The Final Days of the Prophet (PBUH)

During Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) last few days on earth, he gave his final few pieces of advice to the people, clearly indicating that there are no more prophets after him. He asked for the people to worship Allah and follow the five pillars of Islam: salah, prayer, fasting, zakat, and hajj.

The Prophet (PBUH) told his companions that one day Allah will question them on the Prophet’s message. The companions answered that they bear witness that he successfully and honestly delivered the message of Islam to the people. He fulfilled his duties. The Prophet (PBUH) responded by pointing his index finger to the sky and saying three times: Allah is my witness. After he finished his speech, he came down and received the following Ayah from the Quran: {This day I have perfected for you and your religion and completed my favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion}. After hearing this ayah, one of the Prophet’s (PBUH) companions, Omar, cried. When he was questioned why he was crying, he explained that the ayah was so perfect and he knew that it would only go down from here. The Prophet (PBUH) also mentioned that his concern wasn’t that the future Muslims wouldn’t believe in Allah, but that they would continuously compete against one another and become greedy. He went to the graveyard where his companions were buried and asked Allah to forgive them. He knew that Al-fitan/temptation would increase after their time and the future would worsen.

On Monday, the last day of the month Safar, the Prophet (PBUH) attended a funeral in Baqiyah. On his way back, he began to feel ill. He was cared for by his wife Ayisha in her home. On Wednesday, his sickness and fever only worsened; water was poured over him to reduce the high temperatures. The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned to his companions that the people of Christianity and Judaism utilized graveyards as worship areas; he asked them to not follow these practices and restricted praying from taking place at grave sites. After praying Duhr, Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) asked the people if he owed them anything; and if so to speak to him at this time. Allah offered the Prophet (PBUH) to either experience the best of this life and live longer or to go back to Allah. He chose Allah. After that, the Prophet (PBUH) was unable to lead the following prayers at the masjid. The following Monday, as people were praying Fajr behind Abu-Bakr, the Prophet (PBUH) watched them one final time. He smiled, and went back to his room. He gave his final piece of advice to his companions and wife, and reassured his daughter Fatima that she would be the first to follow him. She died soon after. He asked for a miswak to clean his mouth, looked at the ceiling, lifted his finger, and moved his lips as Ayesha listened to him state: Put me with the others that you have blessed. Have mercy on me and forgive me.