Ibn `Abbas said, "Thursday! What (great thing) took place on Thursday!" Then he started weeping till
his tears wetted the gravels of the ground . Then he said, "On Thursday the illness of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
was aggravated and he said, "Fetch me writing materials so that I may have something written to you
after which you will never go astray." The people (present there) differed in this matter and people
should not differ before a prophet. They said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) is seriously sick.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"Let me alone, as the state in which I am now, is better than what you are calling me for." The Prophet (ﷺ)
on his death-bed, gave three orders saying, "Expel the pagans from the Arabian Peninsula, respect and
give gifts to the foreign delegates as you have seen me dealing with them." I forgot the third (order)"
(Ya'qub bin Muhammad said, "I asked Al-Mughira bin `Abdur-Rahman about the Arabian Peninsula
and he said, 'It comprises Mecca, Medina, Al-Yama-ma and Yemen." Ya'qub added, "And Al-Arj, the
beginning of Tihama.")
Narrated by Narrated Sa`id bin Jubair:
Context
Ibn `Abbas recalls a significant moment when the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was gravely ill and sought to write a message for his followers. The ensuing disagreement among the people highlights the importance of unity and respect for prophetic guidance. The Prophet's (ﷺ) insistence on prioritizing his current state over their requests emphasizes the gravity of the situation and the need for clarity in leadership.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and unity in times of crisis. In contemporary settings, it encourages individuals to seek guidance from trusted leaders and to avoid unnecessary disputes that can hinder progress.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Historical Lessons and Prophetic Warning because it reflects a pivotal moment in Islamic history, emphasizing the need for adherence to prophetic guidance and the consequences of division.
Prescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.
And warn them, [O Muhammad], of the Approaching Day, when hearts are at the throats, filled [with distress]. For the wrongdoers there will be no devoted friend and no intercessor [who is] obeyed.
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.
This hadith is #2928 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Sa`id bin Jubair:.
