At last the day drew near which every human being must face. The Prophet's(sa) work was done. All that God had to reveal to him for the benefit of man had been revealed. The spirit of Muhammad(sa) had infused new life into his people. A new nation had arisen, a new outlook on life and new institutions; in short, a new heaven and a new earth. The foundations of a new order had been laid. The land had been ploughed and watered and the seed scattered for a new harvest. And now the harvest itself had begun to show. It was not, however, for him to reap it. It was for him only to plough, to sow and to water. He came as a labourer, remained a labourer and was now due to depart as a labourer. He found his reward not in the things of this world but in the pleasure and the approval of his God, his Maker and Master. When the time came for reaping the harvest, he preferred to go to Him, leaving others to reap.
The Holy Prophet(sa) fell ill. For some days he continued to visit the mosque and lead the prayers. Then he became too weak to do this. The Companions(ra) were so used to his daily company that they could hardly believe he would die. But he had been telling them of his death again and again. One day, touching upon this very theme, he said, "If a man make a mistake, it is better he should make amends for it in this very world so that he should have no regrets in the next. Therefore I say, if I have done any wrong to any of you, it may be only unwittingly, let him come forward and ask me to make amends. If even unknowingly I have injured any one of you, let him come forward and take his revenge. I do not wish to be put to shame when I face my God in the next world." The Companions(ra) were moved. Tears sprang to their eyes. What pains had he not taken and what sufferings had he not endured for their sake? He put up with hunger and thirst in order that others might have enough to eat and to drink. He mended his own clothes and cobbled his own shoes in order that others might dress well. And yet here he was, eager to right even fancied wrongs he might have done to others; so much did he respect the rights of others.
All the Companions received the Prophet's(sa) offer in solemn silence. But one came forward and said, "O Prophet(sa) of God, I once received an injury from you. We were lining up for battle when you passed by our line and while passing you dug your elbow in my side. It was all done unwittingly, but you said we could avenge even unintentional wrongs. I want to avenge this wrong." The Companions, who had received the Prophet's(sa) offer in solemn silence, were full of wrath. They became enraged at the insolence and stupidity of this man who had failed completely to understand the spirit of the Prophet's(sa) offer and the solemnity of the occasion. But the Companion seemed adamant—determined to take the Prophet(sa) at his word.
The Prophet(sa) said, "You are welcome to take your revenge."
He turned his back to him and said, "Come and hit me as I hit you."
"But," explained this Companion, "when you hit me my side was bare, because I was wearing no shirt at the time."
"Raise my shirt," said the Prophet(sa), "and let him hit my side with his elbow." They did so but, instead of hitting the bare side of the Prophet(sa), this Companion bent forward with bedewed eyes and kissed the Prophet's(sa) bare body.
"What is this?" asked the Prophet(sa).
"Didn't you say that your days with us were numbered? How many more occasions can we then have of touching you, in the flesh and expressing our love and affection for you? True, you did hit me with your elbow, but who could think of avenging it. I had this idea here and now. You offered to let us take revenge. I said to myself—let me kiss you under cover of revenge."
The Companions full of wrath until then began to wish the thought had occurred to them.