The demise of the beloved Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

هو الحبيب الذي ترجى شفاعته

لكل هول من الأهوال مقتحم

Hadhrat Jee mentioned that Hakeemul Ummat [Maulan Ashraf Ali Thanwi v] says that, ‘if Nabi s himself is a Rahmat [Mercy], then imagine how much Mercy of Allah would be descending on him’.

Hadhrat Jee then explained that Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallams ’s death itself is a big blessing for us, in the same way his conquests and openings were. When Allah called his beloved, there were many blessings for us too.

Sayidina Jaabir narrates that when Surah Nasr was revealed:

{When comes the Help of Allah, and Victory,

And thou dost see the people enter Allah’s Religion in crowds,

Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: For He is Oft-Returning [in repentance and mercy].}

was revealed, Nabi s told Jibreel u that, ‘I have been given an Ishaarah [sign] of my death’. Sayidina Jibreeel replied with the verse of the Holy Qur’aan [93:4]:

و للآخرة خير لك من الأولى)) {And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present}

Meaning, whatever you did not get in this world you will receive in the next.

When Nabi s passed away, he was assured 2 things: He would see Allah bighayr Hijaab [without any veils between them]. This is specific to him and not his Ummat. Also, he would see his abode in Paradise and rank in the next world.

In Bukhari and Muslim, it narrated from Sayidatina Siddeeqah [Aisha] that every Nabi is given a choice when they are close to death between 2 things: to live for longer or to pass away. When our Nabi s was in his Mardh Wafaat [illness of death] and in a state of coughing and such like, he prayed:

مع الذين أنعمت عليهم من النبيين والصديقين والشهداء والصالحين

With those that you have favoured from amongst the Prophets, Siddeeqs, Martyrs and Pious ones.

He chose the next life because he had much Shauq [yearning] to meet his Lord. It is mentioned in a narration that when he s was very aleel [ill] he prayed:

اللهم الرفيق الاعلي Oh Allah! With the Highest Companionship.

Siddeeqah mentions, ‘after that I never heard him say anything’.

Huzoor s himself said, ‘I’ve been given 2 choices; I can live long enough to see the Futoohaat [victories] of my Ummah or meet my Lord jaldi [soon]. I prefer to go sooner’. There should be no doubt about death being predestined. Rasulullah s ’s death too was predestined as Allah already knew which of the 2 choices His Slave and Habeeb would make. Allah is All-Knowing of the Unseen.

In one narration in Bayhaqi, it is mentioned that the Angel of Death u came to Nabi s and told him, ‘I have been given a Hukm [command] from Allah not to take your Rooh [Soul] until you say so’. Jibreel u was also present there and when Nabi s looked towards him he said, ان الله قد اشتاك الي لقاءك ‘Allah is Mushtaaq [Zealous] to meet you’. This means Allah want to increase you in Qurb [closeness] and Karaamah [honour]. Nabi sthen said, ‘take me’.

When Nabi s passed away, it is obvious that his beloved Sahaaba’s dil phaat jaate [their hearts would have ripped apart]. How did they manage to survive such a great loss? They shrouded him, bathed and buried him. Many miracles took place throughout. This is because Allah made their hearts strong in such a way, almost like they were doing all these actions in a somnambulant and unconscious state.

It is mentioned in Tarjumaan-us-Sunnah that they asked, ‘how can we take off his clothes when bathing him [as this is against his honour]?’ A slumber, not a sleep, but a slumber overcame them and they heard a voice saying, ‘do not remover his clothes as they have touched his blessed body [and thus are in themselves blessed] but pour water over him’.

How did Hadhrat Ali go into Nabi s ’s grave and how did they put earth over his blessed grave? It was all in this state that Allah enabled them to do it. Indeed, when they finished Faatimah u said to Anas; Nabi s ’s Khaadime Khaas [special attendant], ‘tell me how you put earth over Nabi s? Do you realise what you did?’

Even Eesa u will be buried next to Nabi s. Nabi s ’s death and burial is a Tasalli [comfort] for his Ummat when we go Madinah. We can visit him and find peace. When you hear about Huzoor s, increase your love for him.