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Abu Bakr and Umar's presence at the Prophet's, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, burial

Question

Did the two Shaykhs of Ahl'ul Sunnah participate in the burial rituals of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, if you claim they did, then why do we read that both Sharh Mawaqif and Al-Farooq Shibli Nu'mani confirm their absence? If they did not participate then what type of friends are these?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

We have not found in any of the references of Ahlus-Sunnah, whether the books of narrations or the books of biography and history where it is stated that Abu Bakr and 'Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them were not present at the funeral of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ). Rather, what we found in these books is that Abu Bakr  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him was the person who ended the dispute about where the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) should be buried. At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them reported that when the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) died, the Companions  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them differed with regard to the place he should be buried. So, Abu Bakr  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said, "I heard something from the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) which I never forgot, [he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said]: "Allaah takes the souls of the Prophets where He likes for them to be buried." So, bury him in the spot where his bed is." This is evidence that he was present at his  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) burial. In principle both of them  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them where present at his burial.

It is the person who denies this who is required to provide evidence to what he claims. Their love for the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and their companionship with him is well-known and crystal clear, so the hatred of some people for these great and honorable men  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them and the false misconceptions they try to raise are not considered.

For more benefits about the excellence of these two honorable and great Shaykhs (Abu Bakr and 'Umar  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them) please refer to Fatwa 87882.

Allaah Knows best.

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