❖ Detailed Explanation of the Ḥadīth “هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ” and Related Misconceptions
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Bayān ʿAqāʾid, Vol. 1, p. 63
In the Ḥadīth, it is mentioned that two angels come to the grave, seat the deceased, and ask:
"هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ" — meaning, “What did you say about this man (Muḥammad ﷺ)?”
From this, some people develop the misconception that the Noble Prophet ﷺ personally comes to every grave of the deceased.
Is this actually the case? If not, what is the correct meaning of this Ḥadīth?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
To understand this, let us refer to a narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī:
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, p. 4, it is narrated:
«إِنِّيْ سَائِلٌ هٰذَا عَنْ هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, p. 4)
These are the words of the Roman emperor Heraclius when he questioned Abū Sufyān about the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
At that time, the Prophet ﷺ was in al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah and had not traveled to Syria.
If Heraclius thought the Prophet ﷺ was physically present before him, there would have been no need to ask Abū Sufyān questions. Likewise, if Abū Sufyān thought the Prophet ﷺ was there, he could have said:
"The Prophet ﷺ is here, you can ask him directly."
Therefore, it becomes clear that:
① The phrase "هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ" does not necessitate physical presence.
② It can simply refer to mentioning or indicating someone without implying their actual presence.
Similarly, when the angels ask in the grave:
"مَا كُنتَ تَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الرَّجُلِ؟"
— it refers to mentioning the Prophet ﷺ, not to his physical arrival in the grave.
Further Clarification:
Countless people die at the same time across the world. If we were to assume that the Prophet ﷺ personally came to each grave, it would be logically impossible.
Thus, the meaning of this Ḥadīth is not the Prophet’s physical attendance but rather a figurative question to ascertain the deceased’s belief and stance regarding the Prophet ﷺ.
Is it permissible to call the Noble Prophet ﷺ by saying only “Yā Muḥammad” or “Muḥammad”?
If not, then how should we understand the Ḥadīth where the Companions chanted “Yā Muḥammad” or “Yā Rasūlallāh”?
Referring to the chapter on the Prophet’s migration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, there is a narration:
Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib (رضي الله عنه) said:
When the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ migrated to al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah, men and women climbed onto the rooftops, and children and servants spread out in the streets, all calling out:
“Yā Muḥammad, Yā Rasūlallāh! Yā Muḥammad, Yā Rasūlallāh!”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Bāb Hijrat an-Nabī ﷺ)
Explanation:
In Arabic, after the particle "Yā" (O!), the name of the one being called (munādā) appears, and often there is an implied verb (a hidden meaning) understood from context.
In this case, the actual meaning was:
Hence:
① These words were expressions of honor and joy, not ordinary calling.
② There was no disrespect or casual tone in them.
According to Islamic etiquette, it is not appropriate to call the Prophet ﷺ by name alone in a casual or direct way. The Qur’ān states:
"لَا تَجْعَلُوا دُعَاءَ الرَّسُولِ بَيْنَكُمْ كَدُعَاءِ بَعْضِكُم بَعْضًا"
— Do not call upon the Messenger among yourselves as you call one another.
Conclusion:
References:
Allāh knows best what is correct.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Bayān ʿAqāʾid, Vol. 1, p. 63
Question No. (1):
In the Ḥadīth, it is mentioned that two angels come to the grave, seat the deceased, and ask:
"هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ" — meaning, “What did you say about this man (Muḥammad ﷺ)?”
From this, some people develop the misconception that the Noble Prophet ﷺ personally comes to every grave of the deceased.
Is this actually the case? If not, what is the correct meaning of this Ḥadīth?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
To understand this, let us refer to a narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī:
In Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, p. 4, it is narrated:
«إِنِّيْ سَائِلٌ هٰذَا عَنْ هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, p. 4)
These are the words of the Roman emperor Heraclius when he questioned Abū Sufyān about the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
At that time, the Prophet ﷺ was in al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah and had not traveled to Syria.
If Heraclius thought the Prophet ﷺ was physically present before him, there would have been no need to ask Abū Sufyān questions. Likewise, if Abū Sufyān thought the Prophet ﷺ was there, he could have said:
"The Prophet ﷺ is here, you can ask him directly."
Therefore, it becomes clear that:
① The phrase "هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ" does not necessitate physical presence.
② It can simply refer to mentioning or indicating someone without implying their actual presence.
Similarly, when the angels ask in the grave:
"مَا كُنتَ تَقُولُ فِي هَذَا الرَّجُلِ؟"
— it refers to mentioning the Prophet ﷺ, not to his physical arrival in the grave.
Further Clarification:
Countless people die at the same time across the world. If we were to assume that the Prophet ﷺ personally came to each grave, it would be logically impossible.
Thus, the meaning of this Ḥadīth is not the Prophet’s physical attendance but rather a figurative question to ascertain the deceased’s belief and stance regarding the Prophet ﷺ.
Question No. (2):
Is it permissible to call the Noble Prophet ﷺ by saying only “Yā Muḥammad” or “Muḥammad”?
If not, then how should we understand the Ḥadīth where the Companions chanted “Yā Muḥammad” or “Yā Rasūlallāh”?
Answer:
Referring to the chapter on the Prophet’s migration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, there is a narration:
Al-Barāʾ ibn ʿĀzib (رضي الله عنه) said:
When the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ migrated to al-Madīnah al-Munawwarah, men and women climbed onto the rooftops, and children and servants spread out in the streets, all calling out:
“Yā Muḥammad, Yā Rasūlallāh! Yā Muḥammad, Yā Rasūlallāh!”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Bāb Hijrat an-Nabī ﷺ)
Explanation:
In Arabic, after the particle "Yā" (O!), the name of the one being called (munādā) appears, and often there is an implied verb (a hidden meaning) understood from context.
In this case, the actual meaning was:
- “O people! The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ has arrived!”
- “O Muslims! The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ is here!”
Hence:
① These words were expressions of honor and joy, not ordinary calling.
② There was no disrespect or casual tone in them.
According to Islamic etiquette, it is not appropriate to call the Prophet ﷺ by name alone in a casual or direct way. The Qur’ān states:
"لَا تَجْعَلُوا دُعَاءَ الرَّسُولِ بَيْنَكُمْ كَدُعَاءِ بَعْضِكُم بَعْضًا"
— Do not call upon the Messenger among yourselves as you call one another.
Conclusion:
- Saying “Yā Muḥammad” or “Muḥammad” in a casual or disrespectful manner is not appropriate.
- The Companions’ chants were in reverence and celebration, not ordinary calling.
References:
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, p. 4 — Narration: «إِنِّيْ سَائِلٌ هٰذَا عَنْ هٰذَا الرَّجُلِ»
- Muslim, Kitāb az-Zuhd, Vol. 2, p. 419 (final Ḥadīth)
Allāh knows best what is correct.
