Blindspot!
From Issue: 620 [Read full issue]
The Passing of a Prophet
Muhammad conducted one final pilgrimage to Mecca when he was nearing 63 years of age. he delivered a famous address, known as his Farewell Speech, and then retired to Medina where he tried to continue with his duties as best as he could. By this time, however, he was frail and weak, owing to age (and possibly also due to an unsuccessful poisoning attempt directed against him years before by a woman belonging to the Banu Nadir). He became progressively reflective and introspective in the eyes of those around him and made more frequent visits to the graveyard to commune with his thoughts. When he became too ill to lead the congregational prayers in the mosque, he chose Abu Bakr to stand for him. Finally, after suffering through several days of intense fever, Muhammad raised his eyes to Heaven and called out, "Better the next world on high." With his head resting in his beloved Aishah's lap Muhammad, peace be upon him, passed away. The date was Monday, the twelfth of Rabi Al-Awwal, in the eleventh year of Al-Hijrah (8th of June in the year 632 C.E.). He was buried in the place where he breathed his last. Today the famous green dome of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina marks the spot where his grave lies.
His life and mission touched upon the hearts of a people who were living in superstition and idolatry. The teachings he promoted uplifted the status of women, gave rights to the poor, regulated the moral and social life of his followers, and provided a path to salvation for millions. Michael Hart, in his book The One Hundred Most Influential People, ranked Muhammad as the most important person who ever affected our world because of his example, success, and enduring message. He was able to successfully fuse the tenets of religion and politics on a level no one has been able to do since. Writers from Washington Irving to Mahatma Gandhi have praised him for his sincerity and noble character. Such was Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah:
Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there a man greater than he? (Lamartine, Historie De La Turquie, Vol. II, pp. 276-277, 1854)
Compiled From:
"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Islam, 2nd Edition" - Yahiya Emerick, pp. 311, 312