Musnad Ahmad 21467

Translation

✧ Abu Dharr was attended by death while at al-Rabadha, and his wife wept. He said: 'What makes you weep?' She said: 'I weep because I cannot manage your burial, and I have no garment that would suffice as your shroud.' He said: 'Do not weep, for I heard the Messenger of God ﷺ one day while I was with him among a group saying: "A man among you will surely die in a desert plain, witnessed by a band of believers." All who were with me in that gathering have died in a group or dispersed, and none remains but me. I have now come to the desert to die. Watch the road, for you will soon see what I say. By God, I have not lied nor been lied to.' She said: 'How can that be when the pilgrims have stopped passing?' He said: 'Watch the road.' While she was thus, there came a group of men whose mounts were speeding, as if they were vultures. They approached and stopped at her. They said: 'What is the matter with you?' She said: 'A Muslim man [is dying]; will you shroud him and be rewarded?' They asked: 'Who is he?' She said: 'Abu Dharr.' They ransomed him with their fathers and mothers, and they placed their whips in their chests, racing to him. He said: 'Rejoice, you are the group about whom the Messenger of God ﷺ said what he said. Rejoice, I heard the Messenger of God ﷺ say: "No two Muslim parents lose two or three children, and they seek reward and are patient, but they will ever see the Fire." I have now become as you see. If any of my garments would suffice as my shroud, I would not be shrouded except in it. I adjure you by God not to shroud me if any of you has been a commander, an 'arif, or a courier.' All the men had held some such office except a young man from the Ansar who was with them. He said: 'I am your companion. I have two garments in my bag, spun by my mother, and one of these two garments I am wearing.' He said: 'You are my companion, so shroud me.'

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