I tried to find a thread or post in this but didn't manage. Very interesting, indeed. The only explanation I can think of is that his death could have been natural, or if he had been slain it could be the muslims turn their backs in battle. The problem is Qadr, did Allah not know? This would have made an excellent prophecy. Of course it would have contradicted the verse in the Quran which says that no man knows when or where he will die (verse?).
Anyways read the hadith as well.
Another interesting part is the whoever worshiped The Prophet part in the hadith. I don't know what the word is in the arabic worded hadith. But how can Abu Bakr say "worship" surely that's shirk?
3:144
Muhammad is but a messenger, messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. Will it be that, when he dieth or is slain, ye will turn back on your heels? He who turneth back on his heels doth no hurt to Allah, and Allah will reward the thankful.
Qur'an 3:144
Narrated 'Aisha
Abu Bakr came riding his horse from his dwelling place in As-Sunh. He got down from it, entered the Mosque and did not speak with anybody till he came to me and went direct to the Prophet, who was covered with a marked blanket. Abu Bakr uncovered his face. He knelt down and kissed him and then started weeping and said,
"My father and my mother be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Prophet! Allah will not combine two deaths on you. You have died the death which was written for you."Narrated Abu Salama from Ibn Abbas : Abu Bakr came out and 'Umar , was addressing the people, and Abu Bakr told him to sit down but 'Umar refused. Abu Bakr again told him to sit down but 'Umar again refused. Then Abu Bakr recited the Tashah-hud (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle) and the people attended to Abu Bakr and left 'Umar.
Abu Bakr said, "Amma ba'du, whoever amongst you worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and will never die. Allah said: 'Muhammad is no more than an Apostle and indeed (many) Apostles have passed away before him ..(up to the) grateful.' " (3.144) (
The narrator added, "By Allah, it was as if the people never knew that Allah had revealed this verse before till Abu Bakr recited it and then whoever heard it, started reciting it ")
Sahih Bukhari 2:23:333, See also: Sahih Bukhari 5:59:733
http://www.wikiislam.com/wiki/Revelational_Circumstances_of_the_Qur%27an:_Surah_3_(Al-i-Imran)#3:144
Topic: Allah did not know if Mohammed was to die naturally or slain in battle?