For the Islamic community, their prophet is God's chosen leader and his spokesman on earth. God created his future prophet's soul out of pure light and before creating all other beings. Therefore, Muhammad is God's favorite and his most loved messenger.
Sadly, all prophets must die at some point and, despite that love, God did not make an exception for his last and best prophet. What's more, he decided that Muhammad must die without a son to succeed him as king of Arabia, the world of Islam. God made only one exception: In contrast to all other mortals, Muhammad could made an appointment with the Angel of Death, Azrail. No other human being has ever been granted such a favor.
Normally Death arrives unannounced, unwanted, unexpected, and inexorable. He takes the soul that God has sent him for and pulls it out of the body without delay, without paying attention to cries of pain or protest. Death obeys God blindly, like a good Muslim. Sinners fear his revenge for their crimes and resist him, making their death painful. Devout worshippers of God, on the other hand, have prepared themselves for this moment. They are pure of heart and eager to face their Maker, for to them God is the Friend.
There is in Islam no separation between religion and the state; thus Muhammad was not only the first religious leader, but also the creator and ruler of the first Islamic state in Arabia. His death without an heir therefore created the vexing problem of succession. Who has the right to rule the world of Islam? The present war between Iraq and Iran was sparked by that question.
It is for all these reasons that the legend of the Wafatu 'n-Nabii, the Death of the Prophet, is such a heart-rending tale for Muslims. It can be found in most collections of edifying tales for Muslim readers in the Middle East. The version that follows is from a manuscript in Swahili verse. Much of the extant material from the Swahili epic tradition, which dates at least from the early seventeenth century, is composed of a cycle of legends woven around the life of Muhammad, including the miracles seen at his birth, as well as his peaceful departure from this world. These didactic poems play an essential role in the educational system of Swahili Islam.
One night the angel Jibril descended from Heaven with a glad countenance. When the Prophet asked him what joyful tidings he had to announce, Jibril spoke, "My brother Muhammad, I am happy to tell you that you will soon join me in Heaven, for it has pleased my Master to decide that you will die tonight. Welcome to heaven!"
Thus spoke the angel to God's messenger:
"My brother, wise apostle of the Lord!
Please listen to these last words you will hear
from me while you are still alive on earth:
Come with me to my Paradise; it's home!
The birds are singing divine melodies.
The trees are all in bloom and full of flowers
of every color that the rainbow shows.
I have adorned the gardens and the paths.
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