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Three or four times ‘Aishah talked to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to exempt Abu Bakr from
leadership in prayer lest people should despair of him, but he refused and said:
·
“You (women) are like the women who tried to entice Joseph (Yusuf) into immorality.
Convey my request to Abu Bakr to lead the prayer.”
A DAY OR TWO PRIOR TO DEATH:
On Saturday or on Sunday, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) felt that he was well enough to
perform the prayer; so he went out leaning on two men in order to perform the noon prayer. Abu
Bakr, who was then about to lead the prayer withdrew when he saw him coming; but the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) made him a gesture to stay where he was and said: “Seat me next to him.”
They seated him on the left hand side of Abu Bakr. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) led the prayer,
and Abu Bakr followed him and raised his voice at every ‘
Allâhu Akbar’
(i.e. Allâh is the Greatest)
the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, so that the people may hear clearly.
A DAY BEFORE HIS DEATH:
On Sunday, a day before he died, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) set his slaves free, paid as a
charity the seven Dinars he owned and gave his weapons as a present to the Muslims. So when
night fell ‘Aishah had to borrow some oil from her neighbour to light her oil-lantern.
Even his armour was mortgaged as a security with a Jew for thirty
Sa‘
(a cubic measure) of barley.
THE LAST DAY ALIVE:
In a narration by Anas bin Malik, he said: “While the Muslims were performing the dawn prayer on
Monday — led by Abu Bakr, they were surprised to see the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him)
raising the curtain of ‘Aishah’s room. He looked at them while they were praying aligned properly
and smiled cheerfully. Seeing him, Abu Bakr withdrew to join the lines and give way to him to lead
the prayer. For he thought that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) wanted to go out and pray.” Anas
said: “The Muslims, who were praying, were so delighted that they were almost too enraptured at
their prayers. The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) made them a gesture to continue their
prayer, went into the room and drew down the curtain.”
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) did not live for the next prayer time.
When it was daytime, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) called Fatimah and told her something in a
secret voice that made her cry. Then he whispered to her something else which made her laugh.
‘Aishah enquired from her after the Prophet’s death, as to this weeping and laughing to which
Fatimah replied: “The first time he disclosed to me that he would not recover from his illness and I
wept. Then he told me that I would be the first of his family to join him, so I laughed.”
He gave Fatimah glad tidings that she would become the lady of all women of the world.
Fatimah witnessed the great pain that afflicted her father. So she said: “What great pain my father
is in!”. To these words, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) remarked:
·
“He will not suffer any more when today is over.”
He asked that Al-Hasan and Al-Husain be brought to him. He kissed them and recommended that
they be looked after. He asked to see his wives. They were brought to him. He preached them and
told them to remember Allâh. Pain grew so much severe that the trace of poison he had at Khaibar
came to light. It was so sore that he said to ‘Aishah: “I still feel the painful effect of that food I
tasted at Khaibar. I feel as if death is approaching.” He ordered the people to perform the prayers
and be attentive to slaves. He repeated it several times.
THE PROPHET BREATHES HIS LAST:
When the pangs of death started, ‘Aishah leant him against her. She used to say: One of Allâh’s
bounties upon me is that the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) died in my house, while I am
still alive. He died between my chest and neck while he was leaning against me. Allâh has mixed his
saliva with mine at his death. For ‘Abdur Rahman — the son of Abu Bakr — came in with a
Siwak
(i.e. the root of a desert plant used for brushing teeth) in his hand, while I was leaning the
Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) against me. I noticed that he was looking at the
Siwak
, so I
asked him — for I knew that he wanted it — “Would you like me to take it for you?” He nodded in
agreement. I took it and gave it to him. As it was too hard for him, I asked him “Shall I soften it for
you?” He nodded in agreement. So I softened it with my saliva and he passed it (on his teeth).
In another version it is said: “So he brushed (
Istanna
) his teeth as nice as he could.” There was a
water container (
Rakwa
) available at his hand with some water in. He put his hand in it and wiped
his face with it and said:
·
“There is no god but Allâh. Death is full of agonies.”
As soon as he had finished his
Siwak
brushing, he raised his hand or his finger up, looked upwards
to the ceiling and moved his lips. So ‘Aishah listened to him. She heard him say: “With those on
whom You have bestowed Your Grace with the Prophets and the Truthful ones (
As-Siddeeqeen
), the
martyrs and the good doers. O Allâh, forgive me and have mercy upon me and join me to the
Companionship on high.” Then at intervals he uttered these words: “The most exalted
Companionship on high. To Allâh we turn and to Him we turn back for help and last abode.” This
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