[116] And from what came in this book also, and in the book of Abu Ishaq: He said: Abu Bakr entered upon the Prophet—Exalted is His might—while he was heavy and his illness had intensified. He said: “O Messenger of Allah, when is the appointed time?” He said: “It has arrived.” Abu Bakr said: “Allah is the One sought for help regarding that, so to where is the return?”

He said: “To the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha), the Garden of Abode (Jannat al-Ma’wa), to the Highest Companion (al-Rafiq al-A’la), the fullest cup, and the pleasant life.” Abu Bakr said: “Who will take charge of your washing?” He said: “The men of my closest household closest.” He said: “Then in what shall we shroud you?” He said: “In these garments of mine which are upon me, or in a Yemeni robe, or in Egyptian white cloth.” He said: “How shall the prayer [be performed] over you?” The earth trembled with weeping. The Prophet—Exalted is His might—said to them: “Gently, may Allah forgive you. When you have washed me and shrouded me, place me on my bed in this house of mine at the edge of my grave, then leave me, for Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He, is the first to pray over me, then He shall give permission to the angels to pray over me.”