Book of Funerals

Book of Funerals

557. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, "Remember, as much as you can, the one thing (fact or reality) which (always) brings an end to all worldly joys and pleasures, (meaning death). " Related by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban.



558. Anas : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “None of you should wish for death due to any affliction, which might have affected him. But if he feels compelled to wish for it (due to extreme distress that he feels he cannot bear), he should say: “O Allah! Grant me life as long as life is better for me.” Agreed upon.


559. Buraidah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “The believer dies while his forehead is sweating.”{178} Related by the three Imams.

{178} Imam as-San’ani in ‘Subul-as-Salam’, says that this refers to one of two things; one is that when a believer is on his death bed, he would be sweating due to his suffering in the last moments when his soul is about to leave his body; this suffering is the last thing that will expiate what is left of his sins. The other thing, the Prophet could be referring to is the life of the believer in which he is always working hard to gain his halal earnings, fasting, praying to prepare for the Hereafter, and so he meets Allah, the Almighty when he is still sweating.



560. Abu Sa’id and Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Remind those who are on their death bed of the Shahadah “La ilaha illal-ah.” (for them to say it, hoping it will be their last words).{179}

{179} Scholars say that it is recommended to remind those who are on their death bed of the Shahadah, for him to say it, but they disliked insisting or telling him, ‘Say….’, lest the dying person becomes irritated or gets more upset due to what he is going through and then utters something which he should not say.



561. Ma’qil bin Yasar : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Recite Yasin (surah no. 36), over those who are dying.” Related by Abu Dawud, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban graded it as sahih.


562. Umm Salamah : narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah came to see Abu Salamah when his sight had become fixed (with his eyes open, as he had already passed away). So the Prophet , closed his eyes and said, “When the soul is seized and leaves the body, the sight follows it.’ Some of Abu Salamah’s family wept and wailed, whereupon the Messenger of Allah said to them, 'Do not supplicate to Allah anything except that which is good for you (i.e. do not say anything which goes against you at that moment), because the angels (who are present at the time of death), say “Amin” (asking Allah to accept your invocation) to whatever you say.” Then he said, “O Allah! For give Abu Salamah, raise his status among (Your) rightly guided servants, make his grave spacious, and fill it with light for him, and be his successor in taking god care of his descendants whom he has left behind, (and make them pious).” Related by Muslim.


563. ‘Aishah : narrated, ‘When the Messenger of Allah died, he was covered with a Yemeni mantle that had some designs on it.’ Agreed upon.


564. ‘Aishah : reported that Abu Bakr kissed the Prophet after he had died.’ Related by Al-Bukhari.



565. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “A believer’s soul remains suspended according to his debt until it is settled or paid off in his behalf.” Related by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi.


566. Ibn ‘Abbas : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said concerning the man who fell off his mount and died during Hajj, “Wash him with water and Sidr (lotus leaves) and shroud him in his two garments (that he was weaing for Ihram).” Agreed upon.

567. ‘Aishah : narrated, ‘When the Messenger of Allah died and they wanted to make Ghusl (full ritual washing of the body), they said, ‘By Allah we do not know whether we should take off the clothes of Allah’s Messenger as we do for our dead or not?’ Related by Ahmad and Abu Dawud. {180}

{180} The rest of the Hadith as reported by Abu Dawud, ‘When they disputed among themselves, Allah cast slumber over them until the chin of each of them fell on his chest. Then someone said to them from a side of the house, and they did not know who he was, ‘Wash the Prophet while his clothes are on him.’ So, they washed him while he was wearing his shirt. They poured water over his shirt and rubbed him with his shirt and not with their hands.’



568. Umm ‘Atiyah : narrated , ‘The Messenger of Allah came to us when we were washing his daughter (Zainab) after she had died and said, “Wash her three times, or more if necessary, with water and lotus leaves (Sidr) and aplly some camphor to the last washing.” When we finished making Ghusl for her, we informed the Messenger of Allah and he threw his Izar (a cloth, which he wore round his waist) to us and told us to wrap her in it as the first sheet of the shroud (next to her body)’ Agreed upon. In another narration, “Start by washing the organs on the right and those parts that are washed in ablution.” In the narration of Al-Bukhari, “We braided her hair in three braids and made them fall at her back.’



569. ‘Aishah : narrated, “The Messenger of Allah was shrouded in three pieces of white Yemenite cotton sheets. They did not include either a shirt or a turban.’ Agreed upon.



570. ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar : narrated, “when ‘Abdullah bin Ubay (the head of the hypocrites) died, his son came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Please give me your shirt to shroud him (his father) in it.’ So, Allah’s Messenger gave it to him. Agreed upon.



571. Ibn ‘Abbas : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Wear white clothes, for they are (considered as) your best clothes, and enshroud your dead in them.” Related by the five Imams, except for An-Nasa’i, and At-Tirmidhi reported it to be sound.



572. Jabir : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “When one of you is in charge of shrouding his brother, he should give him the best shroud he can (i.e. clean, covering the whole body, but not necessarily expensive as this is disliked.)” Related by Muslim.

573. Jabir : narrated that the Messenger of Allah had each two martyrs of the battle of Uhud wrapped in one shroud, and then would ask, “Which one of them knew more of the Qur’an?” He would put that one (that was pointed out) first in the grave. They were not washed and the Messenger of Allah did not offer a funeral prayer for them.’ Related by Al-Bukhari.



574. ‘Ali : narrated, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah say, “Do not be extravagant in shrouding (i.e. do not spend too much money on them) for it will decay quickly.” Related by Abu Dawud.



575. ‘Aishah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said to her, “If you die before me, I will wash you myself.” Related by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban graded it as Sahih.



576. Asma’ bint ‘Umais : narrated that Fatimah : (the daughter of the Prophet ) made a will that ‘Ali : was to wash her when she dies.’ Related by Ad-Daraqutni.



577. Buraidah : reported concerning the story of the Ghamidi woman, who was to be stoned by the order of the Prophet (due to committing adultery), “Then the Messenger of Allah gave his command concerning her (after her death), so he offered the funeral prayer for her, and she was then buried.’ Related by Muslim.



578. Jabir bin Saumrah : narrated, ‘A man who killed himself with a broad-headed arrow, was brought to the Prophet , but he did not offer the funeral prayer for him. {181} Related by Muslim.

{181} The Messenger of Allah did not offer prayer for him, as a punishment for what he did by committing suicide, and to dissuade others from doing the same.

579. Abu Hurairah : narrated regarding the story of the black woman who used to clean the mosque. The Messenger of Allah asked about her, and he was told that she had died. He said to them, “Why didn’t you inform me of her death?” It seems that they regarded her as an insignificant person. The Messenger of Allah said, “Show me her grave.” They showed him her grave and he offered the funeral prayer for her.’ Agreed upon. Muslim added in his narration, "Verily, those graves are full of darkness for those buried in them. Allah, the Almighty, will illuminate them for their dwellers by my prayer over them.”


580. Hudhaifah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah used to prohibit the announcement of anyone’s death. {182} Related by Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi, who rendered it Hasan.

{182} The prohibition in this Hadith does not refer to telling people about the death of a relative, a friend etc for people to console his family and offer funeral prayer for him. The Prophet is prohibiting what they used to do before Islam, like calling out the news of the death of a great man showing pride over others or wailing and crying aloud for people to know that someone has died in that house.



581. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah informed the people about the death of Negus the day he died. He took them ou to the place of prayer, to offer the funeral prayer for him. He arranged them in rows, and made Takbir four times.’ Agreed upon.



582. Ibn ‘Abbas : narrated, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah say, “If a Muslim man dies and a group of forty people, who do not associate any one with Allah, pray for him, Allah will accept their intercession for him (by way of their Du’a for him).” Related by Muslim.



583. Samurah bin Jundub : narrated, ‘I offered the funeral prayer behind the Prophet for a woman who died during child-birth and he (prayed) standing opposite the middle of her body.’ Agreed upon.



584. ‘Aishah : narrated, ‘By Allah the Messenger of Allah offered funeral prayer in the mosque for the sons of Baida’ (Sahl and Suhail)’.{183} Related by Muslim.

{183} This Hadith is evidence that it is permissible to pray the funeral prayer in the mosque.



585. ‘Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila : and ‘Zaid bin Arqam : used to recite four Takbirat when praying over the dead, but once he said it five times, so I asked him about it. He said to me, ‘The Messenger of Allah used to do so.’ Related by Muslim and the four Imams. {184}

{184} Most scholars are of the opinion that they are only four Takbirat.

586. ‘Ali bin Abi Talib : narrated that he said six Takbirat when he prayed over Sahl bin Hunaif, and he said (explaining his action), ‘He is one of the Companions, who fought in the Battle of Badr.’ Related by Sa’id bin Mansur.

587. Jabir : narrated that the Messenger of Allah used to say four Takbirat over the dead, and would recite al-Fatihah in (after saying) the first (opening) Takbirat. Related by Ash-Shaf’i with a weak chain of narrators.

588. Talhah bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Auf : narrated, ‘I offered a funeral prayer led by Ibn ‘Abbas. He recited al-Fatihah and said, ‘You should know that it (reciting al-Fatihah) is a Sunnah of the Propet .’ Related by Al-Bukhari.

589. ‘Auf bin Malik : narrated that the Messenger of Allah offered the funeral prayer, and I memorized this supplication (that he said for the deceased), “O Allah! Forgive and have mercy on him (on her). Grant him ease and respite. Make his resting place a noble one, and facilitate his entry. Wash him with the most pure and clean water, snow and hail. Purify him from sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. Give him in exchange a home better than his home (on earth) and a family better than his family. Grant him entrance to Paradise and protect him from the trials of the grave and the torture of Hell Fire.” Related by Muslim.

590. Abu Hurairah : narrated, ‘When the Messenger of Allah prayed a funeral prayer, he would say, “O Allah! Forgive those of us who are alive, and those who are dead, those present and those absent, those who are young and thpse who are male and those who are female. O Allah! Let those of us to whom You have given life, live in Islam, and let those of us You take back die in a state of faith. O Allah! Do not deprive us of our reward for (supplicating for) him, and cause us not to go astray after him.” Related by Muslim and the four Imams.


591. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah , “If you offer the funeral prayer for a deceased person, supplicate Allah sincerely for him.” Related by Abu Dawud.


592. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Hurry up when you carry the dead body (the janazah), for if the deceased is righteous, you would be takingit to something better, and if he or she is an evil person, then you will be getting him or her off your necks." Agreed upon.


593. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Whoever accompanies the funeral (the dead body) until he performs the funeral prayer will have a reward equal to (one Qirat), and whoever accompanies the burial procession, will be doubly reward (two Qirat).” They then asked, ‘What is meant by the two Qirat?’ He replied “Like two huge mountains.” Agreed upon. Muslim added the statement, ‘until it is buried.’
594. Al-Bukhari related on authority of Abu Hurairah , “Whoever accompanies the funeral of a Muslim, seeking the reward only from Allah, the Almighty, and he stays with it until he offers the funeral prayer and the burial is completed, will return back with two Qirat, each Qirat is equal to the amount of Uhud.”

595. Salim narrated on the authority of his father : that he saw the Messenger of Allah , Abu Bakr : and ‘Umar : walking in front of a funeral. Related by the five Imams, and Ibn Hibban rendered it Sahih.


596. Umm 'Atiyah : narrated, ‘We were forbidden to accompany funeral processions, but this prohibition was not mandatory for us.’ Agreed upon.


597. Abu Sa’id : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Stand up when you see a funeral procession, and he who accompanies it should not sit down until the coffin is placed in the ground.” Agreed upon.


598. Abu Ishaq narrated that ‘Abdullah bin Yazid placed a dead body in the grave from the side near the foot of the grave (i.e. the end which will accommodate the feet when the body is placed in it). {185} He then said, ‘This is the Sunnah of the Prophet ’ Related by Abu Dawud.

{185}It is the Sunnah that the head of the deceased is placed first from the side of the foot of the grave, but if it is not easy to do so, then the body could be placed in the grave from any side.
599. Ibn ‘Umar : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “When you place your deceased in the grave, say, ‘In the Name of Allah, and in accordance with the tradition of Allah’s Messenger " Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i.

600. ‘Aishah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Breaking a deceased body’s bones is exactly like breaking them when he is alive.” Related by Abu Dawud in accordance wih the conditions of Muslim.

601. Ibn Majah added, on the authority of Umm Salamah : , "with regards to it being a sin.”

602. Sa’d bon Abi Waqqas : said (during his death illness) ‘Make a lahd for me and cover it with un-burnt bricks, as you did with the grave of the Prophet .’ related by Muslim.

603. Al-Baihaqi transmitted on the authority of Jabir : a similar narration and added, ‘and his grave was raised one span from the ground. {186} Ibn Hibban graded it as Sahih.

{186} The surface of the grave is raised one span above the ground so that its location can be known.


604. Jabir : narrated that the Messenger of Allah prohibited whitening a grave with plaster, to sit on it or to build over it (such as a dome).’ Related by Muslim.

605. ‘Amir bin Rabi’ah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah prayed over ‘Uthman bin Madh’un, then went to the grave and sprinkled three handfuls of soil while he was standing.’ Related by Ad-Daraqutni.

606. ‘Uthman Ibn ‘Affan : narrated, ‘Whenever the Messenger of Allah finished the burial of the dead, he would stand by the grave and say, “Seek forgiveness for your brother and pray for him to be steadfast, because he is now being questioned.” Related by Abu Dawud. Al-Hakim graded it as Sahih.

607. Damrah bin Habib (one of the Tabi’in or the followers of the companions) narrated, ‘They (the Companions that he met) recommended that after the grave is levelled and the people leave, that one should stand by the grave and say three times to the deceased, ‘O so-and-so, say: ‘There is no God but Allah”, ‘O so-and-so, say ‘Allah is my Lord, Islam is my din (religion), and Muhammad is my prophet.’ Related by Sa’id bin Mansur.

608. At-Tabarani related a similar hadith on the authority of Abu Umamah on the authority of the Prophet {187}

{187} Imam as-San’ani in ‘Subul as-Salam’ says that none on the scholars of Hadith doubt that this hadith is fabricated (i.e. prompting the deceased after the burial), so it could not be traced back to the prophet Imam Ibnul Qaiyim said that the companions did not do this, as we see people doing nowadays, as standing by the side of the grave and talking to the dead.
609. Buraidah bin Al-husaib al-Aslami : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “I had forbidden you to visit graves, but now you may visit them.” Related by Muslim. At-Tirmidhi added the following, “It will remind you of the Hereafter.”610. Ibn Majah added on the authority of Bin Mas’ud, “And they make you (i.e. the graves) renounce this worldly life.”
611. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah cursed the women who frequently visit the graves. Related by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban graded it as Sahih.

612. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri : narrated that the Messenger of Allah cursed the wailing women and those that listen to them. Related by Abu Dawud.

613. Umm ‘Atiyah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah made us pledge that we will not wail. Agreed upon.

614. Ibn ‘Umar : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said “A dead person is tormented in his grave by the wailing for him.” Agreed upon.

615. Al-Bukhari and Muslim transmitted a similar narration on the authority of Al-Mughirah bin Shu’bah.

616. Anas : narrated, ‘I attended the burial of one of the daughters of the Prophet He was sitting by the side of the grave and his eyes were shedding tears.’ Related by Al-Bukhari.

617. Jabir bin ‘Abdullah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Do not bury your dead during the night unless you have to do so.” Related by Ibn Majah. Muslim reported a similar narration, but Jabir said in his narration, ‘The Prophet disapproved that someone is buried at night, unless the funeral prayer has been offered for him.’


618. ‘Abdullah Ibn J’far : narrated, ‘When we received the news of Ja’far’s death; when he was killed (in the Battle of Mu’tah), the Prophet said, “Prepare some food for the family of Ja’far, for what has befallen them is keeping them preoccupied.” Related by the five Imams except for Nasa’i .


619. Sulaiman bin buraidah narrated on the authority of his father : that the Prophet taught us that when we visit graves we should say, “Peace be upon you, O believing men and women, O dwellers of this place. Certainly, Allah willing we will join you. We supplicate to Allah to grant us and you well-being.” Related by Muslim.


620. Ibn ‘Abbas : narrated, ‘Once the Messenger of Allah passed by some graves in Madinah. He turned his face toward them saying, “Peace be upon you, O dwellers of these graves. May Allah forgive you and us. You have preceded us, and we are following your trail.” Related by At-Trmidhi, who graded it Hasan.


621. ‘Aishah : narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “Do not speak badly of the dead, they have already seen the result of (the deeds) that they sent on before them.” Related by Al-Bukhari.


622. At-Tirmidhi related a similar narration on the authority of Al-Mughirah bin Shu’bah, and he added, "Thus you will be offending the living (i.e. if you curse their dead).”