Authored by: Al-Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
It is narrated by Abdullah bin Ja’far (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once sent an army, appointing Zayd bin Harithah (RA) as the commander. He said:
“If Zayd is martyred, then your leader will be Ja’far (RA), and if Ja’far is martyred, then your leader will be Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA).”
When the army encountered the enemy, Zayd (RA) fought while holding the flag and was martyred, followed by Ja’far (RA) and then Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA). Finally, Khalid bin Walid (RA) took the flag, and Allah granted victory through him.
When the news of the martyrs reached the Prophet ﷺ, he came out to the people, praised Allah, and said:
“Your brothers faced the enemy. Zayd took the flag and was martyred, then Ja’far took the flag and was martyred, and then Abdullah bin Rawahah took it and was martyred. Then Khalid bin Walid (RA) took it, and Allah granted victory at his hands.”
After this, the Prophet ﷺ did not visit the family of Ja’far (RA) for three days. After three days, he visited them and said:
“Do not weep over my brother after today. Bring me his two sons.”
The boys were brought, and the Prophet ﷺ said: “Bring someone to shave their heads.” The barber shaved their heads, and the Prophet ﷺ remarked: “Muhammad, the son of Ja’far, resembles our uncle Abu Talib, while Abdullah resembles me in appearance and character.”
He then raised his hands and prayed:
“O Allah, be the guardian of Ja’far’s family, and bless Abdullah’s hand.” He repeated this three times.
Their mother then came, expressing her grief and mentioning their orphanhood. The Prophet ﷺ comforted her, saying:
“Why are you concerned about their financial situation? I am their guardian in this world and the Hereafter.”
[Musnad Ahmad (1/204, Hadith 1750) - Verified by Ahmad Shakir]
Question:
Is offering condolences limited to only three days, or can one visit the family of the deceased after three days to offer condolences?Answer:
Condolences can be offered even after three days, whenever it is deemed beneficial. There is evidence in the Sunnah that allows for this.It is narrated by Abdullah bin Ja’far (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ once sent an army, appointing Zayd bin Harithah (RA) as the commander. He said:
“If Zayd is martyred, then your leader will be Ja’far (RA), and if Ja’far is martyred, then your leader will be Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA).”
When the army encountered the enemy, Zayd (RA) fought while holding the flag and was martyred, followed by Ja’far (RA) and then Abdullah bin Rawahah (RA). Finally, Khalid bin Walid (RA) took the flag, and Allah granted victory through him.
When the news of the martyrs reached the Prophet ﷺ, he came out to the people, praised Allah, and said:
“Your brothers faced the enemy. Zayd took the flag and was martyred, then Ja’far took the flag and was martyred, and then Abdullah bin Rawahah took it and was martyred. Then Khalid bin Walid (RA) took it, and Allah granted victory at his hands.”
After this, the Prophet ﷺ did not visit the family of Ja’far (RA) for three days. After three days, he visited them and said:
“Do not weep over my brother after today. Bring me his two sons.”
The boys were brought, and the Prophet ﷺ said: “Bring someone to shave their heads.” The barber shaved their heads, and the Prophet ﷺ remarked: “Muhammad, the son of Ja’far, resembles our uncle Abu Talib, while Abdullah resembles me in appearance and character.”
He then raised his hands and prayed:
“O Allah, be the guardian of Ja’far’s family, and bless Abdullah’s hand.” He repeated this three times.
Their mother then came, expressing her grief and mentioning their orphanhood. The Prophet ﷺ comforted her, saying:
“Why are you concerned about their financial situation? I am their guardian in this world and the Hereafter.”
[Musnad Ahmad (1/204, Hadith 1750) - Verified by Ahmad Shakir]
Ruling Derived from the Hadith:
The Hadith demonstrates that offering condolences after three days is permissible and was practiced by the Prophet ﷺ when he visited the family of Ja’far (RA) after three days.Conclusion:
- Condolences are not restricted to a three-day period. One may visit and offer condolences even after this period whenever it is beneficial or necessary.
- The purpose of condolences is to provide comfort, guidance, and support to the grieving family, which remains relevant beyond three days.