The Death of Imam Muslim:

The story of Imam Muslim’s death, as recorded in Tarikh Baghdad and Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala’, is quite extraordinary. It reveals the intense dedication he had for the science of hadith and the depth of his engagement in it. Ahmad ibn Salamah narrated that a hadith discussion session was held with Imam Muslim, during which a narration was mentioned that he was unfamiliar with. Upon returning home, he lit a lamp and told his family that no one should enter his room. His family informed him that someone had gifted a basket of dates, and he asked for it to be brought in. Immersed in searching for the hadith, he kept the basket nearby and, absorbed in his pursuit, unconsciously kept eating one date at a time throughout the night. By morning, he had found the details of the hadith — and the basket was empty. It is said that this incident caused his health to deteriorate, and the sun of knowledge and insight set forever. Imam Muslim passed away on the evening of Sunday, 24th Rajab 261 AH, and was buried the next day in Nishapur.