The Story Of Al Qamah Death

During the time of Muhammad ﷺ, there was a young man called Alqāmah.

Alqāmah was very diligent in obeying Allāh by engaging in salāt, fasting and spending in charity. This man fell ill and when his illness became serious, his wife sent a message to Muhammad ﷺ telling;
“My husband Alqāmah is dying and I wanted to inform you about his condition.”

Muhammad ﷺ sent Ammār(RA), Suhaib(RA), and Bilāl(RA) saying to them;
“Go to him and let him say and repeat the shahadah (I testify that there is no deity but Allāh and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allāh.”

They went to him, entered his house and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to repeat (La illāha illā Allāh), but his tongue was unable to utter the words. At that, they sent someone telling Muhammad ﷺ that he was unable to repeat the shahadah.

Muhammad ﷺ asked; Is either of his parents alive? He was told that his mother is, but she is very old. Muhammad ﷺ sent her a message asking her to come to him if she was able to, or otherwise she should stay at home until Muhammad ﷺ comes to her. A messenger told her Muhammad’s ﷺ message.

She said:
“ May my life be a ransom for him; It is I who ought to go to him.” She then stood up leaning on her walking stick, and came to Muhammad ﷺ, and greeted him.
Muhammad ﷺ returned the greeting and said to her;
“Umm Alqāmah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allāh Most High will reveal the truth to me! How was the situation of your son Alqāmah?”
She replied:
”Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, he prays much, fasts great deal and spends a great amount in charity.“Muhammad ﷺ asked; “What about yourself?” She said;
” Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, I am angry with him.“
Muhammad ﷺ asked; “Why?”
She replied:
“He has preferred his wife to me and disobeyed me.”

Muhammad ﷺ said: “Umm Alqāmah, surely your anger has prevented Alqāmah’s tongue from uttering the shahadah”;
He then turned to Bilāl(RA) and asked him to go out and collect a quantity of firewood. She asked;
“Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, what do you plan to do?“
Muhammad ﷺ replied:
” I will burn him in front of your eyes.“
She said:
” Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he is my son! My heart can not bear seeing you do that!

Muhammad ﷺ said: “Umm Alqāmah, Allāh’s torment is severe and more lasting! Therefore, if you want Allāh to forgive him, be contented with him. I swear by Allāh in whose Hand my soul is, Alqāmah’s praying, fasting and spending in charity, are all of no benefit to him as long as you are angry with him.”

Thereupon she said;
“Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, I call upon Allāh Most High and His angels and the Muslims who are present to be witnesses that I am contented with my son Alqāmah.”

Afterﷺ said to Bilal to go to Alqāmah and see if he is now able to say the shahadah or not.
It may be that Umm Alqāmah is saying something (for my sake) which is not in her heart. As soon as Bilāl(RA) reached the door of Alqāmah’s house, he heard him saying the shahadah.
He entered the house and remarked:
“ It is true that the anger of Alqāmah’s mother prevented his tongue from uttering the shahadah, while her pleasure set it free.”

Alqāmah died the same day.
After his funeral, Muhammad ﷺ stood by his grave and said;

“Listen you, company ofIMMIGRANTS (Muhajireen) and Helpers (Ansar), if anyone favours his wife over his mother, Allāh and His angels and all mankind will curse him!
Allāh does not accept his beneficence and his uprightness unless he repents towards Allāh, the glorious, the Majestic and reconciles with his mother and attain her pleasure, for Allāhs pleasure consists in her pleasure and Allāh’s anger consists in her anger.”

[ Tabarāni and Muslim ]