Muhammad, the messenger of God

He walked over to the mat where his son-in-law lay, his face covered with a cloak. Their friendship went back so many years - to long before he was a prophet, even before his marriage to Khadijah, back to when they were both bright young prospects in Makkan society. He bent down and kissed the face of his beloved, "Sweet you were in life, and sweet you are in death." He lifted his head gently beween his hands while his tears fell onto the Prophet's face. "O my friend, my chosen one, dearer to me than my father and my mother, the death that God has decreed for you, you have now tasted. After this no death shall ever come to you." With great care, he lowered the Prophet's head onto his pillow, bent again to kiss his face, drew the cover over him, and left the room.

Abu Bakr, who was short, slight of frame and best known for his tender heart and clemency, did not appear to be a natural leader. In fact, his own daughter had once disqualified him from leading the prayer because of his emotional nature. However, the Prophet had seen deeper into him. Reentering the courtyard, Abu Bakr went to the front of the crowd. He called for the people's attention, but Umar, who was still haranguing them, would not allow himself to be interrupted.

The crowd shifted its attention, for the people wanted to hear what Abu Bakr had to say. "For those who worshipped Muhammad..." he began loudly. Umar now turned toward him, and both he and the crowd fell silent. "..know that Muhammad is dead." He continued firmly, "But for those who worship God, know that God lives and never dies!" His voice rose in intensity as he recited,

"Muhammad is but a messenger. Messengers passed away before him; if he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels? And whoever turns back on his heels will do no harm to God, and God will reward those who are grateful."

(Al Quran, Ali Imran 3:144)

Umar, stunned by the realization that the Prophet was really dead, fell to his knees, releasing a bereavement that he had refused to accept.

In the future, he would recount how, when Abu Bakr recited those divine words, it had seemed that they were hearing them for the first time.

*Excerpt from Struggling to Surrender, by Jeffrey Lang.