The passing of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal in the 11th year of AH (June 632 CE) remains the most somber and pivotal moment in Islamic history. It was a day that tested the faith of the Companions (Sahaba) and marked the transition from the era of direct revelation to the era of the Caliphate.
This event was not just a religious milestone but a profound historical turning point that shaped the leadership and direction of the Muslim world for centuries to come.
The Final Moments in the Room of Aisha (RA)
The Prophet ﷺ spent his final days in the house of his wife, Aisha (RA), in Medina. Despite his intense fever and physical weakness, his final concern remained his Ummah (community).
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The Last Miswak: In his final moments, the Prophet ﷺ motioned for a Miswak (tooth-stick). Aisha (RA) softened it for him, and he used it, showcasing his commitment to purity and the Sunnah until his last breath.
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The Final Words: His last recorded words were: "Ar-Rafiq al-A’la" (The Most Exalted Companion), signaling his choice to return to the Divine Presence rather than remain in the world.
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The Silent Departure: He passed away peacefully while leaning against Aisha (RA). The news of his departure was so shocking that many in Medina initially refused to believe it.
The Reaction in Medina: A City in Shock
The immediate aftermath of his passing was characterized by a mixture of profound grief and total disbelief.
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Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Denial: Deeply traumatized, Umar (RA) famously stood in the mosque and threatened anyone who said the Prophet ﷺ was dead, believing he had merely gone to meet his Lord like Moses (AS) and would return.
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The Wisdom of Abu Bakr: It was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) who brought clarity to the community. He entered the house, kissed the Prophet’s ﷺ forehead, and then addressed the people with the now-immortal words:
"Whosoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad has passed away. But whosoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is Alive and shall never die."
He then recited the Quranic verse: "Muhammad is no more than a messenger; other messengers have passed away before him..." (Surah Ali 'Imran, 3:144).
The Economic and Social Legacy Left Behind
Unlike the kings and emperors of the time, the Prophet ﷺ left no material wealth or dynasty. His "estate" was purely spiritual and communal.
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Zero Personal Wealth: He did not leave behind a single Dinar or Dirham. His only possessions were his white mule, his weapons, and a piece of land that he had already designated as Sadaqah (charity) for the public.
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A New Social Order: He left behind a unified Arabian Peninsula that had moved from tribal warfare to a cohesive society based on law, justice, and spiritual equality.
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The Quran and Sunnah: His greatest contribution was the preservation of the Quran and the establishment of the Sunnah, which continue to guide over 2 billion people globally today.
Significance for the Modern World
The moment of the Prophet’s ﷺ passing serves as a reminder of the mortality of all human beings and the eternal nature of the Creator. For historians, it marks the birth of the Rashidun Caliphate, the first organized Islamic state structure that would soon spread from Spain to India.
Today, the Green Dome in Medina marks the spot where he was laid to rest, serving as a site of profound reverence and a reminder of the man who changed the course of human history.
Sources
◦ The Sealed Nectar (Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum) by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri
◦ Sahih al-Bukhari - Book of Funerals and the Sickness of the Prophet ﷺ
◦ The Life of Muhammad by Muhammad Husayn Haykal
◦ The First Muslim by Lesley Hazleton
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