Question

What is the authenticity of this incident?

Makhul said, “When Mu’awiyah approached death he gathered his children around him and said to the mother of his sons, ‘Show me the consignment which I entrusted with you.’ She came back with a container that was sealed and locked. We thought it contained gems within it. He said, ‘I preserved this for the like of this day.’ He asked her to open it, she did so and found a sheet upon which lay three garments. He said, “This is the qamis (upper garment) of the Messenger of Allah that he gave to me and this is the rida (outer garment) of the Messenger of Allah that he gave to me when he returned from the Farewell Hajj. I remained for a long while and then I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah give me this izar (lower garment) that you are wearing.’

He replied, ‘When I go to my house I will send it to you O Mu’awiyah.’

Then the Messenger of Allah sent it to me. He then asked for the cupper (i.e., the one who cups blood) and he removed hair from his head and beard. So I said to him. ‘O Messenger of Allah, grant me these hairs.’

He said, ‘Take them O Mu’awiyah. The hairs are wrapped in the end of the rida.’ He then said, ‘When I die, enshroud me in the qamis of the Messenger of Allah, put on me his rida and then let me be dressed in his izar. Take the hairs of the Messenger of Allah and stuff some in the corners of my mouth and my nostrils, then scatter the rest upon my chest. And leave me to the mercy of my Lord, the Most Merciful.’

Answer

This narration has been recorded by Imam Ibn Zabr Ar Raba’i (Demise: 379 A.H.) and Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (rahimahullah).

(Wasayal ‘Ulama ‘Inda Huduril Mawt, pg. 84-85, Dar Ibn Kathir edition and Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 59, pg. 229-230)

However, the chain contains a narrator who has been declared a fabricator.

(Refer:  Lisanul Mizan, vol. 2, pg. 46-50, number: 1006)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar