❖ Standing by the Grave After Burial: A Sharʿī Guideline ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, p. 562
Question:
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Ḥadīth 121, Dār as-Salām: 321) mentions that ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ (رضي الله عنه), at the time of his death, advised his son to remain by his grave after burial for a duration equal to the time it takes to slaughter a camel and distribute its meat.
The question is:
◈ Is this narration authentic?
◈ Is the deceased aware of those standing by their grave?
◈ Does this act bring comfort and peace to the deceased?
(Questioner: Waqar ʿAlī, Lahore)
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
✔ Yes, this narration is completely authentic.
✔ Criticisms directed at Abū ʿĀṣim aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk ibn Mukhlad an-Nabīl—one of the narrators—are invalid and unacceptable.
✔ He is considered one of the reliable and primary narrators in both Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
✔ Prominent scholars like Imām al-Bukhārī, Imām Muslim, Imām Yaḥyá ibn Maʿīn, Imām al-ʿAjlī, Imām Muḥammad ibn Saʿd, and the majority of muḥaddithīn declared him trustworthy (thiqqah).
✔ When the majority of scholars validate a narrator’s integrity, isolated criticism from a few individuals is considered rejected and insignificant.
◈ The translation and meaning of this narration can either be read directly or obtained from a nearby reliable scholar of sound ʿaqīdah.
◈ Believing in an authentic ḥadīth is itself a source of success in both this world and the Hereafter.
While the narration itself doesn't explicitly state whether the deceased is aware of those present or whether they derive peace, the implied purpose of ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ’s request was to:
✔ Provide comfort to the soul
✔ Assist during the questioning of the grave
✔ Seek mercy for the deceased through duʿāʾ and presence
Thus, scholars have understood that remaining briefly by the grave to make duʿāʾ and seek forgiveness for the deceased is a commendable practice grounded in authentic tradition.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, p. 562
❖ Standing at the Grave After Burial
Question:
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Ḥadīth 121, Dār as-Salām: 321) mentions that ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ (رضي الله عنه), at the time of his death, advised his son to remain by his grave after burial for a duration equal to the time it takes to slaughter a camel and distribute its meat.
The question is:
◈ Is this narration authentic?
◈ Is the deceased aware of those standing by their grave?
◈ Does this act bring comfort and peace to the deceased?
(Questioner: Waqar ʿAlī, Lahore)
❖ Response:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
➊ Authenticity of the Narration
✔ Yes, this narration is completely authentic.
✔ Criticisms directed at Abū ʿĀṣim aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk ibn Mukhlad an-Nabīl—one of the narrators—are invalid and unacceptable.
✔ He is considered one of the reliable and primary narrators in both Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.
✔ Prominent scholars like Imām al-Bukhārī, Imām Muslim, Imām Yaḥyá ibn Maʿīn, Imām al-ʿAjlī, Imām Muḥammad ibn Saʿd, and the majority of muḥaddithīn declared him trustworthy (thiqqah).
✔ When the majority of scholars validate a narrator’s integrity, isolated criticism from a few individuals is considered rejected and insignificant.
➋ Additional Clarification
◈ The translation and meaning of this narration can either be read directly or obtained from a nearby reliable scholar of sound ʿaqīdah.
◈ Believing in an authentic ḥadīth is itself a source of success in both this world and the Hereafter.
➌ Regarding the Awareness and Comfort of the Deceased
While the narration itself doesn't explicitly state whether the deceased is aware of those present or whether they derive peace, the implied purpose of ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ’s request was to:
✔ Provide comfort to the soul
✔ Assist during the questioning of the grave
✔ Seek mercy for the deceased through duʿāʾ and presence
Thus, scholars have understood that remaining briefly by the grave to make duʿāʾ and seek forgiveness for the deceased is a commendable practice grounded in authentic tradition.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
