| Hadiths

Bukhari Hadiths 1356
Muslim Hadiths 558

Hadith

1601

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him): When the Messenger of Allah ﷺcame [to Makkah], he refused to enter the Ka’bah while there were idols inside it. He ﷺcommanded for their removal and they were removed. They removed the pictures of Prophet Ibraaheem and Prophet Ismaa’eel (peace be upon them) holding arrows in their hands. The Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid, “May Allah fight them. By Allah, they definitely knew that both of them never drew lots by using arrows superstitiously [for the purpose of divination].” Then, he ﷺentered the House, pronounced takbeer in all its corners, and did not offer prayers therein.”.

Commentary : The Ka’bah is the ancient House of Allah that Muslims revere and respect. Hence, it should be purified from all forms of impurities.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) reports an incident proving that the Prophet ﷺprohibited hanging pictures and statues in houses, mosques and so on. In the 8th year of Hijrah, the Prophet arrived at Makkah, but he refused to enter inside the Ka’bah while the idols are still therein. He ordered to have them removed so the Companions (ras) emptied the Ka’bah from all idols and removed images depicting Prophet Ibraheem and Prophet Ismaa’eel (peace be upon them) holding arrows in their hands. Before Islam, the people used to draw lots by using those arrows i.e., they would write my lord ordered me to proceed on some of them and on the rest would write “my lord ordered me not to proceed” and in some cases they would write “Go ahead” on some of them and “Refrain” on the other. If one of them wanted to travel or engage in any act, he would draw lots by those arrows and act according to the arrow they would draw. Allah, Most High, says: {And you are prohibited from seeking decisions based on diving arrows. This is grave disobedience.” (Quran 5:3).
The Prophet ﷺclarified that these are false pictures and he even invoked Allah against them, because they knew with certitude that Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) and Ismaa’eel (peace be upon him) never drew lots by using arrows. The Prophet ﷺentered the House only after purifying it from idols and pictures he ﷺuttered takbeer in its corners and its four sides and he did not offer prayers in it.
The scholars reconciliated between this hadeeth and the hadeeth of Bilaal wherein he confirms that the Prophet ﷺprayed inside the Ka’bah. This reconciliation states that the hadeeth of Bilaal takes precedence over its counterpart, because he entered with the Prophet ﷺthe Ka’bah and observed what the Prophet ﷺdid in it, and also because the Ibn ‘Abbaas – the negator – was not present with the Prophet ﷺthere on that day. Not to mention, Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) attributed his negation sometimes to Usaamah and sometimes to his brother al-Fadl. It has also been stated that the entrance into the House occurred twice; one occasion, he performed prayers therein, while on the other he did not offer prayers therein.
From the benefits that we can also conclude from this hadeeth is learning that whoever enters the Ka’bah, he should say takbeer in its four directions.
This hadeeth shows that scholars and pious and righteous people should refrain from attending the places where falsehood is present and avoid participating in the gatherings of falsehood and transcend himself over that..

1602

Narrated ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and his Companions (ras) came to Makkah. The polytheists said, “He is coming to you, while the fever of Yathrib has weakened them.” The Prophet (ﷺ)commanded his Companions to walk fast in the first three rounds of Tawaaf and that they walk normally between the two corners. Only the pity for them prevented the Prophet (ﷺ)to order them to walk fast in all the rounds.”
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Commentary : In the sixth year of the Hijrah, the Prophet ﷺnegotiated the peace treaty of Hudaybiyyah with Quraysh. One of its provisions stated that he ﷺreturns to al-Madeenah this year and then he ﷺreturns the next year to perform his ‘Umrah, and in return Quraysh will grant him access to the Sacred House for three days.
In this hadeeth, Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) reports that when the Prophet ﷺcame to Makkah in the sixth year of the Hijrah for the purpose of performing ‘Umrah, he ﷺintended to clarify the lie of Quraysh who spread rumours that the fever of al-Madeenah had weakened the Muslims and had worn their bodies out; thus, he ﷺintended to manifest the strength of the Muslims in front of Quraysh.
To that end, he ﷺcommanded his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to take fast paces in the first three rounds of Tawaaf apart from the patch between the two corners, namely al-Rukn al-Yamaanee and al-Rukn al-Aswad. He ﷺallowed them to walk at their comfort calmly there so they can take a rest since the Polytheists, who used to stand at a distance to watch the Muslims, were not able to see them in that direction. The Muslims followed the orders of the Prophet ﷺi.e., they walked fast in the three rounds of Tawaaf and walk slowly in the last four rounds. Out of his compassion and softness towards his Companions (ras), he did not perform fast walking rounds in all the rounds. Indeed, the Prophet ﷺwas kind and merciful.
However, when the Prophet ﷺcame after that in the Farewell Hajj, it was a completely different story with him. It is reported on the authority of ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that he said “saw that when Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to Makkah and kissed the Black corner that contains the Black Stone, (in the first circumambulation) he moved quickly in three rounds out of seven rounds.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]. The apparent meaning of this hadeeth is that one should walk fast in the three complete rounds including between the two Rukns - where he should not walk casually. However, this act happened later in time; thus, it will take precedence (in adopting it) and the Sunnah of brisk walking with fast pace has been established since then.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning that we are commanded of doing brisk walking with fast pace in the first three rounds of Tawaaf.
This hadeeth shows that one round of Tawaaf is given the name of ‘Tawfah.’
It shows that Muslims should demonstrate their force and power by displaying military equipment and weaponry and the likes to the disbelievers and this is not considered as part of the showing off that is criticised.
Amongst its benefits also is that the displays of force can be in deed just as it can been in word and perhaps it being in deed is better..

1603

Narrated Saalim who narrates from his father: “I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he came to Makkah, he would touch and kiss the Black Stone at the beginning of his Tawaaf and he walked hastily in the [first] three rounds out of the seven ones.”
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Commentary : The Messenger of Allah ﷺtaught us what to do when we arrive at the Sacred House i.e., he ﷺshowed us what we should start with and how to conclude when departing from this Holy Place. Also, he ﷺtaught us the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ra) reports that when the Prophet ﷺarrived at Makkah, he started his Tawaaf by touching and kissing the Black Stone as it is the sign of initiating the rounds of Tawaaf and its termination. He explains that the Prophet ﷺwalked with high pace in the first three rounds of Tawaaf and thereafter he ﷺwould walk causally in the last four rounds.
The apparent reading of this hadeeth indicates that walking with a high pace covered the first three rounds completely as opposed to the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) concerning ‘Umrah al-Qadaa’, which reads: “The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded them to walk with high pace in the first three rounds except between the two Rukns. The only reason that prevented him from ordering them to walk with a high pace in all the rounds was to preserve their strength.” This hadeeth explicitly states that walking with a high pace was not done throughout the three rounds, from beginning to end. This is noted in his command that they should walk casually between the two Rukns and to avoid walking with a high pace between them. The scholars addressed this issue and explained that in the last instance, the Prophet ﷺwalked with a high pace in his Tawaaf in his first arrival on the Farewell Hajj from the Black Stone to the Black Stone three times and walked casually the last four rounds. Thereafter, the Sunnah of walking with a high pace from the Black Stone to the Black Stone, including the area between the two Rukns, became the established practice as this happens to be his last practice..

1604

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): “The Prophet (ﷺ) walked with a high pace in the three rounds of Tawaaf and walked causally in the following four rounds in Hajj and ‘Umrah.”
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Commentary : The Companions (ras) transmitted the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺin Hajj and ‘Umrah and the general rulings that should be observed when entering the Sacred House.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (ra) reports that the Prophet ﷺwalked with a high pace in the first three rounds of Tawaaf while he walked casually in the last four ones, and that happened both in the Farewell Hajj and ‘Umrah al-Qadaa’.
The apparent reading of this hadeeth indicates that walking with a high pace covered the first three rounds completely as opposed to the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) concerning ‘Umrah al-Qadaa’, which reads: “The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded them to walk with a high pace in the first three rounds except between the two Rukns. The only reason that prevented him from ordering them to walk with a high pace in all the rounds was to preserve their strength.” This hadeeth explicitly states that walking with a high pace was not done throughout the three rounds, from beginning to end. This is noted in his command that they should walk casually between the two Rukns and to avoid walking with a high pace between them. The scholars addressed this issue and explained that in the last instance, the Prophet ﷺwalked with a high pace in his Tawaaf in his first arrival on the Farewell Hajj from the Black Stone to the Black Stone three times and walked casually the last four round. Thereafter, the Sunnah of walking with a high pace from the Black Stone to the Black Stone, including the area between the two Rukns, became the established practice as this happens to be his last practice..

1605

Narrated Zayd bin Aslam from his father that ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab (ra) stated concerning the Black Stone “By Allah, indeed, I know that you are only a stone which does not harm and benefit. Had I not seen the Prophet ﷺtouching you, I would not have touched and kissed you.” Then, he touched and kissed it and said, “There is no need to walk with a high pace [in the first three rounds of Tawaaf], we did it because we wanted to display our strength to the polytheists, and now Allah has destroyed them.” Thereafter, he said, “Nonetheless, it is a thing that the Prophet ﷺdid, therefore, we do not like to forsake it.”
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Commentary : The Black Stone is an object of reverence which Allah, Exalted be He, brought down from Paradise. The Prophet ﷺused to kiss it, hence, following his guidance we also kiss it, touch it, and point towards it although it is a stone that does not avert harm or bring forth benefit.
This hadeeth highlights the total submission of the Companions and the strength of their faith. The Taabi’ee. ‘Aabis bin Rabee’ah reports that ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab (ra) used to kiss the Black Stone, which is a rock set into the southeast corner of the Ka’bah, and it is embedded in a silver frame. He (ra) did so because he saw the Prophet ﷺkissing it and had he not seen him doing so, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would not have kissed it, because he knew that it is just a rock that does not harm and benefit per se. The only benefit that one can obtain from kissing it is receiving reward through emulating the command of the Prophet ﷺand following the Sunnah of his kissing. It is said that ‘Umar (ra) only made that statement because people were very close in time to the worship of idols, thus, he feared that the ignorant ones may think that touching and kissing the Black Stone is the same as what the Arabs used to do before Islam. He intended to teach them that it is only the exaltation of Allah and adherence to the command of the Prophet intended by touching and kissing the Black Stone and that it is part of the rites of Hajj. That is because Allah has granted some stones virtues over the others, some pieces of land over the others, and some nights and days over the others. The kissing of the Black Stone has been prescribed as a form showing respect and veneration to its right and to observationally know who obeys the command and refrains from the prohibition. This is similar to the story of Satan when he was commanded to prostate to Adam (peace be upon him).
After, ‘Umar (ra) clarified that walking with a high pace in the first three rounds of Tawaaf was originally legislated due to the rumours the idolators had spread that the fever that hit al-Madeenah had weakened the Prophet ﷺand his Companions. It was only intended to display the strength of Muslims, so the disbelievers of Makkah know that we are strong enough to fight and resist them. It was a way to refute their false rumour. As for now, Allah has defeated disbelief and its people; and Makkah has been conquered, thus, the calling caused us to walk with a high pace in the first three rounds is no longer present, however, it has remained in practise as a legislated Sunnah; thus, we do it, as matter of following him and of acting upon his Sunnah.
Whatever ‘Umar (ra) stated here is his own speech with himself; in order to express the fact that the matter of religion is based on believing and following the Sunnah. His statement is not intended to criticise the acts of the rites. For this reason, he self-redressed and said, “It is a thing that the Messenger of Allah ﷺdid, and we do not love to abandon it, rather it is incumbent upon us to follow it.
From the benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is learning a great maxim about following the Prophet ﷺconcerning what he did even if the wisdom therein remains unknown.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible to kiss the Black Stone and indicates the fact that we should not kiss any other objects or stones without textual evidence from religion.
It also demonstrates the importance of clarifying the Sunnah through words and deeds, and that it is compulsory on the ruler to take the initiative to clarify that which he fears people may adopt a corrupt belief about.
From the other benefits we conclude is that Muslims should display their strength and power with arms and weaponry in order to instill awe and fear in the hearts of disbelievers, and that is not included in the unpraiseworthy showing off.
It proves that there are acts of worship that are purely ritualistic and there are those which are rationally understood..

1606

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): "I have never missed the touching of these two Corners (the Black Stone and the Yemenite Corner), neither in hardship nor in prosperity, since I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) touching them." I asked Naafi`: "Did Ibn `Umar (ra) use to walk between the two Corners?" Naafi` replied, "He used to walk in order that it might be easy for him to touch it (the Corner Stone).".

Commentary : Imaan is founded upon complete submission to Allah and His Messenger ﷺin all the commands and prohibitions, irrespective of whether the rationality behind these orders and prohibitions are known or not.
In this hadeeth, Naafi’, the freed slave of Ibn ‘Umar (ra), reports that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ra) informed about himself that he never always touched the Black Stone and al-Rukn al-Yamaanee, which are to the direction of Yemen – neither in hardship nor in prosperity, neither in distress nor in opulence, nor in other circumstances since he has seen the Prophet ﷺdoing it. The touching here is referred to as Istilaam, which means to pass the hand over them, and to additionally kiss the Black Stone.
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ras) used to walk with a normal pace between them so that it becomes more comfortable and easier for him to touch them and to harbour strength on doing it during crowding. This hadeeth indicates that he used to walk with a high pace in the rest of the three rounds of Tawaaf round the Ka’bah. The Prophet ﷺcommanded his Companions during ‘Umrah al-Qadaa’ to walk and not to walk with a high pace between the two Rukns, so they do not get tired, thereafter, they walk a with high pace in the rest of the rounds of Tawaaf round the Ka’bah, of course, in the first three circuits. Thereafter, the Prophet ﷺwalked with a high pace in his circumambulation on his first arrival in the Farewell Hajj entirely from the Black Stone to the Black Stone three times, and he walked casually in the rest of the four rounds. Since then, the Sunnah of walking with a high pace, starting from the Black Stone and ending at the Black Stone, in the first three rounds of Tawaaf have become the practised Sunnah because this was the last practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
This hadeeth highlights the virtue of Ibn ‘Umar (ra) due to his profound eagerness to follow the example of the Prophet ﷺin all his affairs and to act upon it..

1607

Narrated Ibn ’Abbaas (ra): “Ibn ‘The Prophet (ﷺ)performed the circumambulation at the Farewell Pilgrimage on a camel and touched the corner with a crooked stick.”
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Commentary : The Prophet ﷺclarified the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah verbally and in action, and he ﷺexplained that which is allowed and that which is not allowed in ‘Umrah and Hajj.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) reports that the Prophet ﷺperformed circumambulation (Tawaaf) at the Farewell Hajj whilst riding on his camel that he ﷺutilised on journeys. He added that the Prophet ﷺpointed towards the Black Stone with his crook – that is a staff whose head is crooked, sufficing with it from kissing the Stone, then he would kiss the crook instead as it is mentioned in the narration in Saheeh Muslim.
That occasion has been called Farewell Hajj because the Prophet ﷺwas like someone bidding farewell to them during the sermon of Hajj, thereafter, he did not live for longer. This happened in the tenth year of the Hijrah. His mounting of the camel during that hajj was due to illness. It is said that it was due to disliking turning away the people from the Black Stone, meaning, if he ﷺperformed Tawaaf walking, the people would turn away from the Stone every time the Messenger of Allah ﷺpassed by it, out of their reverence for him that he is not crowded around. It is also said that he did so, so the people are able to listen to his speech and be able to see his place and so that they can follow his lead.
From the benefits that we can conclude from this hadeeth is learning that when a person is unable to kiss the Stone, he can touch it with his hands or using a stick.
This hadeeth highlights the easement of Islam in the acts of worship and Tawaaf round the Ka’bah by riding for the one who is unable to perform it by walking..

1609

Narrated Saalim ibn ‘Abdullah from his father (ras): “I have never seen the Prophet (ﷺ) touching any part of the Ka’bah apart from the two Yemeni Corners.”.

Commentary : The Prophet expressly demonstrated the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah by words and deeds and he clarified what is permissible and what is not allowed therein.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ra) narrates that he has never seen the Prophet ﷺtouching and kissing any part of the Ka’bah apart from the Black Stone and al-Rukn al-Yamaanee. The Prophet ﷺdid that because they are founded upon the foundations that Prophet Ibraheem (peace be upon him) laid down. The Corner of the Black Stone has two merits, the first of which is containing the Black Stone, and the second is it being built on the foundations of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him). As for the second Corner, (al-Rukn al-Yamaanee), it only has the latter virtue (being built upon the foundations of Ibraaheem). For this reason, the Black Stone has been given more attention; hence, it has been prescribed for us to kiss it. Allah, Most High, says: {Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.} (Quran 33:21).
It is worth noting that kissing the Black Stone is among the Sunnah acts for the one who is able to do so without harming people. If one is unable to do so, then he should just place his hand on it, then he should lift it up and kiss it (the hand). If he cannot do that, then he should stand facing towards it and pointing with hands towards it and thereafter pronounce takbeer.
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1611

Narrated al-Zubayr ibn ‘Arabee: A man asked Ibn `Umar (ra) about the touching of the Black Stone. Ibn `Umar said, "I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) touching and kissing it." The questioner said, "But what if there were a throng (much rush) round the Ka`bah and the people overpowered me, (what would I do?)" He replied angrily, " May you leave ‘what ifs’ in Yemen! I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) touching and kissing it.".

Commentary : The Black Stone is an object of reverence which Allah, Exalted be He, brought down from Paradise. The Prophet ﷺused to kiss it, hence, following his guidance, we also kiss it, touch it, and point towards it, although it is a stone that does not avert harm or bring forth benefit.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee, al-Zubayr ibn ‘Arabee reports that a man asked ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (ra) about the touching and kissing of the Black Stone. Ibn ‘Umar (ra) informed him that he saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺtouching and kissing the Black Stone. The man however asked: “What if I am overcrowded and people crowd around me such that I am unable to reach the Black Stone or I am overpowered to reach it due to any other reason, hence I cannot reach it and kiss it?” Ibn ‘Umar (ra) counselled him saying, “May you leave ‘what ifs’ in Yemen!” i.e., give up this excuse and follow the Sunnah by touching and kissing the Black Stone. It is as if Ibn ‘Umar (ra) comprehended from his excessive questioning that he wants to gradually give it up, which eventually leads to failing to respect and venerate it as demanded by the religion.
Ibn ‘Umar (ra) held the opinion that touching and kissing the Black Stone should never be forgone, even during excessive overcrowding; as a form of following the Prophet ﷺ. However, it is worth being aware that kissing the Black Stone is among the Sunnah acts for the one who is able to do so without harming people. If one is unable to do so, then he should just place his hand on it, then he should lift it up and kiss it (the hand). If he cannot do that, then he should stand facing towards it and pointing with hands towards it and thereafter pronounce takbeer.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is knowing that it is allowed for a scholar to interrupt the questioner when he keeps asking what if questions.
The hadeeth also shows that all goodness is in following the Sunnah to the best of one’s abilities. .

1612

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra): “The Prophet (ﷺ) performed the Tawaaf of the House whilst riding on a camel. Whenever he reached the Black Stone, he pointed towards it.”
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Commentary : The Black Stone is an object of reverence which Allah, Exalted be He, brought down from Paradise. The Prophet ﷺused to kiss it, hence, following his guidance, we also kiss it, touch it, and point towards it, although it is a stone that does not avert harm or bring forth benefit.
In this hadeeth, Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) reports that the Prophet ﷺdid circumambulate round the Ka’bah in the Farewell Hajj, as recorded in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim, while mounted on his camel that he used on journeys.
Every time he ﷺreached the Black Stone, he would face towards it and point towards it. It has been narrated that he was carrying a crook on his hand – a staff with a crooked head – and was pointing with crook (towards it), then he would kiss the crook [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim]. He ﷺheld this sufficient from performing touching and kissing the Black Stone.
His mounting of the camel during that hajj was due to illness. It is said that it was due to disliking turning away the people from the Black Stone, meaning, if he ﷺperformed Tawaaf walking, the people would turn away from the Stone every time the Messenger of Allah ﷺpassed by it, out of their reverence for him that he is not crowded around. It is also said that he did so, so the people are able to listen to his speech and be able to see his place and so that they can follow his lead.
From the benefits that can be deduced from this hadeeth is that if one is unable to kiss the Stone, then one can still touch it with his hand, stick, or anything of that sort.
The hadeeth highlights the easement of Islam concerning the acts of worship, and that it is permissible to perform the Tawaaf whilst riding if one is unable to perform it walking..

1614

Narrated ‘Aaishah (raa): "The first thing the Prophet (ﷺ) did on reaching Makkah was the ablution and then he performed Tawaaf round the Ka`bah and that was not `Umrah (alone), (but Hajj-al-Qiraan). ‘Urwah added: Later Aboo Bakr and `Umar (ras) did the same in their Hajj." And I performed the Hajj with my father Al- Zubayr, and the first thing he did was Tawaaf round the Ka`bah. Later I saw the Emigrants and the Ansaar doing the same. My mother (Asmaa') told me that she, her sister (`Aaishah), al-Zubayr and such and such persons assumed Ihraam for `Umrah, and after they passed their hands over the Black Stone, they finished the Ihraam. (i.e., after doing Tawaaf of the Ka`bah and brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah)..

Commentary : The Hajj is an act of worship that cannot be sanctioned except on the basis of textual evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah to that effect. The Prophet ﷺtaught it to his Companions practically and verbally, and they in turn transmitted to us the details of this worship as they saw it and performed it with the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth the Mother of the Believers, ‘Aaishah (raa) reports that the first thing that the Prophet ﷺdid in the Farewell Hajj, which he performed in the tenth year of the Hijrah when he came to Makkah, was that he performed ablution. Thereafter, he performed seven rounds of Tawaaf, known as Tawaaf al-Qudoom. Following that, he performed no ‘Umrah after the Tawaaf, because he did not interrupt his Hajj by performing ‘Umrah as he drove the animal for sacrifice with him. As for the Companions who did not drive their animals for sacrifice, the Prophet ﷺcommanded them to allow ‘Umrah to intervene before their Hajj and that they perform Hajj al-Tamattu’. As for those who drove their animals for sacrifice, the ‘Umrah will be incorporated into the Hajj and they will perform Hajj al-Qiraan.
The Taabi’ee, ‘Urwah bin al-Zubair informed that both Aboo Bakr and ‘Umar (ras) performed Hajj in their reign, and they did just like the Prophet ﷺ. Thereafter, ‘Urwah reports that he saw the Emigrants and the Ansaar doing exactly the same as what the Prophet ﷺdid.
His mother, Asmaa’ bint Abee Bakr (raa) related to him that she and her sister ‘Aaishah, the Mother of the Believers (raa), al-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwaam, and so-and-so – enumerating some of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ - all assumed Ihraam for ‘Umrah and that once they had touched and kissed the Black Stone, completed their Tawaaf and performed the rite of brisk walking between al-Safaa and al-Marwah, and then they had shaved or cut their hair upon which they exited their Ihraam. That is because their ‘Umrah was complete.
It is said: The reason why he said, “Once they had touched the Rukn, they freed themselves from Ihraam,” and did not mention other acts thereafter, because of the common knowledge about them and their obviosity.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning that ablution is prescribed for Tawaaf, and that one who assumes Ihraam for Hajj, should start first with performing the Tawaaf.
This hadeeth shows that it is prescribed to touch the Black Stone..

1617

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (ra): When the Prophet (ﷺ) performed the Tawaaf of the Ka`bah, he walked with a high pace during the first three rounds and in the last four rounds, he used to walk with a normal pace; and while doing Tawaaf between al-Safaa and al-Marwah, he used to do tawaaf in the midst of the rainwater passage.”.

1618

`Ataa’ informed us that when Ibn Hishaam forbade women to perform Tawaaf with men, he said to him, 'How do you forbid them while the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to perform Tawaaf with the men?' I asked, 'Was this before decreeing the use of the hijaab or after it? `Ataa’ replied, 'On my life! I saw it after the order of hijaab.' I said, 'How did they mix with the men?' `Ataa’ said, 'The women never mixed with the men! `Aa'ishah (raa) used to perform Tawaaf separately and never mixed with men. Once it happened that `Aa'ishah (raa) was performing the Tawaaf and a woman said to her, 'O Mother of Believers! Let us touch the Black Stone.' `Aa'ishah said to her, 'Go yourself,' and she herself refused to do so. The wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) used to come out in night, in disguise, and used to perform Tawaaf with men. But whenever they intended to enter the Ka`bah, they would stay outside till the men had gone out. `Ubayd bin `Umayr and I used to visit `Aa'ishah (raa) while she was residing at Jawf Thabeer." I asked, "What was her veil?" `Ataa said, "She was wearing an old Turkish veil, and that was the only thing (veil) which screened between us and her. I saw a pink cover on her.".

Commentary : Hajj is an act of worship that cannot be sanctioned except on the basis of textual evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah to that effect. The Prophet ﷺtaught it to his Companions practically and verbally, and they in turn transmitted to us the details of this worship as they saw it and performed it with the Prophet ﷺ.
In this hadeeth, the Taabi’ee ‘Ataa’ bin Abee Rabaah reports that he was wondered at the position of Ibn Hishaam when he prohibited women to perform Tawaaf with men in Hajj and ‘Umrah, and he explained to him that the wives of the Prophet ﷺperformed Tawaaf with men at the same time, however, behind them.
The full name of Ibn Hishaam is: Ibraaheem bin Hishaam bin Ismaa’eel, the governor of al-Madeenah and the maternal uncle of the Caliph Hishaam bin ‘Abdul Malik bin Marwaan.
Here, ‘Abdul Malik bin Jurayj asked his Shaykh ‘Ataa’ bin Rabaah, “Was their Tawaaf with men after the revelation of the ayah of Hijaab (veil) – that is being the ayah: {If you (believers) ask them something, then ask them behind a Hijaab (barrier),” [Quran 33:53], of before it?” Its revelation was concerning the Prophet’s marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh in the fifth or the third year of the Hijrah. ‘Ataa’ responded, “On my life,” which is intended for the emphasis of his statement and does not denote taking an oath, that he had found them doing Tawaaf with men and that was after the revelation of the ayah of Hijaab.
Ibn Jurayj then asked about the nature of their intermingling with men. He replied that they did not intermix with men and explained that ‘Aaishah (raa) would perform Tawaaf at a distance, meaning, further away from the men and would not intermingle with them. A woman requested her to walk and go to touch and kiss the Black Stone, but ‘Aaishah (raa) plainly refused that.
‘Ataa’ informs that the wives of the Prophet ﷺand other women would generally go out for Tawaaf at night in disguise (veiled). They would perform Tawaaf with men, however, when they sought entrance to the Sacred House, they would halt standing aside and waiting when the men exited.
‘Ataa’ relates that he and ‘Ubayd bin ‘Umayr al-Hijaazee, the judge of Makkah, would visit ‘Aaishah (raa) while she would be residing at Jawf Jabal Thabeer. It is a hill at Muzdalifah on the left route from there to Mina and right route from Mina to ‘Arafaat. She veiled herself in a small Turkish tent made of wool which pegged into the ground. It had a screen which covered its door. This is the only partition between us and her. I saw a rose dress on her, a red garment, whose colour was rose. The other version of the narration in Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaaq reads: “[I saw] a blouse dyed in red [on her], while I was a child.” He thereby (by being a child) clarified the reason for seeing her.
From the benefits we can conclude from this hadeeth is learning about how women did Tawaaf in disguise covered unrecognisably with clothing that which veiled them from the eyes of the men.
This hadeeth shows that it is permissible for women to perform Tawaaf at night, and to perform Tawaaf behind men.
It shows that it is prescribed to settle down and reside in the proximity of Makkah and the Sacred House..

1619

Narrated Umm Salamah (raa): I complained to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) that I was sick, so he said, "Perform the Tawaaf while riding behind the people (who are performing the Tawaaf on foot)." I performed the Tawaaf while Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was offering the prayer by the side of the Ka`bah and was reciting: {By the Mount of Toor and by a Decree Inscribed.}.

Commentary : Islam is the religion of tolerance and easiness, which manifests in all aspects of life and worship. One of these aspects is its tolerance with the sick and those who have valid excuses preventing them from performing the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah.
In this hadeeth, Umm Salamah (raa) narrates that she mentioned to the Messenger of Allah ﷺthat she was afflicted with an illness that prevented her from performing Tawaaf on foot. The Prophet ﷺgranted her concession to perform Tawaaf while mounting her camel and instructed her to do it behind the people. Hence, she performed Tawaaf in that manner.
At that moment, the Messenger of Allah ﷺwas offering the Fajr prayer towards the Ka’bah, very close to its wall because the Maqaam of Ibraaheem then was completely adjacent to the House before ‘Umar (ra) transferred it from that place. Nonetheless, the Ka’bah in its entirety is the direction of the Qiblah. The Prophet ﷺprayed whilst reciting the Surah of al-Toor.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning that the sick is allowed to perform Tawaaf whilst riding if he cannot walk.
The hadeeth shows that women should perform Tawaaf behind the men and not intermingle with them, because that is more concealing to them.
It also shows that those who perform Tawaaf at the time of congregational prayer due to a valid excuse, they should only perform Tawaaf behind the people to avoid disturbing them..

1620

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) that while the Prophet (ﷺ) was performing Tawaaf, he passed by a person who tied his hand with another person by using a rope or a string or something else. The Prophet ﷺcut it off with his hand and told him, “Lead him with your hand.”
.

Commentary : The Prophet ﷺclarified the rites and actions of Hajj and ‘Umrah by words and actions and explained that which is allowed and that which is not allowed in them. He ﷺused to facilitate the acts of worship for his Companions so they do not create hardship for themselves or endure burdens.
In this hadeeth, ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (ra) reports that during the Tawaaf, the Prophet ﷺnoticed a person who had tied his hand to another person using a rope, a lengthy piece made and cut from leather or a string or something else, for example a towel or the like. Thereupon, he ﷺsevered it with his own hand, because the only possible way to remove this evil is by cutting it off. Then, the Prophet ﷺsaid, “Lead him by your hand,” meaning, without attaching him to something.
It is said that the one driven was blind or because it is only animals that are dragged by a rope and so on, which involves piercing and slightly mutilating [the animals]. It is also said that the people before Islam used these kinds of acts as a way of ritually getting closer to Allah, henceforth, the Prophet ﷺprohibited it. It has also been stated that the both men did that because one of them had made a vow to do that, thus, the Prophet ﷺprohibited that and clarified that such vows are not valid, as it is in a narration according to Saheeh al-Bukhaaree.
From the benefits that can be concluded from this hadeeth is learning that it is permissible to speak good [to others] whilst doing Tawaaf. It shows us that if one performing Tawaaf sees an evil act, it allowed for him to change it using his hands..

934

Abu Mālik al-Ash‘ari reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: Four in my Ummah are among the affairs of the pre-Islamic era of ignorance that have not been abandoned: boasting of noble ancestries, defaming lineages, seeking rain from the stars, and wailing. And he said: If the wailing woman does not repent before her death, she will be made to stand on the Day of Judgment wearing a garment of pitch and a chemise of mange..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen on bringing his Ummah out from Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic era of ignorance) with all its evils, sins, and polytheism to Islam and its laws with all its goodness and monotheism.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) depicts matters that were and are still practiced by some people, and such matters belong to the people of Jāhiliyyah. So, he warned us against them and pointed out that whoever adopts any of such matters is, in fact, adopting one of the pre-Islamic traits and must abandon it and adhere instead to what has been legislated by Islam concerning such a trait and its likes. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reports that four characteristics exist in the Ummah of Islam that are from the affairs and usual attributes of the people of Jāhiliyyah. He said that such traits would last in the Ummah and would not be abandoned as other pre-Islamic practices have been abandoned, for if they are abandoned by one party, others will come and adhere to them.
The first thing of such matters: It is "boasting of noble ancestries," which is taking pride in, bragging about, and exalting the characteristics, virtues, and bounties that are either in him or his family. "Hasab" (noble ancestry) refers to the personal traits one enumerates, such as bravery, eloquence, etc. "Boasting of noble ancestries" means acting arrogantly and loftily by enumerating one's virtues and his forefathers' remarkable feats, which entails deeming oneself better than others and looking down upon them. In the version of Abu Dāwūd, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah has removed from you the pride of Jāhiliyyah and its boastfulness about the ancestors. It is either a pious believer or a miserable sinner. People are the children of Adam, and Adam is from dust."
The second repugnant matter: "Defaming lineages," which means finding fault with people's lineages like discrediting the lineage or negating one's attribution to his father, is a malicious claim because it results in dividing Muslims and causing turmoils and evils, besides slandering people.
The third matter is: It is "seeking rain from the stars," which refers to supplicating and seeking water through rainfall by believing that the stars are the cause of such rain, as they used to say in the pre-Islamic era of ignorance: we have been given rain because of such-and-such star; whereas, having a belief that it is actually the cause for rainfall is disbelief. Rain is part of Allah's mercy towards His slaves and falls according to His decree. It is one of the things that Allah Almighty spoke about, saying: {Indeed, Allah has the knowledge of the Hour. He sends down the rain and knows what is in the wombs. No soul knows what it will do tomorrow, nor does any soul know in which land it will die. Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.} [Surat Luqmān: 34]
Fourth matter: "Wailing" means weeping over the dead by shouting, screaming, expressing impatience, and enumerating the deceased person's traits and virtues by saying, for instance: Alas for the brave one! Alas, for the lion! Alas, for the mountain!
Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) , warned the wailing women if they did not repent for wailing before their death, saying, "If the wailing woman does not repent before" the time of "her death, she will be made to stand on the Day of Judgment," the wailing woman, who did not repent, will be made to stand and will be gathered among the standing people to be exposed on the Day of Judgment, as a recompense for her wailing, while wearing a garment of pitch, which is molten copper or paint used for painting. It is also said: that it is grease with which the scabby camel is rubbed to burn the mange, and its heat could reach the inside. "And a chemise of mange," "dir‘" (chemise) is a kind of women's shirts, i.e., she will be wearing another chemise of mange. This means that all her skin will be scabious and will act like a chemise covering her skin and sticking to her the way a chemise covers and sticks to her. He restricted repentance to the time before death to make it known that one of the conditions of repentance is for the repentant to repent while having hopes that he will still live and might commit the act for which he is repenting. This is supported by what is mentioned in the Book of Allah: {However, repentance is not for those who commit evil deeds until death approaches one of them; he then says, “Now I repent.”} [Surat an-Nisā’: 18]
Such a punishment is for wailing and enumerating the dead person's merits because both acts involve objection to Allah's decree. As for crying out of sadness and mercy for the deceased person, there is nothing wrong with that, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "This is mercy that Allah has placed in the hearts of His slaves. Verily, Allah shows mercy to those of His slaves who are merciful." [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
The Hadīth includes one of the signs of the Prophet's prophethood.
It warns against boasting of noble ancestries and against slandering lineages.
It calls for preserving people's honor and refraining from slander.
It clarifies the fact that one's value depends on his personality and deeds, not on his forefathers' feats.
It warns against wailing over the dead.
It emphasizes that rain comes from Allah Almighty, and the stars have nothing to do with it. So, water should be sought from none but the Creator and the Omnipotent, who can make the rainfall..

943

Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) made a speech one day and mentioned a man from among his Companions who died and was shrouded in a shroud of bad quality and was buried at night. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rebuked that a man should be buried at night until prayer was offered over him, except when one is forced to do that. And the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you shrouds his brother, he should make his shrouding good.".

Commentary : The burial of a Muslim is part of the honor granted to him by Allah Almighty. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Ummah how to take care of the dead Muslims, including washing, shrouding, burying, and following the funeral procession, as well as other duties and Sunnah acts.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) delivered a sermon to his Companions one day and admonished them. In his sermon, he mentioned a man from among his companions who died and was shrouded in a shroud that was unbelievably bad or not completely concealing; moreover, he was buried and put into his grave at night. So, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rebuked, prohibited, and banned his Companions from repeating an act like this with their dead brother, given his rights upon them. This includes burial at night. Indeed, a dead person should be buried during the daytime so that a lot of people can offer prayer for him, more than the people who would pray for him at night, or so that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) could offer the prayer for him, which is another reason for those who died during his lifetime. This also means that the burial of a dead person should be delayed until the morning, if it is hoped that those who will bless him will join the prayer.
And he clarified to them that burial at night should only occur in the case of necessity, like fearing that the body may decay. Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When one of you shrouds his brother, he should make his shrouding good." This is intended to direct, teach, and enjoin excellence in shrouding the dead. Excellence, however, does not mean extravagance or immoderation in choosing the shroud or that it should be expensive. Rather, the intended meaning is that it should be clean, pure, thick, concealing, and of the same type of clothing he mostly wore in his life, neither finer nor lower in quality.
In the Hadīth: We are enjoined to use a good shroud, without extravagance or stinginess.
And in it: Demonstrating the Prophet's care about the conditions of his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) whether they were alive or dead.

947

‘Ā’ishah reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No group of Muslims numbering a hundred offer the funeral prayer over a dead person, and all of them intercede for him, except that their intercession for him will be accepted.".

Commentary : The religion of Islam is a religion of bounty and abundant giving from Allah, as He made the Muslims intercessors for one another. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged that a Muslim should attend the funeral of his fellow Muslim and made that one of the rights due to the Muslims among themselves.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says that if a Muslim dies and a group of Muslims numbering a hundred offer the funeral prayer for him, "and all of them intercede for him," i.e., they ask Allah Almighty to pardon his sins and crimes and they supplicate for him, in such a case, people's intercession for him will be accepted and their supplication for him will be answered. But two conditions should be met here: First: Those who intercede for him should be sincere in their supplication and should ask Allah to forgive him. Second: They should be Muslims and numbering a hundred persons, and they should include no one who associates anything with Allah.
Other Hadīths are reported with lesser than this number, such as forty or three rows. It was said: Informing that the intercession of forty people is accepted does not necessarily mean that the intercession of a lesser number is not accepted, and the same holds true for the number of forty people along with three rows. Hence, all Hadīths are applicable, and the intercession is valid with the lesser of two numbers, the three rows or forty persons.
In the Hadīth: Urging the increase of a group offering the funeral prayer, and they are required to reach this number, which is one of the requirements for salvation
And in it: Those offering the funeral prayer for a dead person are intercessors for him.
And in it: Stressing the significance of sincerity in supplicating for the dead..

948

Kurayb, the freed slave of Ibn ‘Abbās, related from ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās that a son of his died in Qudayd - or in ‘Usfān - and he said: "O Kurayb, look and see how many people gathered for him." He said: I went out and found that people had gathered for him. I informed him about that, and he said: "Do you think they are forty?" He said: 'Yes.' He said: "Bring him out, for indeed I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'No Muslim man dies, and forty men, who associate nothing with Allah, attend his funeral except that Allah will accept their intercession for him.'".

Commentary : The bounty and giving of Allah Almighty is great. He made the Muslims intercessors for one another, and the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) urged that a Muslim should attend the funeral of his fellow Muslims and rendered it one of the rights of Muslims upon one another.
In this Hadīth, Kurayb, the freed slave of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās, relates that a son of ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) died, and he was present with him, "in Qudayd", a place of water between Makkah and Madīnah, which is located 150km away from Makkah and lies to its northeast, "or in ‘Usfān", a town located 80km to the northwest of Makkah. These are two places close to Makkah. ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered Kurayb to go out and tell him about the number of people who had gathered to attend his funeral procession and prayer. Kurayb went to see the people and then informed them about their gathering and number. Thereupon, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Do you think?" i.e., do you estimate their number to be forty men? Kurayb replied: 'Yes.' In the version by Ibn Mājah, Ibn ‘Abbās said: "How many do you see? Forty?" I said: "No, they are more than that." So, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) asked those with him to bring the funeral of his son to the people gathered in the mosque to offer prayer for him and bury him. Then, he said: "For indeed I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'No Muslim man dies and forty men... attend his funeral'", praying and supplicating for him, and they believe in Allah and associate none with Him in worship. In the version by Ibn Mājah: "No forty believers intercede for a believer." intercession here means request. Those attending the funeral prayer ask Allah Almighty to pardon the sins of the deceased, "except that Allah will accept their intercession for him", i.e., He will accept their intercession for that dead Muslim, out of His grace and bounty, and forgive him.
It is required to increase the number of those who attend the funeral prayer as much as possible, and they are required to reach this number that entails success. This is conditional upon two things: First: They should be intercessors for him, i.e., sincere in supplicating and asking Allah's forgiveness. Second: They should be Muslims and include none who associates anything with Allah.
Other reported Hadīths mention a different number, like one hundred or three rows. So, it is said that intercession by a hundred people will be accepted, but it does not necessarily mean that intercession by a lesser number will not be accepted. The same holds true for the forty men and the three rows. Hence, all the relevant Hadīths are applicable. Intercession is valid by the lesser of the two: by three rows or forty persons; this is because when Allah Almighty promises forgiveness two times in one sense, and one of them is easier than the other, it is His unchanging way that He does not decrease the promised bounty after that. Instead, He gives more out of his bounty and favor from Him toward His servants. It is also probable that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was informed about the acceptance of intercession by a hundred persons. He was informed about it, and then he was informed about the acceptance of intercession by forty persons and then by three rows, even if their number is lesser, yet he was informed about that.
The Hadīth mentions that those who attend the prayer for a dead person are intercessors for him.
It urges Muslims to attend the prayer for the deceased and increase the number of those who attend..

957

‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi Layla reported: Zayd used to make four Takbirs upon our funerals, and he once made five Takbirs. So, I asked him (about that) and he said: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to make Takbirs like that.".

Commentary : The funeral prayer is one of the due rights to one another among the Muslims. It is mercy towards the dead person, as it was prescribed for supplication for him. A Muslim who offers prayer for a dead person should earnestly supplicate for him to be forgiven and shown mercy.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi Layla relates that the Companion Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) would mostly make four Takbīrs upon "the funerals," a term that refers to the dead person in the bier. This was the approach of most of the scholars among the Companions. Then, he (may Allah be pleased with him) one day made five Takbīrs at a funeral. So, ‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn Abi Layla asked him about the reason behind the fifth Takbīr, and Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) informed him that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would make five Takbīrs in some funeral prayers.
The objective of the prayer for a dead person is to supplicate and ask forgiveness for him. Supplication for the dead person occurs after the third Takbīr. A person should supplicate inaudibly with the best things he can recall, and he should be sincere in supplicating for the dead one..

962

Wāqid ibn ‘Amr ibn Sa‘d ibn Mu‘ādh reported: Nāfi' ibn Jubayr saw me standing as we were attending a funeral. He was sitting and waiting for the funeral to be held. He said to me: "What makes you stand?" I said: "I am waiting for the funeral to be held, as per a Hadīth reported by Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri." Thereupon, Nāfi 'said: "Verily, Mas‘ūd ibn al-Hakam related to me that 'Ali ibn Abi Tālib reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stood up and then sat down.".

Commentary : With its tolerant Shariah, Islam affirms the value of the human soul, from its birth to its death, and holds it in high status, as revealed by these rulings enjoined with regard to it, even after its departure from life. This clearly manifests that Islam devotes attention to the funerals and burial of the dead and taking them to the graves and Barzakh (the period between death and resurrection), where they wait for the Day of Judgment.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Wāqid ibn ‘Amr ibn Sa‘d ibn Mu‘ādh informs that the Tābi‘i Nāfi‘ ibn Jubayr saw him while he was at a funeral - a term that refers to a deceased in a bier - and was standing for the funeral. Meanwhile, Nāfi‘ ibn Jubayr "was sitting and waiting for the funeral to be placed" in the grave. Nāfi‘ ibn Jubayr asked him why he was standing - a disapproving questioning. Wāqid ibn ‘Amr answered him: that he was waiting for the funeral to take place, in accordance with the Hadīth in which Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you follow a funeral, do not sit down until it takes place." Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim. Explaining why he was sitting, Nāfi‘ responded to him with the Hadīth narrated by Mas‘ūd ibn al-Hakam from ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with both of them), who reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would initially stand up for funerals but later abandoned standing and would sit down. ‘Ali's words "and then sat down" may also mean that he would sit down after the funeral passed him by and went away from him.
The Hadīths reported on the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) standing and sitting for funerals, indicating that his sitting abrogated his standing. It is also said that this is not abrogation; instead, it points out that standing is unnecessary..

963

‘Awf ibn Mālik reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered the funeral prayer, and I memorized his supplication as he said: "O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him. Make him safe and pardon him. Make his Nuzul (welcome treat or gift) an honorable one, broaden his entry, and wash him with water, snow, and hail, and cleanse him of sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. Give him in exchange a home better than his home, a family better than his family, and a spouse better than his spouse. Admit him into Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave, or from the punishment of Hellfire." He said: Until I wished I had been that deceased person..

Commentary : The objective of prayer for a deceased person is to supplicate for him and ask Allah's forgiveness for him. Many supplications are reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), to be said in the funeral prayer. It is preferred that the praying person use these supplications that are reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). But there is nothing wrong if one says other supplications. Supplication for the deceased person is made after the third Takbīr; one should supplicate secretly with the best of what he can recall, yet he should be sincere in supplicating for the dead person.
In this Hadīth, ‘Awf ibn Mālik al-Ashja‘i (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that he attended a funeral prayer with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), and part of his supplication which ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) memorized is: "O Allah, forgive him" by blotting out the sins and misdeeds. "and have mercy on him" by accepting the acts of piety. "Make him safe," i.e., avert unpleasant things from him and make him safe from the punishment. "and pardon him," i.e., pardon the sins he committed and his shortcomings in the acts of worship. "Make his Nuzul (welcome treat or gift) an honorable one." The word Nuzul originally means the food prepared for the guest. It here refers to what Allah gives to His servant when he meets Him and honors him therewith. "broaden his entry," i.e., broaden the place of his entry in which he enters - that is his grave - lest it may become narrow for him. This is part of the bliss of the believer in the grave. The grave is either broadened for the one buried in it or made narrow for him. "and wash him with water, snow, and hail." Hail is pellets of ice descending from the clouds of the sky, which means: Purify him from the sins and misdeeds thereby, just as these things are means of purification from uncleanness and dirt. He combined them for emphasis. In other words, purify him from sins by the various kinds of forgiveness. He mentioned snow and hail because they are cold, and he mentioned water because it cleans, whereas the punishment for sins is hot. So, it was appropriate to mention snow along with water. Thus, water will do the cleaning, and snow and hail will do the cooling. "and cleanse him of sins." This is a supplication for cleansing in the sense of purification from sins, as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. Thus, what is conceived is compared to what is perceived. This affirms what is mentioned before and is meant to emphasize purification from sins and misdeeds. "Give him in exchange a home better than his home," i.e., compensate him and give him palaces or a vast grave that is better than his house in this transient world. And give him in exchange "a family better than his family," those who are his relatives in the world, such as his mother, maternal aunt, daughters, father, son, and the like. The wife is excluded from this, as he singled her out after that. It was also said: Family here refers to servants. "and a spouse better than his spouse," i.e., give him a wife from the houris (Hūr al-‘Īn) or from the women of the world in Paradise. It was also said: The exchange of family and wife means the exchange of traits, not people. "Admit him into Paradise." This is a supplication for him to enter Paradise directly, without prior punishment. "and protect him from the punishment of the grave" after he enters it. Or he said: "Protect him from the punishment of Hellfire" in the Hereafter.
‘Awf ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) added that after hearing this supplication from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), he wished he had been that deceased person, given the great reward and forgiveness entailed by this supplication for him, and so as to reap benefit of the Prophet's supplication, for the Prophet's prayer and supplication are more likely to be accepted and materialized than others.
In the Hadīth: Supplication in the funeral prayer, which is the most important part of its objective
And in it: Establishing the existence of the punishment of the grave.

965

Jābir ibn Samurah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered the funeral prayer for Ibn ad-Dahdāh. Then, an unsaddled horse was brought to him, and a man hobbled it and rode it. It kept bounding with him on its back, and we followed it and ran after it. He said: A man among the people said that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Many are the hanging - or drooping - bunches in Paradise for Ibn ad-Dahdāh." [And in a version]: For Abu ad-Dahdāh..

Commentary : This Hadīth describes one of the Prophet's conditions and guidance regarding funerals: following the funeral on foot or riding. It also includes a lot of ethics. Jābir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) offered the funeral prayer for the Companion Ibn ad-Dahdāh (may Allah be pleased with him). In the version by An-Nasā’i: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) went out for the funeral of Abu ad-Dahdāh." He is Thābit ibn ad-Dahdāh an ally of the Ansār, nicknamed Abu ad-Dahdāh. It is also said: Abu ad-Dahdāha. The Prophet's prayer brings Allah's mercy to the dead person. Then, "an unsaddled horse" was brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). In another version by Muslim: "An unsaddled horse was brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), which he rode after leaving the funeral of Ibn ad-Dahdāh." So, it indicates that he rode the horse after finishing the burial. "and a man hobbled it," i.e., he held it and prevented it from moving until the prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) rode it. The horse kept bounding and moving, i.e., jumping and taking short steps. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was moving at the front, and the people were walking behind him.
Then, Simāk ibn Harb informed that one of those sitting with Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him), as narrated in Musnad Ahmad, related: A man who was sitting with us in the gathering of Jābir ibn Samurah reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said about Abu ad-Dahdāh: "Many are the hanging - or drooping - bunches in Paradise for Ibn ad-Dahdāh." This is a glad tiding by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) regarding Abu ad-Dahdāh. In Arabic, ‘Adhq means palm tree, and ‘idhq means a branch in a palm tree. The intended meaning here is the branch, for he said: hanging or drooping.
The reason behind the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) making this statement is found in a Hadīth narrated by Ahmad in his Musnad Collection, in which Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: When this verse: {Who is it that will lend to Allah a goodly loan.} [Surat al-Baqarah: 245] was revealed, Abu ad-Dahdāh gave in charity a garden comprising six hundred palm trees, and his wife was in the garden. He came and said: O ’Umm ad-Dahdāh, go out, for I have lent it to my Almighty Lord. Thereupon, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Many are the heavy bunches in Paradise for Abu ad-Dahdāh." Heavy here indicates that the bunches have abundant fruits. It is as if he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) repeated this statement upon the death of this man.
The Hadīth shows the merit and virtue of Abu ad-Dahdāh (may Allah be pleased with him).
A group may walk along with their leader while he is riding.
There is nothing wrong if a follower serves his leader, with his consent..

966

‘Āmir ibn Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās reported: Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās said during his illness in which he died: "Make a Lahd (a niche in the side of the grave) for me and set up mud bricks over me as was done with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).".

Commentary : The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to seek out the Prophet's guidance and try to emulate him in all his conditions, both in his lifetime and death. In this Hadīth, Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās (may Allah be pleased with him) set a clear example in following the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). ‘Āmir ibn Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqās relates that his father Sa‘d (may Allah be pleased with him) said during his illness in which he died: "Make a Lahd for me," i.e., dig a niche for me where I will be buried. Lahd is the crevice dug in the side of the grave to place the dead person therein. Then, he said: "and set up mud bricks over me," i.e., place over me the bricks made of mud. The bricks should be lined and arranged above one another without any adhesive in between. The version by Abu Nu‘aym in Al-Mustakhraj has this addition: "And throw dust upon me." Then, clarifying the reason for his choosing that, for he wanted what was done to the grave of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) to be done to his grave too.
In the Hadīth: The dead person is buried in the Lahd and the stones are set up over him..

967

Ibn ‘Abbās reported: A red velvet cloak was put in the grave of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was highly revered during his lifetime and after his death, and he is favored in the sight of Allah and was held in high esteem among his Companions. He passed away and was buried in the place where he died, and that was the room of the Mother of the Believers' Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her).
In this Hadīth, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that when the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) died, a red velvet cloak was put in his grave. The cloak is a garment with edges, which are strings remaining at its two sides, apart from its reinforced border. This cloak was thrown by Shokrān, the freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), according to the version by At-Tirmidhi. It is said: He disliked that it should be worn by anyone after him (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), as the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to wear it and sit over it. So, Shokrān did not like that it be used by anyone after the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him)..

968

Thumāmah ibn Shufayy reported: We were with Fadālah ibn ‘Ubayd in the land of the Romans, at Rūdis. A companion of ours died. So, Fadālah ibn ‘Ubayd commanded that his grave be leveled. Then, he said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) command that it be leveled.".

Commentary : Burial is one of the things by which a dead person is honored. A Muslim should follow the Prophet's guidance in all matters. One of these is the manner of burying the dead and the shape and condition of the grave after burial. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) were extremely keen to follow this Prophetic guidance.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Thumāmah ibn Shufayy relates that he was with the Companion Fadālah ibn ‘Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him) on an expedition "in the land of the Romans, at Rūdis" is a Greek island situated east of the Mediterranean Sea and located midway between the main Greek islands and Cyprus. Rūdis was conquered in 53 A.H., during the reign of Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abi Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him). A Muslim man from their companions passed away. So, Fadālah ibn ‘Ubayd (may Allah be pleased with him) commanded that this man be buried. After the dust was thrown over him, he commanded that his grave be leveled and blotted out and that it should not be raised or prominent. Then, Fadālah said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commanding that it be leveled" i.e., the grave should be leveled to the ground and not be raised a lot; rather, it should be raised as high as a hand span, and it should be flattened or embossed, which is more appropriate so that it can be recognized as a grave and thus be protected from being sat on or trodden.
The Hadīth contains the command that the graves should be leveled and not be raised above the ground.
It indicates that those killed in wars should be buried, and their corpses should not be left without concealment..

969

Abu al-Hayyāj Al-Asadi reported: ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib said to me: "Shall I not send you with the same instructions as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) sent me with? Do not leave any statue without blotting it out or any raised grave without leveling it." [In a version]: And he said: and any image without blotting it out..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to remove anything that pointed to the traces of Jāhiliyyah, which included their keenness on extolling images, the dead, and the graves.
In this Hadīth, the Tābi‘i Abu al-Hayyāj al-Asadi relates that ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: Shall I not send you for something the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) sent me for, and appoint you as a leader in charge of that, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) appointed me as a leader in charge of it? The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ordered ‘Ali not to leave any 'statue', i.e., an image of a living being, without eliminating and abolishing it, by cutting off its head, changing its face, and so on; and not to leave any raised grave without leveling it and making it like the surrounding area. Taswiyah (leveling) may also mean making it sound and compliant with the Shariah. Or it means: flattening, that it should not be raised a lot above the ground, but only as high as a hand span. It is more appropriate to make it flat or a saddle high. What is intended here is the grave upon which a structure is built, and it becomes raised, not the grave upon which sand, pebbles, or stones are placed for identification, so that no one should trample or sit on it, and there is no use in building over it; hence, it was prohibited.
In the Hadīth: The command to remove statues and idols
And in it: The command to level raised graves
And in it: Removing what is wrong with one's hand in case a person has authority or ability to do so.

970

Jābir reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade plastering a grave, sitting on it, and building over it..

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was the keenest among people on eliminating the traces of Jāhiliyyah, like building over the graves and raising them, for this involves a waste of money and boastfulness, as well as other things that do not befit the Hereafter and the state of death and decay. He was also keen on directing the Muslims to what shows honor for one another both in this life and after death.
In this Hadīth, Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) informs that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade "plastering the grave." In a version by Muslim: "It was forbidden to plaster the graves with gypsum," i.e., to build them with gypsum and paint them, for this involves veneration and immoderation. And he (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade "sitting on it," as this denotes disregard for the right of his fellow Muslim. In a Hadīth by Muslim, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is better for one of you to sit on a live coal, which will burn his clothes and get to his skin than to sit on a grave!" This is a stern warning and emphatic prohibition against sitting on a grave. And he forbade "building over it." This probably means building over the very grave to raise it, or building around it, like constructing a tent, a mosque, or the like around the grave. Both are prohibited, for this belongs to the practices of the people of Jāhiliyyah and it involves a waste of money.
So, the prohibition mentioned in the Hadīth comprises two types: going to excess as well as neglect regarding the graves. The dead people should not be insulted by trampling and sitting on their graves, nor should people show them immoderate reverence by constructing a building there and extolling them in a way that leads to certain forbidden things and evils..

971

Abu Hurayrah reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is better for one of you to sit on a live coal and it burns his clothes and gets to his skin than to sit on a grave.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to direct the Muslims to what demonstrates honor among themselves, both in life and after death. So, in this Hadīth, he prohibited sitting on the graves and was vehement in this prohibition. He (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed and warned that if a person sits on a piece of inflaming fire and this live coal burns his clothes and reaches his skin, which involves tremendous harm and severe pain, this burning of his clothing and skin is better and easier for him than sitting on a grave. This is a stern warning and emphatic prohibition from sitting on graves. He forbade sitting on graves because this constitutes belittlement of the rights of fellow Muslims, even if they are dead.
The usual practice regarding the graves is only to visit them and supplicate there while standing, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to do when he headed to the Baqī' cemetery. He would say: "Assalāmu ‘alaykum ahl ad-diyār min al-mu’minīn wa al-muslimīn, wa inna in shā’ Allah la lāhiqūn; as’al Allah lana wa lakam al-‘āfiyah" (Peace be upon the dwellers of this place among the believers and Muslims. Indeed, we will join you, Allah Willing. I ask Allah for safety for you and us). Narrated by Muslim..

972

Abu Marthad al-Ghanawi reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not sit on the graves and do not pray towards them.".

Commentary : The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was keen to direct the Muslims to what demonstrates honor among themselves, both in life and after death. So, he prohibited sitting on the graves, and he was vehement in this prohibition.
In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) says: "Do not sit on the graves," for this shows disregard for the rights of fellow Muslims. In another Hadīth narrated by Muslim, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) stated that sitting on lively embers is better than sitting on the graves. The usual practice regarding the graves is to only visit them and supplicate there while standing, as the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to do when he headed to the Baqī‘ cemetery. He would say: "Peace be upon the dwellers of this place among the believers and Muslims. Indeed, we will join you, Allah Willing. I ask Allah for safety for us and you." [Narrated by Muslim] Then, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "and do not pray towards them," i.e., do not pray, facing the graves. This is to differ from the Jews and the Christians who used to take the graves of their prophets and righteous ones as places of worship, in exaltation of them. And they would probably do there things that are only due to the Creator, the Almighty Lord. This applies to praying upon the grave, towards it, or between two graves, for this leads to the exaltation of the graves and to worshiping them as was the practice during Jāhiliyyah. Excluded from this prohibition is the funeral prayer at the graves, as authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him).
In the Hadīth: It is prohibited to sit on the graves.
And in it: It is prohibited to pray at the graves, between them, or towards them..

Book of Hadith