In al-Bukhārī, it is reported from ‘Āisha:

“The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—died while Abū Bakr was at al-Sunh. ‘Umar stood up and said, ‘By Allah, the Messenger of Allah has not died!’

She said: “‘Umar also said, ‘By Allah, no other thought occurred to me. Allah will surely raise him, and he will surely cut off the hands and feet of certain men.’ Then Abū Bakr came, uncovered the face of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and kissed him. He said, ‘May my father and mother be sacrificed for you! You were pure in life and are pure in death. By Him in whose hand is my soul, Allah will never make you taste death twice.’

“Then he went out and said, ‘You who are swearing an oath, take it easy!’ When Abū Bakr spoke, ‘Umar sat down. Abū Bakr praised and extolled Allah, then said, ‘Indeed, whoever used to worship Muhammad, Muhammad has died. But whoever worships Allah, Allah is Ever-Living and never dies.’ He then recited:

‘Indeed, you will die, and indeed, they will die.’ [Surah al-Zumar: 30]

“And he recited:

‘Muhammad is no more than a messenger; messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heels? Whoever turns back on his heels will not harm Allah in the least. And Allah will reward the grateful.’ [Surah Āl ‘Imrān: 144]

“The narrator said: The people began to sob and weep.” (1).

In Sahīh al-Bukhārī, Anas reported that he heard ‘Umar’s later sermon, delivered while he sat on the pulpit on the day after the Messenger of Allah—peace be upon him—died. ‘Umar pronounced the testimony of faith (2), while Abū Bakr remained silent and did not speak. ‘Umar said:

“I had hoped that the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—would live long enough to outlive us”—meaning that he would be the last of them to die—“but if Muhammad has died, Allah has placed among you a light