In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Darkness descended upon Medina.
Tears shed in the wake of separation.
The Companions wept before the death of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
When the signs and portents of his passing became apparent.
The Ansar wept when his illness prevented them from seeing him, peace be upon him.
Fatimah, ‘A’ishah, and all the Muslims wept.
Abu Bakr wept as he kissed the Prophet, peace be upon him.
The tears of Ibn ‘Abbas flowed like pearls.
Whenever he remembered the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Umm Ayman wept when the two Companions visited her, stirring them both to tears.
And the pearls of tears continue to string together upon the faces of the devout.
Whenever they remember the Prophet, peace be upon him.
So how was the state of the Companions?
As they passed by the places and sites where they had lived alongside him.
Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, said to ‘Umar after the death of the Prophet, peace be upon him:
"Come with us to visit Umm Ayman."
"Just as the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to visit her."
When they reached her, she wept.
She stirred them both to weep.
So they began to weep along with her.
Abu Bakr would ascend the pulpit one day.
He would recall a hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
He would be overcome by his words.
He said, "You know what the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, stood for last year."
Then he wept, then repeated it, then wept again.
Then he repeated it, then wept again.
Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said, "Thursday, and what is Thursday?"
Then he wept until his tears moistened the pebbles.
I asked, "O Ibn ‘Abbas, what is Thursday?"
He said, "The pain of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, intensified."
In another narration, his tears began to flow.
Until I saw them on his cheeks like a string of pearls.
Has the string of pearls been broken?
The eyes of the devout and their hearts say:
"May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah."
"Indeed, may all that is in the universe be sacrificed for you, O beloved of Allah."
And darkness descended upon Medina.