I have been asked to choose between this and the meeting of...

I have been asked to choose between this and the meeting of my Lord and the Paradise.’ Abu Muwayhibah said astonishingly, ‘May my father and mother die for you! Take the keys of the treasuries of this world and the eternity in it and then the Paradise.’ The Prophet (S) replied, ‘O Abu Muwayhibah, no by Allah!

I have chosen the meeting of my Lord and the Paradise.’ Then the Prophet (S) prayed to Allah to forgive the dead of al-Baqee’ Graveyard and he went back home.[^4] The Army of Usama The Prophet (S) saw factionalism among his companions and he became certain that they would fulfill their plans to take the caliphate away from his guardian and successor Imam Ali (a.s.).

Hence, he thought to rescue the situation by sending all his companions in an army to fight the Romans so that his capital would be empty of them and thus Imam Ali (a.s.) would assume the caliphate after his (the Prophet) death easily and with no obstacles. The Prophet (S) ordered all the notables of the Muhajireen and the Ansar to join the army of Usama who was a young man.

Among those men there were Abu Bakr, Umar, Abu Ubayda bin al-Jarrah and Basheer bin Sa’d.[^5] The Prophet (S) said to Usama, the leader of the army, ‘March to the place where your father was killed and make the horsemen defeat them (the Romans). I have entrusted you with the leadership of this army. In the morning, attack the people of Ubna (in Syria) and meet them with fire. Hurry up to precede the news. If Allah grants you victory over them, do not remain there too long.

Take guides with you, and make spies and pioneers in the front.’ On the twenty-ninth of Safar, the army mutinied and no one of the notable companions joined his battalion. The Prophet (S) was very angry at that. He went out of his house in spite of his illness. He encouraged his companions to join the army. He gave the banner to Usama and said to him, ‘March by the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah.

Fight those who disbelieve in Allah.’ Usama marched with his army and camped in al-Jurf.[^6] The famous companions slackened in joining the camp. They criticized and disparaged the leader, young Usama. Umar said to him, ‘The messenger of Allah dies while you are an emir over me?!’ This saying was conveyed to the Prophet (S) while he was badly ill suffering bad fever and headache. He became very angry and distressed. He went out of his house wrapped with a velvet garment and his head was folded.