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The Sealed Nectar

 The Sealed Nectar by Shaykh Safi ur-Rahman

After the religion brought by the Prophet (peace be upon him) had been made perfect and complete, God set down the revelation:

 

This day I have perfected your religion, completed my favors upon you, and declared Islam as your Religion

 

[SURAH Al-Maaidah:3]

 

The Prophet of God (peace be upon him) had delivered the message truthfully. He had spared no pains nor did any hardship or sacrifice shake him. He had brought up the people who could be trusted to live up to the spiritual heritage of the prophets of God ('alaihimus sallam), who could shoulder the heavy responsibility of carrying the banner of Faith and Truth and to guard the message of God against every interpolation and mutation. God had even affirmed that they were capable of the obligation laid on them in the Quranic verse that says,

 

Ye are the best community that hath been raised-up for mankind, ye enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency; and ye believe in Allah.

 

[Surah Aali-'Imraan 110]

 

The Quran contained Gods pure and holy truth, the source of inspiration and conviction to these people, which enjoyed the assurance of God from being eclipsed or from undergoing any corruption in its text.

 

Verily We reveal the Reminder, and verily We are its Guardian.

 

[Surah Al-Hijr 9]

 

On the other hand, Gods help and victory came to invigorate the Prophet (peace be upon him) who saw the people entering the religion of God in large numbers. Delegations from Arab tribes followed one after another in rapid succession to pledge their allegiance to him. The lightning speed or the geometric growth, with which Islam gained converts, promised its victory over all religions of the world. Even God in Surah an-Nasr made an allusion to the rapid success of Islam.

 

When Allahs succor and the triumph cometh And thou seest mankind entering the religion of Allah in troops. Then hymn the praises of thy Lord, and seek forgiveness of Him. Lo! He is ever ready to show mercy.

 

[Surah An-Nasr 1-3]

 

RECITATION OF THE QURAN AND DEVOTIONAL EXERCISE

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to retreat into his mosque for private devotions during the last ten days of Ramadan, but during the last Ramadan of his life he had secluded himself for twenty days. (Bukhari, Kitab ul-A'itika)

 

The Quran used to be reviewed by the Prophet (peace be upon him) with Jibreel (Gabriel) once annually during Ramadan, but this was done twice in the year which he died. The Prophet (peace be upon him) at such a time told his companions that he had some vibrations or strong feelings that the time of his departure from the world was drawing near.(Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Manaqib)

 

That no man has ever had the glowing desire to meet the Lord as possessed by the Prophet (peace be upon him), and Allah now gave him permission to quit the fleeting world.

 

The companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) held him dear like the apple of ones eye. His death was thus a shock more terrible than what they could be expected to endure. But God had in His infinite wisdom prepared them afore for that unprecedented heartache. The rumor about the Prophet's (peace be upon him) death had been circulated around in the battle of Uhud, but later on it came out that God had still not deprived them of the blessed companionship of His Prophet (peace be upon him). Yet none of them had regarded the Prophet (peace be upon him) as immortal for they knew that he would have to leave this world sooner or later. It was on this occasion that the revelation was sent down by God to forewarn Muslims. As the Quran says,

 

Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back doth not hurt Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful. [Surah Aali-'Imraan 144]

 

The earliest Muslims had been guided, trained and set right by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Their hearts were harmonized with God and they were all put in harness at the great task of spreading the message of Islam to the farthest corners of the world. And they never had any doubt that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would one day be summoned by the Lord in order to be recompensed for the greatest service rendered by him in humanity. The verse: When Allahs succor and the triumph cometh, had convinced the companions that it was but the first announcement of the Prophets approaching departure from their midst. They were fully conscious of the fact that reference to the help and victory coming from God signified completion of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) mission. (81)

 

Then, when the revelation came, This day have I perfected your religion, a number of eminent companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) were led to believe that the time for his final summons was drawing near. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p. 427)

 

ARDENT DESIRE FOR PROXIMITY TO GOD

 

After his return from the farewell pilgrimage, a number of things done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicated that he was approaching the journeys end (82) and he was now making preparations for meeting the Companion Most High'. Eight years after the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed over those who were slain there like one who was bidding farewell to the living and the dead. He then mounted the pulpit and said, I am one who goes before you and I shall be a witness to you. Your appointed place is at the Haud-I-Kauthar (83) where I find myself standing. I have been given the keys of the treasure of the earth, and I do not fear for you that you would become polytheists after I am gone, but I fear lest you should long for worldly things and strike each other's necks.

 

BEGINNING OF THE ILLNESS

 

The sickness of the Prophet (peace be upon him) began shortly before the end of Safar.(84) Late in one night, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to the cemetery of Madinah, known as Jannatul Baqi, where he prayed for the dead and returned to his house. The next morning his ailment began. (85)

 

Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) relates that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) returned from the Jannatul Baqi he was suffering from a headache and was muttering, O my head. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Nay, O my head! Aisha, O my head! (86) His pain increased. Then, in the house of Maymuna the Prophet (peace be upon him) called his wives (radiallahu 'anhun) and asked their permission to be nursed in the house of Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her). All of them agreed and the Prophet (peace be upon him) came out walking supported by Fad b. Abbas and Ali (May Allah be pleased with themaa). He had a cloth bound on his head and his feet were dragging as he came to the house of Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her). (Bukhari, Chap. Mard-un-Nabi)

 

Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) tells that during the illness from which the Prophet (peace be upon him) never recovered he told her, Aisha, I still feel pain from the food I took at Khaybar, now I feel my aorta being cut because of it."

 

THE LAST ARMY

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) summoned Usama b. Zayd (radiallahu 'ahu) and asked him to lead an army to Syria. He ordered him to take his cavalry into the borders of Balqa and Darum in the land of Palestine.(Ibn HIsham, Vol. II, p. 642)

 

The leading Muhaajirun and the Ansaar and notable companions amongst whom the most eminent was Umar, (May Allah be pleased with them) were enlisted in the army. The Prophet (sallallahu 'aklaihi wa sallam) asked Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) to join the army under Usama (radiallahu 'anhu), which was encamped at Joraf, although his illness had taken a serious turn. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p. 441) Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) sent forward the army under Usama (radiallahu 'anhu) after the death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in order to grant his masters last wishes.

 

KEEN INTEREST IN THE DETACHMENT OF USAMA

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) felt that the people were a bit sluggish in joining the army led by Usama (radiallahu 'anhu). Certain people had even given tongue to express their disapproval of putting a youth in command of a detachment having the best of the Muhaajirun and Ansaar. The Prophet (peace be upon him) came out in spite of his violent and recurrent headache, ascended the pulpit and after glorifying God as becometh his dignity, said, O people, dispatch the army of Usama. You criticize his appointment but you have done the same before about his fathers appointment. He is indeed worthy of the office of commander, as was his father." (87) The Prophet (peace be upon him) descended the pulpit terminating his address, and the people quickly started making preparations for undertaking the journey. The Prophet's (peace be upon him) illness worsened day by day while Usama (radiallahu 'anhu) took his detachment out of Madinah and took up quarters at Joraf about 5 Km. from the city so that others, who are desirous of being enlisted in the army, might join him before his departure. In the meantime, the Prophets (salallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) condition grew worse while Usama (radiallahu 'anhu) and his comrades anxiously awaited the news about him.

 

It was then that the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave out his last two orders. They were to Dispatch the troops in the same way that they had been sending out the detachments earlier and allow no two religions to remain in the Arabian Peninsula chase out all the idolaters from the country.(Bukhari, Mard-un-Nabi)

 

SOLICITUDE FOR THE WELFARE OF MUSLIMS

 

Some of the Prophets companions (May Allah be pleased with them) came to see him during his illness in the house of Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her). He welcomed them and prayed for their guidance on the right path and invoked the help and blessings of God for them. Thereafter he said, I enjoin you to fear God and assign you to His care after me. I am a warner unto you from God. Behold! Never give yourselves to arrogance and vainglory in the habitations of Allahs servants for God has told you and me:

 

"As for the Abode of the Hereafter We assign it unto those who seek not oppression in the earth, nor yet corruption. The sequel is for those who ward off (evil).

 

[Qur'aan 28:83]

 

Then he recited another verse.

 

Is not the home of the scorners in Hell?

 

[Qur'aan 39:60] (88)

 

INDIFFERENCE TO THE WORLD AND WEALTH

 

Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) relates that during his illness, the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) asked her, Aisha, what has happened to those pieces of gold? When she brought five or seven or nine dirham, he took them in his hands and said, How shall I face God with these in my possession? Give these away in charity. (89)

 

ANXIETY FOR THE PRAYERS

 

While the Prophet (peace be upon him) was caught in a debilitating sickness, he inquired, Has everybody offered prayers? Those attending him replied, No, O Prophet of God, they are waiting for you. He asked someone to bring water in a pan. After being served with his request, he took a bath and tried to get up, but fell unconscious. On regaining consciousness after a short while, he again asked, Has everybody offered prayers? They replied, No, O Prophet of God, they are waiting for you. All the people were then sitting silently in the Prophets Mosque for the night prayer. Now Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) was considerate enough and concerned with the prevailing situation that he asked Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) to lead the prayer. Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) however, declined saying that he (Abu Bakr) was more qualified than he was. Thus, Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) led the prayer during the period of the Prophets (peace be upon him) illness.

 

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) felt a bit better he came out taking the help of Abbas and Ali (May Allah be pleased with themaa) for the noon prayer. As soon as Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) came to know of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) arrival, he tried to get back, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) directed him not to leave his place and asked the two who were supporting him to let him take the seat by the side of Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu). Thus, the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed the prayer sitting while Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) kept standing in the prayer.

 

Umm Al-Fadl ibn al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with her) says that she had heard Gods Messenger (peace be upon him) reciting Surah al-Mursalat (77th chapter of the Qur'an) at the sunset prayer. Thereafter he did not lead any prayer until God summoned him to His presence. (Bukhari, Kitab us-Salat)

 

THE VALEDICTORY ADDRESS

 

Of the few occasions when the Prophet (peace be upon him) made for the pulpit during his illness, he once said while a cloth was tied around his head. Behold, God gave one to His bondmen the choice between this world and that which is with Him, so he chose that which is with God. Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) saw the significance of the Prophets word, for he knew that it was the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihiwa sallam) himself who had been given that choice. He broke into tears and exclaimed, Nay, our own lives and our children may be your ransom.

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) then replied, Abu Bakr, have patience and dont be hasty. Indeed, of all the people, the most generous toward me in regard to his life and property was Abu Bakr. And, were I to choose anyone to be my dearest friend, indeed I would choose Abu Bakr. But the love and concern for Islam take precedence above all others. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said in this occasion, There shall be left open no door of the mosque save Abu Bakrs. (Bukhari, Kitab Us-Salat)

 

DIRECTIVES FOR KINDLINESS TO THE ANSAAR

 

Abbaas and company (May Allah be pleased with them) happened to pass by a group of Ansaar. They saw them weeping and asked, What makes you weep? They answered, We have been recalling our meetings with the Prophet of God. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was informed of the incident, he came out, the end of his mantle wound round his head, and mounted the pulpit. (90) He did not mount the pulpit again after that day when he praised God and extolled Him. Then he said, I commend the Ansaar to you, for, behold, they are my inmates and bosom friends. They have fulfilled their duty, and now whatever claims they have on others remain to be required. Therefore, you shall welcome whatever is done by the good among them, and forgive those that do wrong. (Bukhari, Fada'il Ashab)

 

LAST LOOK AT THE MUSLIMS IN PRAYER

 

Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) continued to lead the prayer. On a Monday morning, when the people were performing the dawn prayer, the Prophet (peace be upon him) of God lifted the curtain of his door and kept his gaze fixed in the worshippers for some time to see how they paid divine honors to the Lord. He perhaps wanted to see the results of his life-long endeavor and struggle, training and guidance. Or, perhaps, having ever been so much fond of prayers, he wanted to know how they were enthralled and lost in prayers in his absence as they had always been in his presence. What the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw was extremely satisfying. For, never had the mission of any prophet been carried out to completion in that manner. It reassured him that the attachment of the community he brought up to Allah and His religion was ever durable and undying, not transient to wear away after his death. God knows better how delighted he was, as his companions say, when his face was beaming with joy. They relate that The Messenger of God (sallallahju 'alaihi wa sallam) lifted the curtain and kept his eyes fixed upon them, standing on Aishas (May Allah be pleased with her) door. It seemed as if his face was an open scripture. He smiled and then laughed. We thought that we might be seduced or distracted from our prayers because perhaps, he was coming out to perform the same. But he told us to complete what we were doing and then he pulled down the curtain. And that was the day on which he died. (Bukhari, Mard-an-Nabi)

 

INTERDICTION OF PRAYERS AT SEPULCHERS

 

The last words uttered by the Prophet (peace be upon him) were: My God, ruin the Jews and Christians, for they have converted the sepulchers of their Prophets into places of worship. Let no two religions be left in the Arabian Peninsula. (Muwatta Imam Malik; Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p. 471)

 

Aisha and Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with themaa) related that when the time for the Prophet's (peace be upon him) eternal rest drew close, he had a black striped sheet over him. Often, he pulled it over his face and then having felt restless, removed it. It was in this condition that he said, May the curse of God fall upon the Jews and Christian as they have turned the sepulchers of their Prophets into places of worship. He was at the same time, warning the Muslims against such practice, too.

 

THE LAST COUNSEL

 

When he was about to breathe his last, he said repeatedly Lo! Be careful of prayer and of those whom you possess or have under your charge. He continued to repeat these words until they became inaudible but it appeared that he was trying to express them. (Baihaqi and Ahmad, Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, p.473)

 

Ali (radiallahu 'anhu) says that he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) of God commending Muslims to be careful of prayer and poor-due and to be generous to their slaves and subordinates. (91)

 

Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) relates that while she has started reciting the last two Surahs of the Quran in order to blow upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), he lifted up his eyes and said, With the Exalted Companion! with the Exalted Companion! Just at that moment Abdurahman b. Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with themaa) entered the room with a green toothstick in his hand. The Prophet (peace be upon him) looked at in a way that she thought he wanted it. She chewed it a little to make it soft and pliable, and gave it to him. He rubbed his teeth with it as he used to rub before and tried to hand it over to her but it fell down from his hands.(92)

 

She further says that a cup of water was kept near him. He dipped his hand in it and then wiped his face, saying, There is no God but God. Verily, there are pangs of death. Then he lifted up his forefinger and said, With the Exalted Companion until his soul took flight to the regions sublime and his forefinger dropped on one side into the water.

 

'Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) said that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was about to leave them behind, he had his head on her thigh. He fainted in a split of a second and then regaining consciousness, looked up towards the ceiling, saying all the while, Verily, with the Exalted Companion! And with these words on his lips, the Prophet (peace be upon him) of God was yielding his last breath.

 

HOW THE PROPHET LEFT THIS WORLD

 

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) abandoned this world, he had the entire Arabia well in his hand. The sovereign and rulers were scared by his rising power while his companions were ever willing to undergo any sacrifice, to lay down their own lives and to surrender up their wealth, property and children for his sake. Yet he left this world without a single dinar or dirham or a slave or a bondmaid in his possession. All that he owned at the time was one white mule, some weapons and a piece of land, which had already been given away in charity. (Bukhari, Mard un-Nabi)

 

The Prophets coat of mail had been pawned to a Jew for thirty Sas of barley (Bukhari, Mard un-Nabi) when he died and nothing was left with him to retrieve it. (Baihaqi, p. 52)

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) restored freedom for forty slaves during his illness. Only six or seven dinars were left with Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her), but he asked her to give away even those in charity. (Al-Siratul Halabiyah, Vol. III, p. 381)

 

'Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) relates that on the day the Prophet (peace be upon him) of God died there was nothing in her house which could be taken by a living being except for a little barley left in a cupboard. It lasted for a few days until she weighted it and the very day it was all used.

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) died on Monday, the 12th day of Rabia ul-Awwal in the heat of the noon after the sun had passed the meridian. He was then sixty-three years of age. (As related by most of teh Traditionist) This was the darkest hour for the Muslims, a day gloomy and lamentable for the entire humanity just as his birth had signaled hope and cheerfulness for the whole world. Anas and Abu Said al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with themaa) said that when the Messenger of God (sallalllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) came to Madinah, everything looked better and brighter but no day was worse or darker than the day he died. Some of the people saw Umm Aymaan (May Allah be pleased with her) weeping when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was bed-ridden. When they asked what had made her weep, she replied, Of course, I know that the Prophet of God will quite leave this world but I am weeping because the revelation from heaven has come to an end. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. 544-46)

 

BEWILDERMENT OF THE COMPANIONS (May Allah be pleased with them)

 

The news of the Prophets (peace be upon him) demise fell like a thunderbolt on his companions. All were stunned because of the ardent love and esteem they had for him. Such was their reliance on his loving care as the children are assured of the protection of their parents. Their agonizing distress was not at all unusual for God has himself spoken of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) concern for his followers.

 

There hath come unto you a Messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.

 

[Surah At-Taubah 128]

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) was so gracious and considerate that his every companion believed himself to be the closest to him and never had any misgivings about his love and confidence. It was the reliance born of absolute trust mingled with devotion that had made it difficult for some to think of the day when the Prophet (peace be upon him) would depart from this world leaving them alone. One of these was Umar (radiallahu 'anhu), who had been one of the closest to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and when he was told that the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) was already dead, he protested violently. He went so far as to address the people in the Prophets mosque and told them that Gods Prophet (peace be upon him) would not quit this world until God had destroyed the hypocrites. (Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. 544-46)

 

THE COURAGEOUS PROCLAMATION BY ABU BAKR (radiallahu 'anhu)

 

A man of determination and courage was needed at this difficult hour. And, this man was Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu), the most senior of the Prophets companions, who had been picked out by God to take over the inheritance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with a firm hand. When the news reached him, he hurried back from his house. For a moment he stopped at the door of the mosque where Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) was resolutely speaking to the people. Without paying heed to any body he proceeded to Aishas (May Allah be pleased with her) room where the dead body of the Prophet (peace be upon him) lay covered with a mantle. He uncovered the Prophet's (peace be upon him) face and kissed him. Then, he proceeded to say My father and mother be your ransom. You have tasted the death God had decreed for you, a second death will never overtake you. Replacing the mantle on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) face, he then went out to the Mosque. Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) was still making a harangue to the people, so he said gently, Umar, keep quite. But Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) was too excited to listen to Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu). Now, Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) realized that Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) was not in a mood to terminate his speech. So he stepped forward and called out the people, whereupon they came round him leaving Umar (radiallahu 'anhu). Abu Bakr (radiallahu 'anhu) praised God and then said:

 

O Men, if anyone worship Muhammad, let him know that Muhammad is dead. But if anyone worships God, then God is alive and He dies not.

 

Then continuing his speech he recited the Quranic verse:

 

Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.

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