Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … By “a good word” is meant supplication (du‘a) and seeking forgiveness (istighfar), as Sayyidah Umm Salamah radi Allahu anha narrates that when the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam came to Sayyiduna Abu Salamah radi Allahu anhu, his eyes had become fixed open. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam closed them and said: “When the soul is taken, the eyes follow it.” At that, the people began to wail and cry out. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Do not supplicate against yourselves; rather, say good words, for the angels say ‘Ameen’ to what you say.” Then the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam made this supplication: ((Allahumma ighfir li-Abi Salamah, warfa‘ darajatahu fil-mahdiyyin, wakhlufhu fi ‘aqibihi fil-ghabirin, waghfir lana walahu ya Rabb al-‘alamin, wafsah lahu fi qabrihi wa nawwir lahu fihi.)) That is: “O Allah! Forgive Abu Salamah, raise his rank among those who are rightly guided (al-mahdiyyin), and be his successor among his descendants who remain. O Lord of the worlds, forgive us and him, and expand his grave for him and illuminate it for him.” (Sahih Muslim)