because my time has come, my end is near,
so let him in for none can shut the door for him.

Trembling, Fatimah went back to open the door because her father said so.  The tall stranger was still there, but now he came in, walked quietly up to Muhammad, who greeted him warmly, calling him ‘my brother.’

Then Azrail, the Angel of Death—for it was he, God’s final messenger—spoke solemnly, “Prophet of God!  It has pleased our Master to call you to Heaven.  He—praised be His name—told me to respect your wishes and withdraw if you were not ready for me.  You are the only one of his creatures whom He has ever commanded me to grant respite.” The Holy Prophet answered, “Thank you, Lord of Death.  I shall be ready in one hour.  May I ask you to come back in an hour’s time?”  The Angel of Death vanished from sight.  The Holy Prophet bent down his loving head and wept.

Jibril, the friendly angel, became visible again and asked, “My brother, what makes you weep?  Do you desire more days to live, or are you afraid of dying?”  “No,” spoke Muhammad, “I am neither desirous for a longer life nor afraid to end it.  It is God’s decree.  His name be praised.  I weep not for my friends and followers whose faith will lead them to heaven, nor for Fatimah who will follow me after six months.  I weep for those of my people who will disobey the Lord’s commandments after I shall have died.  Some will be rich but will pay no alms to the poor for a place in Paradise.  Those who deny the word of God will be utterly lost.  They will pay no attention to the law of Islam and neglect the prayers.  I cannot redeem those who rebel against Him.”

When Fatimah saw that her father was weeping she fell at his feet sobbing with grief, fearing the unknown.  He said to her, “My daughter, do not weep too much for death is an experience that awaits us all; it is merely fate fulfilled.  Every mortal will taste death, infidels and Muslims too.  Each of us has his day to follow the road. 

“Do not cry, my darling daughter; none of us can escape His decree.”  Fatimah asked her father, the possessor of true knowledge, “When shall we meet again, and where will it be?”  Spoke the Holy Prophet, “We shall meet in a beautiful garden where there is plenty of shade and where all our friends will be, and your mother too, will be there to greet you.