Muhammad's Death: Final Days and Legacy
Muhammad died on June 8, 632 CE, in Medina, in the arms of his favorite and youngest wife, Aisha. He was approximately 62 years old. The circumstances of his death, his final words, and his unfulfilled tomb stand in stark contrast to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Examining Muhammad's death reveals much about the nature of his prophetic claims and the ultimate fate of all who reject Christ.
The Final Illness
According to Islamic sources, Muhammad's final illness began after he ate meat from a poisoned sheep at Khaybar years earlier. A Jewish woman named Zaynab bint al-Harith gave him the poisoned meat after Muhammad had conquered her people, killed her husband, father, and other male relatives. Though Muhammad spit out most of it, he believed the poison continued to affect him until his death.
"Narrated Anas bin Malik: A Jewess brought a poisoned (cooked) sheep for the Prophet who ate from it. She was brought to the Prophet and he was asked, 'Shall we kill her?' He said, 'No.' I continued to see the effect of the poison on the palate of the mouth of Allah's Apostle." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3:47:786)
In his final illness, Muhammad reportedly said:
"O Aisha! I still feel the pain caused by the food I ate at Khaibar, and at this time, I feel as if my aorta is being cut from that poison." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5:59:713)
This detail is significant. The Quran itself declares that if Muhammad were a false prophet, Allah would cut his aorta:
"And if Muhammad had made up about Us some [false] sayings, We would have seized him by the right hand; Then We would have cut from him the aorta. And there is no one of you who could prevent [Us] from him." (Quran 69:44-47)
Muhammad died feeling as though his aorta was being cut—exactly the death the Quran prescribes for a false prophet. While Muslims attribute this to poison, the irony is inescapable.
Muhammad's Final Days: Confusion and Cursing
During his final illness, Muhammad exhibited concerning behavior. He became delirious and asked for writing materials to write something that would prevent his followers from going astray. Omar and others refused, arguing that Muhammad was speaking in delirium:
"When Allah's Apostle became seriously ill, he said, 'Bring me a writing tablet so that I may write for you something after which you will never go astray.' Umar said, 'The Prophet is seriously ill and you have the Quran; Allah's Book is sufficient for us.' The people present in the house differed and quarreled. Some said, 'Bring the writing material so that Allah's Apostle may write something for you after which you will not go astray,' while the others said what Umar had said. When they made much noise and differed greatly before Allah's Apostle, he said, 'Get up and leave me.' 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 1:3:114)
This incident, known as "the Calamity of Thursday," reveals several troubling facts:
- Muhammad was unable to ensure his followers received critical guidance
- His closest companions doubted his mental clarity
- He apparently had not already written down essential teachings
- His death would leave his followers confused about leadership succession
Additionally, in his final days, Muhammad cursed Jews and Christians:
"Allah's Apostle said in his fatal illness, 'Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians because they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship.' The Prophet was warning (the Muslims) of what they (Jews and Christians) had done." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2:23:414)
His final words were reportedly: "O Allah! Perish the Jews and Christians. They made the graves of their prophets places of worship" (multiple hadith collections).
These curses are particularly ironic given that Muslims have done exactly what Muhammad warned against—they have turned his tomb in Medina into a pilgrimage site, with millions visiting annually.
Muhammad Died and Remained Dead
Unlike Jesus Christ, who predicted His death and resurrection and then rose from the dead, Muhammad died and his body remained in the grave. Initially, many Muslims could not accept that he had died:
"By Allah! Allah's Apostle did not die, but he has been taken up to Allah, as Jesus, son of Mary was taken up." (early Muslim reaction recorded in multiple sources)
It was Abu Bakr who finally convinced the Muslims that Muhammad was indeed dead by reciting Quran 3:144:
"Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful."
Muhammad was buried in Aisha's chamber in Medina, and his body remains there to this day. The tomb of Muhammad in the Prophet's Mosque is one of Islam's holiest sites, yet it is occupied. Jesus's tomb in Jerusalem is empty.
No Resurrection, No Victory Over Death
The Quran explicitly denies that Jesus was crucified and resurrected:
"And [for] their saying, 'Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.' And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain. Rather, Allah raised him to Himself. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise." (Quran 4:157-158)
By denying Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, Islam removes the very foundation of salvation. The apostle Paul writes:
"And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:14-17)
Muhammad offered no victory over death, no payment for sin, no resurrection hope. He merely died like any other man, his body returned to dust.
Muhammad's Uncertainty About His Own Fate
Perhaps most troubling, Muhammad expressed uncertainty about his own eternal destiny. In his final sermon at the Farewell Pilgrimage, he said:
"By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do to me." (Sahih al-Bukhari 5:58:266)
This uncertainty persisted even on his deathbed. He could offer his followers no assurance of salvation, because he had no assurance himself. Aisha reported that Muhammad would pray:
"O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the evil of what I have done and from the evil of what I have not done." (Sahih Muslim 35:6540)
A true prophet of God, having completed the mission God gave him, should have confidence in his eternal fate. Moses knew he would be gathered to his people (Deuteronomy 32:50). David looked forward to dwelling in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6). Paul declared, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness" (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
But Muhammad died uncertain, still seeking forgiveness for unknown sins, unable to promise himself—much less his followers—entry into paradise.
The Quran's Intercession Problem
The Quran repeatedly denies that intercession is possible:
"O you who have believed, spend from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And the disbelievers - they are the wrongdoers." (Quran 2:254)
"And fear a Day when no soul will suffice for another soul at all, nor will intercession be accepted from it, nor will compensation be taken from it, nor will they be aided." (Quran 2:123)
Yet Muslims pray for Muhammad, asking Allah to grant him the highest station in paradise (al-Wasilah). If Muhammad was the best of creation and Allah's final messenger, why does he need human prayers? And if he needs prayers, how can he intercede for others?
The Bible offers a clear answer. We need an intercessor who has Himself conquered death:
"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
Jesus lives to intercede. Muhammad is dead and buried.
Contrast: The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The contrast between Muhammad's death and Jesus's death and resurrection could not be more stark:
Prediction: Jesus predicted His death and resurrection multiple times (Matthew 16:21, 17:22-23, 20:18-19). Muhammad made no such predictions and seemed surprised by his death.
Purpose: Jesus's death was purposeful—"the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). Muhammad's death was the result of poison, an ignominious end for a supposed prophet.
Victory: Jesus conquered death through resurrection, appearing to over 500 witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6). Muhammad's body remained in the grave.
Certainty: Jesus had absolute certainty: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). Muhammad died uncertain of his fate.
Last Words: Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30)—His redemptive work was complete. Muhammad cursed Jews and Christians and left his followers confused about succession.
The Tomb: Jesus's tomb is empty; angels announced, "He is not here, for he has risen" (Matthew 28:6). Muhammad's tomb is occupied; his body decays like any other man's.
Assurance: Jesus offers His followers certainty: "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish" (John 10:28). Muhammad could not even assure himself of paradise.
Intercession: Jesus "always lives to make intercession" for His people (Hebrews 7:25). Muhammad is dead and cannot intercede for anyone.
The Ultimate Question: Who Can Save?
Islam presents Muhammad as the final and greatest prophet, yet he:
- Performed no miracles to validate his claims
- Could not save himself from poison
- Died uncertain of his own salvation
- Offered no victory over death
- Provided no atonement for sin
- Remains dead in his tomb
- Cannot intercede for his followers
Christianity presents Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who:
- Performed countless miracles
- Willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice for sin
- Rose from the dead on the third day
- Conquered death and offers eternal life
- Paid the price for sin once and for all
- Lives forever to intercede for His people
- Promises, "Because I live, you also will live" (John 14:19)
The question every Muslim must ask is simple: Who can save me? A dead prophet lying in a grave in Medina, who was uncertain of his own fate? Or a risen Savior who declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26)?
Questions to Consider
- Why did Muhammad die feeling as if his aorta was being cut—the exact death the Quran prescribes for a false prophet?
- If Muhammad was truly Allah's final messenger, why was he uncertain about his own salvation?
- Why couldn't Muhammad assure his followers of paradise when Jesus promised His followers eternal life with certainty?
- How can a dead prophet in a grave intercede for the living?
- Why do Muslims pray for Muhammad if he was sinless and the greatest of creation?
- If Muhammad performed no miracles, conquered no death, and offered no atonement for sin, in what way was he superior to Jesus Christ?
- Why should we trust a prophet who cursed Jews and Christians in his final words rather than offering forgiveness like Jesus did?
- What hope does Islam offer if its prophet died uncertain and unable to guarantee salvation even for himself?
- If Jesus rose from the dead and His tomb is empty, while Muhammad's tomb is occupied, who demonstrated greater authority?
- Can a religion be true if its founder could not overcome the very thing—death—that Jesus conquered?
Muhammad's death reveals the poverty of Islam's claims. A prophet who dies uncertain, remains dead, and cannot save even himself offers no hope to humanity. Only Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose from the dead, can offer the words of eternal life: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).