Dream of ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf about angels taking his soul
Fatwa No: 336568

Question

I heard a narration that says that ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn ‘Awf apparently died and two angels came to take his soul, but they were interrupted by a third angel who told them that he was supposed to live longer so that his family members could benefit from him. So the angels did not take his soul and ‘Abdur-Rahman ibn ‘Awf survived for one more month? Is this story authentic?

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 is His slave and Messenger.

This story was reported by a number of scholars, such as Abdur-Razzaaq, Al-Fasawi, Al-Haakim, Al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Sa’d, Al-Marwazi and Ibn ‘Asaakir all. 

Al-Booseeri said in It-haaf Al-Khiyaratil-Maharah bi-Zawaa'id Al-Masaaneed Al-‘Asharah (7/223), “It was narrated by Is-haaq ibn Raahawayh with an saheeh (sound) chain of narrators.

It should be pointed out here that this story is only a vision that ‘Abdur- Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf saw in a dream, when he fainted. Ibn Hajar related some of this story in It-haf Al-Maharah (10/637) and then said, “The hadeeth and the story are Mawqoof (attributed only to a Companion, i.e. ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf), and his dream is mentioned in it.

Allaah knows best.

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