The Nawasib argue that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him and his family) died in Ayesha’s house in her lap, and they see this as a great virtue for her. They claim that if the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) didn’t love her, he wouldn’t have died in her lap.
Al-Haakim and Ibn Saad have narrated through various chains that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) passed away while his head was in the lap of Ameerul Momineen Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon them both). However, Ibn Hajar did not accept this, arguing that the chain of transmission included Shi’a individuals, and thus, he weakened the narration on that basis.
In response, we ask: Is simply being Shi’a a valid reason to weaken narrations? What should be done with the numerous narrations found in their books, including in Bukhari, where the narrators are Shi’a?
Furthermore, Al-Sam’ani in Al-Fada’il and Al-Daraqutni in Al-Sahih have mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) continued to embrace Imam Ali (peace be upon him) until he passed away.
It has also been narrated from Ayesha that she said, “The soul of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) left his body while in the hand of Ali, and he returned it to his mouth” (Sharh al-Akhbar by Qadi al-Nu’man al-Maghribi vol. 1, p. 430).
Additionally, in Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya by Ibn Kathir, it is mentioned: “Abu Ya’la narrated: Abdul Rahman ibn Salih told us, Abu Bakr ibn Ayyash narrated from Sadaqa, from Jami’ ibn Umair, that his mother and aunt visited Aisha and asked her, ‘O Mother of the Believers, tell us about Ali.’ She said, ‘What do you want to know about a man who placed his hand on the Prophet, and the soul of the Prophet departed in his hand, which he then wiped over his face?'”.
Reference: Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya of Ibn Kathir, vol. 7, p. 360
It has been narrated from Abu Atfaan that he said: “I asked Ibn Abbas, ‘Did the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) pass away with his head in anyone’s lap?’ He said, ‘He passed away while he was leaning on the chest of Ali.’ I said, ‘But Urwa narrated to me from Aisha that she said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) passed away between my chest and neck.’ Ibn Abbas replied, ‘Are you conscious of what you are saying? By Allah, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) passed away while leaning on the chest of Ali (peace be upon him), and he (Ali) is the one who washed him.’”.
Reference: Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra of Ibn Sa’d, vol. 2, p. 230, Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 7, p. 253, H. 18791
Umm Salma narrated: “By the One in whose name I swear, Ali was indeed the closest person to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) … She said, ‘I was among the closest people to the door, and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) leaned on him (Ali) and began speaking softly and secretly to him (Ali). Then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) passed away that very day, and Ali was the last person to be with him.'”
Reference: Fazail al-Sahabah of Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, vol. 2, p. 686, H. 1171, Kanz al-Ummal, vol. 13, p. 146, H. 36459
Other References: Musnad Ahmad, vol. 6, p. 300; Al-Musannaf, vol. 7, p. 494; Tarikh Madinat Dimashq, vol. 42, p. 394; Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya by Ibn Kathir, vol. 7, p. 397.
Ameerul Momineen, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: “The soul of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) passed away between my chest and neck.”
Reference: Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 2, p. 182, Sermon 202.
He also said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) passed away while his head was on my chest, and his soul left his body in my hands, which I then passed over my face.”
Reference: Nahj al-Balagha, vol. 2, p. 172, Sermon 197
As for the claim that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) passed away in the house of Aisha, this is not established. It has been narrated that he was moved to the house of Fatima (peace be upon her) and buried where he passed away, which is the known place today. The house of Fatima (peace be upon her) was there, while the house of Aisha was in the southern part of the mosque, not the eastern side.