Advice of the Messenger of Allah to the Ummah Before His Passing
Three days before the passing of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam, his illness began to intensify severely. At that time, he was in the house of the Mother of the Believers, Maymunah (RA). He said, “Gather my wives for me.” When they gathered, the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, “Do you permit me to be nursed in the house of Aisha during my illness?” They replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah, we give you permission.”
When he tried to stand, he could not support himself. Ali ibn Abi Talib and Al-Fadl ibn Abbas (RA) came forward and carried the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam. They took him from Maymunah’s house to the house of Aisha. The Companions saw him in such a condition for the first time.
People became anxious and began saying, “What has happened to the Messenger of Allah? What has happened to the Prophet of Allah?” They started gathering in the mosque until it was filled.
The pain and fever of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam increased greatly. Aisha (RA) said:
“I never saw anyone suffering from a fever as intense as that of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam. I would wipe his blessed face with his noble hand, for his hand was more blessed and honored than mine.”
She heard him say:
“La ilaha illallah. Indeed, death has agonies.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 4449)
Regarding this, Allah the Exalted says in the Noble Qur’an:
“Indeed, you will die, and indeed, they will die.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:30)
“Muhammad is no more than a Messenger; many Messengers passed away before him…” (Surah Aal ‘Imran 3:144)
The anxiety and sorrow of the people in the mosque increased. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam asked, “What is happening?” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, the people fear for you.” He said, “Take me to them.”
Water was poured over him several times until he regained some strength. Then he was taken to the mosque, and he ascended the pulpit. This was the final sermon of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam — his last public address.
He said:
“O people, it seems that you are fearful for me.” They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”
He said:
“O people, I will not meet you again in this world. Our meeting will be at the Hawd (Kawthar). By Allah, I can see it from here as if I am looking at it now.”
Then he said:
“By Allah, I do not fear poverty for you. Rather, I fear that the world will be opened up for you, and you will compete for it as those before you competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 3158)
“O people, fear Allah regarding prayer. Fear Allah regarding prayer.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith no. 5156)
“O people, fear Allah regarding women. Fear Allah regarding women. Treat them well.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith no. 1218)
“O people, if a servant were given the choice between this world and what is with Allah, he would choose what is with Allah.”
At that moment, Abu Bakr (RA) began to weep and said:
“O Messenger of Allah, we would ransom you with our fathers, our mothers, our children, our wealth, and ourselves!”
The people looked at Abu Bakr because he had spoken while the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam was speaking. But the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam supported him and said:
“O people, leave Abu Bakr alone. There is no one among you who has favored me except that I have repaid him — except Abu Bakr. I cannot repay him; his reward is with Allah. Close all the doors leading to the mosque except the door of Abu Bakr.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 466)
Then he made supplication for the Ummah:
“May Allah protect you, may Allah grant you firmness, may Allah grant you victory.”
He ended his speech by giving salam upon his Ummah and was taken back to his house.
While he was there, Abdur Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (RA) entered holding a miswak. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam looked at it but was too weak to ask for it. Aisha understood his glance. She took the miswak, softened it in her mouth, and gently placed it in the mouth of the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 4451)
Later she said:
“The last thing that entered the stomach of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam was my saliva mixed with the miswak. This was a special blessing from Allah for me.”
Then Fatimah (RA) entered. She began to cry when she saw him, for whenever she used to come before, he would stand up and kiss her forehead. The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam whispered something in her ear, and she cried even more. Then he whispered something again, and she smiled.
After the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam passed away, she was asked about this. She said:
“He first told me, ‘Tonight I will pass away,’ and I cried. Then he said, ‘You will be the first of my family to join me,’ and I smiled.”
Aisha (RA) said: The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam rested his head on my chest, raised his hand toward the sky, and said:
“Rather, the Highest Companion… rather, the Highest Companion.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 4437)
Then I understood that he had chosen his Lord.
After that, Jibril (AS) came and said:
“O Messenger of Allah, the Angel of Death is at the door and is seeking permission to enter. He has never sought permission from anyone before you.”
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said, “Allow him to enter.”
The Angel of Death entered and said:
“Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah. Allah has sent me to give you the choice between remaining in this world or meeting your Lord.”
The Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said:
“Rather, the meeting with my Lord.”
The Angel of Death then said:
“O pure soul of Muhammad ibn Abdullah, depart toward the pleasure and satisfaction of Allah.”
Aisha (RA) said:
“The hand of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam fell down, and his head became heavy upon my chest. Then I understood that he had passed away.”
She went outside and announced:
“The Messenger of Allah has passed away. The Messenger of Allah has passed away.”
And the entire city of Madinah broke down in tears.
May blessings and peace be bestowed upon Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and upon his family, just as they were bestowed upon Ibrahim and his family. Indeed, He is Praiseworthy and Glorious.