Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 437
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 437 ‘Come,’ came the reply from within, ‘for this day no permission needs to be asked. ’ He entered and, raising the striped sheet which covered the bed, stooped down and kissed the face of his departed friend, saying, ‘Sweet wast thou in life, and sweet thou a rt in death. ’ After a moment he took the head between his hands and, slightly lifting it, gazed on the well known features, and exclaimed, ‘Yes, thou art dead! Alas, my friend, my chosen one! Dearer than father or mother to me! Thou hast tasted the bitter pain of death; and thou art too precious with the Lord, that He should give thee the bitter cup to drink a second time!’ Gently putting down the head upon its pillow, he stooped again and kissed the face, then replaced the covering and withdrew. Leaving the room, Abu Bakr went at once to the spot without where Umar, in the same excited state, was haranguing the people. ‘Sit ye down Umar, and be quiet,’ cried Abu Bakr. But Umar went on, not heeding the remonstrance. So Abu Bakr, turning from him, b egan himself to address the assembly. No sooner did they hear his voice than they quitted Umar and gave attention to the words of Abu Bakr. He recited from the Holy Quran: ‘Thou wilt die and they will die’ (39:31), and ‘Muhammad is but a Messenger; of a su rety, all Messengers before him have passed away. If then, he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels?’ (3:145) He proceeded: ‘Whosoever worshippeth Muhammad, let him then know that Muhammad indeed is dead; but whoso worshipped God, let him know that the Lord liveth and doth not die. ’ The words of the Holy Quran fell like a knell on the ears of Umar and all those who had buoyed themselves up with the delusive hope of the Holy Prophet’s