshah then sent for Imam ‘Ali saying that the Holy Prophet would see no one else. When Imam ‘Ali arrived, the Holy Prophet raised his cloak and took him under its cover. He then placed his head on the chest of Imam ‘Ali and talked to him for a long time.

In the last moments of his life a knock was heard on the door. Lady Fatemah told the caller to come later, because her father was very ill. However, the caller was insistent and kept on knocking. Lady Fatemah told him again to come later. When the third knock came, tears welled up in Lady Fatemah’s eyes, but her father said to her, “Oh Fatemah, let him in. For it is none other than the Angel of Death. It is only in respect of your presence that he is asking for permission to enter; otherwise he waits for nobody when he comes to take away the soul.”

Soon afterwards the signs of death began to appear on his face. The last sentence he spoke was, “No. With the Divine Companion.” It appears that at the time of his last breath the angel Gabriel gave him the option to recover from his illness and remain in this world or to allow the Angel of Death to remove his soul so that he may proceed with him (the Divine Companion) to the next world. The Holy Prophet uttered this sentence and passed away on Monday 28th Safar 11 AH. He was 63 years old.

As the sound of mourning rose from the house of the Holy Prophet the people outside knew that he had breathed his last. Soon afterwards the news of his death spread throughout Madinah, plunging everyone into sorrow. Imam ‘Ali bathed the sacred body of the Holy Prophet and shrouded him. The Holy Prophet had directed that his body should be bathed by one who was nearest to him, and such a person could be none else than Imam ‘Ali. The first person to offer the funeral prayers for the Holy Prophet was Imam ‘Ali.

Thereafter the companions came in groups and offered prayers, and this practice continued till noon on Tuesday. It was then decided to bury the Holy Prophet in the same house where he had passed away.

It was a most tragic event. The great personality who had changed the future of humanity with his efforts and sacrifice was no more. The Holy Prophet had made a great contribution to the welfare of humanity at large. He had spread the message of God, practising the religion himself and then asking others to follow him.

He had established the rights of people when everywhere their rights were being violated; he had spread justice when tyranny was the norm; he introduced equality at a time when discrimination was so common; and he gave freedom to the people when they were suppressed by injustice. He had faithfully carried out the great mission entrusted to him by God.

The Holy Prophet had always told the people, “I have only been sent to perfect your moral character (akhlaq).” In appreciation of the character of the Holy Prophet himself, the Holy Quran testifies:
“And most surely you shall have a reward never to be cut off. And most surely you conform (yourself) to sublime morality.”
[Surat al-Qalam, 68:3-4]

May God send His blessings on the Holy Prophet Muhammad al-Mustafa and his Holy Progeny.