little barley left in a cupboard. It lasted for a few days until she weighed it, and that very day
it was all used.
The Prophet (r) died on Monday, the 12th day of Rabia ul-Awwal in the heat of noon after
the sun had passed the meridian. He was then sixty-three years of age. (As related by most
of the Traditionists) This was the darkest hour for the Muslims, a day gloomy and lament for
humanity just as his birth had signaled hope and cheerfulness for the whole world. Anas and
Abu S’aid al-Khudri said that when the Messenger of Allah (r) 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 weeping when the Prophet (r) was bed-ridden. When they
asked what had made her weep, she replied, “Of course, I know that the Prophet of Allah
(r) 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
The news of the Prophet’s death 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 distress
was not at all surprising, for Allah speaks of the Prophet's 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.” [Soorah At-Taubah 128]The Prophet (r) was so gracious and considerate that his every companion believed him-
self 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 of them to think of the day when the Prophet (r) would depart from this world leav-
ing them alone. One of these was ‘Umar, who had been one of the closest to the Prophet
(r), and when he was told that the Messenger of Allah (r) was already dead, he protested
violently. He went so far as to address the people in the Prophet’s mosque and told them
that Allah’s Prophet (r) would not quit this world until Allah had destroyed the hypocrites.
(Ibn Kathir, Vol. IV, pp. 544-46)
THE COURAGEOUS PROCLAMATION BY ABU BAKR
(may Allah be pleased with him)
A man of determination and courage was needed at this difficult hour. And, this man was
Abu Bakr, the most senior of the Prophet’s companions, who had been selected by Allah to
take over the legacy of the Prophet (r) with a firm hand. When the news reached him, he