Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

There is not only one but three instances or occasions in the life-history of the Prophet, peace be upon him, made some of the eminent companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, to cry over his imminent death.

The first was the revelation of the verse no. 3 of Surah al-Maidah stating, “Today I have completed your religion for you and consummated My blessings upon you and have chosen for you Islam as a way of life.”

When Umar heard the above verse for the first time, he realized as signaling the completion of the Prophetic mission, which made him cry. It was during the same time that the Prophet, peace be upon him, addressed the people in his farewell sermon in Hajjatul Wada’ said, “O People! Learn your hajj rites from me. I am not sure I would do another Hajj with you. Alternatively, in another narration, I may not meet you again after this year.”  (Muslim and others)

It was, again, in the final days of his farewell pilgrimage, the surah al-Nasr was revealed, which was an intimation to the Prophet, peace be upon him, that he has completed his mission and therefore, he would be soon called back to his Lord. The Prophet, peace be upon him, as well as some the eminent companions also discerned that the Prophet’s time of meeting his Lord is approaching. Accordingly, they grieved over it.

And finally, when the Prophet, peace be upon him, came out for the last time during his final illness to deliver a farewell message.  Among his words were: “A servant of Allah has been given a choice to attain the glory of this world or prefer what He has kept in store for Him in the next world, and the servant has chosen the latter.”  (At-Tirmidhi). When Abu Bakr heard his words, he started crying as he realized that the Prophet, peace be upon him, was not going to recover from his illness.

Almighty Allah knows best.