Supplication for the Deceased after his Burial

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 161
Supplication for the Deceased after his Burial

946. Abu `Amr (also called Abu `Abdullah and also Abu Laila) from `Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: After the burial of a dead man, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would stand by the grave and say, “Ask Allah to forgive your brother and supplicate for him for steadfastness because he is being questioned (about his deeds) now.”
[Abu Dawud].

947. `Amr bin Al-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) used to say: “When you have buried me, keep standing near my grave till (for the time it takes to) a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed, so that I may feel your nearness and know what to reply to the angels sent by my Rubb.”
[Muslim].

 

Admonition beside the Grave

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 160
Admonition beside the Grave

945. `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were accompanying a funeral procession in Baqi` Al-Gharqad (graveyard in Al-Madinah) when the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) proceeded towards us and sat down. We sat around him. He had a small stick in his hand. He was bending down his head and scraping the ground with the stick. He said, “There is none among you but has a place assigned for him either in the Jannah or in the Hell.” The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah, should we not depend upon what has been written for us (and give up doing good deeds)?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Carry on doing good deeds. Every one will find it easy to do such deeds (as will lead him to his destined place) for which he has been created.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

Haste in Burial

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 158
Haste in Burial

941. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Hurry up with the dead body (for its burial), for if it is pious, you are speeding it to goodness and if it is otherwise, you are laying an evil off your necks.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

942. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a dead body is placed on a bier and men carry it on their shoulders, if he was a pious man, it (corpse) says: `Take me in haste.’ But if he was not righteous, it says to its bearers: `Woe to it. Where are you taking it?’ Everything except man hears its voice. Had a human being heard its voice, he would have surely fallen into swoon.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Supplications in Funeral Prayers

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 157
Supplications in Funeral Prayers

To pronounce four Takbir (saying Allahu Akbar) in the funeral prayer. After the first Takbir, after saying A`udhu billahi minash-Shaitanir-rajim, recite Surat Al-Fatihah. After the second Takbir, send Salam [Allahumma Salli `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin kama sallaita `ala Ibrahima wa `ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma barik `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin, kama barakta `ala Ibrahima, wa `ala ali Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid. Then after the third Takbir, invoke supplication for the deceased and for the Muslims as we will mention later on, in sha’ Allah. After the fourth Takbir, supplicate Allah. (Some of the supplications of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), which are to be recited after the third Takbir are mentioned in the following Ahadith:)

935. Abu `Abdur-Rahman `Auf bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him)  reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) offered a funeral prayer and I memorized his supplication. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prayed: “Allahummaghfir lahu, warhamhu, wa `afihi, wa`fu `anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu, wa wassi` mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma’i wath-thalji wal-baradi, wa naqqihi minal-khataya, kama naqqaytath-thawbal-abyada minad-danasi, wa abdilhu daran khairan min darihi, wa ahlan khairan min ahlihi, wa zawjan khairan min zawjihi, wa adkhilhul-Jannata, wa a`idh-hu min `adhabil-qabri, wa min `adhabin-nar [if the dead person is a woman, one should change the ending of certain words in this supplication from hu to ha] (O Allah! Forgive him, bestow mercy upon him, pardon him, accord him a noble provision and make his grave spacious, wash him with water, snow and hail, purify him from sins as You have purified the white garment from soiling, give him a better abode in place of his present one, and a better family in exchange of his present one, and a better spouse in place of his present wife; admit him to Jannah and protect from the trial in the grave and punishment in the Hell).” (After hearing this supplication of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), Abu’ Abdur-Rahman ‘Auf bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I wished I had been that dead man.
[Muslim].

936. Abu Hurairah, Abu Qatadah, and Abu Ibrahim Al-Ash-hali (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) offered a funeral prayer and said: “Allahummaghfir lihaiyina wa maiyitina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana, wa shahidina wa gha’ibina. Allahumma man ahyaiytahu minna, fa’ahyihi `alal-Islam, wa man tawaffaiytahu minna, fatawaffahu `alal-Iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu, wa la taftinna ba`dahu (O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, our present and our absent, our young and our old, our male and our female. O Allah, whosoever of us You keep alive, keep him alive (faithful) to IslÀm, and whosoever of us You cause to die, let him die having Iman. O Allah, do not deprive us of our reward (for being patient) and do not subject us to trials after his death.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

937. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “When you pray over the dead, make a sincere supplication for him.”
[Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah].

938. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)  reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) supplicated in course of funeral prayer: “Allahumma Anta Rabbuha, wa Anta khalaqtaha, wa Anta hadaytaha lil-Islam, wa Anta qabadta ruhaha, wa Anta a`lamu bisirriha wa `alaniyyatiha, ji’naka shufa`a’a lahu [if the dead person is a man, or laha if the dead person is a woman], faghfir lahu [or laha, if it is a woman] (O Allah, You are its Rubb; You created it; You guided it to Islam; You have taken its life back and You know best its insight and outer condition. We have come as intercessors, so forgive him).”
[Abu Dawud].

939. Wathilah bin Al-Asqa` (May Allah be pleased with him)  reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) led the funeral prayer of a Muslim man in our presence, and I heard him saying “Allahumma inna [name of the dead person] fi dhimmatika wa habli jiwarika, faqihi fitnatal-qabri; wa `adhaban-Nari, wa Anta ahlul-wafa’i wal-hamdi; Allahumma faghfir lahu warhamhu, innaka Antal-Ghafur-ur-Rahim [If the dead person is a woman, one can change hu in some words here with ha] [O Allah, (so-and-so son of so-and-so) is in Your Protection and inside the surroundings of Your Refuge. Safeguard him from the trial of the grave and the punishment of the Hell. You keep Your Promise and You deserve to be praised. O Allah! Forgive him and be merciful to him. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful].”
[Abu Dawud].

940. `Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: While offering the funeral prayer of one of his daughters, he recited four Takbir, and after the fourth Takbir he continued standing for a time equal to an interval between two Takbir, praying for her and seeking Allah’s forgiveness for her.” Then he said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to do so.”

 Another narration is: He (Abdullah) recited four Takbir and remained standing in prayer for some time till we thought that he would recite the fifth Takbir. Then he gave Salam on the right and on the left. When he turned aside, we asked him about it. He replied: “I would add nothing to what I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) doing,” or he said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to do so.”
[Al-Hakim].

 

Excellence of Participation in Funeral Prayers in Large Numbers andFormation of Three Rows or More

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 156
Excellence of Participation in Funeral Prayers in Large Numbers and Formation of
Three Rows or More

932. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a group of Muslims numbering a hundred perform funeral prayer over a dead person, and all of them ask Allah’s forgiveness for him, their prayer for him will be accepted.”
[Muslim].

933. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a Muslim dies and forty people, who do not associate anything with Allah in worship, participate in the funeral prayer over him, Allah will accept their intercession for him.”
[Muslim].

934. Marthad bin `Abdullah Al-Yazni reported: When Malik bin Hubairah (May Allah be pleased with him) offered a funeral prayer and found a small number of participants, he would divide them into three rows and would say that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If three rows of men offer funeral prayer over anyone, his entry into Jannah will become certain.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Participation in Funeral Prayer and Procession and the dislike of WomenParticipating in the Funeral Procession

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 155
Participation in Funeral Prayer and Procession and the dislike of Women
Participating in the Funeral Procession

929. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever follows the funeral procession and offers the funeral prayer for it, will get a reward equal to one Qirat, and whoever attends it till burial, will get a reward equal to two Qirat.” It was asked, “What are two Qirat?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Equal to two huge mountains.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

930. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever attends the funeral of a Muslim believing and hoping for the reward from Allah and remains with it until the prayer is offered over it and the burial is completed, he will return with a reward of two Qirat; each Qirat is equivalent to Mount Uhud; and whosoever offers his prayer over it and returns before its burial, he will come back with one Qirat.”
[Al-Bukhari].

931.  Umm Atiyyah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: We (womenfolk) were prohibited from accompanying a funeral procession, but we were not compelled (not to do so).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

The Ruling of crying and wailing over a Dead Person

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 153
The Ruling of crying and wailing over a Dead Person

Wailing is unanimously forbidden (Haram) as will be mentioned later on. There are some Ahadith which forbid us from crying over somebody’s death, and which inform us that the dead will be tormented in their graves as a result of their relatives crying over their death. This prohibition applies only to those cases where crying is accompanied with lamenting and wailing. Weeping without these two is, permissible; and the Ahadith in support of this are many, including the following:

925. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited Sa`d bin `Ubadah during his illness. He was accompanied by `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf, Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas and `Abdullah bin Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with them). The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) began to weep. When his Companions saw this, their tears also started flowing. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do you not hear, Allah does not punish for the shedding of tears or the grief of the heart, but punishes or bestows mercy for the utterances of this (and he pointed to his tongue).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

926. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A grandson (child of the daughter) of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was presented to him while the child was at his last breath. Tears began to flow from the eyes of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Sa`d said to him: “What is this, O Messenger of Allah?’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is mercy which Allah has placed in the hearts of his salves. Allah bestows His Mercy on the merciful among His slaves.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

927. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to his son Ibrahim (May Allah be pleased with him) when he was breathing his last. The eyes of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) began shedding tears. `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf  (May Allah be pleased with him) said, “O Messenger of Allah, you too weep?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Ibn `Auf! It is mercy.” Then he began to weep and said, “The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Rubb. O Ibrahim! Indeed we are grieved by your departure.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Good Words to be Uttered before a dying Person and his Family

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 152
Good Words to be Uttered before a dying Person and his Family

920. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her): The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When you visit a sick or a dying person, you should utter good words because the angels say `Amin’ at what you say.” She added: When Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) died, I came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, Abu Salamah has died.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed me to supplicate thus: “Allahummaghfir li wa lahu, wa a`qibni minhu `uqba hasanatan [O Allah, forgive me and him, and bestow upon me a better future (give me a better substitute)].” So I supplicated as he directed, and Allah gave me a man who was better for me than Abu Salamah (i.e., the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)). (The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) married Umm Salamah afterwards.)
[Muslim].

921. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When a person suffers from a calamity and utters: `Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji`un. Allahumma ujurni fi musibati, wakhluf li khairan minha (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. O Allah! Compensate me in my affliction, recompense my loss and give me something better in exchange for it), then Allah surely compensates him with reward and better substitute.” Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: When Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) died, I repeated the same supplication as the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) had commanded me (to do). So Allah bestowed upon me a better substitute than him (I was married to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).
[Muslim].

922. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When a man’s child dies, Allah, the Exalted, asks His angels, `Have you taken out the life of the child of My slave?’ and they reply in the affirmative. He (SWT) then asks, `Have you taken the fruit of his heart?’ and they reply in the affirmative. Thereupon He asks, `What did my slave say?’ They say: `He praised You and said: Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un (We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return).’ Allah says: `Build a house for my slave in Jannah and name it Baitul-Hamd (the House of Praise).”’
[At-Tirmidhi].

923. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allah, the Exalted, says: `I have no reward except Jannah for a believing slave of Mine who shows patience and anticipates My reward when I take away his favourite one from the inhabitants of the world.”’
[Al-Bukhari].

924. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A daughter of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent a message to him that her son was at his last breath, and requested him to come to her. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sent back the informer saying: “To Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives, and everything has a limited period (in this world). So ask her to endure patiently, and expect the reward of Allah.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Supplication to be made soon after a Person’s Death

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 151
Supplication to be made soon after a Person’s Death

919. Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited Abu Salamah (May Allah be pleased with him) when his eyes were open soon after he died. He closed them (the eyes) for him and said, “When the soul is taken away, the sight follows it.” Some members of his family began to weep. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not supplicate for yourselves anything but good, for the angels say `amin’ to what you say.” Then he ü said, “O Allah! Forgive Abu Salamah, raise his rank among those who are rightly-guided and grant him a successor from his descendants who remain behind. Grant him pardon and us, too. O Rubb of the worlds. Make his grave spacious for him and give him light in it.”
[Muslim].

 

Helping a dying Person to Pronounce ‘La Ilaha Illahllah’

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 150
Helping a dying Person to Pronounce ‘La Ilaha Illahllah’

917. Mu`adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He whose last words are: `La ilaha illallah’ (There is no true god except Allah) will enter Jannah.”
[Abu Dawud].

918. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Exhort your dying men to recite: `La ilaha illallah’ (There is no true god except Allah).”
[Muslim].

Instructing the Patient’s family to be kind to him – Consoling thePatients and showing kindness to one Facing Death Sentence

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 148
Instructing the Patient’s family to be kind to him – Consoling the Patients and
showing kindness to one Facing Death Sentence

913. `Imran bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A woman belonging to the Juhainah tribe came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) after having conceived from Zina. She submitted: “O Messenger of Allah! I am liable to Hadd (punishment ordained by Allah), so execute it.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) called her guardian and said, “Treat her well and bring her to me after delivery.” He acted accordingly. Then the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) commanded to tie her clothes firmly around her and then stoned her to death. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then offered funeral prayer for her.
[Muslim].

Supplication when one is disappointed about his Life

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 147
Supplication when one is disappointed about his Life

911. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: While the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was reclining against me (during his last illness) I heard him saying: “Allahumma-ghfir li, warhamni, wa alhiqni bir Rafiqil-A`la (O Allah, forgive me, bestow Your Mercy on me and let me join with the exalted companions.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

912. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) when he was at the point of death. He had a drinking bowl with water in it. He would dip his hand into the bowl, and wipe his face. Then he would supplicate, “O Allah! Help me over pangs and agony of death.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Recommendation of Inquiring the Family Members of the Patient about hisCondition

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 146
Recommendation of Inquiring the Family Members of the Patient about his
Condition

910. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When `Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) came out after visiting the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) during his last illness, the people asked: “How is Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), O Abul-Hasan?” He replied: “Praise be to Allah, he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) is feeling better.”
[Al-Bukhari].

Supplication for the Sick

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 145
Supplication for the Sick

901. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When a person complained to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about an ailment or suffered from a sore or a wound, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) would touch the ground with his forefinger and then raise it (Sufyan bin `Uyainah, the narrator, demonstrated this with his forefinger) and would recite: `Bismil-lahi, turbatu ardina, biriqati ba`dina, yushfa bihi saqimuni, bi ‘idhni Rabbina’ (With the Name of Allah, the dust of our ground mixed with the saliva of some of us would cure our patient with the permission of our Rubb.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

902. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: When the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited any ailing member of his family, he would touch the sick person with his right hand and would supplicate: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, adhhibil-ba’sa, washfi, Antash-Shafi, la shifa’a illa shifa’uka, shifaan la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Remove this disease and cure (him or her)! You are the Great Curer. There is no cure but through You, which leaves behind no disease].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

903. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to Thabit (May Allah had Mercy upon him) Should I not perform Ruqyah (i.e., recite supplication or Quranic Ayat and blow) over you, such supplication as was practised by the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)?” He said: “Please do so.” Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) supplicated: “Allahumma Rabban-nasi, mudh-hibal-ba’si, ishfi Antash-Shafi, la shafiya illa Anta, shifa’an la yughadiru saqaman [O Allah! the Rubb of mankind! Take away this disease and cure (him or her). You are the Curer. There is no cure except through You. Cure (him or her), a cure that leaves no disease].”
[Al-Bukhari].

904. Sa`d bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited me during my illness and supplicated, “O Allah! Cure Sa`d. O Allah! Cure Sa`d. O’ Allah! Cure Sa`d.”
[Muslim].

905. Abu `Abdullah bin Abul-`as (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I complained to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about a pain I had in my body. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Place your hand where you feel pain and say: `Bismillah (With the Name of Allah)’ three times; and then repeat seven times: `A`udhu bi`izzatillahi wa qudratihi min sharri ma ajidu wa `uhadhiru (I seek refuge with Allah and with His Power from the evil that afflicts me and that which I apprehend).”’
[
Muslim].

906. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who visits a sick person who is not on the point of death and supplicates seven times: As’alullahal-`Azima Rabbal-`Arshil-`Azimi, an yashfiyaka (I beseech Allah the Great, the Rubb of the Great Throne, to heal you), Allah will certainly heal him from that sickness.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

907. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) visited a bedouin who was sick. Whenever he visited an ailing person, he would say, “La ba’sa, tahurun in sha’ Allah [No harm, (it will be a) purification (from sins), if Allah wills].”
[Al-Bukhari].

908. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)! Do you feel sick?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Yes.” Jibril supplicated thus (i.e., he performed Ruqyah): “Bismillahi arqika, min kulli shay’in yu’dhika, min sharri kulli nafsin aw `ayni hasidi, Allahu yashfika, bismillahi arqika. [With the Name of Allah. I recite over you (to cleanse you) from all that troubles you, and from every harmful mischief and from the evil of the eyes of an envier. Allah will cure you; and with the Name of Allah, I recite over you].”
[Muslim].

909. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If a person says: `La ilaha illallahu wallahu Akbar (There is no true god except Allah and Allah is Greatest)’, his Rubb responds to him and affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, and I am the Greatest.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu (There is no true god except Allah, the One, He has no partner).’ Allah (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I. I have no partner.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu Lahul mulku wa Lahul-hamdu (the sovereignty belongs to Him and all the praise is due to Him).’ He (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, Mine is the praise and to Me belongs the sovereignty.’ When he says: `La ilaha illallahu wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa Billah (There is no true god except Allah, and there is no might and power but with Allah).’ He (SWT) affirms: `(Yes!) There is no true god except I, and there is no might and power but with Me.”’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) added, “He who recites this during his illness and dies, will not be touched by the Fire (Hell).”
[At-Tirmidhu].

Following the Funeral, and Matters relating to Illness and Death

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 144
Following the Funeral, and Matters relating to Illness and Death

894. Al-Bara’ bin `Azib (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has ordered us to visit the sick, to follow the funeral (of a dead believer), respond to the sneezer (i.e., by saying to him: Yarhamuk-Allah after he says: Al-hamdu lillah), to help those who vow to fulfill it, to help the oppressed, to accept the invitation extended by the inviter; and to promote greetings (i.e., saying As-Salamu `Alaikum).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

895. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim (i.e., he has to perform five duties for another Muslim): to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, to respond to the sneezer [i.e., to say: `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah bestow His Mercy on you),’ when the sneezer praises  Allah].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

896. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Verily, Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious will say on the Day of Resurrection: `O son of Adam, I was ill but you did not visit Me.’ He would say: `O my Rubb, how could I visit you and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: `Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine was ill but you did not visit him? Did you not realize that if you had visited him (you would have known that I was aware of your visit to him, for which I would reward you) you would have found Me with him? O son of Adam, I asked food from you but you did not feed Me.’ He would submit: `My Rubb, how could I feed You and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ He would say: `Did you not know that such and such a slave of Mine asked you for food but you did not feed him? Did you not realize that if you had fed him, you would certainly have found (its reward) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked water from you but you did not give it to Me.’ He would say: `My Rubb, how could I give You (water) and You are the Rubb of the worlds?’ Thereupon He would say: `Such and such a slave of Mine asked you for water to drink but you did not give it to him. Did you not realize that if you had given him to drink you would have found (its reward) with Me?”’   
[Muslim].

897. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Visit the sick, feed the hungry, and (arrange for the) release of the captive.”
[Al-Bukhari].

898. Thauban (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who visits his brother in Faith, will remain engaged in picking the fresh fruits from the garden of Jannah till he returns.”
[Muslim].

899. `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

900. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A young Jewish boy who was in the service of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) fell ill. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to visit him. He sat down by his head and said to him, “Embrace Islam.” The little boy looked at his father who was sitting beside him. He said: “Obey Abul-Qasim (i.e., the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam)).” So he embraced Islam and the Prophet ü stepped out saying, “Praise be to Allah Who has saved him from Hell-fire.”
[Al-Bukhari].

 

Saying ‘Al-Hamdulillah’ on Sneezing, its reply and Manners relating toSneezing and Yawning

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 142
Saying ‘Al-Hamdulillah’ on Sneezing, its reply and Manners relating to Sneezing
and Yawning

878. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah likes sneezing and dislikes yawning. When any one of you sneezes and says `Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah)’, it becomes obligatory upon every Muslim who hears him to respond with `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)’. Yawning is from the devil. When one of you feels like yawning, he should restrain it as much as possible, for the devil laughs when one of you yawns.”
[Al-Bukhari].

879. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you sneezes he should say: `Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah),’ and his brother or his companion should say to him: `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you).’ When he says this he should reply: `Yahdikum-ullah wa yuslihu balakum (may Allah guide you and render sound your state of affairs).”’
[Al-Bukhari].

880. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you sneezes and praises Allah (i.e., says Al-hamdu lillah), you should invoke Allah’s Mercy upon him (i.e., say Yarhamuk-Allah); but if he does not praise Allah, you should not make a response.” [Muslim].

881. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When two men sneezed in the presence of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), he responded to one with “Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah have mercy on you)” and did not respond to the other. The latter said to him: “You invoked a blessing on this man but did not do so in my case.” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “He praised Allah (i.e., he said `Al-hamdu lillah’) but you did not.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

882. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or a piece of cloth, suppressing the sound this way.
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

883. Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Jews used to intentionally sneeze in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) hoping that he would say to them: `Yarhamukum-ullah (may Allah have mercy on you),’ but he would respond with: “Yahdikum-ullahu wa yuslihu balakum (may Allah guide you and render sound your state of affairs).”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

884. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one yawns, he should put his hand over his mouth, otherwise the devil will enter.”
[Muslim].

Seeking Permission to enter by telling one’s Name

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 141
Seeking Permission to enter by telling one’s Name

874. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in the course of his famous Hadith pertaining to Al-Isra’ (the Ascension) that Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Then Jibril (Gabriel) ascended along with me to the nearest heaven and requested for the gate to be opened. He was asked: `Who is there?’ He replied: `Jibril.’ He was asked: `Who is with you?’ He said: `Muhammad.’ Then he ascended to the second heaven and requested for the opening of the gate. He was asked: `Who is there?’ He said: `Jibril.’ He was asked: `Who is with you?’ He replied: `Muhammad.’ In the same way he ascended to the third, fourth and all the heavens (i.e., until the seventh). At all of the gates he was asked: `Who is there?’ He replied: Jibril.”’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

875. Abu Dharr (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I stepped out one night and saw Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) walking by himself. I began to walk in the moonlit night. He turned round and saw me and asked, “Who is there?” I replied: “Abu Dharr.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

876. Umm Hani (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who was taking a bath while Fatimah was screening him. He asked, “Who is there?” I replied: “I am Umm Hani.’
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

877. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I went to the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and knocked at the door (to seek permission). He asked, “Who is there?” I said: “I”. He repeated, ” I, I?!” as if he disliked it.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Seeking Permission to enter (somebody’s House) and Manners relating to it

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 140
Seeking Permission to enter (somebody’s House) and Manners relating to it

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“O you who believe! Enter not houses other than your own, until you have asked permission and greeted those in them.” (24:27)

“And when the children among you come to puberty, then let them (also) ask for permission, as those senior to them (in age).” (24:59)

870. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Permission is to be sought thrice. If it is accorded, you may enter; otherwise, go back.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

871. Sahl bin Sa`d (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Seeking permission to enter (somebody’s house) has been prescribed in order to restrain the eyes (from looking at something we are not supposed to look at).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

872. Rib`i bin Hirash (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man of Banu `Amir tribe has told us that he had asked the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) for permission to enter when he was at home. He said: “May I enter?” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to the servant, “Go out and instruct him about the manner of seeking permission. Tell him to say: As-Salamu `Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). May I come in?” The man heard this and said: “As-Salamu `Alaikum (may you be safe from evil). May I come in?” The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then accorded permission to him and he entered in.
[Abu Dawud].

873. Kildah bin Al-Hanbal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I visited the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and I entered his house without seeking permission. So he said, “Go back and say: `As-Salamu `alaikum (may you be safe from evil). May I come in?”’
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Excellence of Greeting on Arrival and Departure

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 139
Excellence of Greeting on Arrival and Departure

869. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When one of you arrives in a gathering, he should offer Salam to those who are already there, and he should also do so when he intends to depart. The first act of greeting is not more meritorious than the last.”
[Abu Dawud].

Greeting the non-Muslims and Prohibition of taking an Initiative

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 138
Greeting the non-Muslims and Prohibition of taking an Initiative

866. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Do not greet the Jews and the Christians before they greet you; and when you meet any one of them on the road, force him to go to the narrowest part of it.”
[Muslim].

867. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the people of the Book greet you (i.e., by saying `As-Samu `Alaikum,’ meaning death be upon you), you should respond with: `Wa `alaikum’ [The same on you (i.e., and death will be upon you, for no one will escape death)].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

868. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed by a mixed company of people which included Muslims, polytheists and Jews, and he gave them the greeting (i.e., saying As-Salamu `Alaikum).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].