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THE PROPHET’S LAST JOURNEY

One day prior to his demise the Prophet (a.s) called `Ali (a.s) close to himself and said, “O `Ali! Now is the time for my departure! After my death, you must give me the bath, drape me in the shroud and put my mortal remains in the grave. You must fulfill the promises that I have made with people. I have taken a loan from a certain Jew for the expenses of the Contingent of Usamah ibn Zayd. You must clear this debt!” Then he took out the ring from his finger and asked `Ali (a.s) to wear it. He also gave to `Ali (a.s) his sword, helmet the yellow turban and other arms. That day was over and the next day was Monday 28th of Safar 11H. Now the condition of the Prophet’s health deteriorated. The clouds of death were hovering over his head. He was in semi comatose condition prior to death. The time was close when the human body stops breathing and the spirit travels towards its final destination. The Prophet (a.s) opened his eyes and when he did not find `Ali (a.s), who had gone out for some errand, he said, “Call my friend!” `A’ishah says:

“When the time of his departure was nigh, the Prophet (a.s) asked his dearest one (habib) to be called. Someone went and called Abū-Bakr. The Prophet (a.s) did not look on him and put his head down. He again wanted his Habib to be called. A person went and called `Umar. When the Prophet (a.s) saw him he put his head down and again asked for his Habib. Now `Ali (a.s) came. When the Prophet (a.s) saw him, he took him under his quilt and remained like that until he was dead. His hand was over `Ali (a.s) at that moment.”[1]

This was the greatest tragedy in the History of Islam. Everyone was affected with this sad event but for the Banū-Hashim and his close family it was the most irreparable loss. The condition of the Prophet’s Daughter was such as if her own life had been snatched away from her. Her children were crying for the loss of their doting Grandfather. The entire world of `Ali (a.s) was changed. In spite of exercising maximum control over his emotions, tears were running from his eyes. Crying, he touched his hands to the face of his

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departed mentor and cousin and touched his own face. He closed the eyes of the Prophet (a.s) gently and covered his face with the cloth. Then, as per the wish of the Prophet (a.s), he got busy with the preparation for his interment. Ibn Sa`d writes:

“When the Prophet (a.s) died, his head was on the lap of `Ali (a.s). It was `Ali (a.s) who gave him the last bath. Al-Fadl Ibn `Abbas was supporting the Prophet (a.s) and Usamah ibn Zayd was giving the water.”[1]

When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) had given the bath to the Prophet (a.s), he draped his body in the shroud and alone offered the Funeral Prayer. The persons who were gathered at the mosque were discussing as to who must be asked to lead the last parting prayer for the Prophet (a.s) and where he should be interred. Some people thought that the compound of the mosque was a suitable place for the purpose. Other said that the Jannat al-Baqi` was the right place. When `Ali (a.s) learned about these discussions, he came out of the room and said, “The Prophet (a.s) was our leader in his lifetime and is our Imam and leader in his death too! Therefore, every individual group should go into the room and offer Funeral Prayer individually! As far as the place for his interment is concerned, he will be buried at the same place where he breathed his last!” As instructed by the Imam (a.s) the Banū-Hashim first went into the room and offered the Funeral Prayers. Then followed the Muhajirūn and the Ansar. Of course, one group was deprived of offering the Prophet’s Funeral Prayer. They were the persons who were jostled together at the Saqifah of Banū-Sa`idah busy in the worldly conclave of deciding about the corporal power structure! After the Funeral Prayers, the Prophet (a.s) was interred in the same room where he expired. Zayd ibn Sahl excavated the grave. The persons in charge of the interment were `Ali (a.s), `Abbas ibn `Abd al-Muttalib, al-Fadl ibn `Abd al-Muttalib and Usamah ibn Zayd. When the time for burial came, the Ansar called from outside, “O `Ali! Please include one of our persons in the process that we do not remain deprived of the felicity!” `Ali (a.s) called Aws ibn Khawli to come in and allowed him to descend into the grave of the Prophet (a.s). `Ali (a.s) took the body in both his hands and lowered it into the grave. When the body was laid in the grave, he removed the cloth from the face, turned the body towards the Kiblah, and put the cheek on the dust in the grave. `Ali (a.s) put the earth on the body with his own hands, leveled its surface and sprinkled water over it!