my eyes of him; I never had the strength to gaze upon him to my heart’s content. Had I died in that state, I would have hoped to be among the people of Paradise. Afterwards we were entrusted with affairs regarding which I do not know what my standing will be. Therefore, when I die let no wailing woman accompany me, nor any fire. Once you have buried me, sprinkle earth over me little by little, and then remain around my grave for the length of time it takes to slaughter a camel and distribute its meat, so that I may feel reassured by your presence and reflect on how I shall answer the messengers of my Lord.” Muslim related it.

He said: The word “shunnū” has been transmitted both with a dotted shīn and with an undotted sīn; it means “pour it bit by bit.” Allah, exalted is He, knows best.

96 – Chapter: Bidding Farewell to a Companion, His Parting Counsel When Leaving for Travel or Otherwise, Praying for Him, and Asking Him to Pray for One

Allah the Exalted says: “Abraham enjoined this upon his sons, and so did Jacob: ‘My sons, Allah has chosen the faith for you; so do not die except in a state of submission.’ Were you witnesses when death came to Jacob? He said to his sons, ‘What will you worship after I am gone?’ They replied, ‘We will worship your God and the God of your fathers Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac—one God; and to Him we submit.’” (Qur’an 2:132–133).

Among the prophetic reports is the ḥadith of Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him), cited earlier in the chapter on honoring the family of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood among us and addressed us. He praised Allah, extolled Him, admonished and reminded us, then said: ‘To proceed: O people, I am only a human being. Very soon (1) the messenger of my Lord will come to me and I shall answer. I am leaving among you two weighty trusts. The first of them is the Book of Allah, wherein are guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book of Allah and cling to it.’ Thus he strongly commended the Book of Allah and encouraged