Teachings of Qur'an and Hadith Regarding Criticizing the Deceased
Compiled by: Tawheed.com
Islam is a religion of mercy, which teaches justice, respect, and goodness for both the living and the deceased. This article draws guidance from the Noble Qur'an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ to clarify why it is impermissible to criticize those who have passed away, and what attitude a Muslim should adopt in this regard.
Allah ﷻ says:
تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُمْ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَلَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
(Surah al-Baqarah: 134)
Translation: “That was a nation who has passed away. Theirs is that which they earned, and yours is that which you earn. And you will not be questioned about what they used to do.”
This verse clearly indicates that those who have departed from this world have taken their deeds with them, and we will not be held accountable for their actions.
Our attention should remain focused on self-rectification, as our reckoning will be based on our own deeds.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لَا تَسُبُّوا الْأَمْوَاتَ فَإِنَّهُمْ قَدْ أَفْضَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا قَدَّمُوا
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1393, Sunan al-Nasa’i: 1936, Musnad Ahmad: 6/180)
Translation: “Do not revile the dead, for they have reached (the result of) what they sent forth (in deeds).”
This Hadith explicitly forbids insulting those who have passed away.
Their reward or punishment is now in Allah’s hands, as they have already been presented before Him.
Once, Umm al-Mu’minin ʿAishah رضي الله عنها used harsh words while mentioning Yazid ibn Qays. Someone informed her that he had passed away. Upon hearing this, she immediately sought forgiveness and recalled the saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that the deceased should not be spoken ill of.
(Sahih Ibn Hibban: Vol. 5, p. 43, Hadith No. 2010)
This incident shows that even a noble Companion, and a member of the Ahl al-Bayt, refrained from speaking ill of someone who had wronged her in life, once he had passed away.
This should be our model behavior.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا مَاتَ صَاحِبُكُمْ فَدَعُوهُ، وَلَا تَقَعُوا فِيهِ
(Sunan Abu Dawud: 4899)
Translation: “When your companion passes away, leave him alone and do not search out his faults.”
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
لَا تَسُبُّوا الْأَمْوَاتَ فَتُؤْذُوا بِهِ الْأَحْيَاءَ
(Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1982)
Translation: “Do not revile the dead, for it causes harm to the living.”
Speaking ill of a deceased person often causes grief and emotional pain to their family and close ones.
Islam strictly forbids causing undue harm to others.
Islam has declared shirk (associating partners with Allah) as the greatest sin. Aside from shirk, Allah may forgive any other sin as He wills.
Thus, unless a person’s shirk is established with clear evidence, it is inappropriate to pass judgment upon them.
We must focus on our own deeds and end, follow the commands of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, and leave the judgment of others to Allah.
✔ Earning Allah’s Pleasure:
By obeying the divine command to refrain from criticizing the deceased, one earns the pleasure of Allah.
✔ Social Harmony:
Avoiding slander of the deceased helps reduce tensions and enmity within families and communities.
✔ Personal Reform:
Focusing on improving one’s own faith and character, rather than holding grudges against others, contributes to spiritual growth and moral development.
The deeds of the deceased are now in Allah’s custody. We neither have the power to reform them nor to punish or reward them.
Our duty is to reform ourselves and improve our own conduct.
The Qur'an and Hadith clearly state that it is not permissible to speak ill of the deceased.
Such behavior is displeasing to Allah and contrary to Islamic brotherhood and ethics.
Therefore, we must refrain from negative speech about those who have passed away, leave their matter to Allah, and remain occupied in preparing for our own Hereafter.
May Allah grant us the ability to rectify ourselves, forgive the deceased, and join us among the righteous. Āmīn.
Compiled by: Tawheed.com
Islam is a religion of mercy, which teaches justice, respect, and goodness for both the living and the deceased. This article draws guidance from the Noble Qur'an and the authentic Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ to clarify why it is impermissible to criticize those who have passed away, and what attitude a Muslim should adopt in this regard.
① Guidance from the Qur’an
(1.1) The Matter of Past Nations is with Allah
Allah ﷻ says:
تِلْكَ أُمَّةٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ لَهَا مَا كَسَبَتْ وَلَكُمْ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَلَا تُسْأَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
(Surah al-Baqarah: 134)
Translation: “That was a nation who has passed away. Theirs is that which they earned, and yours is that which you earn. And you will not be questioned about what they used to do.”
This verse clearly indicates that those who have departed from this world have taken their deeds with them, and we will not be held accountable for their actions.
Our attention should remain focused on self-rectification, as our reckoning will be based on our own deeds.
② Guidance from the Prophetic Traditions
(2.1) Prohibition of Speaking Ill of the Dead
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
لَا تَسُبُّوا الْأَمْوَاتَ فَإِنَّهُمْ قَدْ أَفْضَوْا إِلَىٰ مَا قَدَّمُوا
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 1393, Sunan al-Nasa’i: 1936, Musnad Ahmad: 6/180)
Translation: “Do not revile the dead, for they have reached (the result of) what they sent forth (in deeds).”
This Hadith explicitly forbids insulting those who have passed away.
Their reward or punishment is now in Allah’s hands, as they have already been presented before Him.
(2.2) The Incident of Umm al-Mu’minin ʿAishah رضي الله عنها
Once, Umm al-Mu’minin ʿAishah رضي الله عنها used harsh words while mentioning Yazid ibn Qays. Someone informed her that he had passed away. Upon hearing this, she immediately sought forgiveness and recalled the saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that the deceased should not be spoken ill of.
(Sahih Ibn Hibban: Vol. 5, p. 43, Hadith No. 2010)
This incident shows that even a noble Companion, and a member of the Ahl al-Bayt, refrained from speaking ill of someone who had wronged her in life, once he had passed away.
This should be our model behavior.
(2.3) Do Not Pursue the Faults of the Deceased Companion
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا مَاتَ صَاحِبُكُمْ فَدَعُوهُ، وَلَا تَقَعُوا فِيهِ
(Sunan Abu Dawud: 4899)
Translation: “When your companion passes away, leave him alone and do not search out his faults.”
(2.4) Speaking Ill of the Dead Harms the Living
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
لَا تَسُبُّوا الْأَمْوَاتَ فَتُؤْذُوا بِهِ الْأَحْيَاءَ
(Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 1982)
Translation: “Do not revile the dead, for it causes harm to the living.”
Speaking ill of a deceased person often causes grief and emotional pain to their family and close ones.
Islam strictly forbids causing undue harm to others.
③ Protection from Shirk and Concern for One’s Final Outcome
Islam has declared shirk (associating partners with Allah) as the greatest sin. Aside from shirk, Allah may forgive any other sin as He wills.
Thus, unless a person’s shirk is established with clear evidence, it is inappropriate to pass judgment upon them.
We must focus on our own deeds and end, follow the commands of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, and leave the judgment of others to Allah.
④ Benefits of Avoiding Criticism and Slander of the Deceased
✔ Earning Allah’s Pleasure:
By obeying the divine command to refrain from criticizing the deceased, one earns the pleasure of Allah.
✔ Social Harmony:
Avoiding slander of the deceased helps reduce tensions and enmity within families and communities.
✔ Personal Reform:
Focusing on improving one’s own faith and character, rather than holding grudges against others, contributes to spiritual growth and moral development.
⑤ Conclusion
The deeds of the deceased are now in Allah’s custody. We neither have the power to reform them nor to punish or reward them.
Our duty is to reform ourselves and improve our own conduct.
The Qur'an and Hadith clearly state that it is not permissible to speak ill of the deceased.
Such behavior is displeasing to Allah and contrary to Islamic brotherhood and ethics.
Therefore, we must refrain from negative speech about those who have passed away, leave their matter to Allah, and remain occupied in preparing for our own Hereafter.
May Allah grant us the ability to rectify ourselves, forgive the deceased, and join us among the righteous. Āmīn.
❖ Recommended References
- Sahih al-Bukhari: 1393
- Sunan al-Nasa’i: 1936
- Musnad Ahmad: Vol. 6, p. 180
- Sahih Ibn Hibban: Vol. 5, p. 43, Hadith No. 2010
- Sunan Abu Dawud: 4899
- Jamiʿ al-Tirmidhi: Hadith No. 1982
