05-27-2006, 06:02 PM
Praise be to Allah, Owner of the kingdom, Creator of the Skies and Earth and what is within, prayer and peace be upon His Messenger Mohamed Ibn Abdullah, his household and companions, prayer and peace be on all the Prophets and Messengers.
I seek Allah’s close guidance to convey what I feel about the coming Ayah:
“<b>Verily, you (O Muhammad) will die and verily, they (too) will die.” (Quran 39:30)</b>
When you recite the above noble Ayah, and ponder about the situation that followed the death of the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam. Actually, if you contemplate on the last sermon he delivered during Haj, when he recited “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” (Quran 5:3),
only Abu Bakr realized the implication and cried. He realized that it is only a matter of time before the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam departs this world to the Hereafter. Again he cried when the Messenger, during his final illness after returning from the farewell Haj, was hardly able to go out for prayer, he suffered serious fever that he asked them to pour 7 buckets of water over him to be able to go out and pray. Then he gave them a number of advices including the importance to maintain salah. Then he told the gathering that there was a devotee of Allah Whom Allah Gave the choice between Dunia and the Hereafter and what Allah Has, and he chose what Allah Has. Again only Abu Bakr realized the implication that he was referring to himself, usually the companions used to maintain full silence when the Messenger salla Allah a`lyhee wa sallam spoke, but Abu Bakr couldn’t control himself and said we sacrifice ourselves for you O Messenger of Allah. They were surprised that he interrupted him.
But let us move and see how he behaved when the death occurred.
Aesha said: that he was leaning over her chest when she saw that his hand fell off and his head became heavy on her chest. She said I realized he passed away. She continued: I didn’t know what to do. I went outside the room to the Masjed where the companions were present and announced that the Messenger of Allah died three times. The whole gathering broke into tears, Ali Ibn Abi Taleb was standing up and fell seated due to the grave news, and Othman Ibn A`ffan became like a child waving his hands to the right and left. As for Omar, he draw out his sword and said: Messenger of Allah shall not die till Allah Eliminates the hypocrites, he kept warning one who says that he died to chop his head. When people were uncertain about the death of the Messenger, they went to Abu Bakr’s house to call him in. He came and uncovered his face, kissed him and made dua for him. Then he went out for people, he commanded Omar to sit down, he didn’t. He only stopped and sat down when Abu Bakr started talking saying after praising Allah, O people one who worshiped Mohamed, Mohamed is dead, and one who worshiped Allah, Allah Is Living Eternally and Does not dies, Allah Say: “Verily, you (O Muhammad) will die and verily, they (too) will die”
“Muhammad is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah, and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful.” (Quran 3:144)
People broke into crying. Omar said: Wallahi only when I heart Abu Bakr reciting it that I realized that this is the truth. I felt that my feet are unable to hold me up and fell to the floor. I realized that the Messenger of Allah died.
Just ponder on the situation and see how Abu Bakr, who was known of his very soft heart compared with Omar who was known of his strong heart and firm positions. At this grave serious situation, Abu Bakr Sobhan Allah was the only one who handled it as firmly and wisely as possible reminding the gathering with the Ayah for them to accept the calamity befell them. No wonder, Allah Inspired Omar may Allah Be pleased with all of them (this is my own viewpoint when looking deeply into this situation) to call the people and encourage them to accept Abu Bakr as Khalifah. Wallahu a`lam.
