Striking the Cheeks and Tearing the Clothes in Times of Calamity

Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)

Question:

What is the ruling regarding women who strike their cheeks during mourning for a death?

Answer:

Striking the cheeks, tearing the clothes, and wailing during times of calamity are all prohibited and strictly forbidden in Islam. The Prophet (peace and blessings 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]

In another narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated:

"I disown the woman who wails, shaves her head, or tears her clothes."

[Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:

"There are four practices from the Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) that my Ummah will never abandon: boasting about their ancestors, insulting others' lineage, seeking rain through the stars, and wailing over the dead."

[Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals]

Moreover, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) warned:

"If a woman who wails does not repent before her death, she will be raised on the Day of Judgment wearing a garment of molten tar and an armor of scabs."

[Sahih Muslim]

Therefore, it is obligatory to be patient during times of calamity, avoid these forbidden actions, and repent from any previous mistakes. Allah Almighty says:

"And give good tidings to the patient, who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.'"

[Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:155]

Allah has promised great rewards for those who exercise patience:

"Upon them are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is they who are the [rightly] guided."

[Surah Al-Baqarah: 2:157]

This emphasizes the importance of patience and refraining from acts of ignorance during times of grief.
 
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