Heraclius submits to Almighty God and embraces Islam(Herculas)
The embassy to Heraclitus, the Emperor of the Romans, was received much more politely and
reverentially. He treated the ambassador with great respect and sent the Prophet a gracious reply
to his message.
Another envoy was sent to an Arab price of the Ghassanite tribe, a Christian feudatory of
Heraclius. This prince, instead of receiving the envoy with any respect, cruelly murdered him. This
act caused great consternation among the Muslims, who considered it as an outrage of
international obligations.
Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas: Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb informed me that Heraclius had sent a
messenger to him while he had been accompanying a caravan from Quraish. They were merchants
doing business in Sham (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan) at the time when Allah's
Messenger had a truce with Abu Sufyan and Quraish infidels. So Abu Sufyan and his companions
went to Heraclius at Ilya (Jerusalem).
Heraclitus called them in the court and he had all the senior Roman dignitaries around him. He
called for his translator who, translating Heraclius's question, said to them: "Who among you is
closely related to that man who claims to be a Prophet?" Abu Sufyan replied: "I am the nearest
relative to him (amongst the group)."
Heraclius said: "Bring him (Abu Sufyan) close to me and make his companions stand behind him."
Abu Sufyan added: "Heraclius told his translator to tell my companions that he wanted to put
some questions to me regarding that man (The Prophet) and if I told a lie they (my companions)
should contradict me. By Allah! Had I not been afraid of my companions labeling me a liar, I
would have not have spoken the truth about the Prophet." Abu Sufyan's narration continues:
"The first question he asked me about him was;
What is his family status among you?"
"I replied: "He belongs to a good noble family amongst us."
Heraclius further asked: "Has anybody among you ever claimed the same (to be a Prophet) before
him?"
I replied: "No."
He said: "Was anybody amongst his ancestors a king?"
I replied: "No."
Heraclius asked: "Do the nobles or the poor follow him?"
I replied: "It is the poor who follow him."
He said: "Are his followers increasing or decreasing (day by day)?"
I replied: "They are increasing."
He then asked: "Does anybody amongst those who embrace his religion become displeased and
renounce the religion afterwards?"
I replied: "No."
Heraclius said: "Have you ever accused him of telling lies before his claim (to be a Prophet)?"
I replied: "No."
Hereaclius said: "Does he break his promises?"
I replied: "No. We are at truce with him but we do not know what he will do in it." I could not
find opportunity to say anything against him except that.
Heraclius asked: "Have you ever had a war with him?"
I replied: "Yes."
Then he said: "What was the outcome of the battles?"
I replied: "Sometimes he was victorious and sometimes we."
Heraclius said: "What does he order you to do?"
I said: "He tells us to worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him,
and to renounce all that our ancestors had said. He orders us to pray, to speak the truth, to be
chaste and to keep good relations with our kith and kin."
Heraclius asked the translator to convey to me the following: "I asked you about his family and
your reply was that he belonged to a very noble family. In fact, all the Messengers come from
noble families among their respective peoples. I questioned you whether anybody else among you
claimed such a thing; your reply was in the negative. If the answer had been in the affirmative, I
would have thought that this man was following the previous man's statement. Then I asked you
whether anyone of his ancestors was a king. Your reply was in the negative, and if it had been in
the affirmative, I would have thought that this man wanted to take back his ancestral kingdom. I
further asked whether he was ever accused of telling lies before he said what he said and your
reply was in the negative. So I wondered how a person who does not tell a lie about others could
ever tell a lie about Allah. I then asked you whether the rich people followed him or the poor.
You replied that it was the poor who followed him. And, in fact, all the Messengers have been
followed by this very class of people. Then I asked you whether his followers were increasing or
decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and, in fact, this is the way of true faith, till it is
complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his
religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. You reply was in the negative, and, in fact
this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I
asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative, and likewise the Messengers
never betray. Then I asked you what he ordered you to do. You replied that he ordered you to
worship Allah and Allah alone and not to worship anything along with Him, and forbade you to
worship idols, and ordered you to pray, to speak the truth and to be chaste. If what you have said
is true, he will very soon occupy this place underneath my feet and I knew it (from the scriptures)
that he was going to appear but I did not know that he would be from you, and if I could reach
him definitely, I would go immediately to meet him and if I were with him, I would certainly wash
his feet."
Heraclius then asked for the letter addressed by Allah's Messenger which had been delivered by
Dihya to the Governor of Busra, who forwarded it to Heraclius to read. The contents of the letter
were as follows: "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. (This letter is) from
Muhammad, the slave of Allah and His Messenger to Heraclius the ruler of Byzantine. Peace be
upon him who follows the right path. Furthermore, I invite you to Islam, and if you become a
Muslim you will be safe, and Allah will double your reward, and if you reject this invitation of
Islam, you will be committing a sin by misguiding your subjects.
And I recite to you Allah's Statement: SAY (O Muhammad): 'O People of the Scripture (Jews &
Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah, and
that we associate no partners with Him and that none of us shall take others as lords besides
Allah.' Then, if they turn away, say: 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.' "
Abu Sufyan then added: When Heraclius had finished his speech and had read the letter, there was
a great hue and cry in the Royal Court. So we turned out of the court. I told my companions that
the question of Ibn-Abi-Kabsha (the Prophet Muhammad) had become so prominent that even the
King of Bani Al-Asfar (Byzantine) was afraid of him. Then I started to become sure that he (the
Prophet) would be the conqueror in the near future till I embraced Islam (Allah guided me to it).
The sub narrator added that Ibn An-Natur was the Governor of Ilya (Jerusalem) and Heraclius
was the head of the Christians of Sham. Ibn An-Natur narrated that once while Heraclius was
visiting Ilya (Jerusalem), he got up in the morning with a sad mood. Some of his priests asked him
why he as in that mood. Heraclius was a foreteller and an astrologer. He replied: "At night when I
looked at the stars, I saw that the leader of those who practice circumcision had appeared
(become the conqueror). Who are they who practice circumcision?" The people replied: "Except
the Jews, nobody practices circumcision, so you should not be afraid of them (Jews). Just Issue
orders to kill every Jew present in the country.'
While they were discussing it, a messenger sent by the king of Ghassan to convey the news of
Allah's Messenger to Heraclius was brought in. Having heard the news, he (Heraclius) ordered the
people to go and see whether the messenger of Ghassan was circumcised. The people, after seeing
him, told Heraclius that he was circumcised. Heraclius then asked him about the Arabs. The
messenger replied: "Arabs also practice circumcision."
After hearing that Heraclius remarked that sovereignty of the Arabs had appeared. Heraclius then
wrote a letter to his friend in Rome who was as good as Heraclius in knowledge. Heraclius then
left for Homs (a town in Syria) and stayed there till he received the reply of his letter from his
friend, who agreed with him in his opinion about the emergence of the Prophet and the fact that
he was a Prophet. On that, Heraclius invited all the heads of the Byzantines to assemble in his
palace at Homs. When they assembled, he ordered that all the doors of his palace be closed. Then
he came out and said: "O Byzantines! If success is your desire and if you seek right guidance and
want your empire to remain, then give a pledge of allegiance to this Prophet (embrace Islam)."
(on hearing the views of Heraclius) the people ran towards the gates of the palace like onagers but
found the doors closed. Heraclius realized their hatred towards Islam and when he lost the hope
of their embracing Islam, he ordered that they should be brought back in audience.
(When they returned) he said: "What was already said was just to test the strength of your
conviction and I have seen it." The people prostrated before him and became pleased with him,
and this was the end of Heraclius's story (in connection with his faith). (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Attack from the Jews of Khaibar thwarted
In the same year the Jews of Khaibar, a strongly fortified territory at a distance of four days'
journey from Medina, showed implacable hatred towards the Muslims. United by alliance with the
tribe of Ghatfan, as well as with other cognate tribes, the Jews of Khaibar made serious attempts
to for ma coalition against the Muslims. The Prophet and his adherents were apprised of this
movement and immediate measures were taken in order to repress any new attack upon Medina.
An expedition of fourteen hundred men was soon prepared to march against Khaibar. The allies of
the Jews left them to face the war with the Muslims all alone. The Jews firmly resisted the attacks
of the Muslims, but eventually all their fortress had to be surrendered, one after the other to their
enemies. They prayed for forgiveness, which was accorded to them on certain conditions. Their
lands and immovable property were secured to them, together with the free practice of their
religion. After subduing Khaibar, the Muslims returned to Medina in safety.
Allah's Messenger and the Muslims perfom Hajj
Before the end of the year, it being the seventh year of the hijrah, the Prophet and his adherents
availed themselves of their armistice with the Quraish to visit the holy Ka'ba. The Prophet,
accompanied by two hundred Muslims, went to Mecca to perform the rites of pilgrimage. On this
occasion the Quraish evacuated the city during the three days which the ceremonies lasted.
Sir William Muir, in his book, Life of Mohammed Vol. III comments on the incident as follows:
It was surely a strange sight, which at this time presented itself at the vale of Mecca, a sight
unique in the history of the world. The ancient city is for three days evacuated by all its
inhabitants, high and low, every house deserted, and as they retire, the exiled converts, many
years banished from their birth-place, approach in a great body accompanied by their allies, revisit
the empty homes of their childhood, and within the short allotted space, fulfil the rites of
pilgrimage. The outside inhabitants, climbing the heights around take refuge under tents or other
shelter among the hills and glens; and clustering on the overhanging peak of Abu Qubeis, thence
watch the movements of the visitors beneath, as with the Prophet at their head, they make the
circuit of the Ka'ba and rapid procession between Essafa and Marwah, and anxiously scan every
figure, if perchance they may recognize among the worshippers some long lost friend or relative.
It was a scene rendered only by the throes, which gave birth to Islam.
In accordance with the terms of the treaty, the Muslims left Mecca at the end of three day's visit.
This peaceful visit was followed by important conversions among the Quraish. Khalid Ibn
Al-Walid, known as the Sword of Allah, who, before this, had been a bitter enemy of Islam and
who commanded the Quraish cavalry at Uhud; and Amr Ibn Al' As, another important character
and warrior, adopted the new faith.
Retribution for the Murder of the Muslim Envoy
When the Prophet and his followers returned to Medina, they arranged in expedition to exact
retribution from the Ghassanite prince who had killed the Muslim envoy. A force of three
thousand men, under the Prophet's adopted son Zaid, was sent to take reparation from the
offending tribe.
Khalid Ibn Al-Walid was one of the generals chosen for the expedition. When they reached the
neighborhood of Muta, a village to the southeast of the Dead Sea, they met with an overwhelming
force of Arabs and Romans who were assembled to oppose them. The Muslims, however,
resolved resolutely to push forward. Their courage was of no avail and they suffered great losses.
In this battle Zaid and Ja'far, a cousin of the Prophet, and several other notables were killed.
Khalid Ibn Al-Walid, by a series of maneuvers, succeeded in drawing off the army and conducting
it without further loses to Medina. A month later, however, Amr Ibn Al-' As marched unopposed
through the lands of the hostile tribes, received their submission, and restored the prestige of
Islam on the Syrian frontier.
Quraish violate terms of Hudaibiya, Prophets army march against Idolators
About the end of the seventh year of the hijrah, the Quraish and their allies, the Bani Bakr,
violated the terms of the peace concluded at Hudaibiya by attacking the Bani Khuzaah, who were
in alliance with the Muslims. The Bani Khuzzah appealed to the Prophet for help and protection.
The Prophet determined to make a stop to the reign of injustice and oppression, which had lasted
so long at Mecca. He immediately gathered ten thousand men to march against the idolaters and
set out on January, 630.
After eight days the Muslims army halted, and alighted at Marr Az-Zahran, a day's journey from
Mecca. On the night of their arrival, Abu Sufyan, who was delegated by the Quraish to ask the
Prophet to abandon his project, presented himself and besought an interview. In the morning it
was granted. "Has the time not come, O Abu Sufyan," said the Prophet, "for you to acknowledge
that there is no deity save Allah and that I am His Messenger?" Abu Sufyan, after hesitating for
awhile, pronounced the prescribed formula of belief and adopted Islam. He was then sent back to
prepare the city for the Prophet's approach.
With the exception of a slight resistance by certain clans headed by Ikrima and Safwan, in which
many Muslims were killed, the Prophet entered Mecca almost unopposed. The city which had
treated him so cruelly, driven him and his faithful band for refuge among strangers, the city which
had sworn his life and the lives of his devoted adherents, now lay at his mercy. His old persecutors
were now completely at his feet. The Prophet entered Mecca on his favorite camel Al Kaswa,
having Usama Ibn Zaid sitting behind him. On his way he recited Surah Al Fath (Victory), the first
verses of which maybe interpreted thus:
"Verily! We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory. That Allah may forgive you your
sins of the past and future, and complete His Favor on you, and guide you on the Straight Path;
and that Allah may help you with strong help. (Ch 48:1-3 Quran)
Prophet Muhammad (saw) orders the destruction of the idols
The Muslim army entered the city unpretentiously and peacefully. No house was robbed, no man
or woman was insulted. The Prophet granted a general amnesty to the entire population of
Mecca. Only four criminals, whom justice condemned, were proscribed. He did however, order
the destruction of all idols and pagan images of worship, upon which three hundred and fifty idols
which were in the Sacred House of Ka'ba were thrown down. The Prophet himself destroyed a
wooden pigeon hung from the roof and regarded as one of the deities of the Quraish. During the
downfall of the images and idols he was heard to cry aloud: "Allah is great. Truth has come and
falsehood has vanished; verily falsehood is fleeting." The old idolaters observed thoughtfully the
destruction of their gods, which were utterly powerless. After the Prophet had abolished these
pagan idols and every pagan rite, he delivered a sermon to the assembled people. He dwelt upon
the natural brotherhood of man in the words of the Qur'an:
"O Mankind! We have created you for a male and a female, and made you into nations and
tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you in the Sight of Allah is
that (believer) who has At-Taqwa (one of the Muttaqun, pious, and righteous persons who fear
Allah much, abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden), and love
Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained.) Verily Allah is
All-Knowing, All-Aware. (Ch 49:13 Quran)
Narrated Hisham's father: When Allah's Messenger set out (towards Mecca) during the year of the
Conquest (of Mecca) and this news reached (the infidels of Quraish), Abu Sufyan, Hakim Ibn
Hizam and Budail Ibn Waraqa came out to gather information about Allah's Messenger. They
proceeded on their way till they reached a place called Marr-az-Zahran (which is near Mecca).
Behold! There they saw many fires as if they were the fires of Arafat." Budail Ibn Waraqa' said:
"Banu' Amr are less in number than that." Some of the guards of Allah's Messenger saw them and
took them over, caught them, and bthem to Allah's Messenger. Abu Sufyan embraced Islam.
When the Prophet proceeded, he said to Al' Abbas: "Keep Abu Sufyan standing at the top of the
mountain so that he would look at the Muslims. SO Al- Abbas kept him standing (at that place)
and the tribes with the Prophet started passing in front of Abu Sufyan in military batches. A batch
passed in front of Abu Sufyan and said: "O 'Abbas who are these?" 'Abbas said: "They are Banu
Ghaifar." Abu Sufyan said: "I have got nothing to do with Ghifar." Then a batch of the tribe of
Juhaina passed by and he said similarly as above. Then a batch of the tribe of Sa'd Ibn Huzaim
passed by and he said similarly as above. Then came a batch, the like of which Abu Sufyan had
not seen. He said: "Who are these?" Abbas said: "They are the Ansar headed by Sa'd Ibn 'Ubada,
the one holding the flag." Sa'd Ibn 'Ubada said: "O Abu Sufyan! Today is the day of a great battle
and today (what is prohibited in )the Ka'ba will be permissible." Abu Sufyan said, "O Abbas! How
excellent the day of destruction is!" Then came another batch of warriors which was the smallest
of all the batches, and in it there was Allah's Messenger and his companions, and the flag of the
Prophet was carried by Az-Zubair Ibn Al-Awwam. When Allah's Messenger passed by Abu
Sufyan, the latter said to the Prophet: "Do you know what Sa'd Ibn Ubada said?" The Prophet
said: "What did he say?" Abu Sufyan said: "He said so-and-so." The Prophet said: "Sa'd told a lie,
but today Allah will give superiority to the Ka'ba and today the Ka'ba will be covered with a cloth
covering." Allah's Messenger ordered that his flag be fixed at Al-Hajun.
Narrated Urwa: Nafi' Ibn Jubair Ibn Mut'im said: "I heard Al-Abbas saying to Az-Zubair Ibn Al-
Awwam, 'O Abu Abdullah! Did Allah's Messenger order you to fix the flag here?' "Allah's
Messenger ordered Khalid Ibn Al-Walid to enter Mecca from its upper part from Kadaa' while the
Prophet himself entered from Kudaa. Two men from the cavalry of Khalid Ibn Al-Walid named
Hubaish Ibn Al Ashar and Kurz Ibn Jabir Al-Fihri were martyred on that day. (Sahih Al Bukhari)
Now great multitudes came to adopt Islam and take the oath of allegiance to the Prophet. For this
purpose an assembly was held at As-Safa Mountain. Umar, acting as the Prophet's deputy
administered the oath, whereby the people bound themselves not to adore any deity but Allah to
obey the Prophet to abstain from theft, adultery, infanticide, lying and backbiting. Thus was
fulfilled the prophecy embodied in the Surah Al Fath in the Quran.
During his stay at Mecca, the Prophet dispatched his principal disciples in every direction to
preach Islam among the wild tribes of the desert and call them to the true religion of Allah. He
sent small detachments of his troops into the suburbs who destroyed the temples of Al Uzza,
Suwaa, and Manat, the three famous idols in the temples of the neighboring tribes. The Prophet
gave strict orders that these expeditions should be carried out in a peaceable manner. These
injunctions were obeyed in all cases, with one exception. The troops under Khalid Ibn Al-Walid,
the fierce newly-converted warrior, killed a few of the Bani Jazima. When the news of this wanton
bloodshed reached the Prophet, he was deeply grieved and exclaimed: "Oh, my Lord, I am
innocent of what Khalid has done." He dispatched a large sum of money for the widows and
orphans of the slain and severely rebuked Khalid.
At this time the tribes of Hawazin and Thakif showed unwillingness to render obedience to the
Muslims without resistance. They formed a league with the intention of attacking the Prophet, but
he was vigilant enough to frustrate their plan. A big battle was fought with this new enemy of
Islam near Hunain, a deep and narrow defile nine miles northeast of Mecca. The idolaters were
utterly defeated. One body of the enemy, consisting chiefly of the Thakif tribe, took refuge in their
fortified city of Ta'if, which eight or nine years before had dismissed the Prophet from within its
walls with injuries and insults. The remainder of the defeated force, consisting principally of the
Hawazin, sought at a camp in the valley of Autas. This camp was raided by the Muslim troops.
The families of the Hawazin, their flocks and herds with all their other effects, were captured by
the troops of the Prophet. Ta'if was then besieged for a few days only, after which the Prophet
raised the siege, well knowing that the people of Ta'if would soon be forced by circumstances to
submit without bloodshed. Returning to his camp where the prisoners of Hawazin were left safely,
the Prophet found a deputation from this hostile tribe who begged him to set free their families.
The Prophet replied that he was willing to give back his own share of those captives and that of
the children of Abdul Muttalib, but that he could not force his followers to abandon the fruits of
their victory. The disciples followed the generous example of their teacher. The hearts of several
members of the Thakir tribe were so influenced by this that they offered their allegiance and soon
became earnest Muslims. The Prophet now returned to Medina fully satisfied with the
achievements of his mission.
The ninth year of the hijrah is known as the Year of Embassies, as being the year in which the
various tribes of Arabia submitted to the claim of the Prophet and sent embassies to render
homage to him.
These tribes had been awaiting the issue of the war between Muhammad and the Quraish; but as
soon as the tribe - the principal of the whole nation and the descendants of Ishmael, whose
prerogatives none offered to dispute - had submitted, they were satisfied that it was not in their
power to oppose Muhammad. Hence their embassies flocked into Medina to make their
submission to him. The conquest of Mecca decided the fate of idolatry in Arabia. Now
deputations began to arrive from all sides to render the adherence to Islam of various tribes.
Among the rest, five princes of the tribe of Himyar professed Islam and sent ambassadors to
notify Muhammad of the same. These were the princes of Yemen, Mahra, Oman, and Yamama.
The idolaters of Ta'if, the very people who had driven the Messenger of Islam from their midst
with violence and contempt, now sent a deputation to pray forgiveness and ask to be numbered
among his followers. They begged, however, for temporary preservation of their idols. As a last
appeal they begged for one month of grace only. But even this was not conceded. The Prophet
said Islam and the idols could not exist together. They then begged for exemption from the daily
prayers. The Prophet replied that without devotion, religion would be nothing. At last they
submitted to all that was required of them. They, however, asked to be exempted from destroying
the idols with their own hands. This was granted. The Prophet selected Abu Sufyan and Mughira
to destroy the idols of Ta'if, the chief of which was the notorious idol of Al-Lat. This was carried
out amidst cries of despair and grief from the women of Ta'if.
The conversion of this tribe of Ta'if is worthy of notice. This tribe, which hither to had proved
hostile to the new faith, was noted among the Arabs for its idolatrous priesthood. A small
detachment under Ali was sent to reduce them to obedience and to destroy their idols. The prince
of the tribe was 'Adi, the son of the famous Hatim, whose generosity was spoken of all over
Arabia. On the approach of the Muslim force, Adi fled to Syria, leaving his sister with his
principal clansmen, to fall into the hands of the Muslims. These were conducted by Ali with every
sign of respect and sympathy to Medina. When the daughter of Hatim came before the Prophet,
she addressed him in the following words: "Messenger of Allah, my father is dead; my brother, my
only relation fled into the mountains on the approach of the Muslims. I cannot ransom myself; I
count on your generosity for my deliverance. My father was an illustrious man, the prince of his
tribe, a man who ransomed prisoners, protected the honor of women, fed the poor, cothe
afflicted, and was deaf to no appeal." The Prophet replied: "Your father had the virtues of a true
Muslim; if it were permitted to invoke the mercy of Allah on any whose life was passed in
idolatry, I would pray to Allah for mercy for the soul of Hatim." Then, addressing the Muslims
around him, he said: "the daughter of Hatim is free, her father was a generous and humane man;
Allah loves and rewards the merciful." With the daughter of Hatim, all her people were set at
liberty. She proceeded to Syria and related to her brother the generosity of Muhammad. 'Adi,
touched by gratitude, hastened to Medina, where he was kindly received by the Prophet. He
professed Islam and returned to his people and persuaded them to abandon idolatry. They all
submitted and became devoted Muslims.
Hitherto no prohibition had been enforced against idolaters entering the Holy Ka'ba, or
performing their abominable rites within the sacred precincts. Towards the end of the ninth year
of the hijrah, during the month of pilgrimage 'Ali was delegated by the Prophet to read a
proclamation that ran as follows: "No idolater shall after this year perform the pilgrimage; no one
shall make the circuit of the Ka'ba naked (such a disgraceful custom was practiced by the pagan
Arabs); and treaty with the Prophet shall continue in force but four months are allowed to every
man to return to his territories; after that there will be no obligation on the Prophet, except
towards those with whom treaties have been concluded."
The vast multitude who had listened to the above declaration returned to their homes, and before
the following year was over the majority of them were Muslims.
During the tenth year of the hijrah, as in the preceding one, numerous embassies continued to
pour into Medina from all parts of Arabia, to testify to the allegiance of their chiefs and their
tribes. Teachers were sent by the Prophet into the different provinces to teach the new converts
the principles and precepts of Islam. These teachers were invariably given the following
injunctions when they were about to depart on their mission: "Deal gently with the people, and be
not harsh; cheer them, and do not look down upon them with contempt. You will meet with many
believers in the Holy Scriptures, who will ask you: 'What is the key to heaven?' Answer them it
(the key to heaven) is to bear witness to the divine truth and to do good."
Thus, the mission of the Prophet Muhammad was now accomplished; the whole work was
achieved in his lifetime. Idolatry with its nameless abominations was entirely destroyed. The
people who were sunk in superstition, cruelty, and vice in regions where spiritual life was utterly
unknown were now united in one bond of faith, hope and charity. The tribes which had been from
time immemorial engaged in perpetual wars were now united together by the ties of brotherhood,
love, and harmony. Henceforth, their aims were not confined to this earth alone; but there was
something beyond the grave - much higher, purer, and diviner - calling them to the practice of
charity, goodness, justice, and universal love. They could now perceive that Allah was not that
which they had carved out of wood or stone, but the Almighty Loving, Merciful, the Creator of
the Universe.
Prophet Muhammad's last Sermon, mount Arafat
On the return of the sacred month of pilgrimage, the Prophet, under the presentiment of his
approaching end, determined to make a farewell pilgrimage to Mecca. In February 632, he left
Medina with a very considerable concourse of Muslims. It is stated that from ninety thousand to
one hundred and forty thousand people accompanied the Prophet. Before completing all rites of
the pilgrimage, he addressed the assembled multitude from the top of Mount Arafat in the
following words:
"O people! Listen to my words, for I know not whether another year will be vouchsafed to me
after this year to find myself among you. Your lives and property are sacred and inviolable among
one another until you appear before the Lord, as this day and this month are sacred for all; and
remember, you will have to appear before your Lord Who will demand from you an account for
all your actions. O people, you have rights over your wives, and your wives have a right over you.
Verily you have taken them on the security of Allah and have made their people lawful unto you
by the words of Allah. And your slaves, see that you feed them with such food as you eat
yourselves, and clothe them with the stuff you wear, and if they commit a fault which you are not
inclined to forgive, then part with them; for they are the servants of the Lord and are not to be
harshly treated. O people, listen to my words and understand them. Know that all Muslims are
brothers. You are one brotherhood; but no man shall take ought from his brother, unless by his
free consent. Keep yourselves from injustice. Let him who is present tell this to him who is absent.
It maybe that he who is told this afterward may remember better than he who has now heard it.
The Prophet concluded his sermon by exclaiming: "O Lord, I have fulfilled my message and
accomplished my work." The assembled multitude, all in one voice, cried: "Yea, verily you have."
The Prophet again exclaimed: "O Lord, I beseech You, bear witness to it."
Prophet returns to Madina
Having rigorously performed all the ceremonies of the pilgrimage, that his example might be
followed by all Muslims for all succeeding ages, the Prophet returned with his followers to
Medina.
The eleventh year of the hijrah, being the last year of Muhammad's life, was spent at Medina.
There he settled the organization of the provincial and tribal communities which had adopted
Islam and become the component parts of the Muslims federation. More officers had to be
deputed to the interior provinces for the purpose of teaching their inhabitants the precepts of the
religion, administering justice, and collecting Zakat. Muadh Ibn Jabal was sent to Yemen. On his
departure to that distant province the Prophet enjoined him to use his own discretion in the event
of his being unable to find express authority in the Quran. Ali was deputed to Yamama in the
southeast of the peninsula. To him the Prophet said: "Never decide between any two parties who
come to you for justice unless you first hear both of them."
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Murders and false claims of Prophethood arise
A force was being prepared under Usama Ibn Zaid, whose father was killed at Muta, against the
Byzantines, to exact the long-delayed reparation for the murder of the envoy to Syria. However,
the news of the Prophet's sickness and failing health caused that expedition to be stopped. This
news was soon noised abroad and produced disorder in some districts. Three pretenders had
arisen who gave themselves out as prophets and tried by all kinds of imposture to win over their
tribes. The most dangerous of these pretenders was known as Al Aswad. He was a chief of
Yemen and a conjurer. He soon succeeded in gaining over his tribesmen and, with the help,
reduced to subjection many of the neighboring towns. He killed Shahr, whom the Prophet had
appointed as Governor of Sana in the place of his father Bazan, who had just died. Bazan had
been the viceroy of Yemen under Chosroes of Persia; after he had adopted Islam he was allowed
by the Prophet to remain as Governor of Yemen. He was able to convert to Islam all the Persian
colony in that province. Al-Aswad, the conjurer, had now killed Shahr, but soon after he was
massacred by the Persians of Yemen.
The other two pretenders, Tulayha and Haroun by name, were not suppressed until after the death
of the Prophet, during the reign of Abu Bakr. Haroun, better known as Mussaylamah, addressed
to the Prophet a letter which ran as follows: "From Mussaylamah the Prophet of Allah, to
Muhammad the Prophet of Allah. Peace be to you. I am your partner. Let the exercise of
authority be divided between us. Half the earth will be mine, and half will belong to your Quraish.
But the Quraish are too greedy to be satisfied with a just division." To this letter the Prophet
replied as follows: "From Muhammad the Messenger of Allah to Mussaylamah the liar. Peace be
to those who follow the right path. The earth belongs to Allah. It is He Who makes the reign
whomsoever He pleases. Only those will prosper who fear the Lord."
Prophet Muhammad's last days
The health of the Prophet grew worse. His last days were remarkable for the calmness and
serenity of his mind. He was able, though weak and feeble, to lead the public prayers until within
three days of his death. He requested that he might be permitted to stay at 'Aisha's house close to
the mosque during his illness, an arrangement to which his other wives assented. As long as his
strength lasted, he took part in the public prayers. The last time he appeared in the mosque he
addressed the congregation, after the usual prayers were over, in the following words: "O
Muslims, if I have wronged anyone of you, here I am to answer for it; if I owe anything to
anyone, all I may happen to possess belongs to you." A man in the crowd rose and claimed three
Dhirhams which he had given to a poor man at the request of the Prophet. They were immediately
paid back with these words: "Better to blush in this world than in the next."
The Prophet then prayed and implored Allah's mercy for those who had fallen in the persecution
of their enemies. He recommended to all his followers the observance of religious duties and the
leading of a life of peace and goodwill. Then he spoke with emotion and with a voice still so
powerful as to reach beyond the outer doors of the mosque: "By the Lord in Whose hand lies the
soul of Muhammad as to myself, no man can lay hold on me in any matter; I have not made lawful
anything excepting what Allah has made lawful; nor have I prohibited anything but that which
Allah in His Book has prohibited."
Then turning to the women who sat close by, he exclaimed: "O Fatimah, my, daughter, and Safia,
my aunt, work you both that which procure you acceptance with the Lord, for verily I have no
power to save you in any wise." He then rose and re-entered the house of Aisha.
The death of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him
After this, the Prophet never appeared at public prayers. A few hours after he returned from the
mosque, the Prophet died while laying his head on the bosom of Aisha. As soon as the Prophet's
death was announced, a crowd of people gathered at the door of the house of Aisha, exclaiming:
"How can our messenger be dead?" Umar said: "No, he is not dead; he will be restored to us, and
those are traitors to the cause of Islam who say he is dead. If they say so let them be cut in
pieces." But Abu Bakr entered the house at this moment, and after he had touched the body of the
Prophet with a demonstration of profound affection, he appear at the door and addressed the
crowd with the following speech: "O Muslims, if anyone of you has been worshipping
Muhammad, then let me tell you that Muhammad is dead. But if you really do worship Allah then
know that Allah is living and will never die. Do you forget the verse in the Quran:
"Muhammad is not more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away
before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn your back on your heels (as disbeliveers)?
And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah, and Allah will give
reward to those who are grateful." (Ch 3:144 Quran).
Upon hearing this speech of Abu Bakr, 'Umar acknowledged his error, and the crowd was
satisfied and dispersed.
Al-Abbas, the Prophet's uncle, presided at the preparation for the burial, and the body was duly
washed and perfumed. There was some dispute between the Quraish and the Ansars as to the
place of burial; however, Abu Bakr settled the dispute by affirming that he had heard the Prophet
say that a prophet should be buried at the very spot where he died. A grave was accordingly dug
in the ground within the house of Aisha and under the bed on which the Prophet died. In this
grave the body was buried, and the usual rites were performed by those who were present.
Thus ended the glorious life of that Prophet Muhammad.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
MY copy was
Written by Al-Imam ibn Kathir
Translated by Muhammad Mustapha Geme’ah, Al-Azhar
You may disagree with the beliefs of Catholics, for instance, but you still have a soft spot in your heart for anyone who accept Jesus as their savior.