Table of Contents
The Final Moments in This World
The passing of the Prophet ﷺ is the most painful moment in the Seerah and at the same time one of its greatest lessons. It is the day when revelation on earth came to an end, the day when the most beloved of Allah’s creation left this world and returned to his Lord.
Allah, the Exalted, had already prepared the believers for this reality in the Quran. During the battle of Uhud, when rumors spread that the Prophet ﷺ had been killed, Allah revealed:
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِيْن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَٰبِكُمْ
“Muhammad is no more than a messenger. Messengers have passed on before him. So if he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels?”
(Surat Aal Imran 3:144)
This verse would later become the anchor that brought the companions back to composure when the Prophet ﷺ finally did pass away.
The Morning of Monday
The Prophet’s final illness and its signs belong to the previous chapter. Here, we focus on his last day itself, which was a Monday in Rabi al Awwal. Many authentic reports indicate that at Fajr on that day he ﷺ experienced a moment of renewed strength.
He was in the apartment of Aishah رضي الله عنها, adjacent to the masjid in Madinah. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه was leading the Muslims in prayer, as he had been during the final days of the Prophet’s illness. As the companions stood in rows, the Prophet ﷺ moved the curtain of Aishah’s door which opened into the masjid. The companions looked and saw his blessed face watching them pray.
Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه said:
كُشِفَ السِّتْرُ يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ، فَنَظَرْنَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ، وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ كَأَنَّ وَجْهَهُ وَرَقَةُ مُصْحَفٍ
“The curtain was lifted on Monday and we looked at the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He was standing and his face was as bright as a page of the Mushaf.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
The companions were overjoyed, thinking he had recovered. Abu Bakr intended to move back to let the Prophet ﷺ lead the prayer, but the Prophet signaled to him to remain and complete it. He smiled at them, then let the curtain fall. This was the last time the companions saw him ﷺ alive in the masjid.
His Final Moments in the House of Aishah
After this, the Prophet ﷺ remained in the room of Aishah. His pain increased, and the companions understood that the illness was serious, although they still hoped for his recovery. Aishah رضي الله عنها held him and supported him, and he spent his last breaths with his head resting between her chest and neck.
She described:
مَاتَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي بَيْتِي، وَفِي يَوْمِي، وَبَيْنَ سَحْرِي وَنَحْرِي
“The Prophet ﷺ died in my house, on my day, and between my chest and my neck.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
He also used the siwak at that time. Abdur Rahman ibn Abi Bakr entered with a fresh toothstick. Aishah saw the Prophet ﷺ looking at it, so she understood he wished to use it. She took it, softened it by chewing it, then gave it to him. She said:
فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَقَضَمْتُهُ، ثُمَّ طَيَّبْتُهُ، ثُمَّ دَفَعْتُهُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ، فَاسْتَنَّ بِهِ
“I took it, chewed it, softened it, then gave it to the Prophet ﷺ, and he cleaned his teeth with it.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
This was the last act of his worldly life, purifying his mouth as he purified this ummah.
His Last Words
Several narrations describe what the Prophet ﷺ said in his final moments. The strongest reports mention his deep concern for the prayer and for the weakness of people after him, and his highest longing for his Lord.
Among his last repeated instructions, as narrated by Umm Salamah and others, was:
الصَّلَاةَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُكُمْ
“(Take care of) the prayer, the prayer, and those whom your right hands possess.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, graded authentic)
He emphasized the centrality of salah and mercy toward the vulnerable as his departing command.
Aishah رضي الله عنها also narrated:
وَكَانَ مِنْ آخِرِ كَلَامِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ: «اللَّهُمَّ فِي الرَّفِيقِ الْأَعْلَى»
“Among the last words of the Prophet ﷺ were: ‘O Allah, (let me be) in the Highest Companion.’”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
He chose to be with “al Rafiq al A‘la,” the Highest Companion, surrounded by the company of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous in the presence of his Lord.
Another important narration from Aishah describes that he raised his hand and said:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَأَلْحِقْنِي بِالرَّفِيقِ الأَعْلَى
“O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, and join me with the Highest Companion.”
(Musnad Ahmad, authentic)
In these words appear both his humility and his love for Allah. Even when all his past and future sins had been forgiven, he still asked for forgiveness and mercy.
Key point: The most widely reported of his final statements are his emphasis on the prayer, his concern for those under people’s authority, and his longing for “al Rafiq al A‘la,” the Highest Companion.
The Exact Time of His Passing
The Prophet ﷺ passed away on a Monday in Rabi al Awwal, most reports indicating the 12th day, in the late morning around the time of Duha. Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه said:
تُوُفِّيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ
“The Prophet ﷺ died on Monday.”
(Sahih Muslim)
His death occurred in the most honored city of Madinah, in the most honored place within it, his wife’s room attached to the masjid, and during a blessed time of the day.
The Companion’s First Reactions
News of his passing spread rapidly through Madinah. The shock was so severe that many companions could not believe or accept it at first. Their attachment to him was unlike any other bond in their lives. They knew intellectually that he would die one day, but when it happened, emotions overwhelmed them.
Umar ibn al Khattab رضي الله عنه, out of intense grief, stood in the masjid and said that anyone who claimed Muhammad ﷺ had died would be punished. He declared that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had gone to his Lord as Musa عليه السلام had gone and would return. This was not a denial of revelation, but a powerful emotional reaction from deep love.
Anas ibn Malik described that day saying:
مَا رَأَيْتُ يَوْمًا قَطُّ أَحْسَنَ وَلَا أَضْوَأَ مِنْ يَوْمٍ دَخَلَ فِينَا فِيهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ، وَمَا رَأَيْتُ يَوْمًا قَطُّ أَقْبَحَ وَلَا أَظْلَمَ مِنْ يَوْمٍ مَاتَ فِينَا فِيهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ
“I never saw a day better or brighter than the day the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered Madinah, and I never saw a day worse or darker than the day the Messenger of Allah ﷺ died.”
(Musnad Ahmad)
The love of the companions appears clearly in these descriptions. Their world seemed covered in darkness when he left it.
Abu Bakr’s Composure and the Recitation of the Verses
Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, who was outside Madinah at that exact moment, quickly returned when he heard the news and went directly to the apartment of Aishah. He uncovered the Prophet’s face, kissed his forehead, and said:
بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ، لَا يَجْمَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ مَوْتَتَيْنِ، أَمَّا الْمَوْتَةُ الَّتِي كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْكَ فَقَدْ مِتَّهَا
“May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Prophet of Allah. Allah will not cause you to die twice. As for the death that was written for you, you have already experienced it.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
Then he went into the masjid where Umar was speaking to the people in distress. Abu Bakr asked him to sit, but Umar, still overwhelmed, refused. Abu Bakr then turned to the people and delivered one of the most important statements in Islamic history. He recited the verse that had been revealed years earlier at Uhud:
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِيْن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَٰبِكُمْ
“Muhammad is no more than a messenger. Messengers have passed on before him. So if he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels?”
(Surat Aal Imran 3:144)
After reciting it, he said words with clear meaning:
مَن كَانَ يَعْبُدُ مُحَمَّدًا فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا قَدْ مَاتَ، وَمَن كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ
“Whoever used to worship Muhammad, then indeed Muhammad has died. And whoever used to worship Allah, then indeed Allah is Ever Living and does not die.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
Anas and others narrated that when Abu Bakr recited this verse, it felt to the people as if it had just been revealed at that moment, even though they had heard it before. Umar said:
فَوَاللَّهِ مَا هُوَ إِلَّا أَنْ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بَكْرٍ تَلَاهَا فَعَقَرْتُ حَتَّى مَا تُقِلُّنِي رِجْلَايَ، وَحَتَّىٰ أَهْوَيْتُ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ إِذْ سَمِعْتُهُ تَلَاهَا، عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَدْ مَاتَ
“By Allah, it was only when I heard Abu Bakr recite it that my legs could no longer hold me, and I fell to the ground when I heard him recite it. I knew then that the Prophet ﷺ had died.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
The Quranic verse, supported by Abu Bakr’s firm faith, brought the community back to the correct understanding. The Prophet ﷺ was the messenger of Allah, not the object of worship. Allah alone is eternal.
Foundational lesson: The passing of the Prophet ﷺ taught the ummah to attach ultimate worship and reliance only to Allah, while loving and following His Messenger ﷺ as the greatest guide and example.
The End of Revelation
With the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, revelation on earth came to a complete end. Jibril عليه السلام would no longer descend with Quran or new commandments. The religion was now complete and sealed.
Allah had already declared the completion of the religion during the Farewell Pilgrimage:
ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ، وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى، وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَٰمَ دِينًا
“Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have approved for you Islam as religion.”
(Surat al Ma’idah 5:3)
This perfection meant that after his death no more prophets would come. The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَا نَبِيَّ بَعْدِي
“There will be no prophet after me.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
His passing therefore confirms his status as the final messenger and seals the line of prophethood.
The Ummah’s Grief
The companions’ grief after his death was deep and long lasting. Many of them could not control their tears when his name was mentioned for years afterward. They felt that the connection between heaven and earth that they experienced through his presence and speech had been removed.
At the same time, their love for him turned into a stronger commitment to preserve his teachings. Their sorrow did not make them abandon the religion. Instead, it motivated them to carry his message to the rest of humanity.
Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه, deeply affected, is reported to have said regarding that day that no calamity before or after it could match it. Yet he and the others moved forward in obedience to Allah and in loyalty to His Messenger ﷺ.
The Meaning of His Passing for Believers
For Muslims, the passing of the Prophet ﷺ is not only a historical event. It has several important meanings.
First, it reminds every believer that no human being, no matter how beloved or great, remains in this world forever. Allah said:
إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌۭ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ
“Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die.”
(Surat az Zumar 39:30)
The Prophet ﷺ experienced death like all humans, which makes it clear that the journey of life, death, and the Hereafter is universal.
Second, his passing proves the truth of his message. He did not claim any share of divinity. He lived as a servant and messenger of Allah, and he died as a servant and messenger of Allah. His life and his death both taught pure tawhid.
Third, it reminds the ummah that their connection to him now is through knowledge, love, and following his Sunnah, not through physical presence. Whoever wants to be near him on the Day of Judgment must follow his path today.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أَنَا فَرَطُكُمْ عَلَى الْحَوْضِ
“I will precede you to the Hawd (the Fountain).”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
His death did not end his concern for his ummah. He will wait for them at the Hawd, and intercede by Allah’s permission for those who remained faithful.
Core reminder: The way to closeness with the Prophet ﷺ after his passing is through belief in his message, love for his Sunnah, and obedience to Allah according to what he taught.
The Balance of Love and Tawhid
One of the greatest lessons from the passing of the Prophet ﷺ is how Islam balances intense love for the Prophet with pure devotion to Allah alone. The companions loved him more than their own lives, yet when reminded by Abu Bakr and the Quran, they accepted his death and continued the mission.
The Prophet ﷺ had already warned against exaggeration in love that leads to worship. He said:
لَا تُطْرُونِي كَمَا أَطْرَتِ النَّصَارَى عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ، فَإِنَّمَا أَنَا عَبْدُهُ، فَقُولُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولُهُ
“Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising Isa son of Mary. I am only His servant, so say: the servant of Allah and His messenger.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
His passing placed this lesson into practice for the entire community. They loved him deeply, but they did not worship him. They grieved for him, but they did not despair of Allah’s mercy.
From His Death to His Eternal Life in the Hereafter
Although his physical life in this world ended, Islamic texts affirm that the Prophets enjoy a special life in al barzakh. This is an unseen matter, and its details belong to specialized discussions, but some texts indicate that Allah honored the Prophets after death.
Among them is the hadith:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ أَنْ تَأْكُلَ أَجْسَادَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ
“Allah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud, authentic)
While the exact nature of this life is unknown to us, it is part of belief in the unseen that their rank with Allah remains exalted, and that the Prophet ﷺ is alive in the sense of the barzakh life of the Prophets, honored in the highest degrees.
However, his role as law bringing messenger and recipient of revelation ended completely with his passing. No new law, no new revelation, and no new prophet will ever come after him.
Conclusion: A Departure Filled with Mercy
The passing of the Prophet ﷺ was both the most painful and the most merciful event for this ummah. He left this world at the appointed time written by Allah, after conveying the message clearly and perfectly. He departed with his head resting on the chest of his beloved wife Aishah, his mouth purified by the siwak, his heart longing for “al Rafiq al A‘la,” and his tongue reminding the ummah of prayer and mercy.
His death moved the companions from reliance on his physical presence to reliance upon Allah and faith in His revelation. It marked the completion of the religion and the sealing of prophethood. From that day onward, the responsibility of carrying his message passed to his ummah, generation after generation.
For the believer, remembering his passing is a moment to renew love for him, gratitude for his effort, and commitment to his Sunnah, while turning the heart completely to Allah, the Ever Living who never dies.