The Roman empire had set out on a mission to kill whoever converted to Islam within its borders. Amongst those executed was Farwah bin Amr one of Roman governors.
Thus several days before his death, Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) prepared an army to march to today’s Jordan, where the Roman empire had already sent around one hundred thousand fighters. And he appointed a young man called Osaamah as its commander.
He also named most of the well known Muslims in Medina to take part in Osaamah’s army, including Abu Bakr, Umar and others according to Bakri references; repeating: Execute my order to join Osaamah’s army, Allah’s curse be upon those who ignore my order. Execute my order to join Osaamah’s army, Allah’s curse be upon those who ignore my order. Execute my order to join Osaamah’s army, Allah’s curse be upon those who ignore my order.
Thus Osaamah and those who had prepared marched to Jorf several miles from Medina where they set up camp waiting for others to join them.
During this crucial time when Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) was trying to empty Medina from Abu Bakr’s party members and from those would-be members, he fell ill.
As his health deteriorated and his illness worsened and as he had foretold that his death is very near, Abu Bakr’s party was reluctant to leave Medina and lose its golden opportunity of usurping the Caliphate. But Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) continued his insistence and time and again repeated: Execute my order to join Osaamah’s army, Allah’s curse be upon those who ignore my order. Execute my order to join Osaamah’s army, Allah’s curse be upon those who ignore my order. Execute my order to join Osaamah’s army, Allah’s curse be upon those who ignore my order.
Abu Bakr’s party is forced to join Osaamah
Finally when Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.) saw the obstinacy of Abu Bakr’s party, he ordered Qays bin Abaadah and Habbaab bin al-Monthir to round them up and accompany them to the waiting army outside Medina. Thus Abu Bakr and his men were forcefully evacuated from Medina.
Qays and Habbaab returned and reported to Rasul Allah (s.a.w.a.), but he told them: These people are not leaving.
(Biharul Anwaar, vol. 28, page 108)
While in the camp, Abu Bakr dispatched a secret courier to his daughter Ayesha telling her to keep them informed about Mohammad. And Ayesha sent the courier back to her father reporting: His condition is not improving; do not leave Jorf, and I will keep you informed.
Abu Bakr’s party secretly returns to Medina
Later she dispatched Sohayb to her father saying: Mohammad has just become worst, and this may be the illness he will die from as he had foretold; so return with your men to Medina secretly during the night.
It has been narrated:
“Abu Bakr and his men secretly entered Medina at night after Rasoolollah’s condition had worsened; suddenly Rasoolollah said: Tonight a great evil has come upon Medina.
Someone asked: What is that evil O Rasoolollah?
Rasoolollah: A number of people have disobeyed me and returned from Osaamah’s army; I denounce them. And he began to repeat over and over again: Execute my order to join Osaamah’s army, Allah’s curse be upon those who ignore my order.”
