Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hasan narrates that a funeral passed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and someone praised the deceased. Seeing this, many other tongues also praised him. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It has become obligatory for him." (Then once again) a funeral passed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and someone spoke ill of the deceased. Seeing this, many other tongues also spoke ill of him. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It has become obligatory for him." Hazrat Umar bin Khattab submitted: "O Messenger of Allah! When the first funeral passed and he was praised, you said, 'It has become obligatory,' and for the second one as well you said, 'It has become obligatory.' (What has become obligatory?)" The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Indeed, you are Allah's witnesses on earth." He repeated this blessed sentence two or three times.

Hazrat Iyas bin Salamah narrates from his father that a funeral of a person from among the Ansar passed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and his virtues were mentioned. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "It has become obligatory." Then another funeral passed by, and his faults were mentioned. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "It has become obligatory." The companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah! What has become obligatory?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The angels are Allah's witnesses in the heavens, and you are Allah's witnesses on the earth."

Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that people passed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) with a funeral, and its goodness was mentioned. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It has become obligatory." Then another funeral passed by, and among its bad qualities, its evil was mentioned. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It has become obligatory." Surely, you people are Allah's witnesses on earth.

Hazrat Abu Al-Aswad Al-Daili narrates that I came to Madinah when there was an epidemic spreading. I sat with Hazrat Umar bin Khattab, and a funeral passed by him, about whom good was spoken. Hazrat Umar said: "It has become obligatory for him." Then another funeral passed by, about whom evil was spoken, so Hazrat Umar said: "It has become obligatory for him." Hazrat Abu Al-Aswad asked, "O Commander of the Faithful! What has become obligatory?" Hazrat Umar replied, "I have said just as the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'If four people testify to the goodness of a Muslim, Allah will admit him to Paradise.' We asked, 'If three?' He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'Even for three.' We asked, 'If two?' He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'Even for two, He will admit him to Paradise.' After that, we did not ask about one."

Hazrat Abdullah says that observe people near their beds; if you see goodness in a dying person, then hope for good for him, and if you see evil in the dying person, then fear for him.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that a man passed away and his good qualities were mentioned in the presence of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Paradise has become obligatory for him. Another man passed away and his bad qualities were mentioned in the presence of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Hell will become obligatory for him. Some people said, "O Messenger of Allah! We are amazed at your statement that it has become obligatory." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Some people are witnesses over others.