On a Thursday, just three days before the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH & His Family) passed away, he requested a pen and paper in order that he write down his last Will and formally designate his successor for the Muslim community (Ummah). However, according to major Sunni sources such as Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, a group of companions, led by Umar ibn Al-Khattab, opposed the Prophet's request, they accused him of speaking deliriously and questioned the wisdom of recording his Will. This tragic episode highlights a significant disagreement among the companions regarding the Prophet's final wishes and it was at this moment that disunity began within Islam.
Sa'id b. Jubair reported from Ibn Abbas that he said: Thursday, and what a day was Thursday! Then tears began to flow until I saw them on his cheeks as if they were the strings of pearls. He (the narrator) said that Allah's Messenger said: Bring me a tablet and ink-pot, so that I write for you a document after which you would never go astray. They said: Allah's Messenger is in a state of unconsciousness.
- Sahih Muslim, Muslim ibn Al-Hajjaj Al-Naysaburi, Book 25, Hadith 30
(In Arabic: يهجر meaning delirious, not unconscious)
Ibn Abbas reported: When the time of the death of the Prophet approached while there were some men in the house, and among them was `Umar bin Al-Khatttab, the Prophet said, "Come near let me write for you a writing after which you will never go astray." `Umar said, "The Prophet is seriously ill, and you have the Qur'an, so Allah's Book is sufficient for us." The people in the house differed and disputed. Some of them said, "Come near so that Allah's Messenger may write for you a writing after which you will not go astray," while some of them said what `Umar said. When they made much noise and differed greatly before the Prophet, he said to them, "Go away and leave me." Ibn `Abbas used to say, "It was a great disaster that their difference and noise prevented Allah's Messenger from writing that writing for them.
- Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Holding Fast to the Qur'an and Sunnah, Hadith No. 7366
Ibn 'Abbas narrated: When Allah’s Apostle was on his death-bed and in the house there were some people among whom was Umar bin Al-Khattab, the Prophet said, “Come, let me write for you a statement after which you will not go astray.” Umar said, “The Prophet is seriously ill and you have the Qur’an; so the Book of Allah is enough for us.” The people present in the house differed and quarreled. Some said: “Go near so that the Prophet may write for you a statement after which you will not go astray,” while the others said as Umar said. When they caused a hue and cry before the Prophet, Allah’s Apostle said, “Go away!” ‘Ubaidullah said: Ibn ‘Abbas used to say, “It was very unfortunate that Allah’s Apostle was prevented from writing that statement for them because of their disagreement and noise.”
- Sahih Al-Bukhari, Al-Bukhari, Book of Patients, Hadith No. 5669
All these narrations prove that the Prophet wanted to write his Will. He wanted to write a statement for the Ummah in order to hold on tight to so that they would never go astray after his passing. However, some of the Companions tried to prevent the Prophet from writing his Will on that day, giving excuses that he (PBUH & His Family) was in pain and was delirious. The Quran states:
{And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from.}
- The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 59 (Al-Hashr), Verse 7
So When Umar ibn Al-Khattab said: “The book of Allah is sufficient for us”, was that actually a righteous thing to do? The Prophet is asking them to bring to him writing tools to write a statement and Umar replies: “The Prophet is delirious”. When the Prophet commands something, it is an order and an obligation for those who believe in him to submit and follow the order instantly.
In fact, let us see what the Quran tells us about this. Does the Prophet truly speak of his own mind? Was this act of Umar truly righteous? Has he followed what the Quran commanded the believers to do?
{By the star when it descends, Your companion [i.e., Muhammad] has not strayed nor has he erred, Nor does he speak from [his own] inclination. It is not but a revelation revealed.}
- The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 53 (Al-Najm), Verses 1-4
{O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.}
- The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 4 (Al-Nisa), Verse 59
{Say, [O Muhammad] “If you should love Allah, then follow me; [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. For Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.}
-- The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 3 (Al-Imran), Verse 31
{O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order]}
- The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 8, (Al-Anfal), Verse 20
{O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.}
- The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 8, (Al-Anfal), Verse 24
All these verses show that the Companions have wronged themselves when they did not obey the Prophet. It was certainly unrighteous of Umar to object to the Prophet and to try to prevent him from writing that day. This verse clearly states how he had certainly erred:
{It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.}
- The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 33, (Al-Ahzab), Verse 36
There is also a clear hadith that states that there is nothing that brings us close to paradise except what the Prophet ordered us to do.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH & His Family) said: “There is nothing that brings you closer to paradise except that I have commanded you to do it, and nothing that brings you closer to hellfire except that I forbade you from it.”
- Silsalat Al-Hadith Al-Sahiha, Muhammad Nasir Al-Din Al-Albani, Vol 6, p. 863
So the question here is, didn't the Prophet describe the statement that he wanted to write as a ‘protection from misguidance’, when he said: “let me write to you a statement after which you will never go astray?” Isn't that statement, that is a protection from misguidance, bringing the people closer to paradise?
So the prophet was commanding them to what will bring them closer to paradise, while Umar was calling the people to what will bring them closer to hellfire.