Chapter X: Remembrance of Death
Hazrat Ayesha said : On the first part of the day of his death, he looked somewhat better and the people left him, returned to their respective houses and joined in their personal affairs. The Prophet then remained alone with his wives. We remained then in hope and joy. Thereafter the Prophet said : Leave me. An angel seeks to meet me. Everybody went out of the house except 1. His head reclined on my lap. He sat straight and I also went to a corner of the house. The angel talked with him secretly for a pretty long time. Then the Prophet called me and placed his head again on my lap. He said to his wives : Enter the house. I said : He is not perhaps Gebrail. The Prophet said : O Ayesha, he is the angel of death. He came to me and said : God sent me to you and advised me not to come to you without your permission. If you don't permit me, I will return; and if you give me permission, I will enter. God ordered me not to take your life until you give me permission. Now what is your permission? I said : Tarry and li ttle, let Gebrail come in. This is the time of coming of Gebrail.
Hazrat Ayesha said : Thereafter there appeared to us such an affair which was beyond our control. It seemed that we raise hue and cry and strike our hands and feet. The people of Ahli-Bait were all struck with awe and were silent. Nobody saw such an affair before. Ayesha said : Then Gebrail descended and saluted the Prophet. I felt his advent. The people of the house went out. He said : The Almighty God tenders His Salam to you and enquires your health although He knows it. He has intended to make your honour and prestige perfect and wishes to establish it among your followers. The Prophet said : I am in anxiety. He ..said: Give good news as God intends to take you to the place which He has prepared for you.
The Prophet said : The angel of death seeks my permission. Gebrail said : O Muhammad, surely your Lord is anxious to meet with you. By God, the angel of God never sought permission of
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anybody to take his life and will never seek such permission. God will protect your honour and he is eager to meet you. The Prophet said : Let the angel of death come and go away from here till he comes. Then the Prophet called his wives and said to his daughter Fatima : Come close to me. Fatima went near him and he whispered something in her ear. She raised her head and shed tears and could not talk further. Then he said : Come close to me. Hazrat Fatima came close to him and he whispered again something to her. Then she raised her head and began to smile.