Passing away of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)

Back to Madina

After the conquest of Makkah, Madina rose in importance. Heretofore it was a city of the Muslims whose sphere of influence was limited. After the conquest of Makkah, Madina became the capital of Arabia. Delegations started pouring in into Madina from all parts of Arabia, and the pace of conversion to Islam received a tremendous acceleration.

To Uthman the conquest of Makkah and Taif were of particular significance. He had considerable property at Makkah and Taif and he could now profitably develop it. He was also able to set up sub-offices of his business concern at Makkah and Taif.

The joy of Uthman at the conquest of Makkah and Taif was overshadowed by his grief at the death of his wife Umm Kulthum the third daughter of the Holy Prophet. Umm Kulthum died soon after the conquest of Makkah. The Holy Prophet led the funeral prayer. The Holy Prophet asked the Muslims to marry their daughters to Uthman. He said that if he had forty daughters, he would have married them to Uthman one after the other.

Expedition to Tabuk

In 630 C.E. the Holy Prophet decided to lead an expedition to Tabuk on the Syrian border. After the victory of the Byzantines over the Persians there was the danger of the Byzantine penetration into Arabia, and the Holy Prophet wanted to forestall such a move on the part of the Byzantines, by consolidating the Muslim position on the borders.

The call to arms was given at a time when the weather was burning hot. Crops were ripe, and the people were not inclined to leave their homes before harvesting the crops. The journey was long and tedious, and many persons were averse to undertake the journey. In spite of these difficulties and setbacks, an army of thirty thousand persons was raised.

In order to finance the expedition the Holy Prophet invited contributions from his followers. Uthman made the largest contribution. He contributed one thousand diners in cash, besides a thousand camels for transport. Thc Holy Prophet greatly appreciated the services of Uthman. He gave him the tidings of paradise. He also declared that in view of this great service, Uthman was not to be judged hereafter.

The Muslim army including Uthman marched to Tabuk under the leadership of the Holy Prophet. They reached Tabuk after a weary march. There was no Byzantine army to meet the Muslims. On learning of the approach of the Muslim army, the Byzantine army had withdrawn into the interior of Syria. The Byzantine threat to invade Arabia was thus averted by the timely action on the part of the Holy Prophet. The border tribes who owed allegiance to the Byzantines transferred their allegiance to the Muslims. That made the borders safe for the Muslims.

At Tabuk, the Holy Prophet delivered an historic address he said:

"Verily the most veracious discourse is the Book of Allah. The most trusty stronghold is the word of piety.

The best of religions is the religion of Islam.

The best of precedents is the precedent of Muhammad. The noblest speech is the invocation of Allah.

The finest of the narratives is the Quran.

The best of the affairs is that which has been firmly resolved upon.

The worst in religion are those things which are created without sanction.

The best of the ways is the one trodden by the Prophets. The noblest death is the death of a martyr.

The most miserable blindness is waywardness after guidance.

The best of the actions is that which is beneficent.

The best guidance is that which is put into practice. The worst blindness is the blindness of the heart".

Proclamation about the banning of polytheism

In 631 C.E. the Muslims from Madina proceeded to Makkah to perform the Hajj. The Holy Prophet stayed at Madina, and the pilgrims were led by Abu Bakr as "Amir ul Hajj". Uthman accompanied the caravan.

On the occasion of the Hajj, a proclamation was made to the effect that henceforward non-Muslims were not to be allowed to visit the Kaaba or perform the pilgrimage. No one was to circumambulate the Kaaba naked. Polytheism was banned. Where the Muslims had any agreements with the polytheists such agreements were to be honored. Where there was no agreement, the polytheists were allowed a grace period of four months after which polytheism was not to be tolerated. That made Arabia the land of Islam.

After the Hajj, Uthman stayed at Makkah for some time. He married at Makkah Umm Saeed Fatima b Al Walid b Abd Shams, a Quraish lady. Thereafter Uthman returned to Madina with his bride.

The Farewell pilgrimage

In 632 C.E. the Holy Prophet decided to proceed to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage. This time the pilgrimage was planned on a large scale. After the necessary arrangements had been made, a caravan of one lakh persons started for Makkah. The Holy Prophet rode at the head of the caravan. He was accompanied by all his wives. Uthman accompanied by his wife also traveled with the caravan

At Dhul Hulaifa the Muslims put on the 'Ihram', the pilgrim's garb. The Holy Prophet gave the signal call "Labbayk, Allahhumma Labbayk" "Here I am at Your service O Lord!". The party reached Makkah on the 4th of Dhul Hajj after a journey of 19 days. After a stay of four days in Makkah the party left for Mina, and passed the night there. The following day the pilgrims proceeded to Arafat. After midday prayer on the 9th of Dhul Hajj at Arafat, the Holy Prophet delivered his historic address:

After praising Allah, the Holy Prophet said:

"O people listen carefully to my words for I may not be among you next year, nor ever address you again from this spot.

O people just as you regard this month as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as sacred.

Return the goods entrusted to you for custody to their rightful owners.

Hurt no one that none may hurt you.

Usury is forbidden.

Satan has despaired in leading you astray in big things; so beware of obeying him in small things.

Women have rights over you, and you have rights over them. Be good to them.

You may soon have to appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So, beware.

Do not go astray after I am gone. O people, no Prophet will come after me, and no new faith will be born.

Worship your Allah, say your prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give of your wealth in charity.

All Muslims, free or slave have the same rights and the same responsibilities. None is higher than the other unless he is higher in virtue.

Feed your slaves as you feed yourself. Do not oppress them, nor usurp their rights".

Turning to the heavens, the Holy Prophet said:

"Be my witness that I have conveyed the message I was commissioned to deliver"

Then the entire congregation with one voice said:

"Yes, O Prophet of Allah, you have delivered the message".

Thereafter, Allah revealed:

"This day I have perfected for you your faith, And completed my blessing upon you, And have chosen for you Islam as your religion".

Passing away of the Holy Prophet'

On return to Madina, the Holy Prophet fell sick. From this sickness he did not recover and ultimately passed away to the great grief and distress of the Muslims. When it was reported that the Holy Prophet had died, most of the Muslims did not believe in such news. Even men like Umar said,"Who says that the Holy Prophet is dead? Moses-like he has gone to have an interview with Allah, and would soon return to us". Uthman also shared this view. It was Abu Bakr who broke this spell. Addressing the people gathered in the mosque he said, "Listen to me, O men ! know that Muhammad being mortal is dead, but the God of Muhammad is alive and will live for ever".

On hearing the sad news of the passing away of the Holy Prophet Uthman sat stunned in a corner of the mosque lost in thoughts. Umar passed by him and offered him salutation, but Uthman did not notice him. Later both Abu Bakr and Umar came to Uthman. Abu Bakr inquired of Uthman as to why he had not responded to the salutation of Umar. Uthman said that he had not noticed him as he was lost in thought. Abu Bakr inquired as to what was the thought wherein he had been lost. Uthman said that he felt worried that the Holy Prophet had passed away, and yet they had not asked him as to how they could be safe from the snares of the world and the devil? Abu Bakr said, "Do not worry, I made the necessary inquire from the Holy Prophet. He had declared that if one has complete faith that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet, he will remain safe from the snares of the world and the devil". Throughout his life Uthman had complete faith that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Prophet, and as such although he was a rich man he remained free from the snares of the world and the devil.