The Death of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is the Greatest of Afflictions
Ibn ‘Abbas and Saabit Al-Jumahee both related that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:
“If one of you is afflicted with a calamity, then let him remember his calamity by me (i.e., by my death); for indeed, it is the greatest of calamities.”
It becomes clear to us from this hadith that the death of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is the greatest disaster that has occurred or will occur to the Muslim Nation. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) requests that when we remember our calamities or afflictions, we should remember his death and his parting as well, a reflective process through which our other disasters will become insignificant in comparison.
Whenever we lost any of our relatives or loved-ones, we are sure to have felt the pain of parting and the anxiety of the farewell. The question now is this: Have we had any such feelings or sentiments when we contemplate the death of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).
What would happen if a man were to lose his entire family; his heart would ache and bleed while his tears would pour forth profusely. He marries after a period, and after many years pass, one of his sons dies. What is his sadness and pain if compared to the first calamity; is not the new affliction less painful in degree? And with that perspective – i.e., by remembering the death of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) – we should console ourselves whenever we are afflicted with a hardship.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) is addressing us, saying,
“O people, let any person – or any believer – who has been afflicted with a calamity remember his calamity by me and hence find solace in his calamity by any other person [or occurrence], for no one from my Nation will be afflicted by a calamity after me that is more severe upon him than my calamity.” [Related by Ibn Majah, and narrated by ‘Aishah (RA) in Sahih Sunan Ibn Majah (No. 1300)]
