Death of the Prophet Summary and Analysis

By 632, the umma dominated almost all of Arabia. Muhammad had laid the foundations for Arab unity and an empire that would last for more than one thousand years. Muhammad had undertaken the task to form a new society. Medina was not strong and independent and had many of the surrounding tribes joining its umma. Muhammad's goal had not been political. Muhammad told his men that the fight was not over. There would always be another challenge in the struggle for God's will.

Feeling that he was close to death, Muhammad wanted to make a longer than usually retreat for the hajj. His group departed Medina in February 632. Every Muslim is supposed to make the hajj at least once during his lifetime. It is believed that Muhammad preached his farewell sermon near Mount Arafat in 632 and...