وفاة النبي ﷺ
The Death of the Prophet ﷺ
12 Rabi' al-Awwal (Monday), 11 AH (632 CE)
The room of Aisha, adjacent to Masjid al-Nabawi, Madinah حجرة عائشة – المسجد النبوي – المدينة
The Prophet ﷺ fell ill and his condition worsened over several days. During his illness, he continued to lead prayers until he became too weak, at which point he instructed Abu Bakr to lead the prayers. He spent his final days in the room of Aisha. On Monday, 12th Rabi' al-Awwal, he passed away with his head resting on Aisha's chest, having chosen to be with 'the Highest Companion' (Ar-Rafiq al-A'la). He was 63 years old.
Why this matters
The death of the Prophet ﷺ was the most devastating event for the Muslim community. Umar initially refused to believe it, threatening anyone who said the Prophet ﷺ had died. Abu Bakr entered, kissed the Prophet's ﷺ forehead, and addressed the people with the verse: 'Muhammad is no more than a messenger; other messengers have passed before him.' This confirmed the truth and Umar collapsed. The Prophet ﷺ was buried in the room where he died — now part of Masjid al-Nabawi.
Quran references
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِيْن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَـٰبِكُمْ
Surah Aal-Imran, 144
Muhammad is no more than a messenger; other messengers have passed before him. So if he were to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels?
إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌۭ وَإِنَّهُم مَّيِّتُونَ
Surah Az-Zumar, 30
Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die.
Hadith references
Sahih al-Bukhari, #4449
Narrated by: Aisha
“The Prophet ﷺ died in my house and on my day, and between my chest and my neck. Allah joined my saliva with his saliva at his death. Abdur-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr entered with a siwak (tooth stick), and the Prophet ﷺ looked at it, so I took it and chewed it to soften it, then gave it to him. He rubbed his teeth with it... then his hand dropped and he was gazing upward, saying: 'With the Highest Companion... with the Highest Companion.'”
Sahih al-Bukhari, #1241
Narrated by: Aisha
“Abu Bakr came, uncovered the Prophet's ﷺ face, bent over him and kissed him, and wept, saying: 'You are dearer to me than my father and mother. By Allah, Allah will not cause you to die twice.' Then he went out and said: 'Whoever worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad has died. And whoever worshipped Allah, then Allah is alive and will never die.' Then he recited the verse: 'Muhammad is no more than a messenger...'”