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Abu Bakr leads Prayer 
In spite of the severity of the Prophet’s illness, he continued 
to lead prayers. However, that Thursday, when it was time for 
evening prayer, the Prophet took a bath to assuage his pain. 
When he tried to get up, though, he lost consciousness. When he 
came to, he bathed again, but fell unconscious when he was about 
to get up. He bathed a third time, and a third time he blacked out 
when he tried to get up. He then sent word to Abu Bakr to 
lead prayer. Abu Bakr led seventeen prayers because of the 
Prophet’s deteriorating health. 
Between Saturday and Sunday, the Prophet felt a little 
relief. Two people supported him and took him to the Mosque to 
perform the noon prayer. At that time, Abu Bakr was leading 
prayer. The Prophet sat on his left, and Abu Bakr followed 
the Prophet in prayer while the others followed him . 
 
 

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290 
All for charity 
On Sunday, the Prophet set his slaves free, gave away his 
last seven dinars in charity, and bequeathed his weapons to the 
Muslim army. When night drew near, Aishah sent her lamp to a 
woman in the neighbourhood to drop a little tallow in it. The 
Prophet’s coat of mail had been pawned with a Jew for about 
seventy-five kilograms of barley. 
The Prophet’s death draws near 
On Monday morning, Abu Bakr was leading prayer when 
the Prophet lifted the curtain of Aishah’s house, which 
adjoined the Mosque, and looked at the people in prayer. He 
smiled, and Abu Bakr moved backwards a little thinking that 
the Prophet wanted to come and lead the prayer. 
The people, when they saw the radiance of the Prophet’s 
face, were overtaken by such happiness that they almost 
interrupted their prayers. The Prophet , however, motioned that 
they should complete the prayer. He disappeared behind the 
curtain. 
Later that day (other sources indicate it was later that week), 
the Prophet called his daughter Fatimah . He whispered 
something to her, and she burst into tears. He then whispered to 
her again, at which she smiled. Aishah asked Fatimah what the 
Prophet had told her, but she said he had asked her to keep it a 
secret. After the Prophet’s death, Fatimah revealed that her father 
had first told her he would not recover from his illness, and this 
had made her cry. Then he told her that of his children, she 
would be the next to join him, which had made her smile. He also 
informed her that she would be made the Sayyidah (leader) of the 
women of Paradise. 
Fatimah was so distressed at her father’s agony, she cried, “O 
the pains of my dear father!” The Prophet replied, “After this 
day, your father will suffer no more pain.” 

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The Prophet then called Fatimah’s sons, Hasan and 
Husayn , and kissed them. His wives were nearby, and he 
counselled them. His pain was gradually increasing, and he put a 
sheet over his face and would uncover it only when he was out of 
breath. He would say, “May the curse of Allah be upon the Jews 
and Christians!” He repeated his earlier instruction that no two 
religions were to flourish in Arabia. Finally, he repeated over and 
over again: “Prayer, prayer… your slaves and subordinates.”