Fatwa: Dar al-Ifta Committee
Question:
Is it permissible to lament over the deceased, strike the cheeks, and tear one's clothes? Does lamenting over the deceased have any effect on them?
Answer:
Lamenting over the deceased by crying loudly, wailing, or engaging in excessive mourning is prohibited. Likewise, tearing clothes, striking the cheeks, and other similar acts are also forbidden. As narrated in the Sahihain (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) from Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"He is not one of us who strikes the cheeks, tears the clothes, and calls with the call of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance)."
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
It is also established from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he cursed the woman who laments and wails excessively over the deceased. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The deceased is punished in his grave because of the wailing done over him."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals]
In another narration, it is stated:
"The deceased is tormented because of the crying of his family over him."
[Agreed upon: Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
These narrations clarify that wailing and excessive mourning can cause suffering for the deceased in the grave. Hence, such practices are strictly prohibited in Islam.
Question:
Is it permissible to lament over the deceased, strike the cheeks, and tear one's clothes? Does lamenting over the deceased have any effect on them?
Answer:
Lamenting over the deceased by crying loudly, wailing, or engaging in excessive mourning is prohibited. Likewise, tearing clothes, striking the cheeks, and other similar acts are also forbidden. As narrated in the Sahihain (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) from Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"He is not one of us who strikes the cheeks, tears the clothes, and calls with the call of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance)."
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
It is also established from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he cursed the woman who laments and wails excessively over the deceased. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The deceased is punished in his grave because of the wailing done over him."
[Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals]
In another narration, it is stated:
"The deceased is tormented because of the crying of his family over him."
[Agreed upon: Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
These narrations clarify that wailing and excessive mourning can cause suffering for the deceased in the grave. Hence, such practices are strictly prohibited in Islam.