Story of Prophet Muhammad – Part 4: The Prophet (S.A.W.) is taken back to his Mother
Story of Prophet Muhammad – Part 5: Death of Hazrat Amina R.A
The life of the Prophet Muhammad SAW is a tapestry filled with extraordinary occasions, incidents, and characters. The adored mother of the Prophet SAW, Amina bint Wahb, is at the center of this beautiful story. Despite her short life span, she left a lasting impression on Islamic history and the hearts of Muslims throughout. Indeed she was an important personality in determining the Prophet’s fate and the formation of early Islam.
Amina was completely determined to give her child the finest upbringing possible despite the difficulties she encountered as a single mother. She taught Him to appreciate kindness, honesty, and devotion to ALLAH SWT. Amina’s everlasting love for her son served as a model for his personality and purpose, preparing him to become the Prophet of Islam.
Amina RA died in the village of Abwa leaving Muhammad SAW in great pain and making Him suffer a great loss as a result of her passing. For many years to come, Amina’s nourishing love, direction, and the profound spiritual connection she created with her son would continue to influence his life and teachings.
Hazrat Amina decided to go back to Macca after spending around a month in Madina with her son, the Master of the Universe (PBUH), and His nanny Umm Ayman. With a heavy heart and tearful eyes, she bid her family members farewell before leaving the city. Prophet Muhammad SAW could not see her mother in such pain and He cried ardently as well.
In the meanwhile, Halfway through their journey back to Macca, Hazrat Amina RA became ill. Umm Ayman and Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) were scared and could not think what to do in the face of a condition whose level of suffering was only increasing.
They took her under the shelter of a tree 23 kilometers south of Madina. This place was Abwa, a terrain between Mecca and Medina, where destiny intertwined with mortality.
Hazrat Amina was unable to hold herself back as she fell to the ground, her knees losing all strength and stamina. She was covered. The intensity of Hazrat Amina’s condition caused her to be sweating. Tears flowed from Our Beloved Prophet’s eyes at the thought of losing His beloved mother. It appeared as though everything had stopped. There was silence, and the sky was completely still.
Hazrat Amina felt extremely weak and she lay on the ground in frail condition. Her strength was waning against the backdrop of the desert landscape.
Prophet Muhammad SAW could not hold his tears, He collected himself somehow and asked his mother “How are you, dear mother?”
The mother did not want her only child to be upset since she had a heart full of compassion. I’m alright, my dear, nothing’s wrong, she said, trying to hide the fact that she was trembling with excruciating anguish from her beloved kid.
Her pain was getting intolerable and at a point, she understood that she is going to bid farewell to her beloved son.
The following words came out of her mouth as she gazed at her sun-like-radiant child in her last moments, experiencing a deep desire as she did so. She smelled his hands to her heart’s delight.
“You are the son of the man who was saved from the terrible arrow of death with God’s help and beneficence in exchange for a hundred camels. May God render you glorious and relentless. If what I have seen in my dreams is true, then you will be sent as a Prophet by God to inform the sons of Adam of what is lawful and unlawful, and upon this, you will possess majesty and many gifts. You will be sent to complete the submission and religion of our forefather, Ibrahim. God is going to protect and withhold you and nations from idol worshipping idols. Every living being will die and everything new will wear out. Everyone who becomes old will disappear. Everything is ephemeral, everything will leave. Yes, I am going to die as well. However, my name will remain forever because I have given birth to an immaculate child and am leaving a memorable and auspicious person behind me”.( Isfahani, Dalailu’n-Nubuwwah, p. 119-120)
Amidst the arid winds and unfamiliar surroundings, Hazrat Amina, the most compassionate and nurturing mother, breathed her last. The yearning to be reunited with her beloved husband, Abdullah, found its fulfillment in the embrace of eternity.
The death of Hazrat Amina left Prophet Muhammad and his nanny Umm Ayman frozen and desolate.
Prophet Muhammad SAW gathered himself and surrendered himself to the will of Almighty ALLAH, and buried the most fortunate mother to the bosom of the earth.
The passing of Hazrat Amina served as an indication of what was to come, a symphony of grief that would echo throughout the young Prophet’s life. He was now given into the custody of his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, who would develop his fortitude and character. In the turbulent years that were ahead, his mother’s love, her nourishing presence, and the lessons engraved on his heart would serve as a light of guidance.
And ALLAH Knows Best.
References:
Isfahani, Dalailu’n-Nubuwwah, p. 119-120
ad-Duha, 6
Ibn Sa’d, Tabaqat, V. 1, p. 116-117
Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, Mektubat
Tajrid Translation
see M. Dikmen – B. Ateş, Peygamberler Tarihi, V. 1, p. 41-43
al-Isra, 15
Qadi Iyad, V. 1, p. 183
at-Tawba, 28
ibid, V. 4, p. 551
https://questionsonislam.com/article/death-hazrat-amina