Final Days of Illness & Demise
During his last days of his illness, Hazrat Usman (ra) went to visit Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud and asked him, “Do you have any grievances”. He replied, “Now that you have asked, my only grievances are my sins, for there are many.” Hazrat Usman (ra) then asked if he required anything, to which he replied that he only required the Mercy of God Almighty. Hazrat Usman (ra) then asked him if he should arrange for a physician to attend to him. To this he replied that it was the physicians who had put him in this condition, i.e. that whatever was taking place was due to the Will of God and he was content with it. Hazrat Usman (ra) then asked if he should set an allowance for him to which he replied that he did not require anything. Hazrat Usman (ra) said that it would be useful for his daughters. He replied by saying, “From this, do you imply that my daughters will be left impoverished?” He then further said, “I have advised my daughters to recite Surah al-Waqi‘ah every night. I heard the Holy Prophet (sa) say that whoever recites Surah al-Waqi‘ah every night, they will never have to endure starvation.”
(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, pp. 386-387, Dar-ul-Kutub Al-ilmiyyah, Beirut)
This was the level of the trust in God and the contentment of these shinning stars.
Salma bin Tawam says, “A person once met Abdullah bin Mas‘ud and related his dream and said, ‘I saw you in my dream last night. I also saw that the Holy Prophet (sa) was sat on a tall pulpit while you were sat below the pulpit. The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, “O Ibn Mas‘ud! Come close to me for you have become so detached since I have gone.”’ Abdullah bin Mas‘ud then said, ‘Swear by God that you really did see this dream.’ He replied that indeed he did. Upon this, he then said, ‘Have you come from Medina to offer my funeral prayer? As it seems that my time has come.’ A short while later he passed away.”
(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 386, Dar-ul-Kutub al-ilmiyyah, Beirut)
However, prior to his demise, when Hazrat Usman (ra) learnt of his illness, he called him to leave Kufa and come to Medina. However, the people of Kufa urged him to remain in Kufa and also assured him that they will protect him. It is also possible that this incident of Hazrat Usman (ra) calling him to Medina was prior to his illness as it seemed as if he was in good health then when this incident took place wherein this man related his dream to him. However, it was after this that Hazrat Usman (ra) called him from Kufa. And, even though the people of Kufa desired for him to remain there and promised to protect him, he said that it was the instruction of the Khalifa of the time and it was incumbent upon him to obey. He also said that very soon, certain disorders would emerge and he did not wish to be the cause of them and after that he left to go the Khalifa of the time. He passed away in 32 AH in Medina. Hazrat Usman (ra) led his funeral prayer and buried him in Jannat-ul-Baqi. At the time of his demise, his age was just a little over than 60.
(Usdul Ghaba, Vol. 3, p. 387, Dar-ul-Kutub al-ilmiyyah, Beirut)
According to another narration he was just over 70 when he passed away.
(Al-Tabqaat-ul-Kubra, translated by Abdullah Al‘amadi, Pt. 3, p. 230, Vol. 3, p. 387, Nafees Academy, Karachi)
Upon the demise of Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud, Hazrat Abu Musa said to Hazrat Abu Mas‘ud, “Do you think that Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud has left behind after him a person who possesses the same kind of qualities?” Hazrat Abu Mas‘ud replied, “The fact is that during certain times when we were not allowed to go and visit the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud was permitted to enter the Holy Prophet (sa)’s home. When we were not around the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud however had the opportunity to serve the Holy Prophet (sa) and benefit from his company. Thus, how can it be that there is someone else who possesses the same kind of qualities?”
(Al-Tabqaat-ul-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 119, Dar-ul-Kutb Al-ilimiyya, Beirut, 1990)