It was now the eleventh year since the migration and during the month of Safar the Prophet (sa) decided it was time to settle the unfinished matter at Mutah, in which a legion of the Roman army had joined the northern Syrian Arabs against the Muslims. Despite his youthfulness, the Prophet (sa) appointed Osama, the son of the martyred Zayd, to command the three-thousand strong army of Muslims against the northern tribes.

The Visit to the Cemetery

One night, after preparations for the march were underway, and the army had retired, the Prophet (sa) called upon his attendant, Abu Muwayhibah, who had at one time been sold into slavery but now a free man, saying, "I have been ordered to supplicate for forgiveness for the people in the cemetery, so come with me."

In the stillness of the night they made their way to the cemetery whereupon the Prophet (sa) greeted its inhabitants saying, "Peace be upon you, O people of the graves. Rejoice in your condition, it is much better than that of those who live. Dissension comes as waves following each other upon the darkest night, and each is worse than the last."

Then he spoke to Abu Muwayhibah saying, "I have been offered the keys to the treasures of this world and immortality followed by Paradise, and I have also been given the choice between it and meeting my Lord and Paradise." Abu Muwayhibah could not restrain himself and said, "Take the keys of the treasures of this world with its immortality followed by Paradise." But the Prophet (sa) gently told him, "I have already chosen the meeting with my Lord and Paradise." Then the Prophet (sa) turned towards the graves and supplicated for the forgiveness of their inhabitants.

The Last Illness of the Prophet (sa)

On the anniversary of the attempt to poison the Prophet (sa) he would suffer from its recurring effect and its time had come around once more. It was either the morning after his visit to the cemetery, or a morning shortly thereafter, that the Prophet (sa) experienced an intense headache, the like of which he had never experienced before.

Despite his headache he went to the Mosque and led the congregation in the dawn prayer then climbed the pulpit and supplicated for blessings upon those who had been martyred at Uhud. Then he said, "There is a worshiper among the worshipers of Allah to whom Allah has given the choice between this world and that which is with Him.

The worshiper has chosen that which is with Allah." Abu Bakr, who was in the congregation, was deeply affected by the Prophet's remark and began to weep, for he knew that the worshiper the Prophet (sa) referred to was non other than Prophet Muhammad (sa) himself, and that he would not be with them for much longer.

As Abu Bakr wept, the Prophet (sa) knew that he understood what he had said and said, "O people, the most merciful of men to me in both companionship and generosity is Abu Bakr. If I were to take from all mankind an inseparable companion, it would be Abu Bakr, but companionship and brotherhood in belief is ours until Allah unites us in His Presence."

The Meeting At the Pool

Several homes had been built on to the external wall of the Mosque, and like the apartments of the Prophet's wives, they had doors that opened into the prayer area. As the Prophet (sa) glanced around the Mosque he instructed all the doors except that of Abu Bakr to be walled up.

Before descending from the pulpit the Prophet (sa) spoke once more saying, "I go before you, and I am your witness. Your meeting with me is at the Pool. As I stand here, indeed I see it. I do not fear for you on account of reversion to idolatry, rather, it is the world I fear for you if you seek to vie with one another for its gain." Then the Prophet (sa) left the Mosque and returned to the apartment of Lady Maymunah.

The Prophet's headache worsened as the signs of fever appeared but after having rested for a while he went briefly to Lady Ayesha's apartment to let her know he was unwell. Lady Ayesha was also suffering from a headache and said as the Prophet (sa) entered, "Oh my head!" Whereupon the Prophet (sa) said: "No, Ayesha it is indeed my head."

The Prophet (sa) looked at her gentle face to see if perhaps she too was suffering from a life threatening sickness but could see no sign then said, "Would that it might be whilst I am alive, so that I might ask forgiveness for you and supplicate for mercy upon you, then shroud and pray over you, then bury you."

Lady Ayesha had never heard the Prophet (sa) speak like this before and when she looked at is face she could see he was very unwell but tried to make light of the situation and brought a smile to his face. Then he repeated, "No, it is indeed my head," and returned to Lady Maymunah's apartment. When the Prophet (sa) was in good health, Lady Ayesha heard him say, "A Prophet never dies until he as been shown his place in Paradise and is then given the option to live or die."

And when she learned of the Prophet's brief sermon that morning she knew that he would not be with her for much longer. Despite the worsening of his illness, Prophet Muhammad (sa) continued to led his congregation in prayer. As is sickness intensified he offered the prayer in the sitting position and told the congregation to do likewise.

The Prophet (sa) was now so weak and exhausted that when he returned to the apartment of the wife in whose turn it was asked, "Where am I tomorrow, and where the next day?" so his wife told him. His wife sensed that he wished to be in Lady Ayesha's apartment and called her co-wives together who went to him saying, "O Messenger of Allah, we have given our days with you to our sister Ayesha." The Prophet (sa) gratefully accepted their loving kindness and with the assistance of Abbas and Ali, the Prophet (sa) was helped to Lady Ayesha's apartment.

Osama, Commander of the Army

As the Prophet (sa) lay in his feverish state in Lady Ayesha’s apartment, word reached him that preparations for the army's march now under the command of Osama had slowed down. Despite his suffering, the Prophet (sa) felt the necessity to confirm Osama's position, so he asked his wives to bring seven skins of water, each from a different well, and for the water to be poured over him.

Lady Hafsa fetched a tub and he sat in it while the water was poured gently over him to reduce his fever. His wives dressed him and wrapped cloth around his head and with two of his companions supporting him he went into the Mosque and sat down upon the pulpit then said, "O people, dispatch Osama with his army. You question his leadership as you questioned his father's before him, yet he is worthy to take command, just as his father was."

Then, with the help of his companions the Prophet (sa) was assisted back to Lady Ayesha's apartment. Preparations for the march resumed in earnest and soon after they were ready to march. Osama led the army out of Medina but just three miles outside the City limits, at a placed called Jurf, he called upon them to halt and strike camp.

Abu Bakr Leads the Prayer

It was time for the next prayer to be offered but the Prophet was no longer able to lead the prayer, not even from the sitting position. The Prophet (sa) told his wives to ask Abu Bakr to lead the prayer. Lady Ayesha said, "O Messenger of Allah (sa), Abu Bakr is a very tender-hearted man, his voice is not strong and is given to weeping when he recites the Koran," and suggested that perhaps Omar should lead the prayer. However, the Prophet (sa) insisted upon Abu Bakr.

Lady Ayesha glanced at Lady Hafsa to try to enlist her help, but the Prophet (sa) would not hear of it and said, "You are like the women that were with Joseph. Inform Abu Bakr that he is to lead the prayer. Let those who wish to blame find fault and let the ambitious aspire. Allah and the believers will not have it otherwise," and he repeated the last sentence three times, whereupon Abu Bakr led the prayer for the remaining days of his illness.

The Time of Departure

All the wives of the Prophet (sa) comforted and tenderly cared for the Prophet. When visitors entered they would often find him with his head cradled upon Lady Ayesha's lap or propped up so that he rested against her chest. The Prophet's beloved daughter, Lady Fatima, was a constant visitor and upon her arrival Lady Ayesha would withdraw so that they could spend some time alone together.

On one such occasion the Prophet (sa) called Lady Fatima to his side and told her something in secret that caused her to weep. Then he spoke to her again with comforting words and she began to laugh. After his soul had been taken from him, and it became obligatory that his words should not be concealed, Lady Ayesha asked what the Prophet (sa) had said to her that caused her to weep then laugh, she said, "I wept when he told me he was about to die from his illness, but when he told me I would be the first of his family to join him, I became happy and laughed."

Al Mahdi, the Guided Leader, the Restorer of the Islamic Religion

Ali, Lady Fatima's husband was another frequent visitor to the Prophet (sa) during this time. One day as he entered the room he found his wife crying as she sat beside her father, and the Messenger of Allah (sa) raised his tired eyes to look up at her and asked, "O Fatima, what makes you cry?" She replied, "I fear the loss after you."

With gentleness of voice he said, "Don't you know that Allah, the Mighty, the Glorified, looked to the earth once and chose your father and sent him with His Message; then He looked once more to the earth and chose your husband and made known to me that I should let you marry him? O Fatima, we are the Dwellers of a House, and Allah has given us seven merits which He never gave to anyone else before, and they will not be given to anyone after us."

Then, referring to the descendants of his grandsons, Hasan and Husain, he said, ‘By He who sends me with the truth, amongst both of them is Al Mahdi of this nation. When life is full of murder and strife, and trials increase, and roads are blocked, and people start to attack one another, and the elderly are not merciful to the young, nor the young merciful to the old, Allah, the Mighty, the Glorified, will send from them (Hasan and Husain) at the end of time, one who will open the fortress of error, and open hearts that have been sealed, then restore the Religion as I established it in the beginning. He will fill the world with justice to the extent that it has been filled with oppression."

Osama's Return to Medina

Osama could not bear to leave the Prophet (sa) in such condition so he returned to Medina to visit him. As he entered the room, he found the Prophet (sa) to be conscious, but too ill to speak. Osama bent over and kissed him whereupon the Prophet (sa) raised his hand, with his palm facing upwards in supplication for blessings upon Osama, Osama felt it would be the last time he would see the Prophet (sa) in this life and left with great sadness to return to the camp.

The next day, Monday, 12th of Rabi 1, the Prophet's fever eased, and although he was extremely weak he summoned all his energy and was assisted to the Mosque by Thawban and Fadl. The dawn prayer had already commenced and when the congregation realized he was amongst them they were overjoyed.

As he saw them at prayer his face shone with great happiness in a way that Anas was heard to say later on, "I have never seen the Prophet's face more beautiful than it was at that hour." Abu Bakr, who was leading the prayer, sensed his presence and so without turning his head, which would annul the prayer, he stepped back for the Prophet (sa) to continue its leadership.

However, the Prophet (sa) placed his hand on his shoulder and nudged him to resume whilst he seated himself by his side and offered his prayer with him. After the prayer, the Prophet (sa) remained for sometime in the Mosque and the congregation rejoiced as they thought his condition had taken a turn for the better. Soon after Osama, who was so very worried about the Prophet's condition, returned to Medina yet again and was overjoyed to see that he was able to pray once again in the Mosque.

The Prophet (sa) told Osama: "Go forth, with the blessings of Allah." Whereupon Osama greeted him with peace then took his leave with a cheerful heart and ordered his army to prepare themselves to resume the march. Fadl and Thawban helped the Prophet (sa) to return to Lady Ayesha's room whilst Ali and Abbas followed them, however, the Prophet (sa) was very tired and so they did not stay long.

As they left the apartment, anxious inquirers asked after the Prophet's health, whereupon Ali replied, "Praise be to Allah, he is better." However, Abbas had noticed a certain look upon the Prophet's face and told Ali: 'By Allah, in three days, you will be governed by some one else. And by Allah, I feel that the Messenger of Allah (sa) will die from this sickness, for I know the look of death upon the face of the children of Abdul Muttalib. Let us go to him and ask who is to receive the caliphate. If it is given to us we will know what to do, but if it is given to someone else we will inform him so that he may tell the new caliph to take care of us."

But Ali remembered how in the past when people had asked the Prophet (sa) for a position he would refuse so he replied, "By Allah, if we ask the Messenger of Allah (sa) for it and he refuses to give it to us, the people will never give it to us after that. By Allah, I will not ask the Messenger of Allah (sa) for it." Meanwhile, Abdur Rahman, Lady Ayesha's brother had entered the apartment to visit the Prophet (sa) and in his hand was his "siwak", which is part of the root of a tree, splayed at the end for use as a toothbrush.

Lady Ayesha knew how much the Prophet (sa) loved his teeth to be clean so she asked Abdur Rahman if she might use it. Abdur Rahman nodded and she softened the splayed ends then cleaned his teeth. With great respect, the Angel of Death appeared to the Prophet (sa) and asked his permission to take away his precious soul, whereupon he gave his permission. Never before or after this time has the Angel of Death ever asked anyone for their permission to take away their soul. The throes of death were evident upon his face as he dipped his hand into a jug of water then rubbed his wetted hand over his face uttering the words, "There is no god except Allah, death has its agonies." Then he lapsed into a state of unconsciousness for a while and as he regained consciousness for the last time he gazed upwards towards the ceiling and raised his hands saying, "O Allah, with the highest companion," until he could no longer raise them as the angels gently took away his very precious soul.

The last Prophet and Messenger of Allah (sa) had passed away at the age of sixty-three. Immense sadness descended upon the household and his wives began to weep, as, with tender loving care, Lady Ayesha laid his head gently down upon the pillow and covered him with a cloak. It was indeed the saddest occasion ever known and so Allah in His Mercy sent angels to comfort his beloved family. Later, Lady Ayesha was heard to say concerning the severity of his pangs of death, "After having seen those of the Prophet (sa), I have never disliked seeing those of anyone else."

Osama's Return

When it became apparent that the Messenger of Allah (sa) had reached the final throes of death, Umm Ayman sent word to Osama of his condition. The army had already broken camp and were on the point of marching northward, but as soon as Osama received the news he ordered their return to Medina.

Several of the more senior companions were with Osama amongst whom was Omar who found it difficult to accept the fact that the Prophet (sa) would die before them. Omar had misunderstood a verse in the Koran and thought that the Prophet (sa) would outlive not only his generation but generations yet unborn.

Upon his arrival in Medina he went directly to the Mosque and addressed the heart-broken congregation, who were for the most part Muhajir, assuring them that the Prophet (sa) was only absent in spirit and would return.

Abu Bakr Learns of the Prophet's Death

Meanwhile, the news of the Prophet's passing had just reached Abu Bakr, who had been visiting his new wife Habiba, whereupon he jumped upon his horse and rode straight to Lady Ayesha's apartment. Upon his arrival he gently drew back the cloak covering the Prophet's face and kissed him saying, "Dearer than my father and mother, you have tasted death which Allah has decreed for you. Death will never overtake you again."

Then, with sadness of heart, he gently covered his blessed face, and went into the Mosque where Omar was still speaking with great passion. As Abu Bakr approached Omar he said, "Gently, Omar. Hear what I have to say.'

But Omar continued, then, when the congregation saw that Abu Bakr had something to say, they turned towards him to listen. Before Abu Bakr began to speak he exalted Allah then said, "O people, whosoever was inclined to worship Muhammad -- in truth Muhammad is dead, but whosoever worships Allah, in truth Allah is Alive and does not die." Then he recited verses from the Koran:

"Muhammad is not except a Messenger; Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed will you turn about on your heels? And he who turns on his heels will not harm Allah a thing. Allah will recompense the thankful." (Koran 3:144)

The verse comforted the believers, who, until that moment although the verse was well known, had not recalled it during this time of grief. When Omar heard this verse he was so overcome that his knees weakened and he fell to the ground as he accepted the fact that the Prophet (sa) had been taken from them. Whilst Abu Bakr and Omar were in the Mosque, Talha and Zubair returned with Ali to his home to mourn their loss.

A Matter of Succession

Meanwhile the Ansars, had met together in their assembly room to share their grief and the matter of their leadership arose. Several expressed their opinion that they, the Ansars, should have authority over the tribes now that the Prophet (sa) was no longer with them.

When news of the discussion reached Abu Bakr, Omar encouraged Abu Bakr to go with him and Ubayda to the assembly room. As they entered one of the Ansars had started to address the assembly on behalf of himself and his tribe. He had started by exalting Allah and had just said, "We are the Ansars, helpers of Allah, the fighters of Islam," then he saw the three and continued saying, "and you, the Muhajir, the emigrants, are like us for a number of your people have settled amongst us," and continued to praise both parties, however the speech failed to recognize the very special position the Muhajirs held for amongst them were not only relatives of the Prophet (sa) whom he had praised and supplicated for, but also those who had been the first followers of the Prophet (sa) and sacrificed everything they owned in order to follow him.

It was evident to Abu Bakr and his companions that if they were left to elect their own leader then other tribes would do likewise. The result would be that the unity of Muslims would begin to unravel, and that there would no longer be one, overall authoritative leader, caliph, to whom all would be obliged to follow but many -- the result of such a situation is apparent in the demise of Muslims today.

The Ansar had finished his speech and Omar wanted to speak but Abu Bakr gestured to him to refrain and spoke to the assembly in a way that was both tactful but firm. He reminded them that Islam had spread throughout Arabia and was no longer limited just to Mecca and Medina, and that Arabs from other parts of Arabia would not accept a leader other than a Koraysh.

He concluded his speech by taking hold of the hands of his two companions and raising them saying, "I offer you your choice of these two men, give your allegiance to whichever one of these you will." Whereupon one of the Ansars suggested that there should be two authorities. Omar spoke saying, "O Ansars, don't you realize that the Messenger of Allah (sa) ordered Abu Bakr to lead the prayer?" and they replied that they did, "then," continued Omar, "which of you will take precedence over him?" Until that moment they had not considered the importance of Abu Bakr leading the prayer whereupon in one voice they said, "May Allah forbid that we take precedence over him!" and the matter of the caliphate was determined as Omar caught hold of Abu Bakr's hand and pledged allegiance to him.

Omar's companion followed his initiative, then others of the Muhajir, who had by then joined them, pledged their allegiance followed by the Ansars. The following morning, before Abu Bakr led the prayer he sat upon the pulpit whilst Omar got up and addressed the congregation inviting them to pledge their allegiance to Abu Bakr, of whom he referred to as being the best among them, the Companion of the Messenger of Allah, and the second of the two in the cave.

With the exception of Ali, who did so later, all stepped forward and pledged their allegiance to Abu Bakr. After the allegiance had been taken, Abu Bakr exalted Allah and thanked Him, then addressed the congregation saying, "I have been given authority over you. However, I am not the best of you. If I do well, help me; but if I do wrong, correct me. Since regard for truth is loyalty, whereas disregard for truth is treachery. Allah willing, those who are weak amongst you will be supported by me until I have secured your rights. Allah willing, the strong among you shall be weak with me until I have exacted the rights of others. Obey me as long as I obey Allah and His Messenger (sa), but, if I disobey Allah and His Messenger (sa), you do not owe obedience to me. Arise now for prayer, may Allah have mercy upon you."

The Place of Rest

It was time for the Prophet (sa) to be laid to rest, however, the companions were uncertain how they should best prepare him, for he was not like ordinary men. Then, Allah in His Mercy caused a deep slumber to overtake them in which each heard a voice saying, "Wash the Prophet (sa) with his garment upon him."

When they awoke they told each other of the voice and were happy to know that they had all heard the same instruction so they went to Lady Ayesha's apartment where he lay to give him his final bath. When they reached Lady Ayesha's apartment, Aws, Khawli's son from the tribe of Khazraj pleaded with Ali to let him represent the Ansars.

Ali agreed and he entered with them. Abbas and his sons Fadl and Kitham helped Ali to turn his body whilst Osama, assisted by Shukran and the attendant of the Prophet (sa) poured the warmed water over him. The Prophet (sa) had passed away wearing a long woolen robe and now that it had been wetted, Ali gently rubbed his hand over it and as he did he said, "Dearer than my father and my mother, how excellent you are in both life and death," and the Prophet (sa) appeared to all who saw him just as if he was asleep.

The matter now arose as to where he should be laid to rest. Some thought that it should be near the graves of his daughters and his son Abraham, whilst others where of the opinion that he should be buried in the Mosque. The matter was resolved when Abu Bakr told them that he had heard the Prophet (sa) once say, "No Prophet dies except he is buried where he died." Whereupon a grave was dug in the floor of Lady Ayesha's room near the bed on which he lay. As the Prophet (sa) was being covered by earth, Lady Fatima said, "How can you reconcile yourselves, pouring dust over the Messenger of Allah (sa)?"

Grief engulfed the City, even Yazid, the Prophet's donkey missed his caring master so much that he pined himself away, then jumped into a well where he died. As the Prophet (sa) had prophesied, Lady Fatima joined him but a few months later.

Ali gave his allegiance to Abu Bakr saying, "We are well aware of your position and what Allah has given you. It is not on account of jealousy or of any benefit He has caused to befall you, rather, it was because the matter was decided without consultation, thereby leaving us with no option. We felt that we had some claim on account of our nearness in kinship to the Messenger of Allah (sa)."

When Abu Bakr heard these touching words his eyes overflowed with tears and said, "By Him in whose hand is my soul, I would rather that all should be well between me and the family of the Messenger of Allah (sa) than between me and my own family." That same morning at the time of the mid-day prayer, Ali pledged his allegiance to Abu Bakr in the Mosque for all to witness, and all was well.