1. What did the Prophet صلّى الله عليه وسلّم tell his daughter Fatimah after observing the I'tikaf of Ramadan that preceded the Farewell Pilgrimage?
The Prophet صلّى الله عليه وسلّم said to his daughter 'Fatimah رضي الله عنها "Jibril recites the Qur'an to me and I to him once every year, but this year he has recited with me twice. I cannot but think my time has come."
2. When did the Prophet's illness begin?
The Prophet's illness began one night not long after he ordered preparations for the Syrian Campaign, and before the army had left; he went to the grave yard called al-Baqi, in the small hours of the night and prayed forgiveness for the people of the cemetery. It was at dawn that day that his head began to ache unusually. It was the twenty-ninth of the month of Safar, 11 A.H.
3. How long did it last?
The Prophet's illness lasted about fourteen days.
4. Where did the Prophet choose to stay during his last illness?
He chose A'ishah رضي الله عنها house for his stay during his last illness.
5. What did the Prophet tell his companions from the pulpit some five days before his death?
The Prophet صلّى الله عليه وسلّم told them, "There is a slave amongst the slaves of Allah to whom Allah has offered the choice between this world and that which is with Him, and the slave has chosen that which is with Him."
6. What did he say of Abu Bakr?
He said : "O People, the most generous towards me with regard to his companionship and property was Abu Bakr, And were I to choose anyone but my Lord to be my dearest friend, indeed I would choose Abu Bakr, but for him I cherish Islamic brotherliness and love."
7. What secret did the Prophet confide to Fatimah, a little before his death?
The Prophet صلّى الله عليه وسلّم told Fatimah رضي الله عنها that “he would die in this illness”, and so she wept. Then he told her that “Fatimah would be the first of the people of his house to follow him”, and therefore she laughed.
8. What were his last words?
“O Allah! The Sublime Companion”
9. What was the effect of the sad news on the Companions?
They were shaken with grief and confusion, and ran to the Masjid Nabawi where the pointless debate ensued and threatened to take a serious turn. Some thought that he would outlive them all and other generations to come.
