❖ Sharʿī Ruling on Sprinkling Water Over the Grave: A Review of Aḥādīth ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, p. 546
Is there any authentic (ṣaḥīḥ or ḥasan) ḥadīth regarding sprinkling water on the grave?
(Questioner: Muḥsin Salafī, Karachi)
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
◈ A narration appears in Sunan Ibn Mājah under the chapter:
“Bāb mā jāʾa fī idkhāl al-mayyit al-qabr”
(Chapter on placing the deceased in the grave)
Narration:
The Prophet ﷺ sprinkled water on the grave of Saʿd ibn Muʿādh (رضي الله عنه).
(Ḥadīth no. 1551)
◈ This narration is weak (ḍaʿīf) due to the presence of two weak narrators:
Because of their weakness, this narration does not meet the standard of ḥasan or ṣaḥīḥ.
Sprinkling water on the grave is also mentioned in the following collections:
However:
◈ These reports also contain weak or rejected chains and do not establish a firm Sunnah-based practice.
✔ No ṣaḥīḥ or ḥasan ḥadīth exists that authentically establishes the act of sprinkling water on the grave as a Sunnah act.
✔ Therefore, sprinkling water may be done for practical purposes only, such as settling the dust after burial. It should not be considered a Sunnah or ritual act of reward unless supported by authentic evidence.
(Shahādat Magazine, May 2003 Edition)
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, p. 546
❖ Question:
Is there any authentic (ṣaḥīḥ or ḥasan) ḥadīth regarding sprinkling water on the grave?
(Questioner: Muḥsin Salafī, Karachi)
❖ Response:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
➊ Report from Sunan Ibn Mājah
◈ A narration appears in Sunan Ibn Mājah under the chapter:
“Bāb mā jāʾa fī idkhāl al-mayyit al-qabr”
(Chapter on placing the deceased in the grave)
Narration:
The Prophet ﷺ sprinkled water on the grave of Saʿd ibn Muʿādh (رضي الله عنه).
(Ḥadīth no. 1551)
➋ Status of the Narration
◈ This narration is weak (ḍaʿīf) due to the presence of two weak narrators:
- Mundhil ibn ʿAlī
- Muḥammad ibn ʿUbaydillāh Abū Rāfiʿ
Because of their weakness, this narration does not meet the standard of ḥasan or ṣaḥīḥ.
➌ Other Sources Containing Similar Reports
Sprinkling water on the grave is also mentioned in the following collections:
- Tashīl al-Ḥājah, p. 107
- al-Muṣannaf of ʿAbd al-Razzāq, Ḥadīth no. 6481
- as-Sunan al-Kubrā by al-Bayhaqī, Vol. 3, p. 411
However:
◈ These reports also contain weak or rejected chains and do not establish a firm Sunnah-based practice.
➍ Sharʿī Conclusion
✔ No ṣaḥīḥ or ḥasan ḥadīth exists that authentically establishes the act of sprinkling water on the grave as a Sunnah act.
✔ Therefore, sprinkling water may be done for practical purposes only, such as settling the dust after burial. It should not be considered a Sunnah or ritual act of reward unless supported by authentic evidence.
(Shahādat Magazine, May 2003 Edition)
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
