Demise and Burial

Both husband and wife were living a very happy life. As the moral training of Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra) had taken place in the home of the Holy Prophet (sas), she looked after her husband in the best possible manner. Hazrat Usman (ra) also held Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra) in high esteem. Knowing that she was the beloved daughter of the man who is the Chief of both worlds, Hazrat Usman (ra) had great respect for his wife.

Both husband and wife were happily married for six years even though they had no children from their marriage. Then sadly, Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra) became ill when she was just twenty-two years old. After a brief illness, she passed away.

Hazrat Usman (ra) was in a state of grief! It was difficult for the Holy Prophet (sas) to see what his son-in-law was going through. He expressed pride that Hazrat Usman (ra) was his son-in-law and said that even if he had ten daughters he would have given each one of them—after the passing away of the other—to Hazrat Usman (ra) in marriage.1 This is how deeply the Holy Prophet (sas) loved and cared for Hazrat Usman (ra).

Upon the death of Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra), the Holy Prophet (sas), with tears flowing from his eyes, instructed how to prepare the body for burial: The Holy Prophet (sas) instructed that lote-tree2 leaves should be brought and boiled in water. This water was used to wash the body of Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra) three, five or seven times as needed.

After the body had been bathed with this water, camphor was applied to the body of Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra). Then, the Holy Prophet (sas) placed the burial cloths in a specific order. First, one sheet was placed inside the coffin, then another was used as a shirt.

After that, the Holy Prophet (sas) had one sheet put over the head of Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra). Another sheet was wrapped around her body, and finally, a big sheet was placed on top. Hazrat Umme Atiyyah (ra), a sahabiyah (c0mpanion) of the Holy Prophet (sas), assisted in the washing of the body.

The Holy Prophet (sas) led the funeral prayer of his beloved daughter, Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra). With tears in their eyes, illustrious Sahabah like Hazrat Abu Talha (ra), Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Fazl bin Abbas (ra), and Hazrat Usama ibn Zaid (ra) placed the body of Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra), with great care and reverence in her final resting place. Hazrat Umme Kulsoom (ra) was buried in Jannatul-Baqee‘, beside her sister, Hazrat Ruqayyah (ra).

May Allah the Almighty grant her a high status in Paradise and enable future generations to follow her excellent example of steadfastness and right- eousness. Aameen.