THE JOURNEY TO ALLAH, THE SUBLIME
SYMTOMPS OF FAREWELL:
When the Call to Islam grew complete and the new faith dominated the whole situation. The
Messenger  of Allâh (Peace be upon him) started to develop certain symptoms that bespoke of leave-taking. They  could be perceived through his statements and deeds:
1. In Ramadan in the tenth year of Al-Hijra he secluded himself for twenty days in contrast to ten,  previously.
2. The archangel Gabriel reviewed the Qur’ân twice with him.
3. His words in the Farewell Pilgrimage (i.e. Al-Wida‘):
4. “I do not know whether I will ever meet you at this place once again after this current year.”
5. The revelation of An-Nasr Chapter amid At-Tashreeq Days. So when it was sent down on him, he  realized that it was the parting time and that Surah was an announcement of his approaching  death.
6. On the early days of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, the Prophet (Peace be upon him)  went out to Uhud and observed a farewell prayer to the martyrs. It looked like saying goodbye to  both the dead and the living alike. He then ascended the pulpit and addressed the people saying:
7. “I am to precede you and I have been made witness upon you. By Allâh, you will meet me at the
‘Fountain’ very soon. I have been given the keys of worldly treasures. By Allâh, I do not fear for  you that you will turn polytheists after me. But I do fear that acquisition of worldly riches should  entice you to strike one another’s neck.”
8. One day, at midnight he went to Al-Baqee‘ cemetry, and implored Allâh to forgive the martyrs of
Islam. He said: “Peace be upon you tomb-dwellers! May that morning that dawns upon you be  more relieving than that which dawn upon the living. Afflictions are approaching them like cloudy  lumps of a dark night — the last of which follows the first. The last one is bearing more evil than  the first.” He comforted them saying: “We will follow you.”
THE START OF THE DISEAS:
On Monday the twenty-ninth of Safar in the eleventh year of Al-Hijra, he participated in funeral rites in
Al-Baqee‘. On the way back he had a headache, his temperature rose so high that the heat effect  could  be felt over his headband.
He led the Muslims in prayer for eleven days though he was sick. The total number of his sick days  were either thirteen or fourteen.
THE LAST WEEK:
When his sickness grew severe he asked his wives: “Where shall I stay tomorrow?” “Where shall I  stay?” They understood what he wanted. So they allowed him to stay wherever he wished. He moved  to
‘Aishah’s room leaning — while he was walking — on Al-Fadl bin Al-‘Abbas and ‘Ali bin Abi Talib. Head  banded as he was, he dragged his feet till he came into her abode. It was there that he spent the last  week of his life.
During that period, ‘Aishah used to recite Al-Mu‘awwidhat (Chapters 113 and 114 of the Qur’ân) and  other supplications which he had already taught her.
FIVE DAYS BEFORE DEATH:
On Wednesday, five days before he died the Prophet’s temperature rose so high signalling the  severeness of his disease. He fainted and suffered from pain. “Pour out on me seven Qirab (water skin  pots) of various water wells so that I may go out to meet people and talk to them.” So they seated  him  in a container (usually used for washing) and poured out water on him till he said: “That is enough.
That is enough.”
Then he felt well enough to enter the Mosque. He entered it band-headed, sat on the pulpit and made  a  speech to the people who were gathering together around him. He said:
“The curse of Allâh falls upon the Jews and Christians for they have made their Prophets’ tombs  places of worship.”
Then he said:
“Do not make my tomb a worshipped idol.”
Then he offered himself and invited the people to repay any injuries he might have inflicted on them,  saying:
“He whom I have ever lashed his back, I offer him my back so that he may avenge himself on