The Message of Islam — Page 43
The Holy Prophet Passes Away 43 to practices which might assign to him a position above that of a human being, as had been done in the case of some previous Prophets by their followers. He impressed repeatedly upon those who visited him that he was but a human being to whom God had vouchsafed revelation for the guidance of mankind. He breathed his last with the words: ‘To the Companionship On High, to the Companionship On High. ’ The Prophet’s death struck the Muslims as a fearful calamity, and they were crushed with grief. Umar ra drew his sword and said he would cut off the head of any who dared to assert that the Prophet saw was dead; he could not die. Abu Bakr ra arrived. Entering the chamber where the Prophet’s body lay, he kissed it on the forehead, and said: God will not inflict two deaths upon thee. He then came out and asked Umar ra to desist while he addressed the people briefly. He recited from the Holy Quran: َو اَم ٌدَّمَحُم اَّلِا ٌلْوُسَر١ۚ ْدَق ْتَلَخ ْنِم ِهِلْبَق ُلُسُّرلا١ؕ ْنِٕىۡاَفَا َتاَّم ْوَا َلِتُق ْمُتْبَلَقْنا ىٰۤلَع ْمُكِباَقْعَا…١ؕ Muhammad is but a Messenger. All Messengers have passed away before him. If then he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels?… ( Surah Aal-e-‘Imraan, 3:145) He added: Harken, he who worshipped Muhammad saw should know that Muhammad saw is dead, but he who worships God should remember that God is Ever-Living and does not die. Thus ended a life that has stood unmatched in every respect in human history.