Hayatus Sahabah - The Lives of the Sahabah - Part 2 of 3

356 THE LWES OF THE SAHABAH ~~~ (Vol-2J
Rasulullaah ~ Bids Farewell
(to the Ummah)
The Direction Rasulullaah ~ Gave Prior to his
Demise Concerning his Burial, Bathing, Janaazah
salaah and other Matters
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood §l~ says, "May my father and I be sacrificed
for our beloved Nabi ~ who gave us the news of his demise six days in
advance. When his end drew near, he gathered us in the room of our mother
Aa'isha ~. His eyes welled with tears as he looked at us and said, Welcome
to you all. May Allaah give you long lives. May Allaah protect you. May Allaah
safeguard you. May Allaah assist you, May Allaah elevate you. May Allaah guide
you. May Allaah provide for you. May Allaah steer you to what is right. May
Allaah keep you safe. May Allaah accept you. I advise you to adopt Taqwa. I plead
to Allaah to care for you and make Him my successor over you. I am a clear
warner to you not to exert your authority over Allaah with regard to His servants
and lands, for Allaah has mentioned to me and to you:
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This (Jannah) is the Home of the Aakhirah, which We shall assign to
those who do not desire pomp (glory) on earth nor corruption. The
(best) outcome shall be for those with Taqwa. {Surah Qasas, verse 83}
Allaah also says:
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Is there not an abode (a place to live) in Jahannam for the arrogant?'
{Surah Zumar, verse 60}
Rasulullaah ~ then continued, 'The term is coming to an end. The time has
come to return to Allaah, to the Sidratul Muntahaa (1), to Jannatul Ma'waa (2), to
glasses filled to the brim and to the Highest Companion (Allaah).'"
'Who shall bathe you then, 0 Rasulullaah ~!" the Sahabah ~ enquired.
Rasulullaah ~ replied, "The men of my family who are closest in relation,
together with those who are closest after them." "In what shall we shroud YOU?"
they enquired further. Rasulullaah ~ replied, "In the clothing I am wearing.
Otherwise, if you wish, you may shroud me in a Yemeni shawl or in white
Egyptian sheets." 'Which of us should then lead the Janaazah salaah," was the
(I) The Arabic word "Sidrah" means a lotus or a jujube tree. "Muntahaa" means the 'limit' or 'apex' Le.
a point beyond which there is nothing more. The "Sidratul Muntahaa" is therefore a tree at which
everything stops. Whatever deeds ascend to the heavens first stop at the "Sidratul Muntahaa"
before proceeding further and all commands descending to earth also stop there before
descending further.
(2) The level ofJannah where the pious abide.