Written by: Ghulam Mustafa Amanpuri
The Companions of the Prophet Sayyiduna Salim Ubaid al-Ashja'i (RA) narrates:
During the Prophet's (PBUH) illness, he fainted and then regained consciousness. He inquired if it was time for prayer. It was said, "Yes!" He (PBUH) then said, "Instruct Bilal to call the Adhan and Abu Bakr to lead the prayer for the people." Sayyidah Aisha (RA) replied, "My father is very tender-hearted. When he stands at that place (the prayer mat of the Prophet), he will cry and will not be able to lead the prayer. If you could order someone else, it would be better." The Prophet (PBUH) fainted again and, upon regaining consciousness, repeated, "Instruct Bilal to call the Adhan and Abu Bakr to lead the prayer for the people. You are like the women of Yusuf (AS)." Then Sayyiduna Bilal (RA) was ordered, and he called the Adhan. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (RA) was instructed, and he led the prayer.Afterwards, the Prophet (PBUH) felt some relief and said, "Look for someone to help me (go to the mosque)." Barirah and another man came, and the Prophet (PBUH) took their support and went to the mosque. When Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (RA) saw the Prophet (PBUH), he began to move back (from the prayer mat). The Prophet (PBUH) signaled him to stay in his place until Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (RA) completed the prayer. Then the Prophet (PBUH) passed away.
Sayyiduna Umar (RA) declared, "By Allah! I will not let anyone say that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) has died. Otherwise, I will kill him with my sword." He further said that the people were illiterate, and there was no Prophet among them before the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (implying ignorance still persisted, hence the Prophet could not have died). The people were terrified and said, "O Salim! Go to the companion of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr) and call him." I went to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (RA), who was in his mosque, crying and alarmed. When he saw me, he asked, "Has the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed away?" I replied, "Sayyiduna Umar (RA) is saying that he will kill anyone who mentions the Prophet's death with his sword." Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (RA) said, "Let's go." I went with him. He entered the house where the people had gathered around the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He said, "Make way for me!" The people made way. He approached the Prophet (PBUH), leaned over, kissed him, and then recited the verse from the Quran:
“Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die.” (Az-Zumar: 30/39)
(O Prophet! Surely you are to die, and they (the disbelievers) too are to die). Then the people asked, "O Companion of the Messenger of Allah! Has the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed away?" He replied, "Yes!" The people then believed he was speaking the truth. They asked, "O Companion of the Messenger of Allah! Should the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) be prayed over?" He replied, "Yes!" They asked, "How?" He replied, "Some people will enter (the chamber of Aisha) and say Allahu Akbar, send blessings and peace, and pray, then they will leave. Others will enter, say Allahu Akbar, send blessings and peace, and pray, and leave, until (everyone) has entered." The people asked, "O Companion of the Messenger of Allah! Should the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) be buried?" He replied, "Yes!" They asked, "Where?" He replied, "In the place where Allah took his soul, because Allah took his soul in a noble place." They knew he was speaking the truth. Then he ordered that the Prophet (PBUH) be washed by his family members.
The Muhajireen gathered for consultation and said, "Let's go to our Ansari brothers so that we include them in this matter." The Ansar said, "One leader from us and one from you." Sayyiduna Umar ibn Khattab (RA) then said, "Who has a virtue like these three virtues? Who has an excellence like this one?
“When they were in the cave, and he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.’” (At-Tawbah: 40/9)
, (You are the second of two when they were in the cave, when he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.') Who are these two? Then he extended his hand and pledged allegiance, and all the people pledged a beautiful and excellent allegiance.
(Shama'il al-Tirmidhi: 396, Musnad Abd bin Humayd: 365, Al-Sunan al-Kubra (Book of Death) by Al-Nasa'i: 42, Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 65/7, Dala'il al-Nubuwwah by Al-Bayhaqi: 299/7, and its chain is authentic)
Imam Ibn Khuzaymah (RA) has declared this narration "Sahih" (authentic) (16241, 1541).Hafiz Haythami writes:
"Its narrators are trustworthy."
(Majma' al-Zawa'id: 183/5)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA) writes:
"Its chain is authentic, and its narrators are trustworthy."
(Misbah al-Zujajah: 146/1, Hadith: 1234)
