the Emigrants had been laid to rest.

Abu Bakr said, “We would not like the grave of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to be taken out to al-Baqīʿ, for people might then seek refuge with it. Their duty, however, is owed to Allah, and Allah’s claim is higher than the claim of the Messenger. If we move him there—(the original wording reads, ‘if we delay him’)—we will have neglected Allah’s right; yet if we abandon the matter we will have failed the grave of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).”

They asked, “What do you think, Abu Bakr?” He replied, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘Allah never takes the soul of a prophet except that he is buried where his soul is taken.’”

They said, “By Allah, your answer is wholly satisfying.” They then drew a line around the bed, after which ʿAlī, al-ʿAbbās, al-Faḍl, and the Prophet’s family lifted it, while the people set about digging the grave exactly where the bed had been ⦗1⦘.

2 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “May Allah fight the Jews; they turned the graves of their prophets into places of worship.” ⦗2⦘