The non-authenticity of the story of the Angel of Death seeking permission from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
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His Eminence the Shaykh: Some historical books mention that the Angel of Death came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) seeking permission in the form of a Bedouin. What is the authenticity of this statement?
This is incorrect. The idea that the Angel of Death came to the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) seeking permission is absolutely incorrect. However, the Angel of Death came to Musa to take his soul, and Musa struck him, causing him to lose an eye.So the Angel of Death returned to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and said: I was sent to a man who does not want to die.So Allah said to him: Go to Musa and tell him to place his hand on the back of a bull. For every hair under his hand, he will be granted a corresponding number of years.He said: And then what?He said: Then death;Because as He the Exalted said: [Al-Imran: 185] If we assume these years were a thousand, or more, they pass for a person as if they were an hour. Now, our ages are all different, but the one among us who lived long and the one who lived short, we are all equal in the past, as if it never was. Therefore, when the Angel of Death said to Musa, “Then death,”He said: he said, “O my Lord, then bring me closer to the Holy Land.” So Allah (Mighty and Majestic) brought him closer to the Holy Land, and he was taken there. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (His grave is at the red sand dune, and if I were there, I would show it to you).
As for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Angel of Death did not come to him, nor did he seek permission from him. Rather, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon in the last days of his life and said: (A servant was given the choice by Allah the Exalted between living in this world as long as Allah wills, and meeting his Lord, so he chose to meet his Lord). This is what he said in the last days of his life. Abu Bakr wept, and the people were amazed at how Abu Bakr wept over these words. It was the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who was given the choice, and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable of the people about the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). This is what is reported. As for the claim that the Angel of Death came seeking his permission, that is incorrect.
And may Allah send prayers and blessings and bestow grace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
This is incorrect. The idea that the Angel of Death came to the Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) seeking permission is absolutely incorrect. However, the Angel of Death came to Musa to take his soul, and Musa struck him, causing him to lose an eye.So the Angel of Death returned to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and said: I was sent to a man who does not want to die.So Allah said to him: Go to Musa and tell him to place his hand on the back of a bull. For every hair under his hand, he will be granted a corresponding number of years.He said: And then what?He said: Then death;Because as He the Exalted said:
Every soul will taste death
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِAs for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Angel of Death did not come to him, nor did he seek permission from him. Rather, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon in the last days of his life and said: (A servant was given the choice by Allah the Exalted between living in this world as long as Allah wills, and meeting his Lord, so he chose to meet his Lord). This is what he said in the last days of his life. Abu Bakr wept, and the people were amazed at how Abu Bakr wept over these words. It was the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who was given the choice, and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable of the people about the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). This is what is reported. As for the claim that the Angel of Death came seeking his permission, that is incorrect.
And may Allah send prayers and blessings and bestow grace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
