Once, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and informed him of the death of Abu Talib. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Go and hide him in a pit." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) submitted that he died in a state of polytheism (how can I lower him into the grave?). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) again said: "Go and hide him in a pit." When I had lowered him into a pit and returned to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he said to me: "Go and take a bath."