Chapter 1: The Day the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Left
It was a quiet Monday morning in Medina, the year 632 CE. The air felt unusually heavy, and an eerie stillness blanketed the city. People went about their chores slowly, exchanging worried glances and hushed whispers. Everyone knew the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ (peace be upon him) had been unwell for some days, and anxiety gripped the hearts of all those who loved him dearly.
THE BRIEF HISTORY OF ISLAM!
Danish Shafiq
5/17/20263 min read
It was a quiet Monday morning in Medina, the year 632 CE. The air felt unusually heavy, and an eerie stillness blanketed the city. People went about their chores slowly, exchanging worried glances and hushed whispers. Everyone knew the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ (peace be upon him) had been unwell for some days, and anxiety gripped the hearts of all those who loved him dearly.
Inside a modest room next to the Prophet's Mosque, Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ lay on a simple mat, his body weak but his spirit peaceful. Close friends and family members came and went silently, each carrying the heavy burden of uncertainty. His صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ loyal companions, Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and Umar ibn Al-Khattab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, waited anxiously nearby, their hearts restless with worry.
When the moment came, a soft voice whispered through the streets of Medina, “The Messenger of Allah has returned to his Creator.” Shock surged like lightning through the city. Disbelief turned to sorrow, then despair. Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, a towering figure among the companions, refused to accept it. He drew his sword in anguish, crying out, "The Messenger is not dead! He has gone to meet his Lord and will soon return!"
At this critical moment, it was Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ who steadied everyone. A calm, wise man who had always been by the Prophet’s صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ side, Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ stepped forward gently but firmly. With tears in his eyes, he spoke softly yet clearly to the gathered companions: "Whoever worshipped Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , know that Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ is no more. But whoever worshipped Allah, know that Allah is Ever-Living and does not die."
His simple words fell upon the crowd, quieting their grief, reminding them of the truth they had known but momentarily forgotten. Umar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ slowly lowered his sword, his anger turning to tears as reality sank in.
In the days that followed, Medina buzzed with uneasy tension. Questions arose everywhere. "Who will lead us now? What happens next?" Different tribes began stirring restlessly, thinking this was the chance to break away from the unity Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ had painstakingly built.
Recognizing the looming danger, the companions met quickly under the shade of a place called Saqifah. Opinions differed sharply, voices raised, each proposing their own views. It was a delicate time—one wrong move could tear apart the fragile unity the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ had established. Yet again, it was Abu Bakr’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ calm voice that emerged clearly above the chaos. He reminded them of the words and examples of the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Gradually, a consensus formed around him.
“Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ is the best among us,” a voice called out clearly. Many nodded in agreement. Eventually, they pledged allegiance, placing their hands gently into his, accepting Abu Bakr as their new leader, the first Caliph after Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.
But peace did not come easily. Many distant tribes saw the Prophet's صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ death as a moment to abandon Islam or refuse paying the obligatory Zakat. They argued, "We pledged loyalty to Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ , and he is gone now." Soon, these whispers grew louder into open rebellion.
Abu Bakr رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ stood firm. He knew unity was critical; Islam's message had to survive intact. He sent messengers to persuade rebels peacefully, but when they refused, he made the difficult choice. He called upon trusted generals, including Khalid ibn al-Walid رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ , known as the "Sword of Allah," and dispatched armies to restore unity.
These confrontations, known as the "Ridda Wars," became Abu Bakr's رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ greatest challenge. Though painful, these battles were essential. Khalid’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ swift victories showed the strength and resolve of the newly-formed Muslim state. One by one, the rebellious tribes surrendered or were defeated, bringing stability back to the land.
Yet, even as peace returned, another threat was growing at the borders of Arabia. Far away, the mighty Persian and Roman empires watched, ready to test this new, young force rising from the deserts of Arabia.
The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, peace be upon him, was gone, but his message continued to echo powerfully. Islam, united under Abu Bakr’s رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ gentle but steady hand, stood ready for whatever came next.
(End of Chapter 1)