Ibn Babawayh has narrated through authentic chains of narrators from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) that two persons of Quraish came to Imam Zainul Abideen (a.s.) and the Imam said, “Do you want me to describe the passing away of the Messenger of Allah (S)?” “Yes,” they said. Imam (a.s.) said: “My father informed that Jibraeel came down three days before the passing away of the Holy Prophet (S) and said: O Messenger of Allah (S), the Almighty Allah has sent me to accord respect and honor to you and He asks you about your well being, although he is well aware of it. He says: O Muhammad, how are you feeling?
His Eminence, replied: “O Jibraeel, I find myself aggrieved and in pain. Then the third day arrived and Jibraeel came with the Angel of Death and another angel, named Ismail also accompanied them. He is appointed on wind along with 70000 angels. Jibraeel came first and conveyed the previous message and the Prophet replied as before. Then the Angel of Death sought permission to enter the house of the Prophet.
Jibraeel said: This is the Angel of Death, he is seeking your permission to enter, although he had never before sought anyone’s permission and neither would he seek anyone’s permission after this.” The Messenger of Allah (S) said, “Allow him to enter.” Jibraeel conveyed the permission and he came and stood near the Prophet respectfully and said: O Ahmad, indeed the Almighty Allah has sent me to you and ordered me to obey all your commands.
If you say, I will capture your soul and if you say, I will go back.” The Messenger of Allah (S) said, “Would you go away if I ask you?” the Angel of Death said, “Yes, I have been ordered by Allah to obey your commands.” Jibraeel (a.s.) said, “O Ahmad, indeed the Almighty Allah is eager to meet you.” The Messenger of Allah (S) said, “O Angel of Death, carry out the mission assigned to you.”
Jibraeel (a.s.) said: “This is my last visit to the earth. O Messenger of Allah (S), you were my need on the earth, what do I have to do with the earth after you?” Thus when the holy soul of the Prophet separated from his body, a person arrived and offered condolence to those people. People used to hear his voice but were unable to see the speaker. He said, “Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ
“Every soul shall taste of death, and you shall only be paid fully your reward on the resurrection day; then whoever is removed far away from the fire and is made to enter the garden, he indeed has attained the object; and the life of this world is nothing but a provision of vanities.”2
Then he said: “Allah’s mercy is for those who are patient in every calamity and in exchange of it whatever is destroyed, the Almighty Allah makes up for whatever is lost. Therefore, O Ahlul Bayt of the Prophet, trust in God, and hope only on Him for every good. Indeed, calamity striken is one who is deprived of divine rewards. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.” Amirul Momineen (a.s.) said, “It was His Eminence, Khizr, who had come to offer condolence to us.”