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- Permanent Link:
- http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LSMD000347/00001
Notes
- Abstract:
- At the beginning of this poem on the death of Mohammed, Jibril visits the Prophet. Unusually, the angel is not alone. Jibril explains that his companion is Azrael, the Angel of Death. Mohammed cries. He says that he is grieving for Muslims, who he fears will cease to obey God when he is gone. Jibril explains how on the day of judgement Mohammed will lead his followers to safety. Fatima asks Mohammed where he will live, and the Prophet describes the palace that will be his in paradise and explains more about the day of judgement. When the call to prayer is heard, Mohammed says that Abu Bakr should lead prayers in his place. A great cry is heard after the people realise that Mohammed is dying. Mohammed’s companions help him to the mosque, and there he gives instruction on religious duties. The man Ukasha says that Mohammed wronged him by beating him without cause. But when he is given Mohammed’s staff so that he can return the beating, Ukasha instead kisses Mohammed’s navel. He explains that Mohammed has said that whoever did this would have their sins erased. Azrael comes in the guise of a man who says he must see the Prophet. Fatima refuses, but Mohammed recognises the angel and calls out that he should be allowed to enter. He then asks Azrael to wait an hour before taking his soul; the angel agrees. From heaven 70,000 angels descend. Mohammed speaks to Jibril and to his family. He requests, when Azrael returns, that his soul should be taken gently, and the angel again agrees. After Mohammed dies, a voice from the heavens praises him and urges his followers to remain faithful. The scribe concludes with commentary on himself and on the nature of the world. In addition to providing a calendar date, he gives astronomical details of the time when he completed his work. ( en )
- General Note:
- Date of Composition is unknown
- General Note:
- Languages: Swahili (Arabic script)
- General Note:
- Dialects: KiGunya
- General Note:
- Poetic Form: Utenzi
- General Note:
- Extent: 1 exercise book
- General Note:
- Incipit: Nanda ina la Illahi, awali bismillahi, pweke asioshabihi, subhana wata’ala
- General Note:
- Asia -- Arabian Peninsula -- Saudi Arabia -- Al Madinah -- Medina
- General Note:
- Purchased from Dr. J. Knappert, March 1993
- General Note:
- Scribe: Faqih bin Sheikh Omar bin Faqif Othman Nawfali
- General Note:
- Publication information: Allen, J.W.T. et al. 1991. A Poem Concerning the Death of the Prophet Muhammad. Lewiston, New York; Queenston, Ontario; Lampeter, Wales: Edwin Mellen Press.
- General Note:
- Publication information: Buttner, C.G. 1894. Anthologie der Suaheli-Literatur. Berlin: Emil Felber.
- General Note:
- Publication information: Hemed Abdallah Said al-Buhry. 1956. Utenzi wa Kutawafu Kwa Nabii. Trans. by Roland Allen. Supplement to the Journal of the East African Swahili Committee 26.
- General Note:
- Publication information: Knappert, Jan (ed). 1964. Utenzi wa Kutawafu. Swahili 34 (2): 11-18.
- General Note:
- Publication information: Knappert, Jan. 1999. A Survey of Swahili Islamic Epic Sagas. Lewiston, New York; Queenston, Ontario; Lampeter, Wales: Edwin Mellen Press; especially pp. 89-96
Record Information
- Source Institution:
- SOAS University of London
- Holding Location:
- Archives and Special Collections
- Rights Management:
- This item is likely protected by copyright. Its status has yet to be assessed.
- Resource Identifier:
- MS 380550 ( SOAS manuscript number )
MS 380550a ( SOAS manuscript number )
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