THE HIJRA 31just as men had rights over women, and to recognize that among Muslims
no one stood higher or lower than anyone else except in virtue. He also
said he was the last of God's Messengers and that after him no further rev-
elations would be coming to humanity.^2
Shortly after returning to Medina, he fell ill. Burning with fever, he
went from house to house, visiting his wives and friends, spending a mo-
ment or two with each one, and saying good-bye. He ended up with his
wife Ayesha, the daughter of his old friend Abu Bakr, and there, with his
head in her lap, he died.
Someone went out and gave the anxious crowd the news. At once, loyal
Omar, one of Mohammed's fiercest and toughest but also one of his most
hotheaded companions, jumped to his feet and warned that any man who
spread such slander would lose limbs when his lie was exposed. Mo-
hammed dead? Impossible!
Then the older and more prudent Abu Bakr went to investigate. A mo-
ment later he came back and said, "0 Muslims! Those of you who wor-
shipped Mohammed, know that Mohammed is dead. Those of you who
worship Allah, know that Allah is alive and immortal."
The words swept away Omar's rage and denial. He felt, he told friends
later, as if the ground had been cut out from under him. He broke down
crying, then, this strong bull of a man, because he realized that the news
was true: God's Messenger was dead.