864 — Al-Firyābī narrated to us, saying: Abū Bakr ibn Abī Shayba narrated to us, saying: Abū Muāwiya narrated to us, from al-Amash, from al-Minhāl—that is, ibn Amr—from Zādhān, from al-Barā ibn Āzib, who said:

“We went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for the funeral of a man from the Ansār. We reached the grave before its side-niche had yet been cut. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, sat down, and we sat around him, as still as though birds were perched upon our heads. In his hand was a stick with which he scratched the ground. He raised his head and said, ‘Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave.’ He said this three times—or twice. Then he said:

“‘When the believing servant is about to depart from this world and enter the Hereafter, angels descend to him from heaven, ⦗1295⦘ their faces radiant white, as though their faces were the sun. They sit at a distance from him extending as far as the eye can see. They bring with them a shroud from the shrouds of Paradise and perfume for burial from the perfumes of Paradise. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits by his head, saying, “O tranquil soul, come forth to forgiveness from Allah and His pleasure.” It flows out as smoothly as a drop flows from a waterskin, and he takes it. Once he has taken it, they do not leave it in his hand for even the blink of an eye before taking it and placing it in that shroud with that perfume. There then emanates from it the finest fragrance of musk ever found upon the face of the earth.

“‘They ascend with it, and whenever ⦗1296⦘ they pass a company of angels, the angels ask, “Who is this good soul?” They reply, “This is so-and-so, son of so-and-so,” calling him by the finest names by which he was known in this world. They continue ascending with it until they reach the lowest heaven. Permission is sought for its gate to be opened, and it is opened for him. The nearest angels in each heaven then escort him onward to the heaven above it, until he is brought to the seventh heaven. Allah—majestic is His glory—then says, “Record My servant’s record in Illiyyīn, in the seventh heaven, and return him to the earth, for from it I created them, to it I shall return them, and from it I shall bring them forth once again.”

“‘His soul is then returned to his body. Two angels come to him, sit him up, and ask, “Who is your Lord?” He replies, “My Lord is Allah.” They ask, “What is your religion?” He replies, “My religion is Islam.” They ask, “Who is this man who was sent among you?” He replies, “He is Allah’s Messenger.” They ask, “How did you know?” He replies, “I read Allah’s Book, believed in it, and affirmed its truth.” A caller then calls out from heaven, “My servant has spoken the truth. Spread bedding for him from Paradise, clothe him in garments from Paradise, and open for him a gate to Paradise.” ⦗1297⦘ Its fragrance and refreshing breeze reach him, and his grave is expanded for him as far as his eye can see.

“‘A man with a handsome face, fine clothing, and a pleasant fragrance comes to him and says, “Rejoice in what will delight you! This is the day you were promised.” He asks, “Who are you? Yours is a face that brings good.” The man replies, “I am your righteous deed.” He then says, “My Lord, bring about the Hour, so that I may return to my family and my wealth.”

“‘When the disbelieving servant is about to depart from this world and enter the Hereafter, angels with black faces descend to him from heaven, carrying coarse haircloth. They sit at a distance from him extending as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits by his head, saying, “O wicked soul, come forth to Allah’s displeasure and wrath.” The soul disperses throughout his body, and he pulls it out, with the veins and sinews tearing along with it, just as a roasting spit is pulled from wet wool. Once he has taken it, they do not leave it in his hand for even the blink of an eye before taking it and wrapping it in those pieces of coarse cloth. There then emanates from it a stench like that of the foulest carcass ever found upon the face of the earth.

“‘They ascend with it, and whenever they pass a company of angels, the angels ask, “Who is this wicked soul?” They reply, “So-and-so, son of so-and-so,” calling him by the ugliest names by which he was known in this world. They continue until they reach the lowest heaven and seek permission for its gate to be opened, but it is not opened for them.’

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, then recited: ‘The gates of ⦗1298⦘ heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel passes through the eye of a needle’ [al-Arāf: 40].

“He continued: ‘Allah—majestic is His glory—then says, “Record My servant’s record in Sijjīn, in the lowest earth, and return him to the earth, for from it I created them, to it I shall return them, and from it I shall bring them forth once again.” His soul is then flung down with force.’

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, then recited: ‘Whoever associates partners with Allah is as though he had fallen from the sky and been snatched away by birds, or swept by the wind to a remote place’ [al-Hajj: 31].

“‘His soul is then returned to his body. Two angels come to him, sit him up, and ask, “Who is your Lord?” He replies, “Uh, uh—I do not know.” They ask, “What is your religion?” He replies, “Uh, uh—I do not know.” A caller then calls out from heaven, “Spread bedding for him from the Fire, clothe him in garments from the Fire, and open for him a gate to the Fire.” Its heat and scorching blast reach him, and his grave is constricted around him until his ribs interlace.

“‘A man with an ugly face, ugly clothing, and a foul smell comes to him and says, “Receive the news of what will distress you! This is your promised day.” He asks, “Who are you? Yours is a face that brings evil.” The man replies, “I am your wicked deed.” He then says, “My Lord, do not bring about the Hour! My Lord, do not bring about the Hour!”’”

865 — Abū Jafar Muhammad ibn Sālih ibn Dharīh al-Ukbarī informed us, saying: Hannād ibn al-Sarī narrated to us, saying: Abū Muāwiya narrated to us, from al-Amash, from al-Minhāl, ⦗1299⦘ from Zādhān, from al-Barā ibn Āzib, who said: “We went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for the funeral of a man from the Ansār,” and he related the hadith in full.

866 — Abū Muhammad ibn Sāid narrated to us, saying: al-Husayn ibn al-Hasan al-Marwazī narrated to us, saying: Abū Muāwiya al-Darīr informed us, saying: al-Amash narrated to us, from al-Minhāl ibn Amr, from Zādhān, from al-Barā ibn Āzib, who said: “We went out with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,” and he related the hadith in full.