Section : Their Legality, Condolences. Condolences are desirable, even if the deceased was a non-Muslim. Ibn Majah and Al-Baihaqi reported from ‘Amr ibn Hazm that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Every believer who consoles his brother in distress,…
Section : The Wording of Condolence. Condolences may be offered in any words so long as they lighten the distress, induce patience, and bring solace to the bereaved. It is preferable, however, to use the wording as transmitted in hadith.…
Section : Sitting for Condolences. The sunnah concerning this is that one should offer condolences to the bereaved family and leave. Neither the consoler nor the consoled should sit down. This is the lesson we learn from the example of…
Section : Visiting Graves. Visiting graves is desirable for men. ‘Abdallah ibn Buraidah reported from his father that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “I had forbidden you to visit graves, but now you may visit them. It will…
Section : Etiquette of Visiting Graves. Whoever pays a visit to a grave should face the deceased, greet him, and supplicate for him. On this subject we find the following: Buraidah reported: “The Prophet, peace be upon him, taught us…
Section : Can Women Visit Graves. Imam Malik and some Hanafi scholars, and, according to one report from Ahmad, most of the scholars hold it permissible for women to visit graves. This is based on the following hadith from ‘Aishah,…
Section : The Deeds that Benefit the Departed Souls and Proffering Reward for Good Deeds to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). There is consensus that a deceased person benefits from all good deeds for which he or…
Section : Intention as a Prerequisite. The performer must have the intention of performing an act on behalf of the deceased. Ibn ‘Aqil said, “If one performed any act of obedience, for example, a prayer, fasting, or recitation of the…
Section : The Best Present for the Deceased. Ibn al-Qayyim said, “The best present for the deceased is an act that is most beneficial to people, for example, freeing a slave. Thus a sadaqah giving in charity is better than…
Section : Presenting a Reward to Allah’s Messenger (PBUH). Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Some of the latter jurists hold it desirable while others do not agree because they regard it as an innovation (bid’ah). The Companions never did it. The Prophet,…
Section : Children of Muslims and Non-Muslims. The children of Muslims who die prior to the age of puberty go to Paradise. ‘Adi ibn Thabit reported that he heard al-Bara’ saying, “When Ibrahim, son of the Prophet died, the Prophet,…
Section : The Questioning in the Grave. Allahl al-Sunnah wa Al-Jama’ah agree that each person will be questioned after his death, whether he is buried or not. Even if a person were eaten by carnivorous animals or burnt to ashes…
Section : The Abode of Souls. Ibn al-Qayyim dealt with this subject under a separate chapter in which he mentions opinions of various scholars concerning the abode of souls. Mentioning the most correct position he explained, “It is said that…
Section : Azh-zhikr. All words of praise and glory to Allah, extolling His Perfect Attributes of Power and Majesty, Beauty and Sublimeness, whether one utters them by tongue or says them silently in one’s heart, are known as zhikr or…