Abu’l `Abbas Muhammad b. Ibrahim b. Ishaq رحمه الله narrated to us. He said: Abu Ahmad `Abdillah b. Ahmad b. Muhammad b. `Isa narrated to us. He said: `Ali b. Sa`id b. Bashir narrated to us. He said: Ibn Kasib narrated to us. He said: `Abdullah b. Maymun al-Makki narrated to us. He said: Ja`far b. Muhammad narrated to us from his father from `Ali b. al-Husayn عليه السلام. Two men from Quraysh visited him, so he said: Shall I narrate about the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم for you two? So, they said: Of course – narrate to us about Abi’l Qasim. He said: I heard my father عليه السلام say: Three days before the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم passed away, Gabriel came down to him and said: “O Ahmad! Surely, Allah sent me to you to ennoble and honour you specifically. He asks you about that which He knows more than you regarding. He says: ‘How do you find yourself, Muhammad?’” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: “O Gabriel! I find myself distressed. O Gabriel! I find myself in agony.” On the third day, Gabriel came down with the Angel of Death. With them was an angel named Isma`il in the air, alongside seventy thousand angels. Gabriel عليه السلام was before them, so he said: “O Ahmad! Surely, Allah sent me to you to ennoble and honour you specifically. He asks you about that which He knows more than you regarding. He says: ‘How do you find yourself, Muhammad?’” He said: “O Gabriel! I find myself distressed. O Gabriel! I find myself in agony.” So, the Angel of Death sought permission [to enter]. So, Gabriel said: “O Ahmad! This is the Angel of Death, and he seeks your permission. He has never sought anyone’s permission before you, nor will he seek anyone’s permission after you.” He said: “Grant him permission.” So, Gabriel عليه السلام granted him permission. He entered, came before him, and said: “O Ahmad! Allah has sent me to you, and He ordered me to obey you in what you command of me. He ordered me to take your soul, but if you would hate that, then I will leave it alone.” So, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: “Would you do that, Angel of Death?” He said: “Yes. I was ordered to do that – to obey you in what you command of me.” So, Gabriel عليه السلام said to him: “O Ahmad! Surely, Allah longs to meet you.” So, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: “O Angel of Death! Do what you have been ordered to do.” So, Gabriel عليه السلام said: “These are my last steps in this world. Surely, you were my only need in this world.” When the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم passed away, the wake was held. A person came whose voice was heard but whose body was not seen. So, he said: “Peace be unto you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. ‘Every soul shall taste death. You shall receive your reward on the Day of Resurrection.’ (3:185) In Allah is the consolation for every calamity, and the succession for every end, and the abode of all that goes. So, put your trust in Allah, and put your hope in Him, for afflicted is he who forbids the rewards. Peace be unto you, and the mercy of Allah, and His blessings.” `Ali b. Abi Talib عليه السلام said: “Do you know who this is? This is al-Khidr عليه السلام.”