Understanding what happened after Prophet Muhammad’s death is crucial for appreciating a significant period in Islamic history. The events surrounding his passing, the deep sorrow of the Sahaba (companions), and Abu Bakr’s leadership mark a pivotal moment.
The Immediate Grief Following the Prophet’s Passing
Upon the demise of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), immense grief enveloped the Muslim community. Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) expressed her sorrow with poignant words:
“O my father! How close you are to your Lord!
O, one who has answered your Lord’s call!
O, father, whose abode is the Paradise of Firdaus!
O, father, whose death was announced by Gabriel!”
Her grief reflected the deep connection and love the companions held for the Prophet. Even after his burial, Anes (may Allah be pleased with him) was questioned:
“How could your heart consent to throwing earth upon the Prophet?”
Anes responded with humility, explaining that they acted out of obedience despite their profound sadness. The Mescid filled with weeping Muslims, and Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) strongly cautioned against declaring anyone dead before proper confirmation.
Abu Bakr’s Historic Speech After the Prophet’s Demise
Upon hearing the news, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) immediately mounted his camel and rushed to Medina. He unveiled the Prophet’s face, then covered it, kissing it while expressing profound grief:
“By God, the Messenger of God has died! Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (To Allah we belong and to Him we return)! O my father, my mother be sacrificed for you! I swear by God that He will not cause you pain twice! You have died once, and the passage of death is behind you! There is no more death for you after this! Woe is me, my Prophet!”
He then raised his head and said, “Woe to my friend!” and kissed the Prophet’s forehead. “Woe to my beloved, my chosen one!” he continued, kissing him again, and adding:
“You were beautiful in your life, you are beautiful in your death! Your life and death are both beautiful.” After covering the Prophet’s face, he addressed the assembled people.
Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) was still proclaiming that the Prophet had not died. Abu Bakr interrupted him, saying, “Sit down, Omar!” Omar refused to comply, so Abu Bakr repeated his command and began to speak:
“God has informed the Prophet of his death among you. He has also informed you that you will die. The Messenger of God has died! Let no one say, ‘Muhammad is dead!’ For whoever says it has disobeyed me! The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) did not die as Moses (peace be upon him) fainted. God Most High says:
“Muhammed is but a messenger; messengers have passed away before him. Will you, when disaster strikes you, grieve over what befell the Messenger of God more than over those who died in your presence? It is more fitting that you show compassion and humility to God.” (Al-Imran 3:144)
Upon hearing this verse, people became convinced of the Prophet’s death. Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) recounted how he had never realized the meaning of this verse until Abu Bakr recited it.
The Companions’ Profound Sorrow
The passing of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought immense sorrow to his companions. They cherished him above all else. Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) described the night of his death:
“We were gathered around the Prophet, weeping. We did not sleep that night. We looked at the Prophet in our home for comfort. When we heard digging sounds in the morning, we cried out. The entire community of Medina shook with a single cry. Especially Bilal’s recitation of the adhan, saying ‘I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God,’ while weeping, intensified our sorrow.”
The events following the Prophet’s death highlight the deep love and devotion of his companions and underscore the importance of understanding this critical period in Islamic history. Remembering what happened after Prophet Muhammad’s death serves as a reminder of our own connection to the faith.