Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The ahadith of the above three chapters pertain to weeping, wailing, and other such matters. The summary of these ahadith is that the type of weeping which is associated with tears from the eyes and grief in the heart is permissible; in fact, it has been praised, because this weeping is the result of the heart’s tenderness. In this context, it is also possible for a sound to be produced, before which a person becomes overwhelmed due to the intensity of grief. The last hadith of this chapter pertains precisely to this situation: when Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhuma) were weeping over Sayyiduna Sa’d (radi Allahu anhu), the sound of their weeping could be heard. Apart from this, every other form of weeping will be considered wailing (nawh) and contrary to the Shari‘ah, for example: weeping loudly, lamenting, uttering nonsense, screaming, calling out with the cries of ignorance (jahiliyyah), mentioning the virtues, merits, and habits of the deceased while weeping or in a loud voice, such as: “Alas, my support! Alas, my helper! O brave one!” tearing one’s collar, striking the cheeks, shaving the head, uttering prohibited words, or weeping while cursing oneself.