Lecture Ludhiana — Page 18
18 13 i. e. , Muhammad sa is but a Messenger, and all Messengers before him have passed away. Now, just ponder and try to understand why Hadrat Abu Bakr rz had to recite this verse in the presence of all the Companions. What was the purpose of this exercise on an occasion when all the Companions were present? I am sure, and you too will not deny, that on account of the death of the Holy Prophet sa the Companions were terribly shocked for they considered his death untimely and pre- mature. They did not have the heart to hear the news of his demise. And then such a prominent and respected Com- panion of the Holy Prophet sa as Hadrat Umar rz was so upset that only this verse was able dispel his anguish and resign him to the loss. Had the Companions known and believed that Jesus as was still alive, the news of the death of the Holy Prophet sa would have given them the shock of their lives. They were all lovers of the Holy Prophet sa. They could not tolerate that any Prophet other than the Holy Prophet sa should have been still alive. How could they possibly reconcile to the death of the Holy Prophet sa with Jesus as still alive? Consequently, when Hadrat Abu Bakr rz addressed them, their distress was somewhat re- lieved and they went about the streets of Madina reciting the verse, feeling as if it had only just been revealed. On this occasion, Hassan bin Thabit rz wrote an elegy, a cou- 13 3:145 [Translator]