Safar 28th Marks Holy Prophet’s “Martyrdom” Anniversary

The 28th of Safar, in the 11th year of the Hijra, marks the anniversary of the death, or more accurately, the “martyrdom”, of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure family).

Numerous narrations in both Shia and Sunni sources suggest that the Prophet did not die a natural death but was poisoned and martyred. Based on this fact, not using the word “martyrdom” to refer to the loss is doing grave injustices to the Holy Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him and his family.

There are numerous and successive narrations in various Shia and Sunni sources and historical books that clearly describe the story of who poisoned the Prophet and for what motive. We now refer to some of these narrations from the books of both groups.

Hadiths and narrations from the Prophet, his companions, and the infallible Imams that confirm the martyrdom of the Prophet:

In the book Basa’ir al-Darajat, as well as the book Bihar al-Anwar, it is narrated from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure family) that he said: “There is no prophet or his successor but that he is martyred.”

Abdullah ibn Masoud, a famous companion of the Prophet who is buried in al-Baqi, confirmed and emphasized the killing of the Prophet in the year 10 AH.

In the book Bihar al-Anwar, volume 22, page 516, another narration states that Aisha and Hafsa made him drink poison.

Some Shia scholars who confirm the martyrdom of the Prophet:

Sheikh Tusi, a great jurist, Hadith narrator, and theologian of the Imamiyyah in the fourth and fifth centuries of the Hijra, wrote: “The Messenger of God died poisoned two nights remaining from the month of Safar in the tenth year of the Hijra.”

Allamah Hilli, a Shia mujtahid, faqih, and Usuli in the seventh and eighth centuries of the Hijra, mentioned the martyrdom of the Messenger of God by poison.

Muhammad ibn Ali Ardabili, a Shia Hadith narrator and biographer of the eleventh century AH, also wrote: “The Prophet died poisoned in Medina.”

The martyrdom of the Prophet in Sunni books:

It is not only the Shias who believe in the martyrdom of the Prophet of Islam; there are also numerous narrations in the Sahih books and other Sunni books that confirm this issue.

Muhammad ibn Sa’d ibn Mani’ al-Hashimi, a fanatical Sunni and famous historian and biographer in Baghdad in the third century AH, said about the life and biography of the Prophet of Islam: “In a narration, it is mentioned: ‘The Holy Prophet, may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him, died poisoned and was sixty-three years old.'”

Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Hakim al-Nishapuri, a Shafi’i biographer of the fourth century, confirmed the killing of the Messenger of God.

Abul Fadl Muhammad ibn Hussein Bayhaqi, a Shafi’i historian, narrated from Abdullah ibn Masoud that he said: “If I swear nine times that the Messenger of God was killed, it is more beloved to me than if I swear once that he was not killed, because God made him a martyred prophet.”

Based on the collection of narrations transmitted in Shia and Sunni books, the theory of the Prophet’s martyrdom due to poisoning can be strengthened.

The Prophet of God passed away on the 28th of Safar in the 11th year of the Hijra in Medina. At the time of his martyrdom, his head was resting on the chest of his brother, Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon them both.