The demise of Holy Prophet Muhammad
On the 28th of the month of Safar 11 A.H. (632 A.D.) the last Prophet, Prophet Muhammad, departed life in Medina at the age of sixty-three. Archangel Gabriel began conveying the Divine Revelation to the Prophet at the age of forty (609 A.D.). The Prophet started the invitation to Islam from his own home. First, his wife, Khadīja, and his cousin, Ali acknowledged their faith in the Prophet. Though the first call was totally secret, after three years the Prophet declared his prophethood to the public. He invited people to follow the religion of monotheism for thirteen years. He, then immigrated to Medina in 635 A.D. at the age of fifty-three. In Medina, he established such an Islamic government that the English historian, Bosworth Smith, writes, "We do not find in the pages of history a man like Muhammad who performed triple duties at the same time: He founded a nation, a religion and a new government system. Nowhere else we can find such a reformer."[1] Now, after more than 1440 years, his Divine mission is spread all over the world.
The focal point of the teachings of the Prophet was to deliver the human race from the clutches of materialism and lift him spiritually to the highest level of moral excellence. He preached about the Unity of Allah and the compassion towards His creatures. These were the foundations on which the whole ethical structure stands. In the history of mankind, he was the first to grant people the first Charter of Human Rights condemning discrimination on the bases of race, color, religion, sex or financial status. He placed a great deal of emphasis on moral excellence and says,
«إِنَّما بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ مَکارِمَ الْأَخْلاقِ»[2]
"Indeed, I have been sent to bring the ethical codes to their perfection."
His character and conduct, as well, reflected his aforesaid objective. Being the head of a state and a formidable religious power did not hinder him from associating with the poor and the destitute people, inviting them to whatever simple food he preferred for himself. In fact, he was a great divine mercy to people all over the world. Referring to this point, Allah says in the Quran,
﴿وَ ما أَرْسَلْناكَ إِلاَّ رَحْمَةً لِلْعالَمينَ﴾[3]
“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad!] except as a mercy to the worlds.”
The Prophet, returning from his last pilgrimage to Mecca, delivered his historical sermon at Ghadīr-e-Khumm in 10 A.H. (March 16, 632 A.D.) and proclaimed Imam Ali as his successor. Then, after a short illness, he passed into the mercy of Almighty Allah on Monday, the 28th of Safar 11 A.H. (May 632 A.D.) in Medina. According to his will, Imam Ali arranged for his funeral and burial. Hence Imam Ali did the funeral rituals and then offered the ritual Prayer of the Dead for him. The companions, in groups, then would come near the Prophet to offer funeral prayer. Imam Ali buried him in the room where he departed life.[4]
In this regard, Imam Ali says, “...When the Prophet died his head was on my chest, and his (last) breath blew over my palms and I passed it over my face. I performed his (funeral) ablution, may Allāh bless him and his descendants, and the angels helped me. The house and the courtyard were full of them. One party of them was descending and the other was ascending. My ears continually caught their humming voice, as they invoked Allāh's blessing on him, till we buried him in his grave…"[5]
It has been narrated that Lady Fātima (the Prophet’s daughter) took a handful of the soil of her father’s tomb, put it between her eyes, and said,
«مَاذَا عَلَى الْمُشْتَمِّ تُرْبَةَ أَحْمَدٍ
“Indeed! If one who smells the soil of Ahmad’s tomb”
اَنْ لاَ يَشَمَّ مَدَى الزَّمَانِ غَوَالِيَا»
“Shall never smell any perfume anymore!”
«صُبَّتْ عَليَّ مَصَائِبٌ لَوْ اَنَّهَا
“If the misfortunes that have been poured on me”
صُبَّتْ عَلَى الاَيَّامِ صِرْنَ لَيَالِيَا»[6]
“Were poured on days, they should turn to black nights!”
Now, the holy shrine of the Prophet, by a green dome, is a very sacred place for the Muslims of the world. They visit it before or after performing the pilgrimage (al-Hajj).
