The following is an edited Friday Sermon by His Eminence, the late Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlullah (ra).
Allah says in His Glorious Book, addressing His Messenger (p.): "Surely you shall die and they (too) shall surely die," (39:30), and: "We granted not to any man before thee permanent life (here): if soyoushoul die, would they live permanently?" (21:34).
The twenty eighth of Safar marks the death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (p.), and upon his death, Allah's revelations from the sky came to a standstill and one of the people's two safeguards was lost, for Allah says: "But Allah was not going to chastise them while you were among them, nor is Allah going to chastise them while yet they ask for forgiveness." (08:33).
The Messenger's advice
The Messenger of Allah (p.) was an entity filled with light, good, and mercy. He carried a message and enjoyed morals that were incomparable to any other morals. As we commemorate his death anniversary, we cannot but remember the big concern he shouldered as he was on the verge of death, so he bequeathed what he cared for most. He did not bequeath money, or material wealth to the close ones, but rather he bequeathed Islam; the religion he exerted every effort for protecting and sought that the Muslims do not weaken it by their fanaticisms, spites, or ignorance. Thus, he (p.) stood in his farewell pilgrimage, on the day of slaughter in Mina, and addressed the people saying: "O people, your blood, money, and honor are sacred to you till you shall meet your Lord, as sacred as this very city, this very day and this very month…Do not return after my death into disbelievers beheading one another…"
Because the Messenger of Allah (p.) knew in advance that the Muslims after him will fight one another, disagree amongst each other, accuse one another of disbelief, and set traps for each other, he wanted this will to be the last thing people hear from him and be aware of, knowing that most people performed pilgrimage with the Messenger of Allah (p.) at that time.
Moreover, when some relatives visited the Messenger of Allah (p.) to check on his health, he addressed them, saying: "O Bani Abdul Muttalib! You should act in such a way that Allah may not punish you, and you should know that I cannot help you in the matter. O Abbas, uncle of the Prophet! You, too, should free yourself from Divine torture. O Safia, daughter of Abdul Muttalib, the aunt of Muhammad! You too should think of your freedom and deliverance for I cannot do anything for you. Neither your profit in this world nor your share in the Hereafter is in my hands. So you must believe in Allah and say: "There is no deity but Allah". O Fatima, daughter of Muhammad! You must also endeavor to save yourself from Divine punishment because your father cannot help you in the matter and has no control over your gain and loss." He (p.) also addressed the Muslims saying: "No one should claim or wish so, for by Him who sent me a prophet (to call) for the right, nothing saves except deeds with mercy. If I would sin I would have fallen down."
The role model
O beloved ones, the Messenger of Allah (p.) carries for us a message on his death anniversary, which says: "I have shouldered the cause of Islam, and I have paved the path of light for you in life; which is a responsibility you ought to shoulder. You ought to preserve it so as to preserve yourselves, and you ought to honor it in order to be a dignified nation, and you ought to undertake its path and base your private and public lives on it, for Islam is the basis of people's dignity, strength, and survival in this world and the Hereafter.
Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, the day you were born, the day your soul ascended to Allah, and the day you will be brought back to life.
Safar, 28th 1431 H