The Prophet's affection for A'ishah remained to the last. During his final illness, it was
to A'ishah's apartment that he went at the suggestion of his wives. For much of the time
he lay there on a couch with his head resting on her breast or on her lap. She it was who
took a toothstick from her brother, chewed upon it to soften it and gave it to the
Prophet. Despite his weakness, he rubbed his teeth with it vigorously. Not long
afterwards, he lost consciousness and A'ishah thought it was the onset of death, but after
an hour he opened his eyes.
A'ishah it is who has preserved for us these dying moments of the most honoured of God's
creation, His beloved Messenger - may He shower His choicest blessings on him.
When he opened his eyes again, A'ishah remembered Iris having said to her:
"No Prophet is taken by death until he has been shown his place in Paradise and then
offered the choice, to live or die."
"He will not now choose us," she said to herself. Then she heard him murmur:
"With the supreme communion in Paradise, with those upon whom God has showered His
favour, the Prophets, the martyrs and the righteous..."
Again she heard him murmur:
"O Lord, with the supreme communion," and these were the last words she heard
him speak. Gradually his head grew heavier upon her breast, until others in the room began
to lament, and A'ishah laid his head on a pillow and joined them in lamentation.
In the floor of A'ishah's room near the couch where he was lying, a grave was dug in which
was buried the Seal of the Prophets amid much bewilderment and great sorrow.