Chapter X: Remembrance of Death
Know, O readers, that there is an excellent example in the life of the Holy Prophet to be followed by every man of every * profession. He was the dearest friend of God, His beloved, His chosen Prophet and messenger. Look to him Has he been given a moment's time than what was fixed for him to live longer? He suffered the pangs of death and that was disclosed on his face, his colour was changed and there was profuse perspiration on his face. Those who were present there began to weep at the sight of his pangs of death. Inspite of his messengership he could not annual what was decreased for him. This is the condition of one who will rise first out of the graves on the resurrection day, one who was the greatest of the Prophets, saints and the leaders of mankind.
Hazrat Ibn Masud said : We entered the room of Ayesha to meet the Holy Prophet at the time of his death. He stared at us and began to shed tears and said : Welcome to you, may God grant you long life. May He give you refuge. May he help you. I give you may last instructions to fear God. I give you my last advice as a warnerof God. Don't show pride over the dwellers of towns and cities and over God. Death is near. I shall have to return to God, to Sidratul Montaha (farthest lotetree), to my resting place Paradise, to the full Fountain. Take my words to your people and to those people who enter your religion after me. Salman and God's mercy on my behalf.
It has been reported that the Prophet asked Gebrail : Who will remain after me for my people? God revealed to Gebrail : Give good news to my friend that I will not give punishment to his people. Give him further good news that on the Resurrection Day he will rise first from the grave and he will be your leader. Paradise will be unlawful for the followers of other peoples till his people do not enter it. He said : Then my eyes became cool.
Hazrat Ayesha said that the Messenger of God said to them during his illness : Wash me with seven cups from seven water-skins. We did that. He became cool as a result and prayed with the people and prayed for the martyrs of Uhud. He gave instructions regarding the Ansars and said : O refugees, your
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number is increasing, but the number of Ansars will not increase and it will remain what is is today The Ansars are my own people and I took refuge with them. Honour their religious people and forgive their faults. Thereafter he said : One servant was asked to choose either of the two things : This world or what is near God. He chose what is near God. At this Hazrat Abu Bakr began to weep as he applied it to the case of the Prophet. The Prophet said : O Abu Bakr, close these doors (pathways) towards the mosque for your people, but shut not the door of Abu Bakr as I know not of any companion better than Abu Bakr.