One day prior to his demise the Prophet (s.a.) called Hazrat Ali (a.s.) close to himself and said, “O Ali! Now is the time for my departure! After my death you must give me the the bath, drape me in the shroud and put my mortal remains in the grave. You must fulfil the promises that I have made with people. I have taken a loan from a certain Jew for the expenses of the Contingent of Ossama ibne Zaid. You must clear this debt!” Then he took out the ring from his finger and asked Ali (a.s.) to wear it. He also gave to Ali (a.s.) his sword, helmet the yellow turban and other arms. That day was over and the next day was Monday 28th of Safar 11. Hijri. Now the condition of the Prophet (s.a.)’s health deteriorated. The clouds of death were hovering over his head. He was in semi comatose condition prior to death. The time was close when the human body stops breathing and the spirit travels towards its final destination. The Prophet (s.a.) opened his eyes and when he didn’t find Ali (a.s.), who had gone out for some errand, he said, “Call my Habeeb, My friend!” Hazrat Ayesha says:
“When the time of his departure was nigh, the Prophet (s.a.) asked his Habeeb to be called. Someone went and called Hazrat Abu Bakr. The Prophet (s.a.) didn’t look on him and put his head down. He again wanted his Habeeb to be called. A person went and called Omer. When the Prophet (s.a.) saw him he put his head down and again asked for his Habeeb. Now Hazrat Ali (a.s.) came. When the Prophet (s.a.) saw him, he took him under his quilt and remained like that till he was dead. His hand was over Hazrat Ali (a.s.) at that moment.” 99
Ref: Riyaz al Nazra, Vol 2, Page 237
This was the greatest tragedy in the History of Islam. Everyone was affected with this sad event but for the Bani Hashim and his close family it was the most irreparable loss. The condition of the Prophet (s.a.)’s Daughter was such as if her own life had been snatched away from her. Her children were crying for the loss of their doting Grand-father. The entire world of Ali (a.s.) was changed. Inspite of exercising maximum control over his emotions, teras were running from his eyes. Crying, he touched his hands to the face of his departed mentor and cousin and touched his own face. He closed the eyes of the Prophet (s.a.) gently and covered his face with the cloth. Then, as per the wish of the Prophet (s.a.), he got busy with the preparation for his interment. Ibne Saad writes:
“When the Prophet (s.a) died, his head was on the lap of Ali (a.s.). It was Ali (a.s.) who gave him the last bath. Fazal Ibne Abbas was supporting the Prophet (s.a.) and Ossama ibne Zaid was giving the water. 99 Ref: Tabaqaat, Vol 2, Page 263
When the Ameer al Momineen (a.s.) had given the bath to the Prophet (s.a.), he draped his body in the shroud and alone offered the Funeral Prayer. The persons who were gathered at the mosque were discussing as to who must be asked to lead the last parting prayer for the Prophet (s.a.) and where he should be interred. Some people thought that the compound of the mosque was a suitable place for the purpose. Other said that the Jannat al Baqih was the right place. When Hazrat Ali (a.s.) learned about these discussions, he came out of the room and said, “The Prophet (s.a.) was leader in his lifetime and is our Imam and leader in his death too! Therefore every individual group should go into the room and offer Furada Funeral Prayer! As far as the place for his interment is concerned, he will be buried at the same place where he breathed his last!” As instructed by the Imam (a.s.) the Bani Hashim first went into the room and offered the Funeral Prayers. Then followed the Mohajirs and the Ansar. After the Funeral Prayers, the Prophet (s.a.) was interred in the same room where he expired. Zaid ibne Sahl excavated the grave. The persons in charge of the interment were Hazrat Ali (a.s.), Abbas ibne Abd al Mutallib, Fazal ibne Abd Al Mutallib and Ossama ibne Zaid. When the time for burial came, the Ansar called from outside, “O Ali (a.s.)! Please include one of our persons in the process that we don’t remain deprived of the felicity!” Hazrat Ali (a.s.) called Aws ibne Khauli to come in and allowed him to descend into the grave of the Prophet (s.a). Hazrat Ali (a.s.) took the body in both his hands and lowered it into the grave. When the body was laid in the grave, he removed the cloth from the face and turned the body towards the Qibla and put the cheek on the dust in the grave. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) put the earth on the body with his own hands, leveled its surface and sprinkled water over it!.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 