Lesson 47: Shedding tears, Supporting the Family of the deceased, making Duā for the deceased by Alhuda Bolton

Saturday 9 Dec 2017
Chapter of Prayer: Funeral Prayer

Lesson 47: Shedding tears, Supporting the Family of the deceased, making Duā for the deceased

Note: the hadiths from this lesson were taken from the Book Bulūghul Marām

• Anas (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated, “I attended the burial of one of the daughters of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He was sitting by the side of the grave and his eyes were shedding tears” [Related by Al-Bukhārī ]
o Note: All of the children of the Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) (may Allāh be pleased with them all) died before him except Fatima (may Allāh be pleased with her).
o The scholars have differed over which daughter it is in this hadith as there were several daughters (Ruqayya, Umm Kulthuum, and Zainab) who died before him. However, it is mentioned that it being Ruqayya mentioned here is unlikely as the messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was away at the battle of Badr.
o This hadith also shows that shedding tears at the death of someone is NOT classed as being the same as wailing (see lesson 46). This hadith is mentioned here to show that shedding of tears is permissible and is part of the compassion one has for the deceased and one may not be able to control that emotion.
o Likewise, when the son (Ibrahim) of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) died, The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said “Indeed the eyes shed tears and the heart is saddened but we do not say anything except that which pleases our Lord and Indeed we are saddened by your departure O Ibrahim”
o Likewise, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also said Allāh does not punish one on account of grief in his heart or for his tears but rather for what he says with his tongue
o Likewise, one of the grandchildren of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) was dying and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) shed tears

• Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said “Do not bury your dead during the night unless you have to do so.” [Related by Ibn Mājah. Muslim reported a similar narration, Jābir said in his narration, “The Prophet disapproved that someone is buried at night, unless the funeral prayer has been offered for him”]
o What is the ruling on burying at night? (e.g. Harām/forbidden vs makruuh/disliked). Shaykh Al-Fawzān says it is not impermissible to bury someone at night, Abu Bakr was buried at night and also Fatima (may Allāh be pleased with her) was buried by Ali (her husband, may Allāh be pleased with him) also at night. Therefore, these examples indicate that it is not harām/forbidden to bury at night, and the wording of the hadith itself indicates that it is not impermissible (as one cans till di it if necessary) but that burial during daytime is better.
o If burying the deceased at night is going to cause problems with shortcoming such as difficulties with the washing, shrouding or the funeral prayer, then it is disliked doing this at night.
o However, if there are no such shortcomings when burial at night then it is possible to do it (as it was done for some companions as mentioned)
o There are also narrations that the prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) also buried some companions at night

For More of the written summary visit AlhudaBolton.com