The distinctive demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and His life beyond it

 Not only His blessed life, but even the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) shows that He is unparalleled and inimitable.

In the last days of Safar, portents of the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) begun to be revealed and the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) passed away into the presence of Allah on the 12^th of Rab’ee Ul Awwal.  Thus, we take this opportunity to describe the states and condition of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) before His passing away, so that we learn that even the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was unparalleled.

Whenever any human being is about to pass away, fear seeps into his/her heart.  An angel comes at the appointed time and whether that person wants to or not, his/her soul is drawn and his/her relationship with this world and its inhabitants breaks.

It should be remembered that although a common man will go through these phases at the time of death, but Allah Most High has granted unparalleled glory to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Each and every aspect of His blessed life is glorious and magnificent.  Every coming moment of His is better than the preceding one.  Thus, even the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is distinct and distinguished.

When the angel of death comes, it doesn’t need permission to enter anyone’s house, but when the same angel comes to the door of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), it seeks permission to enter it, on receiving permission, enters it deferentially, greets the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) with Salaam and says:  Allah Most High greets you with Salaam and has ordered me that unless you grant me permission, I should not draw your sacred soul.

Here, details about this are being presented in light of the Holy Quran and the Hadith:

Allah Most High says in the Holy Quran:

When there comes Allah?s help and victory, And you see people joining Allah?s Din (Religion) in droves, Then glorify Allah?s praise (in gratitude), exalting Him, and beg Him (humbly) for pardon. Surely, He is Ever-Relenting and Oft-Returning (with evermore compassion).  Surah Nasr 110:1-3)

Imam Raadhi (May Allah be well pleased with him) writes in the exegesis of this verse of the Holy Quran:

Translation: All the Companions agree that this Surah talks about the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  (Tafseer Kabeer, Surah Nasr-3)

In this Surah, it is said that when people enter Islam in droves and clan after clan embraces Islam, then it is a sign that the aim of Prophethood has been achieved, the propagation of the laws of Allah has been done in the most complete manner, then Allah Most High has ordered His Beloved to praise and glorify and to pray for the forgiveness of the Ummah i.e. it means that the demise of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is near.