On the 26th of Safar...

On the 26th of Safar, he is said to have felt slightly better, and went into the mosque supported by Ali and Abbas. He led the zuhr (midday) prayer, and after the prayer, addressed the congregation. This was the last speech of the Prophet of Islam, and in it he made one more veiled reference to his approaching death. Sunni historians say that Abu Bakr who was present in the audience, understood what the Prophet said, and he began to cry as he was very tender-hearted.

The Prophet saw him crying and tried to comfort him, and then turning to the congregation, said: “I am more grateful to Abu Bakr than to anyone else for his material and moral support, and for his companionship. If in this umma , I…