BISMILLAH IR RAHMAN IR RAHEEM



THE ATTEMPTS ON THE PROPHET'S LIFE&

HIS DEATH

praise and veneration be upon him www.mosque.com Copyrighted
by Khadeijah Stephens and the Mosque of the Internet, 2000













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Labid, the Jewish sorcerer: There were several attempts on the
life of our Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, by
the Jews as well as the Koraysh. After the Battle of the Trench,
a Jew from Khybar paid Labid, a Jewish sorcerer in Medina
handsomely to cast a spell of deadly proportions on him.

Labid collected eleven strands of the Prophet's hair, tied them
into knots and as each knot was tied his daughters breathed
upon them as they uttered devilish incantations. Labid then
attached the knotted strands of hair to a twig that had the
pollen of a male date palm on it and threw it into a very
deep well. The only way to deactivate the spell was for each
of the knots to be untied, however, the well would first have
to be found and Labid was the only one who knew which one
he had thrown it into.

Shortly after this the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon
him, started to grew weak and lost his appetite. He did not
know what was causing this sudden weakness, so he supplicated
to Allah for a cure. As he slept he became aware of the presence
of two angels, one sat at his head and the other at
his feet  and they told him the reason for his illness and the
name of the well. Not long after their departure, Angel Gabriel
came to him and told him to recite two short chapters
which contained eleven verses:

"Say, 'I take refuge with the Lord of Daybreak from the evil
of what He has created from the evil of the darkness when it
gathers from the evil of blowers on knots; from the evil of
the envier when he envies.'" Chapter 113

"Say, 'I take refuge with the Lord of people the King of people
the God of people, from the evil of the slinking whisperer
who whispers in the chests of people both jinn and people.'"
Chapter 114

As the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, recited each
verse a knot untied and his strength regained.

As for Labid, the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him,
called for him but in his mercy, took no action against him
when he confessed that he had taken a bribe in exchange of
his sorcery. Soon after the well was filled in and a new well
was dug nearby.

Khybar: Khybar was a Jewish settlement with many well-armed and
fortified forts. For many years the Jews had been hostile
toward the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him. A while
before, it had been one of their tribesmen that had joined
Huyay from the tribe of Nadir and succeeded to incited the
Koraysh to rise up against the Prophet. Then again, in an
attempt to ensure the Koraysh victory at the Battle of the Trench
they had bribed the Ghatafan with the promise of one third
of their date harvest in return for their support.

There had been many attempts by the Prophet, praise and veneration
be upon him, to draw up peace treaties between them, however,
they mattered little to the Jews, who, after having
agreed to them, broke them.

Khybar was known to be particularly wealthy, and this in itself
presented a source of danger to the existence of the Muslims
as the Jews had already shown their ability and willingness
to use their wealth against them.

To ensure the future safety of the Muslims right to exist and
practice their religion, it was evident that something had
to be done about Khybar and so it was decided to quell their
resistance.

Al Hamdulillah, the Battle of Khybar was successful despite the
formidable, well-fortified forts. Many of its inhabitants
surrendered, some were killed and others taken captive. However,
the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, in his
mercy, allowed many Jewish families to retain their homes and
tend their famous date groves and keep some of its produce
whilst arranging for a Muslim army to protect them as they
felt insecure. However, there was the understanding that the
Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, could take the
properties away from them if they started to rebel.

The poisoned lamb: A Jew, by the name of Salaam, had been slain
during the Battle of Khybar and his wife sought to take revenge.
She knew that Prophet Muhammad, praise and veneration
be upon him, never refused the invitation of anyone, so she
invited him and his companions to a meal.

In preparation for the meal, Salaam's wife slaughtered a lamb,
then, as she prepared it, smeared it with poison, paying particular
attention to its shoulders, as she had heard that
the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, liked that part
of the meat.

When the lamb was ready she set it down in front of the Prophet
who took a bite of the poisoned meat. Before he had chance
to swallow it, the shoulder spoke informing him that it had
been poisoned whereupon he spat it out and told his companions
not to eat it. However, Bishr, Bara's son, who was sitting
next to the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him,
had already swallowed a piece of the meat and died almost instantly.

The Prophet sent for Salaam's wife and asked why she had poisoned
the lamb, whereupon she asked who had informed him it was
poisoned; the Prophet replied: "The shoulder."

In reply to his question she told him that he must know the reason
why she had poisoned the lamb. However, she continued
saying that it was on account of her slain husband as well as
her father and uncle. Then she told the Prophet, praise and
veneration be upon him, that if he had been a king she would
be better of without him, but on the other hand, if he was
a Prophet then she knew the poison would inform him.

Once again, the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, showed
mercy and took no action against her. However, from that
year up until the time he passed away, at the same time each
year, he would suffer on account of a tiny bit of poison
he had swallowed.

The last illness of the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon
him: Each year on the anniversary of the attempt to poison
the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, he would suffer
from its recurring effect and its time had come around
once again.

It was either the morning after his visit to the cemetery or
a morning shortly thereafter, that the Prophet experienced an
intense headache, the like of which he had never experienced
before. Despite his headache, he went to the Mosque to lead
the congregation in the dawn prayer, then climbed the pulpit
to supplicate for blessings upon those martyred at Uhud.
Then he said: "There is a worshiper among the worshipers of
Allah to whom Allah has given the choice between this world
and that which is with Him. The worshiper has chosen that which
is with Allah." Abu Bakr, who was in the congregation,
was deeply affected by the Prophet's remark and began to weep.
He knew that the worshiper the Prophet referred to was none
other than Prophet Muhammad, praise and veneration be upon
him, and that he would not be with them for much longer.

As Abu Bakr wept, the Prophet knew he understood what he had
said then spoke with comforting words saying: "O people, the
most merciful of men to me in both companionship and generosity
is Abu Bakr. If I were to take from all mankind an inseparable
companion, it would be Abu Bakr, but companionship and
brotherhood in belief is ours until Allah unites us in His
Presence."

Several homes had been built on to the external wall of the Mosque,
and like the apartments of the Prophet's wives, had doors
opening into the prayer area. As the Prophet glanced around
the Mosque he instructed all the doors, except that of
Abu Bakr, to be walled up. Before descending from the pulpit
the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, spoke once
more saying: "I go before you, and I am your witness. Your meeting
with me is at the Pool (Kawthar). As I stand here, indeed
I see it. I do not fear for you on account of reversion
to idolatry, rather, it is the world I fear for you if you
seek to vie with one another for its gain."

Then the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, left the
Mosque and returned to the apartment of Lady Maymunah. The
Prophet's headache worsened as the signs of fever appeared,
but after having rested for a while he went briefly to Lady
Ayesha's apartment to let her know he was unwell.

Lady Ayesha was also suffering from a headache and said as the
Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, entered: "Oh my
head!" Whereupon the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon
him, said: "No, Ayesha it is indeed my head." The Prophet
looked at her gentle face to see if perhaps she too was suffering
from a life threatening sickness, but could see no sign.
Whereupon he said: "Would that it might be whilst I am alive,
so that I might ask forgiveness for you and supplicate
for mercy upon you, then shroud and pray over you, then bury
you."

Lady Ayesha had never heard the Prophet, praise and veneration
be upon him, speak like this before and when she looked at
his face she could see he was very unwell, but tried to make
light of the situation and brought a smile to his face. Then
he repeated: "No, it is indeed my head," and returned to
Lady Maymunah's apartment.

Lady Ayesha heard the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon
him, say when he was in good health: "A Prophet never dies until
he has been shown his place in Paradise, and is then given
the option to live or die." And when she learned of the
Prophet's brief sermon that morning she knew he would not be
with her for much longer.

Despite the worsening of his illness, Prophet Muhammad, praise
and veneration be upon him, continued to lead his congregation
in prayer. As his sickness intensified he offered the prayer
in the sitting position and told the congregation to do
likewise.

The Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, became so weak
and exhausted that when he returned to the apartment of the
wife in whose turn it was to stay asked: "Where am I tomorrow,
and where the next day?" so his wife told him. She sensed
that he wished to be in Lady Ayesha's apartment and called
her co-wives together who went to him saying: "O Messenger
of Allah, we have given our days with you to our sister Ayesha."
The Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, gratefully
accepted their loving kindness and with the assistance
of Abbas and Ali  was helped to Lady Ayesha's apartment.



Osama: Before the Prophet had been taken ill, he gave instructions
that Osama, although still young, should lead the next
expedition, however, when news of his illness reached Osama
the preparations were put on hold and some expressed their
lack of confidence in Osama's ability to lead.

As the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, lay feverishly
ill in Lady Ayesha's apartment, he felt the necessity to
confirm Osama's appointment. He asked his wives to bring seven
skins of water, each from a different well, and for the
water to be poured over him.

Lady Hafsa fetched a tub and he sat in it while the water was
poured gently over him to reduce his fever. His wives dressed
him and wrapped cloth around his head, and with two of his
companions supporting him, he went into the Mosque and sat
down upon the pulpit then said: "O people, dispatch Osama with
his army. You question his leadership as you questioned
his father's before him, yet he is worthy to take command, just
as his father was." Then, with the help of his companions
he was assisted back to Lady Ayesha's apartment and preparations
for the march resumed and Osama led the army out of Medina,
but such was his worry about the Prophet's condition
he ordered his army to strike camp three miles outside Medina.

Abu Bakr leads the prayer: It was time for the next prayer to
be offered but the Prophet's condition had deteriorated to
the extent that he felt he was no longer able to lead the prayer,
not even from the sitting position. He told his wives
to ask Abu Bakr to lead the prayer. However, his daughter, Lady
Ayesha, feared her father would be greatly distressed if
he was asked to lead the prayer on behalf of the Prophet, and
said: "O Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr is a very tender-hearted
man, his voice is not strong and is given to weeping when
he recites the Koran". Then she suggested that perhaps Omar
should lead the prayer. However, the Prophet, praise and
veneration be upon him, insisted upon Abu Bakr. Lady Ayesha
glanced at Lady Hafsa to try to enlist her help, but the Prophet
would not hear of it, so Abu Bakr led the prayers.

His visitors: Lady Ayesha and her co-wives comforted and tended
to the Prophet's needs as best they could and when visitors
entered they would often find him with his head cradled upon
Lady Ayesha's lap or propped up so that he rested against
her. When Lady Fatima, the Prophet's daughter came to visit
him they withdrew so that they might share some precious time
alone together.

Osama's return to Medina: Osama could not bear to leave the Prophet,
praise and veneration be upon him, in such condition
so he returned again to Medina to visit him. As he entered
the room he found the Prophet conscious but too ill to speak.
Osama bent over him and kissed him, whereupon the Prophet,
praise and veneration be upon him, raised his hand, with his
palm facing upward in supplication for blessings upon him.
Then, it was as if he emptied the supplication upon him, and
Osama felt it would be the last time he would see the Prophet,
praise and veneration be upon him, in this life and left
with great sadness to return to the camp.

The next day, Monday 12th of Rabi 1, the Prophet's fever eased,
and although he was extremely weak he summoned all his energy
and was assisted to the Mosque by Thawban and Fadl.

The dawn prayer had already begun and when the congregation realized
he was amongst them they were overjoyed. As he saw them
at prayer his face shone with great happiness that prompted
Anas to comment later on: "I have never seen the Prophet's
face more beautiful than it was at that hour."

Abu Bakr, who was leading the prayer, sensed his presence and
so without turning his head, stepped back for the Prophet,
praise and veneration be upon him, to continue its leadership.
However, the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him,
placed his hand on his shoulder and nudged him to resume whilst
he seated himself by his side and offered his prayer with
him.

After the prayer, the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon
him, remained for sometime in the Mosque and the congregation
rejoiced as they thought his condition had taken a turn for
the better.

Soon after Osama, who was so very worried about the Prophet's
condition, returned to Medina yet gain and was overjoyed to
see that he was able to pray once again in the Mosque. The
Prophet told Osama: 'Go, with the blessings of Allah." Whereupon
Osama greeted him with peace then took his leave with a
cheerful heart and ordered his army to resume the march.

Fadl and Thawban helped the Prophet, praise and veneration be
upon him, to return to Lady Ayesha's room whilst Ali and Abbas
followed them, however, the Prophet, praise and veneration
be upon him, was tired and so they did not stay long. As
they left the apartment, anxious inquirers asked after the Prophet's
health, whereupon Ali replied: "Praise be to Allah,
he is better." However, Abbas had noticed a certain look upon
the Prophet's face and told Ali: "By Allah, in three days,
you will be governed by someone else. And by Allah, I feel
that the Messenger of Allah will die from this sickness, for
I know the look of death upon the face of the children of
Abdul Muttalib."

The time for departure: The throes of death were evident upon
our beloved Prophet's face, praise and veneration be upon him,
as he dipped his hand into a jug of water then rubbed his
wetted hand over his face as he uttered the words: "There
is no god except Allah, death has it agonies." Then he slept
for a while. As he awoke for the last time he gazed upward
towards to ceiling and raised his hands saying: "O Allah, with
the highest companion," until he could no longer raise them
as the angels gently took away his very precious soul.

Immense sadness descended upon the household and his wives began
to weep as, with loving care, Lady Ayesha laid his head
down upon the pillow and covered him with a cloak. The last
Prophet and Messenger of Allah, praise and veneration be upon
him, had passed away at the age of sixty-three.

A time to lay the Prophet to rest: It was time for the Prophet,
praise and veneration be upon him, to be laid to rest, however,
the companions were uncertain how they should best prepare
him, for he was not to be treated like ordinary men. Then,
Allah in His Mercy caused a deep slumber to overtake them
in which each heard a voice saying: "Wash the Prophet with
his garment upon him." When they awoke they told each other
of the voice and were happy to know that they had all heard
the same instruction, so they went to Lady Ayesha's apartment
where he lay to give him his final bath.

When the Prophet, praise and veneration be upon him, passed away
he was wearing a long woolen robe, so they wetted it. Then,
Ali gently rubbed his hand over it and as he did he said:
"Dearer than my father and my mother, how excellent you are
in both life and death." To all who attended him, the  Prophet,
praise and veneration be upon him, appeared just as if
he was sleeping peacefully.

The matter now arose as to where he should be laid to rest. Some
thought it should be near the graves of his daughters and
his son Abraham, whilst others were of the opinion that he
should be buried in the Mosque. The matter was resolved when
Abu Bakr told them that he heard the Prophet, praise and veneration
be upon him, once say: "No Prophet dies except he
is buried where he died." Whereupon a grave was dug in the floor
of Lady Ayesha's room near the bed on which he lay.

All praise and glory and thanks be to Allah, the Most High, who,
in His Mercy sent to us our beloved Prophet Muhammad, may
the praise and veneration of Allah continually pour upon him,
in such magnitude of quality and quantity throughout all
eternity in ways He has made known to his worshippers and in
ways in which He alone has knowledge. Ameen

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This is a brief extraction from the Mosque of the Internet's
production of the Seerah, www.mosque.com, which is released
in the FREE Islamic Interactive College on the same site.