In the last few days of his blessed life, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was ill. His illness was severe and debilitating. However, it seems to have been a progressive deterioration of strength, rather than acute pain or a particular disease. The Hadiths that speak about his last illness and what he did on different occasions during those last few days of his life are numerous. They give us different glimpses of what he did and said, presenting together a picture of his last concerns and preoccupations. Needless to say, none of these related to his own position in this world. They were all concerned with the future of the Muslim community and with ensuring a good position in the life to come.
Ibn Abbas reports: “The Prophet came out during his last illness, having covered himself with a sheet and put a gray band over his forehead. He sat on the pulpit, then praised God and glorified Him. He then said: ‘People will increase in number while the Ansar will get fewer and fewer until they are like salt in food. Whoever finds himself in a position to harm some people and benefit others should accept whatever good is done by those of them who do well and overlook slips done by the ones who do badly.’ This was the last time the Prophet sat to address people.” (Related by Al-Bukhari.)
This Hadith shows that the Prophet was in full command of his senses up to the last day of his blessed life. As this was the last time he sat to address people, it must have been a day or two before he passed away. We note that to his last moment, he would always praise and glorify God on every occasion. This time, however, he was particularly commending the Ansar. These were the people who never wavered in their support. They faced very difficult times, with massive forces besieging and attacking their city, declaring their intention to wipe them out. Yet they were always ready to sacrifice their all for the message he gave them. The Prophet was keen to commend them in his last public address. He compared them to salt being added to food: a little amount brings out all the flavor. He urged anyone with a position of authority to be kind to them and to overlook their slips. How wonderful.
It seems that the Prophet’s address was longer than that. We have different Hadiths quoting different parts of what he said. Last week we discussed a Hadith reported by Abu Saeed Al-Khudri, speaking of the occasion when the Prophet sat on the pulpit and addressed his companions for the last time. It is useful to quote the Hadith again: “The Prophet said: ‘A certain servant of God was given a choice that he would get whatever he wished of the luxuries and comforts of this world or he would take what was with God. He chose what was with God.’ Abu Bakr was in tears and he said: ‘We sacrifice our parents for your sake, Messenger of God.’ We wondered at his reaction. Some people said: ‘Look at this old man: the Prophet speaks about a certain person given this choice, and he reacts by saying that we sacrifice our parents for the Prophet’s sake.’ We later came to realize that the Prophet himself was God’s servant who was given that choice, and that Abu Bakr knew him better than we all did. The Prophet then said: ‘One of the people who have done me the best favors in their companionship and financial sacrifice is Abu Bakr. If I were to choose a special friend, I would choose Abu Bakr, but I would rather have the brotherhood of Islam. All private doors to the mosque should be closed except that of Abu Bakr.’” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others.)
Another Hadith reported by Ibn Abbas apparently speaks of the same occasion: “The Prophet came out during his last illness, having put a band on his forehead. He sat on the pulpit, then he praised and glorified God. He also said: ‘No one has ever done me more financial and personal favors than Abu Bakr. Were I to choose a special friend, I would choose Abu Bakr, but I would rather have the brotherhood of Islam. All private doors to the mosque should be closed except that of Abu Bakr.’” (Related by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari and Muslim.)
We note the similarity of wording in the last two Hadiths concerning Abu Bakr and his close friendship with the Prophet. Yet the two Hadiths are related by two different companions of the Prophet, each giving different emphasis. Abu Saeed Al-Khudri, however, gives a more detailed account of the Prophet’s address, but does not mention what the Prophet said about the Ansar. This may be due to the fact that Abu Saeed belonged to the Ansar and the occasion when he reported the Hadith did not seem suited to highlighting that aspect of the Hadith. Perhaps he wanted to focus the attention of his audience on the choice the Prophet was given and the nature of Abu Bakr’s relation with him.
The first and the third Hadiths are reported by Ibn Abbas, and it is clear that they are speaking of the same occasion, but with different accounts. This means that Ibn Abbas wanted to highlight certain points on different occasions. He thus refers each time to the relevant statement in the Prophet’s address.