Fath al-Rabbani

Benefit: ... The literal meanings of "na'y" or "na'iyy" are: to announce the news of someone's death. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade this, whereas when he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam announced the death of certain people, these very words were used. For example: Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu says: ((Indeed, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam announced the death of Najashi on the day he died; he went out to the prayer place, arranged the people in rows, and said four takbirs.)) That is: "On the day Najashi passed away, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave the news of his death, then went out to the prayer area, arranged the people in rows, and said four takbirs." (Bukhari: 1245) Similarly, the announcement of the deaths of Sayyiduna Ja'far, Sayyiduna Zayd, and Sayyiduna Ibn Rawahah radi Allahu anhum, etc., was also made.