QUESTION:
School learners have an enquiry with regardsto the actual burial of Huzoor Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam passed away on a Monday and was buried on a Tuesday. Some narrations cite on Wednesday. Why was there a delay in the burial?
ANSWER:
Moulana Idrees Khandelwi Rahimahullah mentions in Seeratul Mustafa that when Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam departed from this world, then the Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum were in a state of shock. Moulana Idrees Khandelwi Rahimahullah further writes:
The uneasiness of the Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum
“As soon as the news of this sign of Qiyaamah reached the Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum, it was like Qiyaamah had commenced. They lost their senses, and the people of Madinah Sharif were all in a state of panic. Whoever received this news fell into bewilderment. Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhu was in a state of shock. He was sitting against a wall, and due to his extreme sorrow, he was unable to speak. Ali Radiallahu Anhu cried so profusely that he fell unconscious. The mountain of grief and pain that afflicted A’ishah Radiallahu Anha and the other wives of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam cannot even be described. Abbas Radiallahu Anhu was also at a loss due to severe grief. Umar Radiallahu Anhu suffered the most grief and affliction. He unsheathed his sword, stood up and announced in a loud voice: “The hypocrites assume that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has passed away. He certainly has not passed away; rather he is gone to his Sustainer just as Musa went to Allah Ta’ala on mount Sinai and then returned. By Allah, he will certainly return (as was in the case of Moosa Alaihis Salaam) and he will completely uproot the hypocrites.” Umar Radiallahu Anhu was in a state of fervour, with his sword unsheathed. No one had the courage to inform him that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had certainly passed away.”
Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu was not present at the time of the demise of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. When he arrived, despite his shock and grief, he delivered a lengthy sermon. After the sermon, he learnt that the Ansaar had gathered at Saqeefah Bani Sa’idah to discuss who will be appointed as the successor of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
The Ansaar gather at Saqeefah Bani Sa’idah
The Muhaajireen asked Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu to be present hence, Abu Bakr Radhiallahu Anhu, Umar Radiallahu Anhu and some of the Muhaajireen proceeded to Saqeefah Bani Sa’idah.
Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu and Umar Radiallahu Anhu feared that the people might become hasty and pledge their allegiance to just anyone which could become a cause of disunity later on. When the matter was resolved and Abu Bakr was unanimously chosen as the Khalifah and successor to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the Muslims began preparations to enshroud and bury Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. This meeting at Saqeefah Bani Sa’idah took place on Monday evening. The tragic news of Rasulullah’s demise was announced around mid-day, after which Abu Bakr came from his house in Sunh and delivered his sermon. At some time in the evening the gathering at Saqeefah Bani Sa’idah took place. The family of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam were gathered in his room.
Abu Bakr and ‘Umar Radiallahu Anhu hastened to Saqeefah Bani Sa’idah, as they understood knew that divine revelation has terminated and Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had been continually warning of impending trials and tribulations. In the present circumstances, no form of rebellion, division and disunity should take place which would completely topple Islam. This would cause the 23-year effort of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to be reduced to disarray, and the body of Islam to become disunited and scattered. Bringing it together again will be a difficult task. Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu went to Saqeefah Bani Sa’idah to resolve the matter of succession.”
After the above incident, the Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum proceeded to give Ghusl to Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. However, there was a difference of opinion whether his clothes should be removed or not. Thereafter, there was a difference of opinion as to where he should be buried, and then, what type of a grave should he be buried in.
These factors resulted in the delay of the burial of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam which was unintentional.
Re: Seeratul Mustafaa Pg.580-586
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 02 Safar 1446 / 07 August 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
