The meaning of the poet's statement: "Has a report reached you that his Companions *** asked him for a ruling while he was in the shrouds, so he answered them with a living, speaking answer *** then bring forth the truth and the proof"

The Shaykh :"Has a report reached you that his Companions *** asked him"
Or his Companions?
"That his Companions *** asked him for a ruling while he was in the shrouds
So He answered them with a living, speaking answer *** So bring forth, then, the truth and the proof.
The student: ...

The Shaykh : In the shrouds, yes, it is established. Did this happen? Did a report come that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked him for a ruling while he was wrapped in his shrouds, and he issued a ruling for them? Never. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) differed over where to bury him, whether to wash him as the dead are washed, and whether to shroud him as the dead are shrouded. They differed on these matters, and yet they did not turn to him to ask him, even though he was among them and not yet buried. How could he be alive?
"Why did he not give them a sufficient answer *** if he was a living, speaking being with a tongue"