Helping a Companion

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 169
Helping a Companion

969. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: While we were travelling with the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), a rider came and began to stare on the right and on the left. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who has an extra mount should hand it over to one who has none, and he who possesses surplus provision, should give it to him who is without provision.” He named various kinds of possessions until we began to think (realize) that none of us had any right to anything surplus.
[Muslim].

970. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made up his mind to go in an expedition, he would say to us, “O Muhajirin and the Ansar! There are among you such people who have no property and no kinsfolk. Let everyone of you take along with him two or three men. None of us had a spare animal we took rides by turn.” So I took two or three men with me and I rode my camel by turn equally with them.
[Abu Dawud].

971. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to lag behind while travelling and urge the weak to walk quickly. He used to take up someone behind him and make supplication for him.
[Abu Dawud].

Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during theJourney and other matters relating to the Journey

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 168
Etiquette of Staying, Riding, Encamping at night and sleeping during the Journey
and other matters relating to the Journey

962. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: “When you travel through green and lush land, give the camels their due from the ground, and when you travel through a dry and barren land, make them walk quickly lest their strength falters. When you encamp at night, keep away from the roads, for beasts pass there and they are the resort of insects at night.”
[Muslim].

963. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) encamped at night during a journey, he would lie down on his right side, and when he stayed a little before dawn he would raise his forearm and place his head on the palm of his hand.
[Muslim].

964. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Keep to travelling by night because the earth is folded (traversed more easily) during the night.”
[Abu Dawud].

965. Abu Tha`labah Al-Khushani (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the people encamped during the journey, they would disperse in the mountain passes and valleys. (When) the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) noticed this he said, “Your act of scattering in the mountain passes and valleys is from Satan.” Afterwards the Companions kept close together whenever they encamped.
[Abu Dawud].

966. Sahl bin `Amr known as Ibn Al-Hanzaliyyah reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) happened to pass by a camel whose belly was sticking to its back (because of hunger), whereupon he said, “Fear Allah in respect of these dumb (animals). Ride them while they are fit, and slaughter them and eat their meat when they are fit.”
[Abu Dawud].

967. Abu Ja`far `Abdullah bin Ja`far (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) made me ride behind him one day and confided something to me which I shall never disclose to anyone. (`Abdullah added:) He ((sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) preferred to screen himself from others when responding to the call of nature, either behind a wall or the trunk of a date-palm.
[Muslim].

Al-Barqani added: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) entered an orchid belonging to an Ansari and saw there a camel. When it saw him, it began to groan and its eyes shed tears. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) approached it and patted it on the hump and the base of its head until it quieted down. Then he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Who is the owner of this camel? To whom does it belong?” An Ansari youth stepped forward and said: “It is mine O Messenger of Allah!” He said, “Do you not fear Allah in respect of this beast which Allah has placed in your possession? This camel is complaining to me that you starve it and put it to toil.”
[Abu Dawud].

968. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we encamped, we would not offer (voluntary) prayers until we had unsaddled our beasts.
[Abu Dawud].

The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing aLeader

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 167
The Desirability of undertaking a Journey in a Group and appointing a Leader

958. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Were people to know of what I know about the dangers of travelling alone, no rider would travel alone at night.”
[Al-Bukhari].

959. `Amr bin Shu`aib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A single rider is (accompanied with) Satan and two riders are (accompanied with) two Satans. Three riders form a group.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

960. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When three persons set out on a journey, they should appoint one of them as their leader.”
[Abu Dawud].

961. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best number of companions is four; the best detachment is four hundred and the best army is four thousand; and twelve thousand men will not be defeated as a result of smallness of number.”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

The Desirability of setting on a Journey on Thursday in the Early part ofthe Day

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 166
The Desirability of setting on a Journey on Thursday in the Early part of the
Day

956. Ka`b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) set out on Thursday for the expedition of Tabuk. He liked to set out on a journey on Thursdays.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

957. Sakhr bin Wada`ah Al-Ghamidi (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “O Allah! Bless my people in the early part of the day (morning). Whenever he dispatched a detachment or an army-unit, he would dispatch it at the beginning of the day (soon after dawn). The narrator, Sakhr (May Allah be pleased with him) was a merchant, and he used to send off his merchandise at the beginning of the day. So his trade flourished and he made a good fortune.
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

Weeping while Passing by the Graves of the Infidals

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 165
Weeping while Passing by the Graves of the Infidals

955. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions reached Al-Hijr, the dwellings of the Thamud people, he admonished his Companions (saying), “Do not pass by these people who are being tormented, without weeping, lest the punishment should befall you as it had befallen them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration is: Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: When the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) passed near Al-Hijr, he said, “Do not enter without weeping, the dwellings of those who wronged themselves, lest the same chastisement should fall upon you as it had fallen upon them.” Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then covered his head and sped up until he crossed the valley of the tormented people.

 

Superiority of one who is Bereaved of his Infants

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 164
Superiority of one who is Bereaved of his Infants

952. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Any Muslim who loses three children before they reach the age of maturity, will be granted Jannah by Allah, the Exalted, out of His Mercy for them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

953. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A Muslim whose three children die (in infancy) will not be touched by the Fire (of Hell) except for the fulfillment of Allah’s Oath.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

[Allah’s Oath here refers to His Ayah: “There is not one of you but will cross over it (Hell).” (19:71) And the crossing will be across the `Bridge’ set over the Hell.]

954. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! Only men benefit from your talks, so please fix a day for us, to teach us the knowledge which Allah has taught you.” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) fixed a day and directed them to assemble. When they gathered, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) went to them and taught them what Allah had taught him. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then said, “Any woman of you whose three children die (in infancy) they will be a guard for her against Fire (of Hell).” One of the women asked: “What if she loses two?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “Even two.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Praising the Deceased

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 163
Praising the Deceased

950. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some Companions happened to pass by a funeral procession (bier) and they praised him (the deceased). The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He will certainly enter it.” Then they passed by another funeral procession and they spoke ill of the deceased. The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He will certainly enter it.” `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “(O Messenger of Allah,) what do you mean by `He will certainly enter it?’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, “You praised the first person, so he will enter Jannah; and you spoke ill of the second person, so he will enter Hell. You are Allah’s witnesses on earth.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

951. Abul-Aswad (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I came to Al-Madinah, and while I was sitting beside `Umar bin Al-Khattab, a funeral procession passed by. The people praised the deceased, and `Umar bin Al-Khattab said: “He will certainly enter it.” Then another funeral procession passed by and the people praised the deceased. `Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said: “He will certainly enter it.” A third funeral procession passed by and the people spoke ill of the deceased. He said: “He will certainly enter it.” I (Abul-Aswad) asked: “O Amir Al-Mu’minin (i.e., Leader of the Believers)! What do you mean by `He will certainly enter it’?” He replied: “I said the same as was said by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, `If four persons testify the righteousness of a Muslim, Allah will grant him Jannah.’ We asked: `If three persons testify his righteousness?’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, `Even three’. Then we asked: `If two?’ He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied, `Even two.’ We did not ask him (regarding the testimony) of one.”
[Al-Bukhari].

 

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].