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....Hazrat
Abū Bakr's assumption was correct. After the pilgrimage, the Companions
and the Prophet returned to Medina and our Prophet became ill;
first he had a headache and then he started to have a fever. He
came to the mosque at the ritual prayer times, performed the prayers
in the community with his companions. But he could not spend any
more time with his companions to talk with them. Instead he immediately
went home and rested.
....His companions felt terrible
seeing the Prophet so ill. They did not know what they should
do; indeed, what could they have done?
....There was nothing that they could
do except to weep and bustle about, in confusion!
....Upon hearing that his companions
were so sad about his illness, our beloved Prophet came to the
mosque, with the help of Ali and Fadl, and sitting on the first
stair of the minbar said to his companions: "I heard that you
are very sad because of me. No prophet stayed with his community
forever. Thus I will not stay with you for eternity."
....Then he gave advice on essential
issues concerning predestination. He and his companions granted
forgiveness to each other for any offense or right. Then the Prophet
went home, and lay down on his bed.
....Hazrat Bilāl used to recite the
Morning Prayer call, then he would go the door of the Prophet
and say "as-Salāh yā Rasulallāh," waiting for the Prophet
to come out and they used to go to the mosque together.
....Three days before our beloved
Prophet died, Hazrat Bilal recited the Morning Prayer in a more
emotional way than usual.
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